First of all, let me kick off by wishing a Happy 2018 to all my readers.
No surprise that Christmas songs dominate the first chart of the New Year, claiming 6 of the Top 10 places, 13 of the Top 20 & 23 of the Top 40.
But, keeping them all at bay, is Ed Sheeran, as "Perfect" remains top in both the UK & the US, becoming the first track since Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" in 1992 to be Number 1 at Christmas on both sides of the Atlantic.
Here is the man himself, with the symphony version of "Perfect" which features the voice of Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.
No surprise that Christmas songs dominate the first chart of the New Year, claiming 6 of the Top 10 places, 13 of the Top 20 & 23 of the Top 40.
But, keeping them all at bay, is Ed Sheeran, as "Perfect" remains top in both the UK & the US, becoming the first track since Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" in 1992 to be Number 1 at Christmas on both sides of the Atlantic.
Here is the man himself, with the symphony version of "Perfect" which features the voice of Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.
Just missing out on the top spot, as it did exactly 33 years ago, Wham!'s "Last Christmas" climbs one place to claim the runner up spot on this week's chart. It becomes just the 12th track in chart history to spend 6 or more weeks at Number 2 without making it to Number 1.
(For the complete list see my separate post).
Down one place to 3 is Ed again, this time on the Eminem track "River", while static at 4 is Mariah with "All I Want For Christmas Is You".
Up two places to 5 is the third festive favourite in the Top 5, "Fairytale Of New York" by the Pogues & Kirsty MacColl from 1987, while static at 6 is "Man's Not Hot" by Big Shaq.
Back into the Top 10 for the first time since Christmas 1985, up 5 palces to 7, is the original Band Aid single, "So They Know It's Christmas", while down three to 8 is Rita Ora with "Anywhere".
Also back into the top 10 after a long absence, is Brenda Lee, as "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" climbs five places to 9, marking 55 years since its last appearance in the Top 10. It is also Little Miss Dynamite's first Top 10 entry since "As Usual" peaked at Number 5 in early 1964.
Also climbing five places to Number 10, is the Christmas Number One from 1985, Shakin' Stevens "Merry Christmas Everyone", giving Cardiff's Michael Barratt his first Top 10 entry since "What Do Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For" in late 1987.
The first of the big Christmas climbers moves up 9 places to Number 13, marking its first ever appearance in the Top 20.
Here is Canadian crooner Michael Buble with, "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas".
Up 13 places to Number 16 is the "original" Christmas classic.
This is Slade with "Merry Xmas Everybody".
One place below Slade, and an even bigger climber - up 20 places to Number 17 - is a track which, although originally recorded in 1963, wasn't a hit until 2007, and hits the Top 20 for the first time ever this week.
Here is Andy Williams with "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year".
Up 17 places to Number 19, is one of the few recent Christmas tracks on the listing. Originally peaking at Number 3 four years ago, here is Leona Lewis with "One More Sleep".
Up 14 places to 21 is another classic Christmas track which peaked at Number 2 back in 1981 after the untimely death of its performer, although it originally charted back in 1972.
Featuring Yoko Ono, the Plastic Ono Band & the Harlem Community Choir, here is the late, great John Lennon with "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)".
Up 19 places to 22 this week, is an ever older track. First recorded by Bing Crosby in 1942 it would go on to become the best selling record of all time, but would not chart in the UK until it hit Number 5 in 1977.
With his biggest hit in 35 years, another true legend, this is Harry "Bing" Crosby with "White Christmas".
Up 12 places to 26, a track enjoying its highest chart placing since 1979, this is Paul McCartney with "Wonderful Christmastime".
Up 17 places to 29, another Christmas track enjoying its highest chart position since its initial run, is the track that was Christmas Number 1 for 1978.
With "Mary's Boy Child" this is Boney M.
Another recent Christmas track climbs 11 places to Number 31 this week. Coldplay first hit the chart in 2010 with this track when it peaked at Number 13.
Entering the Top 40 for the first time in 7 years, this is "Christmas Lights".
One place lower, another recent Christmas song climbs 15 places.
