We all must have been feeling very festive this week. There may be no new entry singles in this weeks survey but we do have ten festive re-entries. John Lennon (Happy Xmas, War Is Over from 1973), The Pogues, (Fairytale Of New York from 1988) The Ronettes (Sleigh Ride from 1963), Chris Rea (Driving Home For Christmas from 1986), Frank Sinatra (Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow from 1950), Andy Williams (It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year from 1963), Shakin' Stevens (Merry Christmas Everyone from 1986), Michael Bublé (Holly Jolly Christmas from 2018), The Jackson Five (Santa Clause Is Coming To Town from 1970)and Justin Bieber (Mistletoe from 2011) take the total to 19 Christmas songs in the Top 40. And to cap it off, Mariah Carey tops the chart for the third time and she still wants you for Christmas. It took 14 years to top the chart, returning a year later in 2019. Only one new album sees the soundtrack to Encanto enter the chart at #30. Last year saw only 20 weeks charted with soundtracks with only one of them a new entry. It's certainly a record low for number of soundtracks to chart in a single year but it's not the lowest number of weeks. That happened in 2005 when there were only 10 weeks charted for soundtrack albums. Encanto is an American computer-animated musical fantasy comedy film produced by Walt Disney and currently sits at #7 at Box Office. Last edited:
This weeks chart could easily be called "The Great Reset". There are 17 re-entry singles and three new entries as any sign of Christmas is put on ice for 11 months. Songs we have been listening to now for the last two years are amongsth the big winners but I'm wondering if this just shows there is nothing decent coming out these days. The oldest song (In The Air from L.A.B.) is now 106 weeks old and back at #4. In fact one quarter of the chart is over 30 weeks old with half of them over a year old. Of the new enries, two of them have already charted in the NZ Singles chart. Takeover from Lee Mvtthews first charted in March 2021. The duo consisting of Graham Matthews and Tom Lee met in 2012 and have been working together since. Together, new at #38 is their first Top 40 single. Someone To Be Around by Six60 first charted in November on the NZ Singles chart. New at #39 this is the lads 28th hit single and comes from their expanded first album. We Don't Talk About Bruno by Various is the other new single. Taken from the soundtrack to Encanto, the song is sung by no less than six characters from the movie along with the remaining cast. It debuts at #36. The album chart also has a reset but only with four re-entries. One album that is doing well overseas is Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon. Could we see that re-enter our charts? Last edited:
The first new number one for the year and 732nd since the chart began, comes from Australian Luude with his remake of the Men At Work hit Down Under. The singles chart settles down, giving us four new entries and not a rap song among them. Of the four, three are new to our charts. 18 year old Lauren Spencer-Smith comes first with Fingers Crossed at #3. The former American Idol contestant was born in Canada and was first noticed as a 16 year old. Watch this space!! Staying in Canada, Abel Tesfaye (aka The Weeknd) has a new album out. Featuring the voice of Jim Carrey as DJ, Sacrifice sounds like something straight out of a seventies disco. Dawn FM is his fifth studio album and considered a concept album looking at a journey towards the end of the tunnel. Sacrifice is new at #22 while the album debuts at the top. David Kushner is more known as the rhythm guitarist for Velvet Revolver, or perhaps he is a writer?? Not to be confused, THIS David Kusher is much younger. And that, dear reader, is all I can find about him. His debut single, Miserable Man, is new at #31. King George has the final new single. The Australian band set themselves to writing during lockdown and the result is their debut single, Friday Night, new at #32. Rapper Sergio Kitchens (aka Gunna) lists his third hit album at #11. The title DS4EVER translates Drip Season 4Ever and features the usual long list of collaboratirs, writers and producers. Finally the second new soundtrack for the year debuts at #38. Sing 2 is the sequal to the original from 2016 which failed to chart here. It includes 21 tracks from Elton John and U2 to more recent artists like Billie Eilish and Halsey. As the second new soundtrack for the year it has already passed last years total of one.
Rapper Jayceon Taylor (aka The Game) hasn't charted since 2006. This week he joins forces with Kanye West with this weeks highest new single. Eazy , new at #35, samples the 1988 song Easy-Duz-It from Eazy-E, hence the title. Muni Long opens her account at #36 with Hrs And Hrs. The 33-year old has been writing now for over a decade for Ariana Grande, Chris Brown and Mariah Carey. The final new single is the second to chart from the movie Encanto. Surface Pressure from Jessica Darrow is new at #39 and is the actors first hit. Over on the album chart, L.A.B. score their second number one with L.A.B. V as the chart gives us four new entries. American rapper Cordae has previously been known as YBN Cordae and Entendre. Must be confusing for his parents who called him Cordae Dunstan. Anyway, his first hit album broke in 2019 and peaked at #21. Now his second, From A Birds Eye View is new at #28. Bonobo has also charted before, in 2017. Born Simon Green, the British musician, producer and DJ now has seven albums in his catalogue. The second to chart here is Fragments at #34. FKA Twigs is back with her fourth hit album. CAPRISONGS is the English 34 year old's first mixtape. Finally Earl Sweatshirt lists his fourth at #38. Sick! is called by the rapper as his "humble offering of ten songs .. in the wake of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. - This week we lost another rock legend to the great gig in the sky. Michael Lee Aday, better known as Meat Loaf first came on the scene in 1973 playing Eddie in the Rocky Horror Picture Show but it was to be four more years before he hit the big time. His first album Bat Out Of Hell went to the top of our charts and spent 83 weeks charting. He had ten hit albums and seven hit singles with Bat Out Of Hell 2 and single I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That) from 1993 his only other number ones. Meatloaf was 74. Rock in peace brother.
The sixth hit single for American Charlie Puth is this weeks highest new single. New at #28, Light Switch is the lead single from his upcoming third album Charlie. American rappers Gunna and Future join forces for pushin P at #31. Gunna claims that P stands fpr "player" although it could also stand for "paper". He says "...either something is "P" or it is not". Time for a P test. bbno$ has the final new single at #36. edamame is the Canadian's second hit single after the #16 peak of Lalala from 2019. bbno$ stands for "baby no money" An interesting re-entry comes in the form of Lost from Frank Ocean at #37. The song reached #5 in 2013 and was more successful here than any other country, giving him his first top ten single. No new albums this week but two re-entries from Meat Loaf turn up as a great tribute to the legend that passed away last weekend. Born Michael Aday,he enjoyed 74 weeks in the singles chart with 7 entries and 164 weeks in the album chart with 10 long players. His first album was a duet with Shaun Murphy. Called Stoney and Meatloaf, the album was actually on the Motown label. It failed to chart but six year later he had his big break. His two biggest, Bat Out Of Hell and Bat Out Of Hell 2: Back Into Hell are back in the chart at #3 and #38.
Number 40 seems to be an important number for this weeks number one. Top of the Top 40 for a 4th week, Down Under from Luude took the writer, Colin Hay from Men At Work 40 minutes to write 40 years ago. It has also was added to playlists for 40 million humans. All this came from the man himself so he should know. So, how old is Mr Hay? 68! Boring singles chart this week with ten songs charting between 30 and 110 weeks that simply refuse to leave. If you look at the average number of weeks in the annual chart and compare it to ten years ago, there's clearly something wrong. Last year that average was 36, in 2011 it was just 20. Only one new single in this weeks survey. Belgian DJ Lost Frequencies and British singer Calum Scott join forces for Where Are You Now at #37. It's the second single for the pair with Lost Frequencies taking Are You With Me to #9 in 2015 and Scott taking Dancing On My Own to #5 in 2016. To date it has peaked at #5 in the UK and been a big hit across Europe. Due to it's length, it takes the average total length for a new entry this year to just 3:11 which is the shortest since 1970. Over on the album chart there's a new number one. Encanto is the 800th number one album since the chart started in 1975 and first soundtrack to reach the sumit since A Star Was Born at the end of 2018. Speaking of soundtracks, Euphoria is the only new album this week. British singer, songwriter and rapper Labrinth provides the songs for the HBO score. Euphoria is an American teen drama television series.
Canadian Tate McRae first came on the scene in 2020 with the #12 hit you broke me first. His second hit she's all i wanna be is this weeks sole new single at #36. She first came on the scene with TV show So You Think You Can Dance and now has two EP's to her resume. This weeks three new albums all come from new artists. Japanese American singer Mitski is new at #14 with Laurel Hell. This is her sixth studio album and can be catalogued under synth pop. The 31 year old released her first album in 2012. Black Country, New Road is next with Ants From Up There at #17. The Englisg rock band formed in 2018 and this is their second album. Finally, Forenzics are new at #26. You may not recognise the name but the people behind it are kiwi legends Tim Finn and Eddie Reynor got together to record songs in the flavour of Split Enz. All songs were inspired from the Enz catalogue with the band name inclusdng the ENZ brand. Shades And Echoes is new at #26
Mark Wilkinson opens his account with this weeks highest new single. Here For You, new at #8, features vocals from Becky Hill #8 and is actually the English record producer and DJ's 35th single. To date his biggest single was Afterglow which peaked at #8 in 2013 in the UK. This is his first Top 40 single here. The track comes from Wilkinson's album Cognition which debut's at #3. American actress Dove Cameron is next with Boyfriend at #20. She is more well known for her role in Disney's Liv And Maddie but released her first single in 2019. Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift team up for the second time with this weeks third new entry. The Joker And The Queen at #26 comes from Sheeran's current album = and is a remix with Swift. The last time they enjoyed a hit single together was in 2013 when Everything Has Changed peaked at #22. In that instance, Sheeran was collaborating artist. Last weeks new albums leave after just one week, only to be replaced with albums this week that will probably also last only one week. Well, that's how the chart seems to roll these days. Anyway, Alt-J have the second new album at #16. The Dream is the English indie band's fourth NZ Top 40 album and third Top 20. Watch out for lead single U&Me. Big Thief drops in at #21 with Dragon New Warm Fountain I Believe In You. The American indie band are based in New York and formed in 2015. This is the lads fifth long player with two EP's also in their repertoire.
