Most important stories of the German music market are told already. Adele is the new rising star probably catching the no.1 spot next week, Bruno Mars will follow having just now two tracks simultaneously in the top 10. These actions are similar to most countries all over Europe. What’s about productions from the continent? – Well, best sold track from continental Europe is right now David Guetta’s Who’s That Chick?. At least in Germany it is selling since two months copies enough for placing within the top 10. It reached its highest position no.6 when it was first released beginning of December. This week Who’s That Chick? is sliding down two places to no.10. Of course the track is not a full European production as the voice belongs to Rihanna. Best sold completely European production comes from Germany and ranks at no.11. There Hey (Nah Neh Nah) lands after an impressive more than 20 positions jump. Originally the song was offered by Belgian band Vaya Con Dios. It was one of their few hits finding a wide audience in central Europe in the early 90s. Probably Nah Neh Nah (which was the original title) was the most played and most known track of the band but not the commercially most successful reaching only no.16 in Germany and missing the top 20 in Austria and Switzerland. In autumn 2010 the track became more or less popular in clubs – if one is interested in the different versions one could find them here. German DJ duo Milk&Sugar had the luckiest hands on the track, their mix is selling in bigger quantities and entered the German charts just at the end of last year. On 14th January the proper CD single was released causing the abover mentioned jump. It gives the DJ team its highest place ever. And even Vaya Con Dios finally have a second no.11-hit after getting this rank once more than 20 years ago. Both are still waiting for their first German top 10 rank. Will the new mix have the power for rising further? We will see.
Most popular song in German comes from Revolverheld feat. Marta Jandová at no.12. Halt dich an mir fest (Hold on me) is ranking within the German list since beginning of December reaching no.8 in ist very first week but it was always overshadowed by powerful German superstars UNHEILIG who held a strong performing Winter within the list. Finally winter euphoria and romantic memories of peaceful childhood loosing sympathy and the classic love song finds its way into the spotlight.
4-11: Adele vs. Bruno Mars
The music market finds back to life finally. The recent press release of chart compiling institute media control tells some stories about new music arriving in the upcoming list. But one is static at all: the no.1. The Black Eyed Peas are sitting well at the top for the fourth week. The Time (Dirty Bit) now matches the result of their very first no.1 track Where Is The Love. Does the recent track have the power of becoming the Peas’ biggest hit even take over the result of Shut Up which spent six weeks at the top in 2003?
To me it looks quite like a wonder having The Time (Dirty Bit) still as the track cashing in the most. The download lists are seeing it dropping down since weeks. Physical sale must be still very strong. This is the actual surprise. As a dance oriented track The Time (Dirty Bit) should attract much more younger and digitally well equipped people. CD buying costumers are mostly much more conservative. Did The Black Eyed Peas change this rule?
However this week marks the15th at the top for The Black Eyed Peas. Now they match the result of Lady Gaga. All time record is holden by Boney M. having 48 weeks under their belt.
Best new CD release of the week 14th to 20th January is Rolling In The Deep by Adele. The track already charted as a digatl only single two weeks before climbing a fortnight ago to no.9. Now as combined sales count Rolling In The Deep raises up to no.3 making Adele the most promising act for becoming the next no.1. The story of Adele was told perfectly by James Masterton in his UK chart watch blog. The UK sees Rolling In The Deep at no.2.
If Adele could be the next no.1 – her successor is entering the charts right now. Bruno Mars’ Grenade is leading the download lists in an extraordinary way and sits in the combined media control list proper at no.8. It is the highest new entry within the singles list. The album Doo-Wops & Hooligans enters the album charts right at the top this week. It not only gives the new track a big impact but also Bruno Mars’ first solo track Just The Way You Are which rises two places back to no.5. I promise you that in three weeks time we will see Bruno Mars topping also the singles list. Then Grenade is full released as a physical CD too (CD start in Germany is 4th february).
To me it looks quite like a wonder having The Time (Dirty Bit) still as the track cashing in the most. The download lists are seeing it dropping down since weeks. Physical sale must be still very strong. This is the actual surprise. As a dance oriented track The Time (Dirty Bit) should attract much more younger and digitally well equipped people. CD buying costumers are mostly much more conservative. Did The Black Eyed Peas change this rule?
However this week marks the15th at the top for The Black Eyed Peas. Now they match the result of Lady Gaga. All time record is holden by Boney M. having 48 weeks under their belt.
Best new CD release of the week 14th to 20th January is Rolling In The Deep by Adele. The track already charted as a digatl only single two weeks before climbing a fortnight ago to no.9. Now as combined sales count Rolling In The Deep raises up to no.3 making Adele the most promising act for becoming the next no.1. The story of Adele was told perfectly by James Masterton in his UK chart watch blog. The UK sees Rolling In The Deep at no.2.
If Adele could be the next no.1 – her successor is entering the charts right now. Bruno Mars’ Grenade is leading the download lists in an extraordinary way and sits in the combined media control list proper at no.8. It is the highest new entry within the singles list. The album Doo-Wops & Hooligans enters the album charts right at the top this week. It not only gives the new track a big impact but also Bruno Mars’ first solo track Just The Way You Are which rises two places back to no.5. I promise you that in three weeks time we will see Bruno Mars topping also the singles list. Then Grenade is full released as a physical CD too (CD start in Germany is 4th february).
Boring list refused by MTV
Once again a week chart which is not published at MTV's site. Well the now pay TV channel is having a lot of doubts wether German singles charts are cool and worth be published or not. Troubles at the site are common since years. Once I asked the editors why. They responded somewhat like: we work on it and trying to be reliable. Looks like they did not mean it. I wonder why all these troubles only appaer around the German list. I can’t remember of one week the British or US-charts had some omissions. Speaking clearly: the German sales charts are somehow uncool. Why? – Ask MTV. Or media control.
By the way – I had correspondence with IFPI, the initiator of compiling charts for the music industry. They told me that they are unhappy about this situation. Charts should be more visible and important. But they also told me it's not their business working for it. Seems that the German sales charts will more and more disappear from public life. Instead of them lists compiled by iTunes et al are becoming much more important right now.
