Peter Gabriel I/O – CD Vs Vinyl Sales Stats – UK Album Charts – Music Biz Chat with Phil Aston
UK Album Charts Week 49: Peter Gabriel Tops and Christmas Singles Take Over
This week, we’re diving into Week 49’s UK album chart, examining the CD and vinyl sales breakdown, and taking a peek at the singles chart, which, as we approach Christmas, transforms into a nostalgic playlist of holiday classics.
The Christmas Singles Phenomenon
It’s fascinating to see how the singles chart morphs into a collection of all-time Christmas hits during this season. Wham’s “Last Christmas” is at number one for the fourth time, followed by Mariah Carey’s iconic “All I Want for Christmas.” The Pogues, Michael Bublé, Band Aid, Wizzard, and more fill the chart with festive tunes. However, I’m surprised to see Slade’s “Merry Christmas Everybody” only at number 35 – surely, it deserves a higher spot! Also, notably missing is my personal favorite, “I Believe In Father Christmas” by Greg Lake or even the Cats in Space version.
Peter Gabriel’s Chart-Topping Album
Moving to the album chart, Peter Gabriel has impressively hit number one with his latest release. The album’s success, with total sales of 15,644 units, is primarily driven by physical sales, particularly CDs, which accounted for 11,178 units, significantly more than the 2,310 vinyl albums sold. This trend continues to highlight the enduring appeal of CDs in certain demographics.
Interesting Stats and Trends
At 73, Peter Gabriel joins a growing list of male solo artists with a number one album of new material in their 70s or beyond, including Tom Jones, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, and others.
Barbara Streisand remains the only woman to have achieved a number one album of new material post-60.
Mike Batt’s “Christmas Climbing” is making a comeback in the charts.
Cher’s album, initially released digitally, saw a significant chart boost after being issued on CD and vinyl, jumping from number 91 to number 8.
Physical Music’s Steady Presence
Physical music sales made up 21.28% of all albums sold last week, a testament to the continued demand for tangible music formats. The official record store top 20, based solely on physical sales, sees Duran Duran’s “Pop Trash” at number one, with Peter Gabriel following closely. Metallica’s “Ride the Lightning” makes a surprise entry at number 12, possibly spurred by a recent TV feature or live event.
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