The Last time Dr. Dre was in the singles chart was back in 2011. Now 11 years between drinks, he is back with this weeks highest new single. Still D.R.E. is new at #21 and was actually released in 1999 peaking at #23 in America. It appears here due to 1 billion views after the Super Bowl halftime show. It just shows the chart is based on what we watch not buy. Despite an album that just won't go away, Jack Harlow has only managed one Top 40 single. That is until this week. Nail Tech, new at #33, is taken from the American rappers next album. Dua Lipa makes it to 100 weeks for her album Future Nostalgia. A strange chart statistic shows no album has stalled at 99 weeks. Michael Jackson's Thriller and The Greatest Showman both stalled at 98 but none at 99. Georgia and Caleb Nott (aka Broods) are back with album number 4. Space Island enters at #13 and the first to miss the Top 10. There have been three singles leading up to the new album, Piece Of My Mind, Heartbreak and Like A Woman, all of which follow a story. To date they have failed to crack the Top 40. Midnight Oil go strait to the top in their homeland with Resist which debuts here at #16. After a long hiatus, they reformed in 2017 and this is their second album since. American trio Khruangbin and American soul singer Leon Bridges join forces for EP Texas Moon at #28. It's the trio's second hit album and Bridges fourth Kiwi punk trio Die! Die! Die! are back with This Is Not An Island Anymore at #32. It's their first hit album since 2014 and fourth overall. Finally, Daft Punk make a surprise re-entry at #35 with Discovery. The French duo split up in 2021 and took this album to #8 in 2001. The reason for the re-entry is due to it's vinyl re-issue.
Three new singles and five new albums round off this weeks newbies, and it’s almost a cat theme for singles. Go by Cat Burns is the first at #37. The 21 year old British singer is influenced by gospel, Pop and indie music. Tyga and Doja Cat team up for Freaky Deaky at #38. It’s their second duet since Juicy from 2019 which peaked at #31. The second newcomer is from Los Angeles. 23 year old Em Beihold opens her account at #40 with Numb Little Bug and has been popular on TikTok. Don McGlashan crashes into the chart at #1 with Bright November morning. It’s his first number one even after you include albums from Blam Blam Blam, The Front Lawn and Mutton Birds. He started writing the songs with no clear direction, some writing going back a decade. Central Cee (aka Oakley Caesar-Su) is new at #14 with 23. Its the British rappers second album and first to chart here. Avril Lavigne is back with Love Sux at #19. It’s the Canadians 7th hit album since 2002 and first in three years. The last time Brooke Fraser was in the album chart was five years ago. Now using her married name Ligerwood, she is back at #36 with SEVEN (Live). This is her first live album, recorded in Nashville, Tennessee and is a Christian worship album. Finally, newcomers Gang Of Youths break the ice at #37 with angel in real time. These guys are an alternative rock band from Sydney and include New Zealander Max Dunn on bass.
Three new singles and five new albums round off this weeks newbies, and it’s almost a cat theme for singles. Go by Cat Burns is the first at #37. The 21 year old British singer is influenced by gospel, Pop and indie music. Tyga and Doja Cat team up for Freaky Deaky at #38. It’s their second duet since Juicy from 2019 which peaked at #31. The second newcomer is from Los Angeles. 23 year old Em Beihold opens her account at #40 with Numb Little Bug and has been popular on TikTok. Don McGlashan crashes into the chart at #1 with Bright November morning. It’s his first number one even after you include albums from Blam Blam Blam, The Front Lawn and Mutton Birds. He started writing the songs with no clear direction, some writing going back a decade. Central Cee (aka Oakley Caesar-Su) is new at #14 with 23. Its the British rappers second album and first to chart here. Avril Lavigne is back with Love Sux at #19. It’s the Canadians 7th hit album since 2002 and first in three years. The last time Brooke Fraser was in the album chart was five years ago. Now using her married name Ligerwood, she is back at #36 with SEVEN (Live). This is her first live album, recorded in Nashville, Tennessee and is a Christian worship album. Finally, newcomers Gang Of Youths break the ice at #37 with angel in real time. These guys are an alternative rock band from Sydney and include New Zealander Max Dunn on bass.
If we need more evidence that something needs to change in tabulating the weekly Top 40, it's this: the top 3 singles had been the same now for five weeks and the top 2 nine. Anyway, three new singles enter the chart with two oldies teaming up for the highest. Brit Labrinth last charted in 2013 and American Zendaya 2018. I'm Tired is collectively their their hit single and comes from the soundtrack to Euphoria. It enters the chart at #16. Camila Cabello last charted in 2017 making her the third "oldie" to chart. Bam Bam breaks the drought at #30 and features Ed Sheeran. The single is taken from the Cuban-American's third album Familia and is the second collaboration she has done with Sheeran. King George opened his account in January with Friday Night which currently sits at #4. Now the Australian band is back with their second. Keep On Rollin is new at #33 Of the 27 new albums to enter the chart this year, only 8 are still charting and three are new this week. BENEE is back with her fourth album entry. Lychee is her third EP and includes her new single Beach Boy amongst the seven tracks Former Guns n Roses guitarist Slash last charted in 2018. His fourth album is aply titled 4 and features once again Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators. Interesting to note it's also the first album on the new Gibson record label. Gibson are famous for their guitars. The final new album is an intesting one. Ragnarok were formed in 1974 and were a well known New Zealand progressive rock band. Their self titled album was released in 1975 with their follow up in 1976. Neither album charted. Sadly, they were gone by 1978. Fast forward to this week, and there they are, firmly placed at #38 with their first album. Another great album from Frenzy who released it on vinyl and CD. Their new Kiwi Music Scene 1964 album is also out.
After nine weeks at number 2, Elton John and Dua Lipa return to the top for a seventh non-consecutive week. The song also reaches the milestone 30 weeks in the chart. For the record, this is the longest Elton has been in the Top 40 with any of his 54 hit singles. It takes his total to 29 weeks at the top, placing him sixth equal on that list. Only one other of his songs has been at the top longer. Ironically that was also a duet; Don't Go Breaking My Heart with Kiki Dee enjoyed a nine week stay in 1976. Five new singles this week with this weeks UK #1 up first. British rapper Dave Omoregie (aka Dave) is amongst the most recognised British rappers and known for his socially conscious lyrics. Starlight is new at #20 and his second UK number one. Staying with rap, American Russ is back with his second NZ hit. HANDSOMER, new at #30 boasts about how his wealth makes him more handsome. Megan Thee Stallion and Dua Lipa combine their talent at #33 with Sweetest Pie. The track serves as Megan's lead single from her upcoming album. Newcomber Elley Duhé opens her account at #37. The American has been releasing music since 2016 but it's this middle eastern influence track, Middle Of The Night, that breaks the ice for her. It originally came out in 2020. Finally, a surprise. Nirvana were last in the chart in 1994. That's the same year we lost lead singer Kurt Cobain and we gained Foo Fighters. Something In The Way, new at #40 came from the album Nevermind (yes, the one with the controvercial cover). The song had a 1200% increase on Spotify, placing it in the chart. Englisg singer Rex Orange County (aka Alexander O'Connor) flies straight to the top of this weeks albums chart. The 23 year old last charted here in 2019 taking Pony to #6. Who Cares? is his fourth long player and was recorded in Amsterdam. Three other new albums lurk around the bottom of the Top 40. The second hit album for Lil Durk is 7220, new at #34. The first hit album for Swedish band Ghost is new at #38. Impera is the bands fifth studio album. Finally, Christchurch lass Mousey is new at #40 with My Friends. Born Sarena Close, this is her first chart entry.
The Singles Top 10 continues to be very stable. Half of the entries are over 30 weeks old with one sitting at 117. There are three new singles at the bottom of the chart. AnnenMayKantereit and Giant Rooks combine for Tom's Diner at #33. AnnenMayKantereit (often shortened to AMK) is a German rock band formed in 2011 and Giant Rooks a German indie band formed in 2014. Tom's Diner was a 1982 song on Suzanne Vega's album Fast Folk Musical Magazine and charted in 1990 for English music producers DNA with Vega on vocals. Both AMK and Rooks chart here for the first time. Pharrell Williams last logged in a single back in 2014. This week he returns with Just A Cloud Away at #34. Pharrell holds the record in New Zealand for most non-consectivive weeks at number one with Happy staying a total of 15 weeks in 2013. Just A Cloud Away comes from the 2013 soundtrack to Despicable Me 2. American rapper J. Cole also lists an archived track with No Role Modelz at #37. This one was on the 2015 soundtrack for 2014 Forest Hills Drive. British singer-songwriter Charli XCX is back with her highest charting album to date. Her last two albums peaked in the bottom half of the chart but Crash opens at #2. It's her fifth long player and has topped the charts in Australia, Ireland and the UK. ArrDee is next with Pier Pressure at #21. Born Riley Davies, this is the British rapper first entry to our chart. The entry is his first mixtape. Stray Kids round off this weeks newbies with ODDINARY. New at #33, this is the South Korean's first entry here and also a mixtape. To date they have two albums, three compilations and nine mixtapes with both albums topping the South Korean charts.