The main story here is not about music itself but about the marketing of music. I guess it shows where the music business right now stands in Germany. Let’s go back to the real stuff:
A completely static top 5 lacks of stuff for hot stories. Highest mover are Taio Cruz featuring Kylie who having kind of a slowburner with their Higher. Started shortly before Christmas the track entered at no.10 as the highest new entry. In other weeks that would be the best result they ever would have – not so during the turn of the year. Higher climbed 3 places and stalled there around for three weeks. Now it profits by the weakness of Bruno Mars and rises again one place entering the highest rank for the track: no.6. It is the highest rank Kylie had in Germany since her huge Can’t Get You Out Of My Head hit the top in 2001 and her best selling collaboration ever. For newcomer Taio Cruz it is still only the lowest of its three chart hits here. One could argue who is supporting who more. Concernig recent headlines and news Kylie leads the race as one can find tons of tweets and interviews about her tournee plans and launched parfums.
Higher is successful especially in German speaking countries. I really wonder why. Is it that the lyrics are to simple for English speaking countries? Is it cause German radio stations really love the track and stimulate the online sales by playing it again and again? I don’t know. Fact is Higher climbed up the airplay and download charts almost simultanously even days and weeks after the physical release entered the shops. Maybe the carreer of Higher is once again a story about the digital market and the complete turnover of the whole business.
Still only digital available is Adele’s Rolling In The Deep which rockets up the list entering the top 10 this week. The physical release crashed in the shops after counting was closed for the recent list. Expect her much higher next week cause physical sales count more in Germany as the charts are listing the tracks with the best amount of money not the quantity of sold tracks.
One of the few movers within the list are OneRepublic. The band found some more audience for its Good Life. propelling it into the top 20. I do have no explanation what exactly made the track so popular the last days. A catchy melody well produced … it was it already before. They had a few performances around ... hmm.
Hardly new releases keep the way open for understated tracks. We should take that as the reason.
Finally for today: best sold German track still is Winter by UNHEILIG. I told you before – there are no stories around. Let’s cross fingers for next week.
By the way – I had correspondence with IFPI, the initiator of compiling charts for the music industry. They told me that they are unhappy about this situation. Charts should be more visible and important. But they also told me it's not their business working for it. Seems that the German sales charts will more and more disappear from public life. Instead of them lists compiled by iTunes et al are becoming much more important right now.
The main story here is not about music itself but about the marketing of music. I guess it shows where the music business right now stands in Germany. Let’s go back to the real stuff:
A completely static top 5 lacks of stuff for hot stories. Highest mover are Taio Cruz featuring Kylie who having kind of a slowburner with their Higher. Started shortly before Christmas the track entered at no.10 as the highest new entry. In other weeks that would be the best result they ever would have – not so during the turn of the year. Higher climbed 3 places and stalled there around for three weeks. Now it profits by the weakness of Bruno Mars and rises again one place entering the highest rank for the track: no.6. It is the highest rank Kylie had in Germany since her huge Can’t Get You Out Of My Head hit the top in 2001 and her best selling collaboration ever. For newcomer Taio Cruz it is still only the lowest of its three chart hits here. One could argue who is supporting who more. Concernig recent headlines and news Kylie leads the race as one can find tons of tweets and interviews about her tournee plans and launched parfums.
Higher is successful especially in German speaking countries. I really wonder why. Is it that the lyrics are to simple for English speaking countries? Is it cause German radio stations really love the track and stimulate the online sales by playing it again and again? I don’t know. Fact is Higher climbed up the airplay and download charts almost simultanously even days and weeks after the physical release entered the shops. Maybe the carreer of Higher is once again a story about the digital market and the complete turnover of the whole business.
Still only digital available is Adele’s Rolling In The Deep which rockets up the list entering the top 10 this week. The physical release crashed in the shops after counting was closed for the recent list. Expect her much higher next week cause physical sales count more in Germany as the charts are listing the tracks with the best amount of money not the quantity of sold tracks.
One of the few movers within the list are OneRepublic. The band found some more audience for its Good Life. propelling it into the top 20. I do have no explanation what exactly made the track so popular the last days. A catchy melody well produced … it was it already before. They had a few performances around ... hmm.
Hardly new releases keep the way open for understated tracks. We should take that as the reason.
Finally for today: best sold German track still is Winter by UNHEILIG. I told you before – there are no stories around. Let’s cross fingers for next week.
flashlight 3-11: the music industry still sleeps
The Black Eyed Peas are spending a third week at the German top spot. That’s what chart compiling company media control announces on tuesday. The market was still calm in sales week 7th to 13th January. No big releases meaning no chart movement. Finally we witness the usual start of the year freezing. As I told several times music markets in a variety of countries are much faster. The United Kingdom got a sensational new no.1 this week … Well, Germans are kind of conservative and sedate. If we’d look at the first charts of every year we’d recognize a lot of long running no.1’s in this very first weeks. Except the change 2009/2010. A year ago we had three strong hits fascinating the crowd: Aura Dione with I Will Love You Monday (365), Keri Hilson with I Like and Lady Gaga’s latest no.1 Bad Romance. In 2011 everything is different. The Black Eyed Peas ruling the scene so far. Next week I bet the picture will completely change.
I did not say the whole truth. There were some new releases in the first full week of 2011. Ke$ha tried to continue her succesfull chart carreer with We R Who We R a release taken from her EP Cannibal which never entered the charts despite it is available since end of November. Originally the release date was set mid of December but for some unknown reasons the full release appeared only in 2011. German internet music site laut.de criticized Cannibal as it was planned for accompa nying the Animal-Deluxe-Release. Instead of being bonus material the music company made it a standalone release. In the US it worked somehow (no. 15 in the Billboard list). In Europe the big marketing plan failed. Indeed We R Who We R sounds like the 100th version of TiK ToK – cool party kids don’t need this. That’s why the „new“ single only enters the German list at no.23 – the lowest rank for a Ke$ha solo release. I don’t want to prophesy bad things but it seems Ke$ha is right now on a straight road to American outback clubs.
