welchemusic – Sida 38 – WelcheMusic.com

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.

Will Alicia Keys Release Second Part as Single?

CHART SPOTLIGHT. Jay-Z and Alicia Keys spends their fifth week atop the Billboard Hot 100 with “Empire State of Mind.” Only this December, Alicia Keys issued her latest disc The Element of Freedom. It features the ballad version “Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down,” a totally breathtaking piece!

I wouldn’t doubt one second that the track would easily be a hit again, in its new format. Meanwhile, I would recommend the current single “Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart.” A track that has only managed to reach No.42 on the Billboard Hot 100 to date (unfortunately it’s on its way down). Its greatest success is in Norway where it reached No.2.

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYmmh9zkpQM&hl=sv_SE&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b[/tube]

Joe McElderry’s Got the X-Factor

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7apuf6fXFMQ&hl=sv_SE&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b]

Last year, Alexandra Burke made headlines when she became that year’s X-Factor winner singing “Hallejuah.” For some mysterious reason, this talent show does not produce any new songs and this year’s superior talent Joe McElderry has chosen to cover “The Climb.” Only this March, Miley Cyrus made it to No.4 with the original version – included in her movie Hannah Montana. It is bound to be a UK No.1 hit and was rush-released as a digital download on Dec.14.