No new singles this week in another very stable chart. There is one interesting re-entry though. On 25 March, we lost one of the worlds best drummers. Taylor Hawkins was the drummer in Foo Fighters from 1997 until his death. This week, in a fitting tribute, Everlong from 1997 is back. It was his first hit single with the band and originaly peaked at #34 but this week it's back at #31. Hawkins was also Alanis Morissette's drummer on her album Jagged Little Pill and appeared in her video's for You Oughta Know, All I Really Want and You Learn. He was only 50. Foo Fighters' Greatest Hits also returns to the chart at #21. The album chart is in total contrast with six new entries. Lytteton resident Aldous Harding is back with her fourth album and first number one. Warm Chris flies straight to the penthouse suite on entry and includes songs written during the 2020 lockdown. Michael Bublé is back with his eleventh long player. Higher debuts at #2 and includes arrangements by Paul McCartney and a collaboration with Willie Nelson. Machine Gun Kelly lists his sixth at #4. mainstream sellout serves as a continuation of his post-punk albums. Another American rapper, Denzel Curry, lists his fourth at #17. Melt My Eyez See Your Future was born as far back as 2018 but he began working on it properly after the release of his 2019 album Zuu. Nigo is next with I Know NIGO! at #29. Born Tomoaki Nagao, he is a Japanese fashion designer, disc jockey and record producer. This is his first entry to our chart. Finally, Placebo lists their first album since 2013 with Never Let Me Go at #40. Formed in London back in 1994, this is album number eight. - The first quarter of 2022 has already gone. Here's a look at the number of new entries so far this year with last years figures in brackets: Singles Chart: 34 (32) NZ Singles Chart: 7 (5) Albums Chart: 34 (20) NZ Albums Chart: 19 (19) Last edited:
28-year old Harry Styles has this weeks only new single and it's his first solo number one. Add that to his four One Direction chart toppers gives his a total of five. As It Was is taken from his upcoming third album Harry's House due out next month. It's not his strongest song but that won't stop it staying in the charts over a year. Last weeks new albums either leave the chart or dive. Sadly it's a trend we see overseas as well, and as long as chart tabulation continues in this format it will not change. It's no different to the Lever Hit Parade, which was New Zealand's chart from 1948 - 1965, and based on opinion rather than sales. Rant over, we have three new albums this week. Red Hot Chili Peppers's first album in six years gives them an eighth number one. That places them sixth in the most number ones statistic. Unlimited Love sees guitarist John Frusciante rejoining the band after 10 years He left in 2009. Frusciante also wrote several songs on the disc giving it a return to form for the band. The Bridgerton: Season Two Covers soundtrack enters the chart at #33. It gives an interesting spin on well known classics such as Madonna's Material Girl, and Harry Styles Sign Of The Times but played by an orchestra or string quartet. Bridgerton is a period drama playing on Netflix. Finally, Dreamville and J. Cole are back with D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape at #36. Dreamville is J. Cole's record label.
Jack Harlow opens this week with his first number one single. First Class is this weeks only new single. To date the highest he has charted on his own is #6 with What’s Poppin’ from 2020. He did share a number one with Lil Nas X but this is his first solo number one. First Class is the second single from the album Come Home The Kids Miss You just out. British group Wet Leg are new on the albums chart with their self titled album at #4. This is their first album and is supported with lead single Chaise Longue. The two piece band (isn’t that a duet) come from the Isle Of Wight. Kiwi four piece End Boss open their account with They Seek My Head at #21. The album was recorded over a ten month period in between lock downs. Camilla Cabello lists Familia at #26. The title for her third album translates ‘family’ and was inspired by experiences in her family through covid. Finally Fivio Foreign is new at #40 with B.I.B.L.E. Born Maxie Ryles III, he is an American rapper from New York. This appears to be Christian rap. The album title stands for Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth and has been used by Christian artists before.
I know that I'm sounding like a scrtached record but the chart this week continues to look the same. The singles chart is becoming like the album chart by ejecting it's new entries early and holding onto old songs. Of the 38 new singles this year, only 18 survive with 14 songs over 30 weeks. Seven of them are over a year old with 3 over 90 weeks. You could almost copy and paste the chart from a year ago and just change the date. Kiwis Coterie have the highest new single. Cool It Down at #33 has been a very slow mover, bubbling under the chart in the NZ Singles Top 20 since February. The quartet is literally a group of brothers. The Fishers grew up in Perth and are of Te Aupori/Ngapuhi decent. Coterie means a group of persons with a unifying common interest or purpose. venbee and Dan Fable are next with low down at 40. The pair come from the UK. And that's it. No new entries on the album chart, just five old albums coming back in. Of the 47 new albums this year, only five remain. And the top 20 has 18 number ones, 12 of which have been around well over a year. Last edited:
Charlton Howard (aka The Kid LAROI) lists his sixth hit single, Thousand Miles at #6. Parts of the 2-minute song have been floating around since last year as the 18-year old teased and deleted snippets. Finally, it was leaked a month ago along with a ten second post on TikTok. WILLOW has the other new single at #34. Wait A Minute! was actually released in 2016 and charts now due to another TikTok dance challenge. American rapper Pusha T (born Terrence Thornton) charts his second album at #6. It's Almost Dry is actually the 44-year olds fourth long player and highest charting in New Zealand to date. He teased the album with an image of Lana Del Rey with her face obscured by a pile of cocaine. Fontaines D.C. has the second new album. Skinty Fia is the Irish punk bands fourth album and first to chart here. In The UK the disc debuted at the top of the charts. The phrase Skinty Fia translates to "the damnation of the deer" hense the cover. Jack White is back with his fifth hit album. Fear Of The Dawn is the first of two albums from the American this year with the second out in July. Babbu Maan has the final newbie. Born in India, Maan is a singer-songwriter, actor and producer. Adab Punjabi is the 47-year olds 14th studio album but first to chart here. It debuts at #36. Finally, a surprise. In 1983, Wellingtons' The Body Electric released Presentation And Reality. The duo of Alan Jansson and Andy Drey formed from the remnants of punk band The Steroids. They scored three hit singles, the most known being Pulsing which peaked at #13. The album only managed a #32 peak which is where it re-enters the chart this week. Flying Nun have re-issued the album, which is also available on limited edition coloured vinyl.
Melissa Jefferson (aka Lizzo) has this weeks highest new single. About Damn Time at #8 is the American's fourth hit in Godzone and comes from her next album Special. Expect the album in stores mid July. Future is next at #13 with Wait For U. This is the American rappers fifth hit and comes from his new album I Never Liked You. The album debuts at the top giving him his first number one. It's his ninth hit album. Staying in America, Benson Boone is back with his sophomore. In The Stars new at #17 follows his debut single Ghost Town which only managed a lowly #39 peak last year. To date, the new single has peaked at #4 in Norway, however Ghost Town was his first number one ... also in Norway. Flowers was a #2 hit single for The Emotions back in 1978. Staying with the title but a totally different song, is the new one for Canadian Lauren Spencer-Smith. New at #27, this is the American Idol contestant's second single following the #3 hit Fingers Crossed from January. German metallers Rammstein score their tenth charting album with their eighth studio disc. Zeit was unplanned and recorded due to a postponed tour thanks to covid. It's actually the highest they have been in the chart, debuting at #11. Zeit is the German word meaning time or era. The third studio album from American songstress Kehlani is new at #34. blue water road is actually her fourth time in the chart with three albums and a mixtape. The others went top 20. Te Matatini have been all over the Te Reo singles chart for the past few weeks - now there's an album. He Tau Makuru: Te Matakāinga is new at #35.