Links
- chart commentary on British charts by James Masterton
in German
- media control-Pressemitteilung
- Besprechung "Cannibal" auf laut.de
I did not say the whole truth. There were some new releases in the first full week of 2011. Ke$ha tried to continue her succesfull chart carreer with We R Who We R a release taken from her EP Cannibal which never entered the charts despite it is available since end of November. Originally the release date was set mid of December but for some unknown reasons the full release appeared only in 2011. German internet music site laut.de criticized Cannibal as it was planned for accompa nying the Animal-Deluxe-Release. Instead of being bonus material the music company made it a standalone release. In the US it worked somehow (no. 15 in the Billboard list). In Europe the big marketing plan failed. Indeed We R Who We R sounds like the 100th version of TiK ToK – cool party kids don’t need this. That’s why the „new“ single only enters the German list at no.23 – the lowest rank for a Ke$ha solo release. I don’t want to prophesy bad things but it seems Ke$ha is right now on a straight road to American outback clubs.
Links
- chart commentary on British charts by James Masterton
in German
- media control-Pressemitteilung
- Besprechung "Cannibal" auf laut.de
Record breaking Gossip
Chart history is overwritten right now. This week a record got beaten by American indie band Gossip. Its single Heavy Cross by now spent 82 consecutive week within the German Top 100. It is the longest chart run without a break in whole charts history. Former record owner was Die längste Single der Welt (The Longest Single Of The World) by German Wolfgang Petry which spent 81 consecutive weeks in the list between 1996 and 1998. In its record setting week the single jumps whole 13 places up the ranking and now sits again proper within the upper half of the list.
There is a slight indifference in the statistic as some of available archives count 83 weeks for Wolfgang Petry. The difference is a result of whether you count the last chart of each year twice or not. Before 2004 media control did not release a week chart for the last week of the year. This was changed by counting digital downloads also. – So, if you count the last chart of the year twice (which is argued in several blogs) then you have to wait two more weeks for the new record. I guess this is just a matter of time.
82 weeks – that’s also rank no.5 within the list of thesingles/tracks which have charted most weeks. Leader here is DJ Ötzi & Nik P. and their Ein Stern (der deinen Namen trägt) (A Star (Named Like You) ) which re-enters the German list for a 105th week right now. Probably this single would have had the above mentioned record too but between 1997 and March 2010 chart compiling institute media control used a so called Sperrklausel (blocking clause) due to it all tracks lower than rank 50 were banned from the list if they spent more than 9 weeks within the charts and two consecutive lower than 50. These banned tracks were eligible again after a 3 months break or if they would rank higher than no.51. Ein Stern (der deinen Namen trägt) had several breaks due to this clause. It just now starts its 8th chart run. With upcoming carnival season the track probably can collect some chart weeks more.
There is a slight indifference in the statistic as some of available archives count 83 weeks for Wolfgang Petry. The difference is a result of whether you count the last chart of each year twice or not. Before 2004 media control did not release a week chart for the last week of the year. This was changed by counting digital downloads also. – So, if you count the last chart of the year twice (which is argued in several blogs) then you have to wait two more weeks for the new record. I guess this is just a matter of time.
82 weeks – that’s also rank no.5 within the list of thesingles/tracks which have charted most weeks. Leader here is DJ Ötzi & Nik P. and their Ein Stern (der deinen Namen trägt) (A Star (Named Like You) ) which re-enters the German list for a 105th week right now. Probably this single would have had the above mentioned record too but between 1997 and March 2010 chart compiling institute media control used a so called Sperrklausel (blocking clause) due to it all tracks lower than rank 50 were banned from the list if they spent more than 9 weeks within the charts and two consecutive lower than 50. These banned tracks were eligible again after a 3 months break or if they would rank higher than no.51. Ein Stern (der deinen Namen trägt) had several breaks due to this clause. It just now starts its 8th chart run. With upcoming carnival season the track probably can collect some chart weeks more.
02-11: Katy Perry is top, Milk&Sugar will be
Germany is crazy for Katy Perry. Her recent hit Firework rises three places to no.4 and is the „newest“ track within a well known and static top 5. The reason might be a misunderstanding or a special interpretation as the recent list covers sales week including new year’s eve – well, a mass of people were looking for a thematic soundtrack making their party the perfect one. Looking for „Firework“ and maybe „music“ one will get the direct link to Katy Perry of course. But Firework is not at all an anthem about the change of years. It is much more an encourage for trusting in own strength and beauty underlined by a strong chorus. In very uncertain times this might be the right track to look at the future. You will get it!
Of course the mentioned disability of a broader mass of Germans who don’t understand English that well is more or less a funny footnote. Katy Perry never needed such doubtful help to launch huge hits in German speaking countries. I Kissed A Girl or California Girls became big successes speaking about a related topic: Girls don’t have to be shy, pretty or nice – they have power and the opportunity to find their own way or style. This message convinces much more as Katy Perry never tries to match with known stereotypes. A lot of female stars – even the ones who are called „strong women“ – doing so in trying to be sexy, girly-like or nasty. All this could be seen in Katy Perry’s performances as well though to me it looks like she is doing it for her own fun instead of being attractive to some male spectators.
Talking about Firework we should name the team of producers behind it. Norwegian Stargate are striking the charts again and now belonging to the most successfull producers worldwide. Their powerful style at this recent moment is slightly dancepop oriented and significant for this time but not that recognizable as some others do. Instead they seem to adapt successfully recent tendencies in music business without overemphasizing them. The massive production of Stargate truly fits to Katy Perry’s lyrics. Maybe this collaboration continues somewhen.
The second actual hit of Stargate is Rihanna’s Only Girl (In The World) which slowly fades down. No problem for Rihanna. Her successor hit Who’s That Chick on the side of DJ David Guetta just returns into the top 10 making her the big female star of now.
The very first week of January is holiday time. Also the music industry mostly is quiet. Nonetheless within the charts one will find some upcoming hits of 2011. The biggest one – this weeks highest new entry – comes from Adele.
Further down German DJ-team Milk&Sugar is rising with its take on the 90s hit from Belgian Vaya Con Dios Hey (Nah Neh Nah). The track was a small hit in middle Europe in 1990 having much more impact in the airplay charts than in sale. For some unknown reasons the track became popular last autumn in clubs again. A remix by Rico Bernasconi and a dance cover version by Vanity called Gipsy Moves found its way in some DJ playlists. The differences between them are very small – one is more focussing on the main musical theme, the other has a stronger take on the rhythm. All heavily using the We No Speak Americano-formula. Hopefully we won’t see hundreds of similar classic mixes the next weeks.
This is your chance of deciding for yourself which one you like most.
