Heroes Returns to the Charts

There was no anti-campaign this time, no obstacle in the way. Simon Cowell and his X Factor finalists easily fought off competition as they bowed atop this week’s singles chart with “Heroes.” Originally released in September 1977 by David Bowie, the track wasn’t a hit at that time. Alongside “Rebel Rebel,” this Bowie track has been cited as one of the most covered songs by the singer.

David Bowie wrote the track with U2 producer Brian Eno and it was actually a reference to the German band Neu’s hit “Hero” from 1975. Fast forward to 2010 and this week’s UK No.1. This time around, the Bowie track has turned charity as it’s recorded in aid of the British charity Help for Heroes. The organization supports injured servicemen and women.

It’s definitely not the first time the organization got the help from aspiring talents and one cannot blame the X Factor producer to think outside of the box. In 2008, the finalists covered Mariah Carey’s “Hero.” Surely, Help for Heroes can accept contributions made from a song without ‘hero’ in the title. Last year, the finalists topped the singles chart with a rendition of Michael Jackson’s “You Are Not Alone.” It benefited the Great Ormond Street Hospital, so need to put hero in the title then. All three charity singles topped the singles chart. As the BBC chart blog points out, there are a few tracks with ‘heroes’ in the title for further covers.

Quick research shows some great insight into the world of covers. Ewan McGregor sang the tune in the “Elephant Love Medley” with Nicole Kidman as featured in Moulin Rouge. In 2003, the track was remixed by none other than David Guetta.

Finally, still there are X-Factor Internet campaigning. The 54-year old Wagner Carrilho managed to earn supporters making his Bookmakers Coral odds dropping from 150-1 a month ago to 6-1 before being ejected. “There was people out there trying to derail this show,” Simon Cowell said to BBC News after Wagner Carrilho left the show this week.

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Check out the lyrics to “Heroes” via Lyrics Depot here.

Listen to Heroes via Spotify:

Life on Mars” – Like You Never Hard It

Donkeyboy Claims the Top Spot in Sweden

Donkeyboy makes it all the way this week as “Ambitions” claims the top spot on the Swedish singles chart. The track climbs 3-1 and pushes former chart-topper Owl City to No.3. Meanwhile, the album Caught in a Life races 16-6. Play returns to the charts this week with “Famous.” The group broke in the early 2000’s, and climbed the US charts with “Us Against the World.” Today, it has reformed thanks to the docu-soap Made in Sweden. A new career has been forged by demon producers Anders Bagge and Andreas Carlsson, and this week “Famous” is the highest new entry at No.5.

“We Are the World 25: For Haiti” debuts at No.17 this week, still ahead of Simon Cowell’s charity project Helping Haiti which moves 36-25 this week. Sade shoots to No.1 on the album chart with Soldier of Love.

Rod Stewart, Susan Boyle and Mariah Carey Join Forces on New No.1

As expected, charity constellation Helping Haiti easily grabs the UK No.1 position this week with the rendition of R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts.” The track entered the Swedish singles chart at No.36. As previously reported, Simon Cowell has assembled Leona Lewis, Rod Stewart, Kylie Minogue, Susan Boyle and Miley Cyrus among others to re-record the track to benefit the Haitian victims. Expect “We Are the World” to appear on European charts in due course.

This means that Owl City falls 1-2 with “Fireflies,” while Timbaland and Katy Perry remains at No.3 with “If We Ever Meet Again.” This is better than the No.6 peak of the previous hit “Morning After Dark.” The Drake collaboration “Say Something” hasn’t been released in the UK, while the Justin Timberlake duet “Carry Out” has reached No.33 on the UK r’n’b singles chart.

Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind (Part II)” moves 5-4 in its ninth week, switching places with the Glee Cast’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.” The stars of the highly succesful TV-series enters the chart at No.9 with the double-sided single “Halo” and “Walking on Sunshine” and at No.14 with “It’s My Life” coupled with “Confessions Part II.” Add that “Somebody to Love” falls seven places to No.33.

Rihanna rises 20-10 with “Rude Boy,” while Jedward’s novelty hit “Under Pressure (Ice Ice Baby)” falls 2-12. Sade is the highest new entry on the album chart at No.4. Soldier of Love was, however, unable to challenge Alicia Keys, André Rieu and Paolo Nutini who remains in the top three. Massive Attack’s new album Heligoland is new at No.6 and it’s interesting to note that pop act Peter Andre manages to climb 9-7 with Unconditional Love Songs, a romantic cover collection.

Dion, P!nk, Kanye Sing “We Are the World” 2010

Only a week after Simon Cowell’s feat to assemble Mariah Carey, Rod Stewart and Leona Lewis in the same room, comes the anniversary of “We Are the World.” Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie had already plans on making a re-record the track to commemorate the 25th anniversary in benefit for Haiti. Swedish producer RedOne has produced the track alongside Wyclef Jean and legendary Quincy Jones.

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The new version was recorded on Feb.1 this year and luckily many of the artists were already in L.A. to attend the Grammy awards. More than 75 musicians participated and the song was recorded at the same place as in 1985. The 2010 line-up is a walk of fame. Barbra Streisand and Celine Dion sing alongside Vince Vaughn and Jeff Bridges. Newcomers Jonas Brothers and Justin Bieber contributes as well as the hip-hop stars Kanye West, Akon, Drake and Cudie.

The new video premiered during NBC’s coverage of the Opening Cermony of the WinterOlympics last night and the video has been directed by Paul Haggis of Crash and Million Dollar Baby fame.

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