Fleetwood Mac's Dreams becomes the second single to reach 100 weeks. The single originally spent 14 weeks in the chart in 1977 and has been back now since October 2020. Only us and across the ditch are holding onto the song. In Australia, it's currently 89 weeks old. Jack Harlow holds onto the top single for a fifth week with First Class and introduces two new singles. Dua Lipa (#11) and Churchill Downs (#25) are taken from his new album Come Home The Kids Miss You which debuts at the top. Hit single #16 from American rapper Kendrick Lamar is new at #15. The Heart Part 5 is actually the fifth part which began back in 2010 with part 2 the same year, part 3 in 2012 and part 4 2017. Part 5 is a promotional single ahead of his new album Mr. Morale And The Big Steppers. The track doesn't actually feature on the album. Taylor Swift continues her series of re-recordings with This Love (Taylor's Version) at #40. The track originally appears on her 2014 album 1989. This one puts her on top as the artist with the most hit singles. This is #54. Australian DJ Alexandra Sholler (Alison Wonderland) lists her third hit album with Loner at #15. The 35-yaer-old now has three albums and an EP to her résumé. Arcade Fire are back with album number six. We, new at #20, is the Canadian bands first album in five years. American singer/songwriter Sharon Van Etten first charted here in 2015 with We Are There peaking at #33. Now We've Been Going About This All Wrong breaks the drought at #22 as her second hit album. This is the 41 year olds sixth long player. The fourth hit from Halestorm is new at #29. Back From The Dead is the American rockers fifth and was preceded by the title track as a single. Finally, BoyWithUke is new at #35 with Serotonin Dreams. He is more well known on TikTok as a 19 year old masked singer. Over on the NZ Albums Chart, Six60 take their Six60(3) album onto 100 weeks at number one. Last edited:
American rapper Kendrick Lamar enters the chart at the penthouse suite with his fifth studio album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. This is his second number one album after To Pimp A Butterfly from 2015. To celebrate, he adds four new singles to the pot with N95 (#2), Die Hard (#6), United In Grief (#7) and Father Time (#8). Austin Post (aka Post Malone) is back with hit single number 20 at #31. Cooped Up comes from his new album Twelve Carat Toothache out 3 June. The album chart continues to be unkind to new albums with only nine of this years 67 discs remaining in the chart. 44 of those albums only managed one week and only three charting 10 weeks or more. Florence + The Machine fall into second place behind Lamar with Dance Fever The English band have now charted six albums, five of them peaking inside the Top 3. Work on the album was originally scheduled for early 2020 in New York but transfered to London due to the pandemic. American duo The Black Keys place Dropout Boogie at #6. Their 11th album saw them recruiting musicians to complete the disc including Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top. Kiwi country legend Jodi Vaughan hasn't charted since 2002 so, 20 years on, she returns with For The Love Of Country at #9. This is her 10th album, the majority of which written by her. Interesting note is the album is on the Tasman label. Tasman was originally founded in 1950 by TANZA (To Assist New Zealand Artists) but this label is different, the original shutting it's doors in 1975. The final two new albums come from newcomers. Englands The Smile comprising Radiohead members open their account at #32 with A Light For Attracting Attention and Te Matatini continue their success with He Tau Makuru: Te Matakōkiri at #38. Last edited:
Please note places 26 - 31 on the singles chart changed places a few days after publication. That gave the Post Malone single Cooped Up a #26 debut rather than #31. Grrr Last edited:
This weeks chart is all about Harry. As It Was returns to the top for a second week as Late Night Talking, Matilda and Music For A Sushi Restaurant take out the next three spaces. That gives the Englishman the Top 4. Styles breaks the record set by L.A.B. last year for most songs at the top of the chart. On 4 January last year L.A.B. held the top 3 with Why Oh Why, In The Air and Controller. His third solo album debuts at the top too. Harry's House features John Mayer on lead guitar on songs Cinema and Daydreaming. The other new album comes from Flume. Born Harley Streten, Palaces is the Australian's third long player and fourth to enter the album chart, the other a mixtape.
Next week chart would be expect to see the resurgence of Kate Bush Running Up The Hill due to the Netflix hit series Stranger Things. Is there any context to explain the fairly odd low #26 peak during the original chart run back in 1985.
The big surprise this week comes from Kate Bush. In 1985 she took her fifth hit single to #26. That song, Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God), went to #3 in the UK and was from her album Hounds Of Love. Now, 37 year later, the track flies to #2 on re-entry. It returns after it's use in the American science fiction TV series Stranger Things. The soundtrack debut's at #39 on the albums chart. The success experienced from Harry Styles' new album last week continues with two more songs from Harry;s House. Daylight (#8) Little Freak (#9) take his total in this weeks Top 10 to six. Kanye West lists True Love at #19. It includes Xxxtentacion and appears on both West's Donda 2 and the upcoming posthumous album Look At Me: The Album from Xxxtentacion. Finally, Calvin Harris, Dua Lipa and Young Thug join forces for Potion at #35. It's Harris' 25th hit single and first in two years. Canadian Tate McRae debuts her second entry to the album chart with her first full length album i used to think i could fly. New at #5, it beats the peak of her EP TOO YOUNG TO BE SAD which peaked at #40 last year. She plays in Auckland on 24 July. Liam Gallagher's third solo album becomes his first solo Top 10. C'mon You Know, new at #9, is his third UK number one and was released on the same day as his live album Down By The River Thames. It's been a while since we saw a Def Leppard album in the chart. Their self titled disc peaked at #17 in 2015. Now their twelfth long player Diamond Star Halos is new at #21. Top Gun: Maverick is smashing box office records. The original soundtrack peaked at #5 in 1986. Now the new movie debuts at #25. Lyttelton songwriter Al Park has worked with Marlon Williams, Jordan Luck and Barry Saunders but never enjoyed a hit album. That is until now. Pony debuts at #37. And last but not least, an expanded edition of Eminem's 2002 album The Eminem Show re-enters at #16.
Bob Dylan once said The Times They Are A-Changing, and looking at this weeks chart, that is still the case. The way the music industry is at the moment it's like anything can happen. And this week, it did. Last week saw Kate Bush re-enter the chart with a 37-year old song Running Up That Hill. This week it goes to the top, becoming her second number one. Her first is iconic. Wuthering Heights topped the charts in 1978. Running Up That Hill also snatches the record from Phil Collins for longest time to reach number one after debut. That's now 36 years, 8 months. As if that was not enough, the single tops the chart the very same week Wuthering Heights did 44 years ago. Another re-entry comes in at #20. Pass The Dutchie by Musical Youth. The British-Jamaican reggae band peaked at the top for three weeks in 1982. The song returns due to is being taken from the same TV series as Katies single; Stranger Things. It also spent one week at #45 in 1994 making it 28 years, 6 months since it last appeared. Speaking of soundtracks, Doja Cat steps up with Vegas at #23. This one comes from the new film Elvis. It includes a sample from Elvis' 1956 Hound Dog, which was actually written in 1952. She also appears with Post Malone at #6 with I Like You (A Happier Song). His fourth album Twelve Carat Toothache debuts at #2. A deluxe edition containing two extra tracks was released 4 days later. Harry Styles continues his success with two more tracks from his current album. Last week he tied with Ed Sheeran for most singles in the top 10 in the same chart. Satelite (#30) and Grapejuice (#40) take his total to 15. Angel Olsen has the other new album at #25. Big Time is the American's sixth long player but only second to chart here. This one beats her peak position, All Mirrors from 2019, which only managed a place at #28. Last edited:
Japanese singer Joji has this weeks highest new single with Glimpse Of Us. New at #2, it's the 29 year olds second in NZ, with Sanctuary, his other from 2019, which peaked at #32. OneRepublic are next at #13 with I Ain't Worried. The single comes from the current Top Gun film and is their #13 hit since they opened their account back in 2008. K-Pop's BTS announced this week they were breaking up to persue solo careers. It didn't stop them scoring a number one album with Proof. It's their fourth chart topper, which also produced the third new single with Yet To Come at #24. Lady Gaga is back with Hold My Hand at #33. This is her 26th hit single and also comes from the Top Gun soundtrack. Earlier this month Xxxtentacion featured with Kanye West on the one week hit single True Love. Now the album that song comes from debuts at #7. The American rapper passed away in 2018 after being shot. This album is the third posthumous album to come from his estate and is released a week before the fourth anniversary of his death. It is considered a compilation. George Ezra is back with his third long player. Gold Rush Kids is the 29 year old's third UK number one and supported by three singles, Anyone For You, Green Green Grass and I Went Hunting. Australian Vance Joy also lists his third at #40. In Our Own Sweet Time is described by the singer as being about the idea of creating a life and a world with someone special. Over on the NZ Singles chart, David Dallas has a surprise re-entry with his 2013 hit Runnin' which was the number one kiwi single for 6 weeks. Last edited:
Big news in the media this week. Kate Bush at number one in the UK. Over here that was old news. What gets me is how often the media ignores our own charts by quoting either UK or American chart facts. To me it's lazy journalism and it's been going on for years. Rant over ..... Kate leaves the top spot for Joji. Born in Osaka, he is the first Japenese artist to top our charts since Kyu Sakamoto took Sukiyaki to the top in 1963. Glimpse Of Us debuted at #2 last week. Drake lifts four tracks from his new album Honestly, Nevermind into the singles chart. Jimmy Cooks (#3), Sticky (#10), Falling Back (#14) and Massive (#16) take the Canadians total to 30 as the album enters the chart at the penthouse In 2005 Mattafix took Big City Life to the top for one solitary week. In 2022 Australian Luude brings it back. New at #17, it's his second remake/remix after he topped the chart with Down Under. Christian American rapper T-Bone (aka Rene Sotomayor) first released an album way back in 1993. Not to be confused, it's a different T-Bone that enters the chart at #14, These guys are a kiwi folk/blues/bluegrass band and Good 'n Greasy is their debut album. The five-piece are currentlu on tour in the North Island. The Black Seeds are next with Love & Fire at #16. This kiwi band are from Wellington and are no stranger to the charts. This is their seventh charting album since they opened their account in 2004. Foals has the final new album. Life Is Yours is album number five in our charts and seventh overall. The trio come from Oxford, UK. Finally, for the third week in a row, an archived album gets the deluxe treatment and returns to the top 40. This time it's Jimmy Barnes' 1991 album Soul Deep which re-enters at #32.