Milk & Sugar vs. Vaya Con Dios - Hey (Nah Neh Nah) [Video]
Hochgeladen von RnbXHipHop. - Entdecke weitere Musik Videos.
Commercially Milk&Sugar are gaining the crown as their version is sold as download track in proper amounts. In their third chart week they achieve a place in the top 40 giving them a success they never had since their version of Love Is in The Air climbed to no.33 in 2001. Indeed Hey (Nah Neh Nah) is now their second biggest hit of their whole 10 year long chart carreer . The proper CD release is scheduled for 14th January – so expect them jumping much higher probably deposing UNHEILIG as the best German production.
Of course the mentioned disability of a broader mass of Germans who don’t understand English that well is more or less a funny footnote. Katy Perry never needed such doubtful help to launch huge hits in German speaking countries. I Kissed A Girl or California Girls became big successes speaking about a related topic: Girls don’t have to be shy, pretty or nice – they have power and the opportunity to find their own way or style. This message convinces much more as Katy Perry never tries to match with known stereotypes. A lot of female stars – even the ones who are called „strong women“ – doing so in trying to be sexy, girly-like or nasty. All this could be seen in Katy Perry’s performances as well though to me it looks like she is doing it for her own fun instead of being attractive to some male spectators.
Talking about Firework we should name the team of producers behind it. Norwegian Stargate are striking the charts again and now belonging to the most successfull producers worldwide. Their powerful style at this recent moment is slightly dancepop oriented and significant for this time but not that recognizable as some others do. Instead they seem to adapt successfully recent tendencies in music business without overemphasizing them. The massive production of Stargate truly fits to Katy Perry’s lyrics. Maybe this collaboration continues somewhen.
The second actual hit of Stargate is Rihanna’s Only Girl (In The World) which slowly fades down. No problem for Rihanna. Her successor hit Who’s That Chick on the side of DJ David Guetta just returns into the top 10 making her the big female star of now.
The very first week of January is holiday time. Also the music industry mostly is quiet. Nonetheless within the charts one will find some upcoming hits of 2011. The biggest one – this weeks highest new entry – comes from Adele.
Further down German DJ-team Milk&Sugar is rising with its take on the 90s hit from Belgian Vaya Con Dios Hey (Nah Neh Nah). The track was a small hit in middle Europe in 1990 having much more impact in the airplay charts than in sale. For some unknown reasons the track became popular last autumn in clubs again. A remix by Rico Bernasconi and a dance cover version by Vanity called Gipsy Moves found its way in some DJ playlists. The differences between them are very small – one is more focussing on the main musical theme, the other has a stronger take on the rhythm. All heavily using the We No Speak Americano-formula. Hopefully we won’t see hundreds of similar classic mixes the next weeks.
This is your chance of deciding for yourself which one you like most.
Milk & Sugar vs. Vaya Con Dios - Hey (Nah Neh Nah) [Video]
Hochgeladen von RnbXHipHop. - Entdecke weitere Musik Videos.
Commercially Milk&Sugar are gaining the crown as their version is sold as download track in proper amounts. In their third chart week they achieve a place in the top 40 giving them a success they never had since their version of Love Is in The Air climbed to no.33 in 2001. Indeed Hey (Nah Neh Nah) is now their second biggest hit of their whole 10 year long chart carreer . The proper CD release is scheduled for 14th January – so expect them jumping much higher probably deposing UNHEILIG as the best German production.
Adele is the first new big thing in 2011
This is the real first chart week of 2011. Here are the results of sales week 31th December to 6th January and nothing significant happened. At least at the top. The Black Eyed Peas are comfortably placed at no.2 spending a second week there. The Time (Dirty Bit) is now more successful than the no.1 predessecor of the Peas Meet Me Halfway which only spent one week at the top in December 2011. Next goal is to beat the result of 2003 when Where Is The Love occupied for four weeks the hot spot and the successor Shut UP collected even 6 weeks at the top. A look at the daily iTunes list is telling us: it will be a hard fight!
Big things are coming. One of these is for sure the new album of Adele. 21 will be in shops at 21st January – leading single Rolling In The Deep is available on CD from 14th January on. As a download only single it enters the German charts this week as the highest new entry at no.13. It is no more than Adele’s third chart hit in Germany and so far her most successful. Chasing Pavements stalled at no.46 in 2008. Seems she is the final winner of 2008 British female northern soul invasion. Duffy failed to reach the upper regions with her new offering.
If one find the original version of Rolling In The Deep already amazing try the percussion-ruled very minimal Jamie XX Shuffle version – it really rocks the club and is for sure one of the reasons why the download single started that big.
Big things are coming. One of these is for sure the new album of Adele. 21 will be in shops at 21st January – leading single Rolling In The Deep is available on CD from 14th January on. As a download only single it enters the German charts this week as the highest new entry at no.13. It is no more than Adele’s third chart hit in Germany and so far her most successful. Chasing Pavements stalled at no.46 in 2008. Seems she is the final winner of 2008 British female northern soul invasion. Duffy failed to reach the upper regions with her new offering.
If one find the original version of Rolling In The Deep already amazing try the percussion-ruled very minimal Jamie XX Shuffle version – it really rocks the club and is for sure one of the reasons why the download single started that big.
01-2011: a static list
It was a calm chart week between 24th and 30th of December. People are on holidays or trying their Christmas gifts. Some had a new iPod or a similar device to fill – others were looking for the right music making their new years eve a tough party. That’s why the charts are as static as every other year. Of course there is a new no.1 – kind of spectacular and on the other hand it was not as surprising. The Black Eyed Peas led the iTunes list already for weeks.
The most significant move in the upper region had Katy Perry who’s Firework raises up two places to no.7. It is now a really proper top 10 hit giving her a fourth consecutive year with a placing under the top 10. Being short of other stories we can recognise this placing as Miss Perry’s 50th times that she ranks no.10 or higher. She now statisticly accompanies such acts like Timbaland or Beyoncé.
