The Black Eyed Peas finally ascends to the No.1 spot in the UK with “The Time (Dirty Bit).” Lifted from The Beginning set, The Peas’ scores their fifth chart-topper in the UK. The song incorporates “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” from the 1987 film Dirty Dancing. “The Time” made a 9-4 leap on the Billboard Hot 100 earlier this week and is a contender for the US top spot. The track jumps 14-9 on the Swedish singles tally this week.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwQZQygg3Lk
John Lennon was tragically murdered on Dec.8, 1980, just a few weeks after his 40th birthday. WelcheMusic look back on “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” which was originally written as a protest song about the Vietnam War. Throughout the years, it has become a Christmas standard.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8jw-ifqwkM
Originally released in December 1971, “Xmas” first appeared on an album in 1975 via the compilation Shaved Fish. The set was John Lennon’s seventh album, collecting every single issued in the United States as a solo artist (except “Stand By Me”). Shaved Fish peaked at No.12 in the US and No.5 in the UK.
“Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” originated from a worldwide poster campaign saying “WAR IS OVER! (If You Want It) Happy Christmas from John and Yoko.” Posters were displayed in cities including New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Rome, Athens, Amsterdam, Berlin, Paris, London, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Helsinki. The line “War is over, if you want it, war is over, now!, ” can be heard in the background and was actually taken directly from the billboards.
Phil Spector produced the song, which was recorded at Record Plant Studios in New York City in late October 1971. The song peaked at No.3 in the US and No.2 in the UK upon its re-release in 1980, following the tragic shooting death by Mark David Chapman. Thus, it beat the original No.4 peak in 1971. Several artists have covered the song, including Céline Dion, Maroon 5, Jessica Simpson and The Fray. “Xmas” was the follow-up to John Lennon’s massive hit “Imagine,” which peaked at No.1 in the UK and No.3 in the US. The singer’s first solo single, following his years in The Beatles, was the 1969 single “Give Peace a Chance” with the Plastic Ono Band.
Madonna, Britney Spears, Journey and…Florence+the Machine. The Glee Cast is the Hot 100’s Digital Gainer and Hot Shot Debut at No.22 with a cover of the British indie rock act Florence+the Machine’s “Dog Days Are Over.” In total, the Glee Cast have five new entries on this week’s Billboard Hot 100. This has also helped the original track which vaults 58-21 – matching the original peak.
The song originally charted back in December 2008, peaking at No.23 in the UK. The song has been included in the TV advert of Slumdog Millionaire. The follow-up single – “Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)” – peaked at No.12 in June 2009. So far, the two biggest hits from Florence+the Machine are actually the same song. “You’ve Got the Love” reached No.5 in its original version from 2009, while a re-recording (featuring Dizee Rascal) earlier this year peaked at No.2.
The Glee Cast bows on the Hot 100 this week with a cover of Florence+the Machine’s “Dog Day’s Are Over.”
Issued at the end of October, Katy Perry’s “Firework” ascends to the top of the Billboard Hot 100. The track is produced by the Norwegian production team Stargate and Sandy Vee. Stargate is currently responsible for the two Rihanna hits “Only Girl” and “What’s My Name?” as well as the recent Alexis Jordan hit “Happiness.” According to Billboard, this is the first time in 11 years that a female artist take three straight radio singles from an album to No.1 on the Billboard 100. The title track from Teenage Dream was a No.1 hit this summer, and was preceded by “California Gurls” – the collaboration with Snoop Dogg. “Firework” has also topped the singles chart in New Zealand and reached No.3 in the UK, but failed to chart in Sweden.
In 1998-1999, Monica managed to pull off the same feat with “The Boy Is Mine” (with Brandy), “The First Night” and “Angel of Mine.”