This weeks chart sees the inclusion of video streaming added to the mix for the Singles and Albums chart. Data is now being added from You Tube and Apple Music. At first glance it may have made it worse for the singles chart as three re-entries over 30 weeks return to the chart giving us 13 entries between 31 and 131 weeks. We do get two new entries though. Beyoncé last charted a single in 2017. This week her 25th breaks the ice at #16. Break My Soul is the lead single from her seventh studio album Renaissance. Charlie Puth lists his seventh with Left And Right at #19. It's the second single to make it to the singles chart from his album Charlie. The Album Chart evicts Six60 after a 382 stay in the Top 40. On 16 November, 2020 they overtook Pink Floyd for the most weeks charted for one album. Six60(2) has achieved this consecutively, setting in concrete a new record. Chris Brown has the highest new album with Breezy at #2. His tenth long player is designed to "talk to women's soul" according to Brown. Luke Combs is next with Growin' Up at #9. It's the second time the American country star has charted here and his highest position. America Conan Gray last charted at #32 with Kid Krow. This week his second, Superache debuts at #11. Lyrically it looks like a very personal album. Troy Kingi is back with Pū Ehenua Hautapu Eka Mumura at #18. His third album is a reworking from his 10 10 10 Series to comemorate Matariki. Giveon places his first studio album at #19 Give Or Take follows his 2021 compilation into the Top 40. Finally, English rockers Porcupine Tree place Closure / Continuation at #24. It's their debut album here but actually their eleventh since 1992. - We are half way through the year so here's a look at this yearsnew entries across the four charts I follow with last years total in brackets: SINGLES: 73 (64) NZ SINGLES 14 (9) ALBUMS 85 (67) NZ SINGLES 39 (57) There have also been three new kiwi singles cross over to the Top 40 and 15 albums. Last edited:
It's rare that we get a rock song in the chart these days. It's even rarer when one from 1986 makes it for the first time. Master Of Puppets from Metallica debuts at #24 on entry and is their first single to chart since 2008. Clocking in at 8:35, it is also the seventh longest song to chart. The reason the song returns to popularity is due to it being included in the Netflicks series Stranger Things. That series is now responsile for three archived songs in the charts; wonder what will be next. American Nicky Youre makes his debut to the NZ charts with Sunroof at #39. He teams up with fellow American dazy for the song which was born from a voice memo dazy received from Youre. Christchurch lass Emma Dilemma (aka Emma Cameron) has this weeks sole new album entry. She is a member of rock band Decades and is now ready to release her first EP. The songs on Spit, new at #29, have been drip fed as the release date gets closer. They were originally intended for a new Decades album but she felt they didn't fit the bands style.
This weeks chart is all about the newbies. Bad Habit by newcomer Steve Lacy is this weeks highest new single. Debuting at #25 the 24 year old was born in Compton, California, and guitarist of R&B band The Internet. He released his debut EP in 2017 and has two albums to his resume. Bad Habit breaks him into the NZ market. Last Last from Burma Boy is next at #37. Born Damini Ogulu, he is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer and has eight albums to date. Last Last comes from his latest, Love, Damini. American rapper Yung Gravy is next with Betty (Get Money) at #39. Born Matthew Hauri, the 26 year old has released three albums and eight EP’s since 2016. Looks like New Zealand is the first country to give him a hit single outside the US. Over on the album chart, Brent Faiyaz opens his account at #2 and has the only new album. Born Christopher Wood, the American R&B singer began making music at the age of 12. Now 26, he gives us his second long player and first kiwi chart entry.
No new singles this week, not even a re-entry. This has only ever happened once; on 20 April 2020. It's a different story however on the album chart. The eighth long player from Canadian-born New Zealand country and soul singer Tami Neilson becomes her first number one. Kingmaker features the duet with Willie Nelson and is her her fifth chart entry, all of which peaked in the top 10. The second chart entry from Melissa Jefferson (aka Lizzo) makes it's debut at #3. Special is the American's fourth album. Steve Lacy is next at #7 with Gemini Rights. Last week his debut single Bad Habit joined the Top 40 at #25. This week the American jumps to #8 whilst his first album entry goes one knotch higher. This is his second album; Apollo XXI failing to chart in 2019. Sabrina Carpenter opens her account at #27 with emails i can't send. The 23-year old actress made her first appearance on Law And Order: Special Victims Unit and has been recording since 2014 with limited success. She has five albums and two EP's. Thats perseverance for you. South Korean j-hope lists his first album at #30. Jack In The Box follows his 2018 mixtape Hope World into the chart, peaking four knotches higher. The rapper is also a member of BTS. Finally, Taiwanese singer Jay Chou makes his debut with Greatest Works Of Art. New at #40, this is the 43-year old's fifteenth long player.
The shortest song of the year debut's at the top of the Singles Chart this week. Clocking in at only 1:37, Central Cee sits at sixth equal for the shortest song to top the New Zealand charts. Doja is the 24 year old's first single to chart here, despite hitting the UK charts since 2020. He was born Oakley Caesar-Su in Shepherd;s Bush, London. Billie Eilish scores two reflective acoustic ballads from her new EP Guitar Songs. TV (#17) and The 30th (#22) take her singles tally to 22. With only two songs on the EP, once upon a time it would have charted as a double A side single. Russ enlists Ed Sheeran as featured artist for his new single Are You Entertained? at #20. This is the American rappers third hit single here. Rosa Linn joins the ranks of new singles with her first hit SNAP at #38. Born Roza Kistandyan, the American singer represented her country recently in the Eurovision Song Contest with this song. Only two new albums venture into this weeks Top 40. New York rapper Joey Bada$$ has two Top 5 albums in the US at the time of writing but 2000 (which is predicted to top the US charts) is his first here. This one is a sequal to his mixtape 1999 which came out ten years ago, Mac Miller may have passed away in 2018 but his album I Love Life, Thank You continues his chart run, which now tallies at seven. This one was actually released in 2011 and has just been re-released on streaming services.
A look at the Top 50 songs to chart the most weeks since the chart began in 1975 makes interesting reading. In the 1970's there were five songs in the Top 50 with Dreams by Fleetwood Mac out in front and sitting at #2 on that list. We dip in the 1980's to just two songs; Blue Monday from New Order leading the pack. That song was at the top for 36 years but now sitting in sixth place. The 90's have one in the list; November Rain from Guns N' Roses the highest from that decade and sitting at #65. The Naughties have one, Always On My Mind from Tiki Taane sitting at #25. Then it goes crazy. 31 songs from the 2010's and 11 so far from this decade. In The Air from L.A.B. holds the top spot with their song Controller the highest this decade and third on the list. In a week where Monica Lewinsky made the headlines asking Beyoncé to change the offensive lyrics to a couple of her songs, the new album comes out in what could be seen as a publicity stunt. Well, right or wrong, it worked. Cuff It (#28), Alien Superstar (#35) and Energy (#40) enter the singles chart while Renaissance debuts at the top for the artists second time. The album is her seventh. Tauranga based Georgia Lines opens her account with EP Human. The 24-year-old suffered with self doubt prior to release but, with a #3 debut, she need'nt have worried. Hip Hop duo $uicideBoy$ are next with Sing Me A Lullaby, My Sweet Temptation at #6. This is the Americans fourth and highest charting album to date. New Plymouth three piece Infinity Ritual also open their account with their self titled EP at #17. File this one under metal/rock. Canadian Shania Twain hasn't been in the chart since 2017. The 56, year-old took a break, from 2002, releasing the album Now in 2017 which peaked at #3. Not Just A Girl (The Highlights) debuts this week at #34 and is a compilation. Finally, a re-issue. Tim and Neil Finn got together in 1995 for their first duo album which they self titled Finn. Despite only peaking at #8, it was the number one NZ album for five weeks. That album now sees an expansion and first release on vinyl.
It's taken 14 years but finaly OneRepublic has a number one. I Ain't Worried becomes the 738th number one on the singles chart and 7th this year. Staying Alive from DJ Khaled is this weeks highest new single at #19. It's not the famous Bee Gees song but it does use the hook Ah Ah Ah Ah Stayin' Alive. It's the American producers 6th hit single. The Neighbourhood may be new to the singles chart but the American rockers have charted. In 2015 they took their second album to #37 on the Album chart. Sweater Weather is new at #34. Mac Miller has the final new single. Love Lost at #37 is taken from his 2011 mixtape I Love Life, Thank You. Eminem places Curtain Call 2 at #5, 17 years after the first one. This compilation covers more recent material over a two disc set. Calvin Harris is new at #18 with Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2. It's his first album in five years and follows on from volume one which peaked at #3. It's been a sad week. Firstly we lost The Seekers lead singer Judith Durham, then on Monday we lost Olivia Newton-John. Olivia enjoyed 24 hit singles and ten albums, and went on to be an amazing supporter for women with breast cancer. She first came on the scene in 1971 and last recorded in 2016. This week, Hopelessly Devoted: The Hits takes her album tally to 11. The compilation was actually released in 2018 and peaked at #5 across the ditch. Of course, soundtrack Grease returns to the chart at #24. That soundtrack peaked at the top for 18 weeks. The world will certainly miss Olivia.