We just passed the time of love and happiness. But not within the charts. It is more the club (The Time, Barbra Streisand or Higher) or an unspecific dream land (Winter, Over The Rainbow, We Are The People)
which rule the charts. What about love? Most popular love song this week comes from Bruno Mars. His Just The Way You Are is an ode to the one loved without any constraints. Very direct, very romantic. Maybe that’s the point why Bruno Mars received such a huge success even in German speaking countries. It’s quite simple to understand the message. So Bruno Mars with his first solo release got his biggest hit to date. All other songs before (as a partner of B.o.B. or with Travie McCoy) failed to reach the upper places. Now his name is well known and if you have a look at the recent download charts … there is his next song Grenade just knocking at the door …
Funny trivia: this week Michael Jackson is exactly 40 years present within the German chart list. On 11th January 1971 – by the way one of the first weekly released charts – he was first listet with The Jackson 5 and their first hit in Germany I’ll Be There. The recent track by the King of Pop is Hold My Hand in duet with Akon which actually is listed at no.10.
The most significant move in the upper region had Katy Perry who’s Firework raises up two places to no.7. It is now a really proper top 10 hit giving her a fourth consecutive year with a placing under the top 10. Being short of other stories we can recognise this placing as Miss Perry’s 50th times that she ranks no.10 or higher. She now statisticly accompanies such acts like Timbaland or Beyoncé.
We just passed the time of love and happiness. But not within the charts. It is more the club (The Time, Barbra Streisand or Higher) or an unspecific dream land (Winter, Over The Rainbow, We Are The People)
which rule the charts. What about love? Most popular love song this week comes from Bruno Mars. His Just The Way You Are is an ode to the one loved without any constraints. Very direct, very romantic. Maybe that’s the point why Bruno Mars received such a huge success even in German speaking countries. It’s quite simple to understand the message. So Bruno Mars with his first solo release got his biggest hit to date. All other songs before (as a partner of B.o.B. or with Travie McCoy) failed to reach the upper places. Now his name is well known and if you have a look at the recent download charts … there is his next song Grenade just knocking at the door …
Funny trivia: this week Michael Jackson is exactly 40 years present within the German chart list. On 11th January 1971 – by the way one of the first weekly released charts – he was first listet with The Jackson 5 and their first hit in Germany I’ll Be There. The recent track by the King of Pop is Hold My Hand in duet with Akon which actually is listed at no.10.
That was 2010
As media control announces on 4th of January the most sold single track in Germany 2010 was Israel IZ Kamakawiwo’ole’s Somewhere Over The Rainbow. This is really a surprise cause the latest no.1 in a year never was the no.1 of the whole year sales also. In only 17 weeks the Haitian musician sold more copies than runners up Shakira (33 weeks) and German eurovision star Lena (36 weeks). Even the race between that two was exciting. At 25th of October Satellite by Lena was still in leading position. Finally the last few weeks of the year brought the counting sales and a surprising weak Lena. The German fairytale ends up in a grounded girl star who right now starts her second attempt to the European crown. Keep your fingers crossed for not forcing a desaster.
Kind of solace: In 1982 German Eurovision winner Nicole only spent four weeks at the top of the German singles charts overtaken at year’s end by three German tracks and a British synth athem. Lena without any doubt had the most successfull German single track of 2010 – although Satellite is sung originally in English. There was a German version charting this year too. A bunch of soccer loving students made a youtube-video-version of Satellite called Schland O Schland (a slang shortening for „Germany Oh Germany”) which became very popular and made the act Uwu Lena pressed on CD reaching no.4 in July. A third version by national eurovision contestant Jennifer Braun also had a two weeks chart run: I guess Satellite is far and away the most popular composition of 2010.
The most sold track sung in German comes from UNHEILIG – probably the commercially most successfull German act in 2010 as its album Große Freiheit (Big Freedom) stands as the best selling album of the year plus leading single Geboren um zu leben (Born For Living) is no.4 at the singles ranking.
The act with the most impressive presence at the singles charts in 2010 was french DJ David Guetta. He was named as an artist on ten tracks charted at least one week in 2010. The total is an record writing 187 chart weeks. As a producer he has a further three charting singles under his belt: Kelis’ Acapella as well as I Gotta Feeling and Rock That Body by The Black Eyed Peas.
In comparison The Beatles collected 163 chart weeks with 14 singles in 1964. The Fab Four would have had much more if the monthly charts in that year would have listed more than 50 places. If we only count the top 50 listings of David Guetta we will get 114 – well the Liverpool boys are still far and away. Nonetheless David Guetta is the most invading chart artist of the last years and decades. Even Michael Jackson had in 2009 – the year of his dead – „only“ 133 chart weeks counting under same conditions as David Guetta.
Talking about presence: 2010 was a year with very slow chart movements. Only two tracks shot directly to no.1. Both were promoted heavily by famous TV shows. First Lena did so with her Satellite in March. A month later DSDS (German Idols) winner Mehrzad Marashi entered the top with Don’t Believe. In 2009 there were 8 tracks entering the charts at the top spot.
Slowing down the hysteria for new tracks was combined in 2010 with longer chart runs. The big hits spent months within the upper regions of the list. Heavy Cross by Gossip already no.8 at the year chart of 2009 was listed the whole year 2010 collecting impressive 80 consecutive chart weeks in Germany most of them. The record lies at 81 weeks held by German singer Wolfgang Petry between 1996 and 1998. This one is going to be broken!
In 2010 another 12 tracks spent more than 40 weeks in the charts 8 of them without any break. So there is no wonder 8 of the ten longest running tracks of all times charted at least one week in 2010. You see chart history completely new written that last year.
Most ruling acts in terms of spent chart weeks were (besides David Guetta) Lady Gaga, The Black Eyed Peas and German band Culcha Candela. Most popular acts in terms of hits were Rihanna with 5 top 10 singles and Katy Perry having 4 hits. Both had four top hits in a row – Rihanna missed a complete 6 hit strike by getting Te Amo only up to no.11. As a solace the girl from the Bahamas is the act who spent most weeks within the German top 10 in 2010. A whole 32 weeks count for her followed by German UNHEILIG which spent 29 weeks at the top, 23 weeks of them with Geboren um zu leben.
These are the acts of the day. What about the classics?
The act with the longest during chart history in 2010 is Bing Crosby. Thanks to his seasonal classic White Christmas he now is for almost 54 years present in people’s minds and in the different kinds of chart listings. But White Christmas is not at all the track which stays in the charts for the longest time. Actually music companies really missed releasing the popular track as a single over all the years. White Christmas was available in a German version in 1955 sung by Gerhard Wendland ranking as high as no.26 in January 1956 – that’s all. For the first time the original recording charted in 2007 when digital downloads were counted for the official charts. So the two songs charted over the longest period are Imagine and Happy Xmas (War Is Over) both recorded by John Lennon and finding friends and purchasers for 38 years.
