With no major releases to speak of this week it seems that all the major artists aimed their singles at the Christmas rather than the Millenium number one.  It is ten years since Iron Maiden took advantage of the weakness in sales following the Christmas surge where an artist with a good fanbase (and a clever marketing department) can gain a postion higher than would normally be expected.  I thought perhaps one or two would try this year...

This year has been the first since charts began where no record has spent longer than three weeks at the top.  Only Ricky Martin and Cliff Richard even got that far!  Over thirty different chart toppers were noted with all but two entering straight at the top spot.  Sadly it seems genuine new talent is lacking as the Millenium approaches.  The three biggest bands of the minute (S Club 7, Steps and Westlife) don't play an instrument between them while one artist in the top three is deceased and the other is nearing his pension.  I don't doubt the quality of the songs but would like to know where the future of music is!

Party songs are likely to do well next week with what is traditionally a mixed chart.  Shania Twain has moved back up to 45 while Prince is the highest climber up twelve places to number 51.  Either could renter the top forty next week.  As for the top slot Westlife by no means have it sewn up.  The majority of fans would have bought it last week and I would not rule out a return for Cliff or John Lennon as people look for last minute stocking fillers.

Finally a word on the Manic Street Preachers whose 'Masses Against The Classes' is due out on January 10th.  It's a limited edition of 10,000 and so get down your shops now to stand a chance of obtaining a copy.

That almost concludes this century of chart chat.  I will return with whats new for 2000 next week.  Enjoy Christmas and smile at whatever CD Aunty puts in your stocking! 

  Ian Anderson