There's been a couple of samples coming through in new Top 40 singles lately. This week, Nicki Minaj does just that with Super Freaky Girl. New at #5, the track uses a sample from Rick James' 1981 single Super Freak. It's the second time that track has been used in a sample, the most famous from MC Hammer with the 1990 hit U Can't Touch This. In this version, Minaj raps about her sexual fantasies. You could easily be confused thinking the new single from Chris Brown would be from his latest album Breezy; but it's not. In fact, it's not even him. This Chris Brown comes from South Africa. Under The Influence is new at (#10). The second single from American rapper YG comes three years after his first. In 2019 he peaked at #15 with Go Loco. Now Toxic, new at #39, takes his tally to two. Over on the album chart, we have a new number one. It's taken 80 weeks for The Weekend to reach the summit with his compile The Highlights. That's not a record though. It took 265 weeks for Pink Floyd to reach number one with Dark Side Of The Moon. The second long player from American rapper Megan Thee Stallion makes a #27 debut. Traumazine is her second album. Danger Mouse may be new to our charts but he has been releasing albums since 1999. He did have a number one single and album in 2006 as one half of the duo Gnarls Barkley so in that respect, not new to our charts. Born Brian Burton, the 45 year old debutes with Cheat Codes at #33. Finally, rapper The Game is back after 8 years with DRILLMATIC Heart vs. Mind at #40. Last edited:
The first taste of a new album by Dunedin band Six60 sees single Before You Leave enter the chart at #3. Castle Street, due in early October, was recorded in their Dunedin studio. South Korean girl group BLACKPINK are back with Pink Venom at #9. The track comes from their new album Born Pink due out next month, and incorporates traditional Korean instruments. Over on the album chart it’s Stan Walker leading the group of new entries. All In, new at #3, is the kiwis seventh studio album and was recorded at Neil Finn’s Roundhead Studios. Tall Dwarfs are next at #15. Formed in 1981, the kiwi band formed by Chris Knox and Alec Bathgate went on to pioneer lo-fi rock music. Unravelled: 1981-2002 is a 55 track box set detailing their history. HOLY FVCK from Demi Lovato is next. New at #36, her eighth long player returns the American to her rock roots. AfterLife is the ninth album from American metallers Five Finger Death Punch at #38. This is the first album since 2007 to not feature lead guitarist Jason Hook. Finally, 64-year old Madonna is back with a compilation. Finally Enough Love debuts at #39 and is a remix album subtitled 50 number ones. Not all of the tracks went to number one though.
Three new singles, two based around older songs, debut in this weeks Top 40. 75-year old Elton John and 40- year old Britney Spears combine for the highest new single at #4. Hold Me Closer is based around the songs Tiny Dancer (1971), The One (1992) and Don't Go Breaking My Heart (1976). It's Elton's 56th hit single and Britney's 25th. It's also the first time Britney has been in the chart since 2013. David Guetta and Bebe Rexha are next with another reworked song. Now 54, I'm Good (Blue) is Guetta's 25th hit. New at #26, the track is based around the 1998 Eiffel 65 single Blue (Da Ba Dee) and fourth time the pair have worked together, although it's the first time in New Zealand where they charted together. Breaking the theme, Tom Odell has the final new single at #30. Another Love is the Englishman's first hit here although he has been charting in his homeland since 2012. Strangely, it's that very same chart that is listed here after becoming the theme song for The Baldadige Boys. Devon, England trio Muse score their fourth number one out of the box with Will Of The People. Their ninth studio LP, the lads describe the album as "a greatest hits album - of new songs". American DJ Khaled lifts God Did to #4 on entry. His fifth album entry is actually the highest he has been on the album chart to date. Sydney singer-songwriter Julia Jacklin places her second album at #11. Pre Pleasure also lifts her peak position in the chart. This is her third album. JID is next with The Forever Story. Born Destin Route, it's the first time the 31 year old rapper has charted here. Nicki Minaj continues to top this weeks singles chart with that discusting song. She adds to her list with her new album Queen Radio: Volume 1 at #30. Finally, Bret McKenzie is new at #40. Songs Without Jokes is the first solo hit album for kiwi ,who is one half of Flight Of The Conchords. - Last week , while I was away, we lost one of our own. Margaret Urlich started out with Peking Man before going on to a very successul solo career. She also appeared as a member of When The Cats Away. She charted 6 solo singles, plus 3 with Peking Man and 3 with When The Cats Away totalling 111 weeks. She died age 57 after a battle with cancer
The 100th new single this year is this weeks number one and our only new entry. B.O.T.A. (Baddest Of Them All) by Eliza Rose & Interplanetary Criminal is new at #27. The track was an underground hit in London's club scene and is the first time a female DJ has topped the charts over there. It's the first hit here for the Brit. 25-year old Dominic Harrison (aka YUNGBLUD) opens his account in style, topping the album chart with his third album. The English musician, singer and actor first came on the scene in 2018 with a couple of EP's and his first album, and topped the UK chart with second album Weird. His third, self titled disc, debuts at number one. American thrash mettalers Megadeth debut at #24 with their sixteenth long player. The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead! is the first album after the dismissal of founding bassist David Ellefson after a sex scandal. The album took more than two years to record. As I write (10 September) Billie Eilish is set to take the stage in Auckland. As a result to her visit, two albums (Happier Than Ever and WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?) jump back into the top 10 and 2017's don't smile at me returns to the chart at #23,
The third single in just over 10 months to reach 100 weeks is awarded to Dua Lipa with Levitating. On 20 November last year L.A.B. made it to 100 with In The Air, followed on 16 May this year by Fleetwood Mac with Dreams. All three songs continue to chart this week. The Singles Chart has two new entries. The third hit single for Scott Lewis Capaldi is the highest at #23. Forget Me is the lead single from his yet-to-be-named second album. Newcomer Zach Bryan is next with Something In The Orange at #36. The American singer comes from Oologah, Oklahoma, however he was born in Japan. The 26-year old has three albums and two EP's; this track coming from his third, American Heartbreak and peaked at #30 in the US. Last week YUNGBLUD debuted at number one on the album chart. This week, he is gone. That ties with Tomorrow People's BBQ Reggae from 2018 for the shortest lived number one album. Michael Bublé and Blindspott also dropped out of the chart from #1 but those albums charted more than one week. Marlon Williams replaces YUNGBLUD at the top with album #6. My Boy is the Melbourne based kiwi's second number one. Ozzy Osbourne places Patient Number 9 at #6. Matching his peak position with Scream from 2010, it includes a host of well known guitarists such as Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and fellow Sabbath buddy Tony Iommi. American country singer Luke Combs was in the country last month. This week, along with two albums from his back catalogue, he debuts with his first album from 2017. This One's For You didn't chart here when first released. Noah Smith (aka Yeat) opens his account with Lyfë at #36. Born in California, you can file this EP under hip-hop. Finally, Robbie Williams lists his 17th hit album at #40. XXV is a compilation marking his 25th anniversary as a solo artist.
Hit single #7 for South Korean girl group BLACKPINK debut's a #6. Shut Down is the second single from their second album Born Pink, which debuts at #2. The other new singles come from new artists. d4vd (born David Burke) is from Houston. The 17 year old lists Romantic Homicide at #23 and has been popular on TikTok. Montell Fish is next with Hotel. New at #29, this is the 16 year old Pittsburgh residents first taste of our charts American Omar Apollo debuts at #31 with Evergreen (You Didn't Deserve Me At All). Born to Mexican parents he began uploading his songs in 2017 and released an EP in 2018. The track comes from his debut album Ivory which was released in April. The Top Three albums this week are all new. That's the fourth time this has happened in the history of the chart. Hit album #3 for Aucklanders The Beths places them at the top of the charts for the first time. Prior to this, Jump Rope Gazers from 2020 was their biggest, peaking at #2. Expert In A Dying Field is available on cassette, yellow, green, blue or marbled pink vinyl and CD. Staying in Godzone, Mel Parsons is back with her fourth. Slow Burn is actually the Westport born artists fifth album with writing starting back in 2020. American singer Fletcher opens her account at #9. Born Cari Fletcher, the 28 year old released her breakthrough single Undrunk in 2019 which peaked in the US at #61. Girl Of My Dreams is her first album. For those of us old enough, cast your mind back to 1977. In late March, the tenth album from Pink Floyd debuted at #29 and the following week jumped all the way to the top where it stayed for three weeks. In 2018, Animals got the remix treatment and this week, the disc re-enters the chart at #21. In 2020 Roger Waters pushed for a remix specifically for vinyl. David Gilmour rejected it. Finally, ten days ago, that remix gets into shops, and our charts.