A German speaking singer stretched his carreer to more than 52 years in 2010 without any seasonal help is Austrian Udo Jürgens. Thanks to his collaboration with Sportfreunde Stiller he now is known to a completely new generation of music lovers.
The most solid act in recent times is Jon Bon Jovi. He is to find within the charts for 25 consecutive years either as a solo artist or with his band Bon Jovi. Now he gots the ultimate chance to overtake Madonna who for the first time since 1984 has no chart entry at all over the whole year. Most solid German act is since long time Scooter. They finish now a 17th year with at least one hit.
The act with the longest absence are Belgian Vaya Con Dios. Their hit Nah Neh Nah from 1990 had a comeback in mainstream conciousness due to different club remixes. The most popular made by German DJ duo Milk&Sugar charted a few days before Christmas bringing the group founded by Dani Klein a comeback after more than 17 years.
The real comeback of the last year is probably done by EMINEM. Well he had in a way his comeback in 2009 with his album Relapse and the single We Made You. But in 2010 he went back as a superstar rising his Love The Way You Lie (with Rihanna) back to no.1. It took him 8 years since he was last seen at the top spot – now his span of no.1 hits stretches over a time of nine and a half year. He is one of the superstars of the still young 21st century.
Some funny statistics at the end?
There are three acts who had six different tracks in the list at the same time. German band brings did so at carnival season and french DJ David Guetta was as popular end of August beginning September. Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am did so in July with two tracks as a solo artist and four with his group.
If we talk about success we could talk about fails as well. Also in 2010 German singer Westernhagen did not have the chance of having his first real mainstream hit. His 23rd chart hit Wir haben die Schnauze voll rose up to no.67 in March leaving him without a top 10 hit since 1982 when he charted for the first time.
The very least successful chart act 2010 was Chris Campell. At March 12th the DJ entered the German list with his take on HIM’s Join Me which now is called Tonight. A fortnight later the track was not seen anymore.
That it was – see you the next days here with more recent stories.
Links
The full Top 100 of 2010 (promoted by VIVA)
Kind of solace: In 1982 German Eurovision winner Nicole only spent four weeks at the top of the German singles charts overtaken at year’s end by three German tracks and a British synth athem. Lena without any doubt had the most successfull German single track of 2010 – although Satellite is sung originally in English. There was a German version charting this year too. A bunch of soccer loving students made a youtube-video-version of Satellite called Schland O Schland (a slang shortening for „Germany Oh Germany”) which became very popular and made the act Uwu Lena pressed on CD reaching no.4 in July. A third version by national eurovision contestant Jennifer Braun also had a two weeks chart run: I guess Satellite is far and away the most popular composition of 2010.
The most sold track sung in German comes from UNHEILIG – probably the commercially most successfull German act in 2010 as its album Große Freiheit (Big Freedom) stands as the best selling album of the year plus leading single Geboren um zu leben (Born For Living) is no.4 at the singles ranking.
The act with the most impressive presence at the singles charts in 2010 was french DJ David Guetta. He was named as an artist on ten tracks charted at least one week in 2010. The total is an record writing 187 chart weeks. As a producer he has a further three charting singles under his belt: Kelis’ Acapella as well as I Gotta Feeling and Rock That Body by The Black Eyed Peas.
In comparison The Beatles collected 163 chart weeks with 14 singles in 1964. The Fab Four would have had much more if the monthly charts in that year would have listed more than 50 places. If we only count the top 50 listings of David Guetta we will get 114 – well the Liverpool boys are still far and away. Nonetheless David Guetta is the most invading chart artist of the last years and decades. Even Michael Jackson had in 2009 – the year of his dead – „only“ 133 chart weeks counting under same conditions as David Guetta.
Talking about presence: 2010 was a year with very slow chart movements. Only two tracks shot directly to no.1. Both were promoted heavily by famous TV shows. First Lena did so with her Satellite in March. A month later DSDS (German Idols) winner Mehrzad Marashi entered the top with Don’t Believe. In 2009 there were 8 tracks entering the charts at the top spot.
Slowing down the hysteria for new tracks was combined in 2010 with longer chart runs. The big hits spent months within the upper regions of the list. Heavy Cross by Gossip already no.8 at the year chart of 2009 was listed the whole year 2010 collecting impressive 80 consecutive chart weeks in Germany most of them. The record lies at 81 weeks held by German singer Wolfgang Petry between 1996 and 1998. This one is going to be broken!
In 2010 another 12 tracks spent more than 40 weeks in the charts 8 of them without any break. So there is no wonder 8 of the ten longest running tracks of all times charted at least one week in 2010. You see chart history completely new written that last year.
Most ruling acts in terms of spent chart weeks were (besides David Guetta) Lady Gaga, The Black Eyed Peas and German band Culcha Candela. Most popular acts in terms of hits were Rihanna with 5 top 10 singles and Katy Perry having 4 hits. Both had four top hits in a row – Rihanna missed a complete 6 hit strike by getting Te Amo only up to no.11. As a solace the girl from the Bahamas is the act who spent most weeks within the German top 10 in 2010. A whole 32 weeks count for her followed by German UNHEILIG which spent 29 weeks at the top, 23 weeks of them with Geboren um zu leben.
These are the acts of the day. What about the classics?
The act with the longest during chart history in 2010 is Bing Crosby. Thanks to his seasonal classic White Christmas he now is for almost 54 years present in people’s minds and in the different kinds of chart listings. But White Christmas is not at all the track which stays in the charts for the longest time. Actually music companies really missed releasing the popular track as a single over all the years. White Christmas was available in a German version in 1955 sung by Gerhard Wendland ranking as high as no.26 in January 1956 – that’s all. For the first time the original recording charted in 2007 when digital downloads were counted for the official charts. So the two songs charted over the longest period are Imagine and Happy Xmas (War Is Over) both recorded by John Lennon and finding friends and purchasers for 38 years.
A German speaking singer stretched his carreer to more than 52 years in 2010 without any seasonal help is Austrian Udo Jürgens. Thanks to his collaboration with Sportfreunde Stiller he now is known to a completely new generation of music lovers.
