december 2009 – Sida 4 – WelcheMusic.com

Katy’s back – but she’s not alone

So, the wait was finally over when Timbaland returned with Shock Value II, and according to Radio 1, the second single to be lifted from the album is the cheeky pop gem “If We Ever Meet Again.” Katy Perry made her breakthrough with the album One of the Boys last year including the smash hits “I Kissed a Girl” and “Hot N Cold.” For those who cannot wait for either new Katy solo material or the Timbaland single, look out for “Starstrukk” – another collaboration with the American electronic music group 3OH!3.

Facebook Campaign Denies X-Factor Winner Xmas No.1

The annual Xmas No.1 in the UK has been a sought-after merit, and even something you can bet on. My earlier comment about Joe McElderry predicted that his debut single “The Climb” was bound to top the chart in its first week. Little did I know that a Facebook campaign to prevent the X-Factor winner had succeeded?

American rap metal band Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing in the Name” is the official Christmas Number 1 of 2009. Read it again. A track that was issued as the lead single from Rage Against the Machine’s self-titled debut album in 1992 has effectively fended Joe Mcelderry from the top spot. The song’s lyrics cover un-justice and encourages revolution against corruption in society. Not, exactly what X-Factor winners sing about.

Rage Against the Machine sold 500,000 downloads, which is approximately 50,000 more than Joe McElderry’s ballad.

Agnes to Include Additional Tracks on International Edition

CHART SPOTLIGHT. Née Agnes Emilia Carlsson in 1988, this 23-year old singer got her breakthrough in the Swedish edition of Idol back in 2005. Her international breakthrough came with “Release Me,” which made the UK top three as well as topping the Billboard dance chart.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIP2YqLQznQ&hl=sv_SE&fs=1&]

Agnes latest studio album Dance Love Pop was originally released in 2008 and resulted in no less than five singles. “I Need You Know” was the second single off the set in the UK and was released in a remix. The song premiered on BBC Radio 1’s Floorfillers with Scott Mills back in September 2009. The track finally peaked at No.40 in the UK.

In June 2010, Agnes recorded a duet with Swedish singer Björn Skifs. The track – “When You Tell the World You’re Mine” – was written and produced by Jörgen Elofsson (of Britney Spears fame). The song was originally performed at the wedding ceremony of Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling.

The track peaked at No.1 in Sweden, even charting on the European Hot 100 Singles chart. It also peaked at No.19 in Finland.

“When You Tell the World You’re Mine” was succeeded by Yolanda Be Cool & DCUP’s “We Speak No Americano” in July 2010.

“Higher” Amounts to 25% of Sales

So, Xmas means a new set of Idols ready to take the world by storm. The Swedish winner, Erik Grönwall, had no problem claiming the top spot. It turns out that the winner-track “Higher” amounted to 25 percent of all singles and downloads that were sold last week. An album will be rush released on Dec.21, featuring studio recordings of tracks performed on the show.

Former Idol contestant Amanda Jensen would probably not say that losing out to winner Marie Picasso a few years back was a disappointment. Amanda Jensen racked up several Grammy nominations, which helped elevate her Happyland album 12-4. Another set of former Idols, EMD, also enjoys success with a Christmas album. Since it’s only sold through retail giant ICA (conf. Tesco), it’s not eligible to chart.