The 14th hit single for Brit Sam Smith comes in at the top and becomes his third number one. Unholy includes German singer Kim Petras in the line up and is lead single from his upcoming fourth studio album. Lizzo is next at #35 with 2 Be Loved (Am I Ready). The catchy single is her fifth and comes from the new album Special. Lil Nas X has the third new single with Star Walkin' at #38. In New Zealand it's his sixth charting single. Aussies 5 Seconds Of Summer list 5SOS5 at #3. The highest new album this week took two years to put together and, according to the lads, is "extremely introspective". Malian Vieux Farka Touré teams up with American trio Khruangbin for this weeks second new album. Ali marks the first time Touré has charted here yet this is his tenth long player since 2007. Khruangbin last charted in 2020 with Mordecha. Alex G is also new to our charts. Born Alexander Giannascoli, the 29 year old American also has a number of albums to his resumé. God Save The Animals is his ninth and could be his first album to chart anywhere. Friction is drum and bass DJ Ed Keely from England. His album After Dark is this weeks final new album, at #40 Finally, thirty years ago Alice In Chains opened their accound with the album Dirt. It was a modest start for the Americans, peaking at #36. This week they get the anniversary treatment and re-enter the chart at #5.
No new singles this week but there is an interesting re-entry. On 23 September we heard the news that rapper Coolio had died. In the second half of the 90's the American, born Artis Ivey Jr., clocked up 124 chart weeks with six of his 11 hit singles going Top 10. His biggest Gangsta's Paradise, topped our charts for nine weeks. The track was based around the Stevie Wonder song Pastime Paradise from his 1976 album Songs In The Key Of Life. Gangsta's Paraise also featured in the film Dangerous Minds. At only age 59, Coolio was found dead on his bathroom floor after suffering from a cardiac arrest. The single re-enters the chart at #15. It's a different story over on the album chart with 7 new entries. Unfortunately, going by the way the chart runs at the moment, they will all either drop dramatically next week or leave the chart. That's prediction number one. Avantdale Bowling Club (aka Tom Scott) kicks off this week with their first number one. To date, the kiwi's have two top four albums with their self titled disc peaking at #2. His second studio album TREES goes one better. For the second time in three weeks the top 2 are new. Slipknot take the second spot with their eighth hit The End, So Far. This is the American's seventh studio album and the last with Roadrunner Records. American indie band Yeah Yeah Yeahs are back with their second hit album. It's Blitz! peaked at #22 in 2009 but its been a long time between drinks on our charts. Mosquito from 2013 missed our charts despite a #5 peak in the US. Fifth album Cool It Down breaks the drought with a #24 entry. Dunedin band Doublehappys were famous as part of the Dunedin sound back in the 80's but never managed a chart entry. Their 1992 compilation Nerves failed to chart until this week with for the first time on vinyl, giving it a long awaited entry at #30. Kid Cudi, Another Life and PRINS grace the bottom of the charts. Entergalactic is Kid Cudi's 8th studio and the rappers third to chart at #37. At #38, Another Life consisting of Eddie Rayner (Split Enz), Andrew McLennan (Coconut Rough and Pop Mechanix) and Pat Kuhtze (All-Star Drunner) open their account with their self-titled disc. PRINS is last at #39 with Life Is Better Now. It's kiwi singer Alannah Prins first venture into the charts.
Dunedinites Six60 have dominated the album chart now for it feels like ages. The last time we had an album chart with no Six60 was 23 February 2015. This week their fourth long player debuts at the top giving them a fouth number one. Castle St breaks the trend of self titled albums (and EP's) taking their tally to six with 982 weeks charted, giving them the honour of charting more weeks than any other artist in the history of the album chart. Over on the singles chart, their 30th hit single also enters the chart. Never Been Tonight debuts at #39. Troy Kingi makes it the second week in a row where the Top 2 albums are new. Year Of The Ratbags And Their Musty Theme Songs is the Rotorua born musicians third hit album and matches the peak of his first The Ghost Of Freddie Cesar. He plans to retire as a musicial after releasing 10 albums. This is his sixth. Charlie Puth is next with an album simply titled Charlie. New at #6, it's his third studio album and, according to the 30 year old, his most personal yet. South Korean boy band Stray Kids open their account at #9 with Maxident. Formed in 2017 on a reality TV show, the eight member group have two full length albums in their catalogue. This is their ninth EP. Finally, Sola Rosa (aka Andrew Spraggon) re-enters the chart with his 2009 album Get It Together. The disc peaked at #16 and is another album to get the vinyl treatment for the first time. His re-entry at #15 gives the record a new high tide mark.
Busy chart this week as the Christmas release schedule builds to a frenzy. Oliver Tree and Robin Schulz start out the new entries at #7. Tree is Oliver Nickell’s middle name; he has been releasing music since 2013 and was signed to Atlantic in 2017. This is his first hit single but he charted in 2020 with album Ugly Is Beautiful. This time around he is joined by German DJ Robin Schulz with the single Miss You. The track comes with a good deal of controversy as Schulz has been accused of being a straight copy of another song, which also charts for American hip hopper Southstar at #39. Despite several albums in the Top 40 Lil Yachty has never charted a single, until this week. Born Miles McCollum, the American rapper and singer has five albums along with mixtapes and EP’s to his resume. Poland is new at #27 Over on the album chart Red Hot Chili Peppers debut at #1 with Return Of The Dream Canteen. It’s their second number one this year and ninth in total. It was recorded at the same sessions of Unlimited Love which charted in April. The 1975 open at #4 with Being Funny In A Foreign Language. It’s the English bands fifth album. Australians Ocean Alley come next with Low Altitude Winning at #5. This is their third and highest charting album in New Zealand. Lil Baby is back with hit album #4. It’s Only Me at #8 is his third studio album. Bronson Price (aka MELODOWNZ) is new at #21 with Lone Wolf. If may be his second long player but it’s his first to chart. Fellow kiwi Fazerdaze (born Amelia Murray) comes next at #24 with her EP Break! The multi instrumentalist and singer first charted in 2017 with Morningside. Finally Nessa Barnett lists young forever at #39. This is the Americans first time on our chart and her debut album. Last edited:
This week Taylor Swift monopolises the Top five as she lists four new songs from her new album Midnights. Anti-Hero and Lavender Haze take out the top two whilst Snow On The Beach and Maroon take #4 and #5. The Beatles were the first to take out the top 2 back in 1964 but it was Ed Sheeran who debuted the top 2 first. L.A.B. had the top 3 back in January 2021 but none were new to the chart. In May this year, that record was broken by Harry Styles when he debuted with #2-4 whilst remaining at #1, giving him the record for most songs at the top of the chart. Back to Swift, her tenth album Midnights and 11th number one debuts at the top, placing her at second place behind U2 for most number one albums. It's been six years since we had a new single from Meghan Trainor. Made You Look breaks the drought at #23, giving her seventh hit. She did release her last album in 2020 with a #40 peak but since then she has become a mother, with Made You Look being about issues she had about body image after her pregnancy. For the third time in a month, the top 2 are new. Arctic Monkeys' The Car is the lads seventh studio album and builds upon the sound from the band's previous album in 2018. L.A.B In Dub is L.A.B.'s first remix album in collaboration with Loop and German dub-focused label Echo Beach. New at 25, it features dubbed remixes by Italian producer and remixer Paolo Baldini. Carly Rae Jepsen has the other new album at #37. The Loneliest Time is the Canadian's sixth long player. Kendrick Lamar and Queens Of The Stone Age continue the trend of back catalogue albums now on vinyl with good kid, m.A.A.d city at #11 and Queens Of The Stone at #23. Finally, this week we have the first entry in our charts to reach 400 weeks. Six60(2) first charted in 2015 and whilst it's not in this weeks Top 40, it is still charting on the NZ Albums chart. Their latest album Castle Street only managed a peak at #47 across the ditch, which is only their second hit there, Six60(3) peaking at #8. Last edited:
Very busy singles chart this week with seven new entries. Rihanna is top of the bill with Lift Me Up at #3. It's been two years since the Barbadian singer charted but this gives her a 35th hit. Lift Me Up is from the latest Black Panther film. Last week saw the debut of Taylor Swift's new album Midnight. It gave her the whole US Top 10 and 13 of the Top 14 in Australia. Here we have a rule that only allows for a maximum of four new songs per week from the same artist. This week she debuts with Midnight Rain (#5) and Bejeweled (#9) giving her six songs in the Top 10. Solána Rowe (aka SZA) is back with single #4. Shirt (#15) was teased on instagram with a 29 second clip two years ago. Next comes venbee and goddard. messy in heaven at #24 is the Brit's second hit as she teams up with producer goddard. Becky Hill and David Guetta also team up for this weeks sixth new single. Remember at #30 gives the British singer her first NZ hit and Guetta his 26th. Remember was actually released last year on Hill's debut album Only Honest On The Weekend. JVKE takes it to seven newbies with Golden Hour at #34. Pronounced JAKE, he is a multi instrumentalist but prefers the piano. In 1966 The Beatles released their seventh studio album Revolver. It didn't chart here until a 2009 remix due to no album chart. This year sees yet another remix and a new peak in the chart as it re-enters at #2. Also getting the remix and vinyl editions are kiwis Villainy with Mode. Set. Clear. (#11) from 2012 and 6Twenty from The D4 (25) from 2001 Fred Gibson (aka Fred Again..) opens his account at #6 with Actual Life 3 (January 1 - September 9 2022). The British producer and singer now has three albums, all with dates added which refer to the time the samples were taken. In April Foo Fighters re-entered the chart with Greatest Hits. This week that album leaves the chart as The Essential Foo Fighters (#7) takes it's spot. Six-member kiwi Reggae band Sons Of Zion also list a new compilation at #19. First XV features 15 of the bands biggest from their first 15 years together. Finally, New Zealand rapper Mareko and Ricky Paul Muzik come together for Untitled: Act 1, new at #32. Last edited:
With only five weeks to Christmas, the chart continues to busy. Drake and 21 Savage showcase their latest collaboration with four new singles. Rich Flex (#2), Major Distribution (#4), Pussy And Millions (#5) and On BS (#8) are taken from the collaberative album Her Loss which debuts at #2. The disc has been in the news this week as Drake reportedly verbally attacks several celebrities in the albums lyrics. It has ended up in a lawsuit from Condé Nast, publisher of Vogue. Taylor Swift continues to list songs from her album Midnights. You're On Your Own, Kid (#20) and Karma (#22) take her total to 8 of the 13 tracks on album. Joji has the other new single. Die For You (#32) is the follow up to the Japanese singers recent number one Glimpse Of You and third overall. It's also taken from his new album Smithereens which debuts at #3. No guessing where this next band comes from. DARTZ won the 2021 Silver Scroll Award and now they open their account with The Band From Wellington, New Zealand at #4. The punk band formed in 2019. Mitch James peaked at #2 with his first self titled album in 2018. Now the Aucklander has another. patience is new at #13. Finally, Hans Pucket is new at #16 with No Drama. This indie rock band also come from Wellington, and have been together since 2014.