The most solid act in recent times is Jon Bon Jovi. He is to find within the charts for 25 consecutive years either as a solo artist or with his band Bon Jovi. Now he gots the ultimate chance to overtake Madonna who for the first time since 1984 has no chart entry at all over the whole year. Most solid German act is since long time Scooter. They finish now a 17th year with at least one hit.
The act with the longest absence are Belgian Vaya Con Dios. Their hit Nah Neh Nah from 1990 had a comeback in mainstream conciousness due to different club remixes. The most popular made by German DJ duo Milk&Sugar charted a few days before Christmas bringing the group founded by Dani Klein a comeback after more than 17 years.
The real comeback of the last year is probably done by EMINEM. Well he had in a way his comeback in 2009 with his album Relapse and the single We Made You. But in 2010 he went back as a superstar rising his Love The Way You Lie (with Rihanna) back to no.1. It took him 8 years since he was last seen at the top spot – now his span of no.1 hits stretches over a time of nine and a half year. He is one of the superstars of the still young 21st century.
Some funny statistics at the end?
There are three acts who had six different tracks in the list at the same time. German band brings did so at carnival season and french DJ David Guetta was as popular end of August beginning September. Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am did so in July with two tracks as a solo artist and four with his group.
If we talk about success we could talk about fails as well. Also in 2010 German singer Westernhagen did not have the chance of having his first real mainstream hit. His 23rd chart hit Wir haben die Schnauze voll rose up to no.67 in March leaving him without a top 10 hit since 1982 when he charted for the first time.
The very least successful chart act 2010 was Chris Campell. At March 12th the DJ entered the German list with his take on HIM’s Join Me which now is called Tonight. A fortnight later the track was not seen anymore.
That it was – see you the next days here with more recent stories.
Links
The full Top 100 of 2010 (promoted by VIVA)
First No.1 in 2011: The Black Eyed Peas
We have a new year and we do have a new no.1. Long awaited finally The Black Eyed Peas enter the top spot with their take on the Dirty Dancing-theme The Time. In 1987 the song was a romantic duet between Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes denying the hot synthesized sound of this year – most sold single that year was Desireless with Voyage Voyage followed by Madonna’s La Isla Bonita. Well – at least the the topic was much en vogue: Holidays on romantic tropic islands with nice people and of course a hot love affair …
In 2010/11 the picture changed definitely. The time of my life could be in every night club somewhere on this planet – maybe in your home town. All you need is a hot club and a bunch of people „rocking to the sound“. No wonder Fergie confesses „I am born to get wild“. Wow – this is the right slogan for 2011. Carpe diem – enjoy every of your days! It is a straight consequence to make such an anthem sounding like the mainstream electro sound of today. Despite David Guetta is not the producer of the track in question but doubtless he could. The man behind The Time (Dirty Bit) is DJ Ammo aka Damien Leroy working as a DJ in Los Angeles. His meeting with The Black Eyed Peas is his first mainstream release and it could be the start for a longer and commercially successful producer carreer.
The Black Eyed Peas finally return to the German no.1 after a full years break. To be more concrete the break was a 13 month one as thePeas spend a single week with Meet Me Halfway at the topat the beginning of December 2009. The Time (Dirty Bit) is the 4th no.1 hit for the Peas and they are only the 14th act to do so in Germany. Last one reaching her 4th no.1 was Shakira last summer, the last group/band collecting a fourth top hit was German act Tokio Hotel in February 2007. To grab the no.1 spot for more than fo ur times is a hard thing at the German market. Only four acts managed doing that. The most recent one was Sarah Connor who entered in March/April 2005 the no.1 for a fifth time in her carreer.
Albeit The Black Eyed Peas have charted for the first time in Germany almost exactly 10 years ago their hiatus now spans more or less seven years. Besides Shakira and Eminem they are one act which really ruled the German market in the first decade of the recent century. With The Time (Dirty Bit) they finally go ahaed doing similarly to the next one. I talk about this a few years later …
media control's press release from 4th January 2011
In 2010/11 the picture changed definitely. The time of my life could be in every night club somewhere on this planet – maybe in your home town. All you need is a hot club and a bunch of people „rocking to the sound“. No wonder Fergie confesses „I am born to get wild“. Wow – this is the right slogan for 2011. Carpe diem – enjoy every of your days! It is a straight consequence to make such an anthem sounding like the mainstream electro sound of today. Despite David Guetta is not the producer of the track in question but doubtless he could. The man behind The Time (Dirty Bit) is DJ Ammo aka Damien Leroy working as a DJ in Los Angeles. His meeting with The Black Eyed Peas is his first mainstream release and it could be the start for a longer and commercially successful producer carreer.
The Black Eyed Peas finally return to the German no.1 after a full years break. To be more concrete the break was a 13 month one as thePeas spend a single week with Meet Me Halfway at the topat the beginning of December 2009. The Time (Dirty Bit) is the 4th no.1 hit for the Peas and they are only the 14th act to do so in Germany. Last one reaching her 4th no.1 was Shakira last summer, the last group/band collecting a fourth top hit was German act Tokio Hotel in February 2007. To grab the no.1 spot for more than fo ur times is a hard thing at the German market. Only four acts managed doing that. The most recent one was Sarah Connor who entered in March/April 2005 the no.1 for a fifth time in her carreer.
Albeit The Black Eyed Peas have charted for the first time in Germany almost exactly 10 years ago their hiatus now spans more or less seven years. Besides Shakira and Eminem they are one act which really ruled the German market in the first decade of the recent century. With The Time (Dirty Bit) they finally go ahaed doing similarly to the next one. I talk about this a few years later …
media control's press release from 4th January 2011
Romantic Germany: UNHEILIG is leading Christmas sales
I wrote it before: the charts released at 31st of December are the real Christmas charts as they cover the sales time 17th to 23rd of December. And they are boring. – German music industry releases new CDs with caution ever expecting the big flop. A look to Great Britain shows how successful a release can be started even a few days before Christmas. Of course there is a risk. And the German market is quite huge and slow. It needs at least a direct TV connection to launch a hit immediately. But I still keep my opinion: German music industry has no idea at all how to act within the new digital era.
