View Full Version : Last week, this week, next week - Is Elvis still great, or are the Top 40s days over?
Last week, this week and next week - Elvis Presley is number one with three different singles.
I don't doubt that he is a great artist.
But surely the fact that he's finding it so easy to top the Top 40 says more about the state of our chart and the dearth of interest or quality that is on release at the minute than it will ever say about him.
Are we seeing the end of the Top 40 as we know it?
Personally I don't think the singles chart have meant anything for a while. I've certainly lost interest in CD Singles and have only bought about 3 in the last two years. I really started to dislike them when all the multi formats started. There's was nothing wrong with a simple one disc four track release.
AndyWilson
20-01-2005, 19:53
There's was nothing wrong with a simple one disc four track release.
As single should have 2 tracks - one on each side! Anything more is an EP
And the B Side should be a different song that should never appear on any albums, apart from maybe a "B-Sides and Rarities" complilation years later.
pivotalgubbins
20-01-2005, 21:37
I have heard a rumour that the copyright on Elvis material runs out very soon, so the estate of Elvis are pulling tricks like this to milk a bit more money before everyone joins in. I could be wrong though...
Oh, and yes... single sales are dead. The only reason I know a little about the charts is the fact I haven't got a CD player in my car... :(
Mr Majestik
20-01-2005, 21:54
I have heard a rumour that the copyright on Elvis material runs out very soon, so the estate of Elvis are pulling tricks like this to milk a bit more money before everyone joins in. I could be wrong though...
Oh, and yes... single sales are dead. The only reason I know a little about the charts is the fact I haven't got a CD player in my car... :(
The first singles are 47 years old. Copyright runs out when thier 50 year old.
So in 3 years time expect to be buying 'Mr Majestik present's the best of Elvis. (The early years.)
pivotalgubbins
20-01-2005, 22:21
The first singles are 47 years old. Copyright runs out when thier 50 year old.
So in 3 years time expect to be buying 'Mr Majestik present's the best of Elvis. (The early years.)
Thanks for the confirmation, I knew if was something along these lines.
You can see it now... "You can only buy this unqiue collection via phone*..."
*as no sensible shop would stock it, because the only thing unique is the track order and the lame cover, which was put together by my six-year old daughter using Paint)
cjanderson
05-02-2005, 12:40
God, still number 1, how dull. when will this stupid stunt end and don't most elvis fans actually have elvis songs on cd already? why are they buying it.
:nuts:
LouBarlow
05-02-2005, 12:44
To stop the usual tripe getting to number 1 that typically does?
cjanderson
05-02-2005, 12:52
as a way of stopping delta and bryan being at the top, it has its appeal
But the charts are just being made a mockery off really. Unless we think its normal singles buying kids who are buying the elvis songs?
God, still number 1, how dull. when will this stupid stunt end and don't most elvis fans actually have elvis songs on cd already? why are they buying it.
:nuts:
There was a plan to release all 18 of his no.1 singles over 18 weeks......
Mr Majestik
05-02-2005, 14:36
There was a plan to release all 18 of his no.1 singles over 18 weeks......
There's a box set to fill so all the singles are a must buy for the Elvis fans.
It's the CD version of those naff magazines that come out every january.
Whilst I can't argue with the fact that he is making Number One so often now, it is making a mockery of all the Top 40 statistics. I imagine already he must be up there with the 'most no 1's in a year' thing.
But, in the bigger scheme of things, when we look back on the charts to find out who were the most popular artists of their day, this kind of stunt will make it impossible to make a fair comparison.
There is also a danger now that other 'top artists' - yes, I'm talking to you The Beatles, Queen and the Rolling Stones - will see how successful this stunt has been and decide to do the same thing.
And then, like a previous poster said, the Top 40 will become the equivalent of the 'magazine collectors' thing, and who wants to see a chart of them!
If the Official Chart Company want to last beyond the end of the year, they should do something about this. I don't really care about the Top 40, but I used to, and as a barometer of what was popular at the time, it is the best method we currently have.
As a matter of interest, why aren't Top Of The Pops or any of the other tv shows allowed to show any Elvis footage?
LouBarlow
05-02-2005, 16:01
It costs too much.
Whilst I've never been a fan of including airplay in the chart it's beginning to look like it's the only way of 'slowing' the charts down.
Either that or make it a chart of, say, the last three weeks' sales (weighted in favour of the current week) so that a large sale in any one week doesn't guarantee you a top spot.
Either method takes away a lot of what always made the singles chart what it was, but if we're to have this 'limited editions' and other records are going to be released to radio and TV 6 weeks before they go on sale then perhaps the charts should be compiled in a way that reflects this.
meat puppet
05-02-2005, 17:24
You find the explanation (if you really needed confirmation that is) on tehe Metallica DVD, Some kind of Monster. Even a band as big as 'tallica were warned not to shun the radio and TV stations as they would boycott any airplay of the album and try to ensure its failure. Jamz asked their manager "if they would really do that", "oh yes" was the reply. (of course he knew this already, but they made a point of putting a bit of dialogue into the script to emphasise how the media can manipulate music).
Elvis has the same right as everyone else to be in the charts along with the dreadful McFly who sem to be intent on doing a *bad* Bay City Rollers impression.
On a happier note, I met my mates kids today and they were singing along to Greendays American Idiot. See, there is hope for humanity.
Copyright runs out when thier 50 year old.
Cliff and I presume other artists are trying to fight this as they've got material recorded that long ago and still want control over it.
plasterman
05-02-2005, 21:15
Cliff and I presume other artists are trying to fight this as they've got material recorded that long ago and still want control over it.
Cliff and I. Who is I.
kjn6371.
Cliff's tennis doubles partner dont you know...
plasterman
05-02-2005, 21:47
kjn6371.
Cliff's tennis doubles partner dont you know...
Sound suspiciously like a partner with privileges.
Back Elvis here is the official press release to go with the Elvis releases.
To commemorate the anniversary of Elvis' 70th birthday, SONY BMG embarked on a groundbreaking plan to release all his UK #1 singles over consecutive weeks, starting Jan 3rd 2004.
To make them appealing to Elvis' loyal fans, the company decided to package each single with original artwork and make them limited and numbered. Using previous sales of Elvis singles as a guide it was decided to manufacture 30,000 singles - 20,000 CD's and 10,000 10"'s.
Due to the unique nature and timing of this campaign, the UK's enduring love of The King and his music, in addition to the huge media interest the release of these singles has caused, demand for these classic chart-toppers quickly outweighed the stock in the shops.
The decision to increase the pressing runs of both formats was quickly implemented and this additional stock continues to be delivered into record stores this week (January 26).
However the company, as well as the retail trade and the media, continue to be inundated by fans who are desperate to find copies of the releases to complete their box sets.
In reaction to the fans comments and stock availability, the company has now decided to make ALL singles, from the first release, 'Jailhouse Rock', to the current 'It's Now Or Never', and all future singles, available in non-limited, non-numbered editions.
This means that every record store in the UK is able to order unlimited quantities of each single though this additional stock will not be numbered as previous singles have been. The company will also manufacture more of the CD and 10" boxes which house this single collection. These will be available from April 25th 2005.
As Elvis sang… 'A little less conversation a little more action' and we hope these actions will give the huge number of UK fans what they want: Elvis back in the charts through national availability of these these historic singles that will complete this unique, amazing collection.
Elvis For Everybody.
So more Elvis in the charts for a while I think.
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