Originally peaking at Number 30 in 2013, this is Kelly Clarkson with "Underneath The Tree".
At Number 34 this week, its the second entry for Michael Buble on the chart, as "Holly Jolly Christmas" moves up 14 places to hit the Top 40 for the first time. Originally recorded by Burl Ives in 1964 (this version is currently in the Top 40 of the US charts, here is the Buble with his version.
Another Christmas track making its Top 40 debut this week, moves up 11 places to Number 38. Originally recorded by Eartha Kitt in 1953, here is Kylie Minogue with her version of "Santa Baby" (Kitt's original charts at Number 68 this week).
At 39 this week we have a very rare animal, a brand new Christmas song. From her new Christmas album, "Everyday Is Christmas", with the highest climber of the week (up 26 places), here is Sia with "Santa's Coming For Us".
(For the complete list see my separate post).
Down one place to 3 is Ed again, this time on the Eminem track "River", while static at 4 is Mariah with "All I Want For Christmas Is You".
Up two places to 5 is the third festive favourite in the Top 5, "Fairytale Of New York" by the Pogues & Kirsty MacColl from 1987, while static at 6 is "Man's Not Hot" by Big Shaq.
Back into the Top 10 for the first time since Christmas 1985, up 5 palces to 7, is the original Band Aid single, "So They Know It's Christmas", while down three to 8 is Rita Ora with "Anywhere".
Also back into the top 10 after a long absence, is Brenda Lee, as "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" climbs five places to 9, marking 55 years since its last appearance in the Top 10. It is also Little Miss Dynamite's first Top 10 entry since "As Usual" peaked at Number 5 in early 1964.
Also climbing five places to Number 10, is the Christmas Number One from 1985, Shakin' Stevens "Merry Christmas Everyone", giving Cardiff's Michael Barratt his first Top 10 entry since "What Do Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For" in late 1987.
The first of the big Christmas climbers moves up 9 places to Number 13, marking its first ever appearance in the Top 20.
Here is Canadian crooner Michael Buble with, "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas".
Up 13 places to Number 16 is the "original" Christmas classic.
This is Slade with "Merry Xmas Everybody".
One place below Slade, and an even bigger climber - up 20 places to Number 17 - is a track which, although originally recorded in 1963, wasn't a hit until 2007, and hits the Top 20 for the first time ever this week.
Here is Andy Williams with "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year".
Up 17 places to Number 19, is one of the few recent Christmas tracks on the listing. Originally peaking at Number 3 four years ago, here is Leona Lewis with "One More Sleep".
Up 14 places to 21 is another classic Christmas track which peaked at Number 2 back in 1981 after the untimely death of its performer, although it originally charted back in 1972.
Featuring Yoko Ono, the Plastic Ono Band & the Harlem Community Choir, here is the late, great John Lennon with "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)".
Up 19 places to 22 this week, is an ever older track. First recorded by Bing Crosby in 1942 it would go on to become the best selling record of all time, but would not chart in the UK until it hit Number 5 in 1977.
With his biggest hit in 35 years, another true legend, this is Harry "Bing" Crosby with "White Christmas".
Up 12 places to 26, a track enjoying its highest chart placing since 1979, this is Paul McCartney with "Wonderful Christmastime".
Up 17 places to 29, another Christmas track enjoying its highest chart position since its initial run, is the track that was Christmas Number 1 for 1978.
With "Mary's Boy Child" this is Boney M.
Another recent Christmas track climbs 11 places to Number 31 this week. Coldplay first hit the chart in 2010 with this track when it peaked at Number 13.
Entering the Top 40 for the first time in 7 years, this is "Christmas Lights".
One place lower, another recent Christmas song climbs 15 places.
Originally peaking at Number 30 in 2013, this is Kelly Clarkson with "Underneath The Tree".
At Number 34 this week, its the second entry for Michael Buble on the chart, as "Holly Jolly Christmas" moves up 14 places to hit the Top 40 for the first time. Originally recorded by Burl Ives in 1964 (this version is currently in the Top 40 of the US charts, here is the Buble with his version.