This weeks singles chart only yields one new song with a fifth from Drake and 21 Savage's new collaborative album Her Loss. Circo Loco is new at #35. Englishman Louis Tomlinson scores the highest of four new albums. Faith In The Future, new at #3, is his second album, making a huge improvement on his first from 2020 which only peaked at #27. The title came to him in lockdown. Check out lead single Bigger Than Me. Bruce Springsteen may be 73 but he can still pack a punch. His 21st studio album Only The Strong Survive opens at #4 and breaks his run of consecutive number ones. This one is a cover album as he plays R&B and soul favourites. It's his second cover album, the first being We Shall Overcome from 2006. New Zealand born, Samoan raised Ventry Parker (aka POETIK) may have never scored a hit single but he can now lay claim to a fourth Top 5 album. HAMOFIED TRE enters a #5 Finally, soundtrack Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is new at #17. It features the new song Lift Me Up from Rihanna.
The bottom half of the singles chart is plagued with five re-entries this week as the chart supplies us with only one new entry. Napier resident (of Samoan decent) Victor J Sefo writes, records and produces all his music His debut hit 685 has been rising steadily in the NZ Singles Chart and this week, the remix breaks into the Top 40 at #9. It's also only the sixth NZ single this year to drop into the Top 40. Sefo's main reason for his music is so he can set up his family for life. OK, pop quiz. What was The Killers second hit single? Mr. Brightside from 2005 peaked at #15 and this week re-enters the chart at #33. This week the Las Vegas band has been playing to New Zealand audiences and made headlines as they pulled Wellington drummer Taylor Johnston onto the stage to play one of their songs. He smashed it. The ninth hit album for Chicago metallers Disturbed drops in at #7. Divisive was written to be "blisteringly angry" considering everything going on in the world with Covid-19. Writing began in 2020. Newcomer Weyes Blood is new with And The Darkness, Heart's Aglow at #30. Born Natalie Mering, this is the 34-year-olds fifth studio album and second in a trilogy of albums that began in 2019 with Titanic Rising. Canada's Nickelback return to the chart for a ninth time with Get Rollin' at #31. This is their first album since 2017 and includes lead single San Quentin. The 40th anniversary of Michael Jackson's Thriller re-enters the chart at #22. It's the third re-ssue of the album and brings the total to 99 weeks in the chart. Another re-issue has American rapper 2Pac back in the chart with his first album from 1996. All Eyez On Me re-enters at #37.
Another four re-entries for this weeks singles chart to new tracks. Symere Woods (aka Lil Uzi Vert) is new at #37 with his fourth hit Just Wanna Rock. The 2 minute 3 second track comes from his new mixtape The Pink Tape. Amazing how many ah's and buh's you can fit into 2 miniutes. RAYE has the other newbie. Born Rachel Keen, Escapism. at #40 is the Brits debut single in Godzone. She first hit the UK charts in 2017 and has had 8 Top 40 hits there to date. Auckland band Tadpole enjoyed two top 10 albums back in the early naughties but then it all dried up. A third album from 2006 failed to chart. Shortly after that, the band split up. During that time they scored four Top 30 singles, the biggest being For Me and Backdoor from 1999's The Buddafinger album. Both singles peaked at #12. This week, a long overdue compilation The Tadpole Collection (1994-2006) places them back in the chart at #11. The race is on in the UK for the Christmas number one. One of the contenders is rapper Stormzy. His new album dropped this week and gives This Is What I Mean a place at #40. It's his third album with the first two peaking here in the Top 20. - The second album to reach 300 weeks gives Ed Sheeran another milestone. When ÷ entered the chart, the entire track listing also entered the singles chart. It's only the second album to reach 300 in the history of the chart, the first Six60 (2),which made it to 382 weeks. Finally, we sadly lost Christie McVie this week. The Fleetwood Mac singer, composer and keyboardist has had a huge career since she joined in 1971. It's a fitting tribute then that Rumours jumps back to #4 on the album chart.
Christmas has come early to the Singles Chart with nine festive re-entries (and a return of Mr Christmas in the album chart). Last year festive singles didn't really chart until after Christmas. Only one artist gains new singles this week - three of them. 29-year-old Metro Boomin' (aka Leland Wayne) has a new album. Heroes And Villains tops the album chart while Creepin' (#7), Superhero (Heroes And Villains) (#29) and Niagara Falls (Foot Or 2) (#37) are the new singles. His second studio album took well over 40 people to write with multiple producers. It's the highest he has been in the album chart and first time in the singles chart. South Korean rapper RM (born Kim Nam-joon) opens his account with his first studio album Indigo at #12. To date the 28-year-old has two mixtapes and has been recording since 2015. Guns 'n' Roses are back with Appetite For Destruction at #35. The album peaked at #1 in 1988 and was their debut album. Whilst there is a new edition of the album, sales are also up due to their tour this week. In 1978 Billy Joel first entered the album chart with his fifth studio album. That disc produced legendary singles Just The Way You Are (#6), Movin' Out and She's Always A Woman (which both failed to chart). The album itself peaked at #2 and spent 67 weeks in the chart. This week, it's back, re-entering at #38. This time it's dubbed the 30th Anniversary Edition despite it being 44 years since it's release. Kendrick Lamar also re-enters with his 2017 album DAMN.
Four more festive songs re-enter the chart taking the total to 13 with two artists scoring the three new entries. Nobody Gets Me (#10) and Blind (#15) are two new singles from SZA along with her second number album SOS. The last album Ctrl peaked at #11 in 2017 but the new disc debuts at the top. The album showcases 23 tracks composed by herself with a number of others including Babyface, Lizzo and Björk. The tenth hit single for Whakatane reggae band L.A.B. opens at #37. Take It Away looks like it comes from their next album. No announcement yet but watch this space. Coterie debut with their first album at #6. The self titled disc comes on the heals of singles Cool It Down (#30) and Killing It Off which is yet to enter the Top 40. Despite minimal singles success, they have had more than 5 million streams and 250,000 you tube views. Let's hope this album brings the four Maori brothers more success.
...and so to the Christmas chart. Despite dramatic drops in SZA's new singles lfrom last week, she holds off Mariah Carey to gain the Christmas number one with Kill Bill. New singles have a festive feel but we start with Central Cee. The 24-year-old British rapper enjoyed a number one this year with Doja. Let Go, new at #13, is his second NZ hit single. Kelly Clarkson leads off the festive newbies with Underneath The Tree at #30. The track was released in 2013 and appeared on her Christmas album Wrapped In Red. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow was a hit for Frank Sinatra who took his 1950 version to #15 in 2019. It came from a day when someone wrote the song and then offered it to someone to sing. Dean Martin also took the Sammy Cahn and Julie Styne song in 1959 and this week debuts at #34. The song was written in 1945. A Holly Jolly Christmas sits at #17 from Michael Bublé but the most well-known version from Burl Ives debuts at #37 Written by Johnny Marks in 1962, Ives released the song in 1964 with the original from The Quinto Sisters out in 1962. A Little Bitty Tear was Ives only other hit single going to #9 on the 1962 Lever Hit Parade. Andrea Bocelli teams up with his 24-year old son Matteo and 10-year old daughter Virginia for A Family Christmas at #29. It's a feel good album singing well known festive classics. Cliff Richard is no stranger to Christmas songs. His latest Christmas With Cliff is the 82 year olds 46th studio album and third Christmas album. It contains 13 new recordings. Finally there's $uicideBoy$ and Germ. Dirtiestnastiest$uicide opens at #33 - I wish you all a very blessed Christmas - stay safe people.