Two new entries - both available only as digital download-tracks. One of them Carpe Diem by Germany Got Talent winner Freddy Sahin-Scholl not even planned as a proper single release. The second one Hey (Neh Nah Neh) by Milk&Sugar vs. Vaya Con Dios at the release schedule for 14th of January – we will talk about this track for sure soon much more.
Probably most impressive move comes from UNHEILIG which/who is re-entering the top at the album charts with its Große Freiheit displacing the King of Pop Michael Jackson after only one week. Within the singles charts UNHEILIG's last track Winter is climbing back to no.4 matching its highest position from its first week at the beginning of December. Also all other tracks climbing at the end of the year: Geboren um zu leben (Born For Living) the classic and identifying track rising 23 – 16 in its 46th (!) chart week, Unter deiner Flagge rises 43 – 40, Für immer 89 - 84. The mystery of leader and face Der Graf seems still working. Asked what is the magic of UNHEILIG most fans will tell one – the lyrics! Well – in case of Winter they tell a romantic hymn about home coming, the come true of wishes and the possibility of dreaming. All surrounded by classic described winter wonderlands: white stars, silver shadows, icy flowers and silent forrests … – without any word Christmas is mentioned but one really catch the atmosphere supported by many links to a lucky childhood and careless children. Seems that the Germans are very romantic in a classic way. The luck, the good life and the dreams can be found only in winter time when life is dying (or at least sleeping). When people can find back to themself. So UNHEILIG is the answer to the clichee of the ever working and accurate German - not that bad. Unfortunately even for UNHEILIG it's only a dream or a belonging. Reality is different. What a pitty.
Unheilig -- Winter - MyVideo
Kind of a Christmas present was brought to Katy Perry. Her latest single Firework finally enters the top 10 by rising 11 – 9. It is her fourth big hit in a row (taking the collaboration with Timbaland If We Ever Meet Again into account). From her seven official releases as the leading artist five made it to the top 10. She is in Germany as well as in all the other parts of the world one of the most popular female artists to date – accompanied by Rihanna, Shakira and Lady Gaga. Well … more of that stuff in short time when we have a look back to the whole 2010.
A short footnote to Firework. Produced by Norwegian team Stargate the track is the second for the team in the recent top 10 besides Rihanna's Only Girl (In The World).
Last story for today: Christmas Songs.
Well – the alltime classic Last Christmas is not at all the most loved Christmas melody. After climbing to position 23 beginning of December the track slided down to no.29 last week and had a very soft rise up to no. 27 now. James Masterton who comments the British chart has summarized the diminishing sales of classic Christmas songs in a very brief but pointed way. There is nothing to add. In Germany the return of ever same tracks seems fading away a bit. Let's wait till february when carnival season is entering the music market.
Question is: what are the new seasonal hits. Well – in Germany it is US-American Band train which gains the crown of having the most selling seasonal track. Shake Up Christmas moves 32 – 24 followed by Coldplay which have its Christmas Lights rised up 35 – 26. Both not completely as successful as one could hope … once again: Germans this year do love more the romantic and indifferent tale sung by UNHEILIG.
Further down one will find a lot of other well known tracks but they will disappear immediately as the next chart covers the festive days and the week after.
Two new entries - both available only as digital download-tracks. One of them Carpe Diem by Germany Got Talent winner Freddy Sahin-Scholl not even planned as a proper single release. The second one Hey (Neh Nah Neh) by Milk&Sugar vs. Vaya Con Dios at the release schedule for 14th of January – we will talk about this track for sure soon much more.
Probably most impressive move comes from UNHEILIG which/who is re-entering the top at the album charts with its Große Freiheit displacing the King of Pop Michael Jackson after only one week. Within the singles charts UNHEILIG's last track Winter is climbing back to no.4 matching its highest position from its first week at the beginning of December. Also all other tracks climbing at the end of the year: Geboren um zu leben (Born For Living) the classic and identifying track rising 23 – 16 in its 46th (!) chart week, Unter deiner Flagge rises 43 – 40, Für immer 89 - 84. The mystery of leader and face Der Graf seems still working. Asked what is the magic of UNHEILIG most fans will tell one – the lyrics! Well – in case of Winter they tell a romantic hymn about home coming, the come true of wishes and the possibility of dreaming. All surrounded by classic described winter wonderlands: white stars, silver shadows, icy flowers and silent forrests … – without any word Christmas is mentioned but one really catch the atmosphere supported by many links to a lucky childhood and careless children. Seems that the Germans are very romantic in a classic way. The luck, the good life and the dreams can be found only in winter time when life is dying (or at least sleeping). When people can find back to themself. So UNHEILIG is the answer to the clichee of the ever working and accurate German - not that bad. Unfortunately even for UNHEILIG it's only a dream or a belonging. Reality is different. What a pitty.
Unheilig -- Winter - MyVideo
Kind of a Christmas present was brought to Katy Perry. Her latest single Firework finally enters the top 10 by rising 11 – 9. It is her fourth big hit in a row (taking the collaboration with Timbaland If We Ever Meet Again into account). From her seven official releases as the leading artist five made it to the top 10. She is in Germany as well as in all the other parts of the world one of the most popular female artists to date – accompanied by Rihanna, Shakira and Lady Gaga. Well … more of that stuff in short time when we have a look back to the whole 2010.
A short footnote to Firework. Produced by Norwegian team Stargate the track is the second for the team in the recent top 10 besides Rihanna's Only Girl (In The World).
Last story for today: Christmas Songs.
Well – the alltime classic Last Christmas is not at all the most loved Christmas melody. After climbing to position 23 beginning of December the track slided down to no.29 last week and had a very soft rise up to no. 27 now. James Masterton who comments the British chart has summarized the diminishing sales of classic Christmas songs in a very brief but pointed way. There is nothing to add. In Germany the return of ever same tracks seems fading away a bit. Let's wait till february when carnival season is entering the music market.
Question is: what are the new seasonal hits. Well – in Germany it is US-American Band train which gains the crown of having the most selling seasonal track. Shake Up Christmas moves 32 – 24 followed by Coldplay which have its Christmas Lights rised up 35 – 26. Both not completely as successful as one could hope … once again: Germans this year do love more the romantic and indifferent tale sung by UNHEILIG.
Further down one will find a lot of other well known tracks but they will disappear immediately as the next chart covers the festive days and the week after.
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