Another Christmas track making its Top 40 debut this week, moves up 11 places to Number 38. Originally recorded by Eartha Kitt in 1953, here is Kylie Minogue with her version of "Santa Baby" (Kitt's original charts at Number 68 this week).
At 39 this week we have a very rare animal, a brand new Christmas song. From her new Christmas album, "Everyday Is Christmas", with the highest climber of the week (up 26 places), here is Sia with "Santa's Coming For Us".
As usual I finish off with tracks from the US & UK Number 1 albums. In the UK, Ed Sheeran claims another chart record as "Divide" climbs to the top for 1 seventh run, beating the record for a male artists he jointly held with Sam Smith. He now jointly holds the record for a solo artist with Adele & Emeli Sande.
From the album, this is "Galway Girl".
In the US, Eminem repeats his UK success of last week, as "Revival" becomes his eighth US Number One album, and he becomes the first artist ever to have eight consecutive albums debut at Number 1.
From the album, this is "Galway Girl".
In the US, Eminem repeats his UK success of last week, as "Revival" becomes his eighth US Number One album, and he becomes the first artist ever to have eight consecutive albums debut at Number 1.
From the album, this is "Untouchable".
UK NUMBER 1's/NUMBER 2's ON THIS DAY
1 year ago - Rockabye - Clean Bandit/I Would Like - Zara Larsson
5 years ago - Impossible - James Arthur/Scream & Shout - will.i.am featuring Britney Spears
10 years ago - When You Believe - Leon Jackson/Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis
20 years ago - Too Much - The Spice Girls/Teletubbies Say Eh-Oh - The Teletubbies
30 years ago - Always On My Mind - Pet Shop Boys/Fairytale Of New York - The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl
40 years ago - Mull Of Kintyre-Girls School - Wings/The Floral Dance - The Brighouse & Rastrick Brass Band
50 years ago - Hello Goodbye - The Beatles/Magical Mystery Tour (Double EP) - The Beatles
60 years ago - Mary's Boy Child - Harry Belafonte/Ma He's Making Eyes At Me - Johnny Otis & his Orchestra with Marie Adams & the Three Tons of Joy
US NUMBER 1's ON THIS DAY
1 year ago - Starboy - The Weekend featuring Daft Punk/Black Beatles - Rae Sremmurd featuring Gucci Mane
5 years ago - Locked Out Of Heaven - Bruno Mars/Diamonds - Rihanna
10 years ago - Low - Flo Rida featuring T-Pain/No One - Alicia Keys
20 years ago - Candle In The Wind '97-Something About The Way You Look Tonight - Elton John/Been Around The World - Puff Daddy & the Family featuring the Notorious BIG & Ma$e
30 years ago - So Emotional - Whitney Houston/Got My Mind Set On You - George Harrison
40 years ago - How Deep Is Your Love - Bee Gees/Baby Come Back - Player
50 years ago - Hello Goodbye - The Beatles/Daydream Believer - The Monkees
1 year ago - Starboy - The Weekend featuring Daft Punk/Black Beatles - Rae Sremmurd featuring Gucci Mane
5 years ago - Locked Out Of Heaven - Bruno Mars/Diamonds - Rihanna
10 years ago - Low - Flo Rida featuring T-Pain/No One - Alicia Keys
20 years ago - Candle In The Wind '97-Something About The Way You Look Tonight - Elton John/Been Around The World - Puff Daddy & the Family featuring the Notorious BIG & Ma$e
30 years ago - So Emotional - Whitney Houston/Got My Mind Set On You - George Harrison
40 years ago - How Deep Is Your Love - Bee Gees/Baby Come Back - Player
50 years ago - Hello Goodbye - The Beatles/Daydream Believer - The Monkees
Don't forget you can see all the latest UK & US Top 40 videos on my YouTube channel - Chart Blog UK
Tune in next week to see if Ed can continue his dominance into 2018.
For those of you in the Vale of Glamorgan area in South Wales, tune into Bro Radio on 98.1 FM on Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 pm to hear my dulcet tones as guest co-presenter on the Gareth Long show. For everyone else, join me here column next week.
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