Are The Charts Outdated?

[bednobs]

Just read that Ed sheeran has 16 of the top 20 singles places this week - is he really that good?

[Zacs-Master]

Cheers. The louder the better.

[fiction-factory]

>once Top of the Pops was dropped the charts paled into insignificance...used to be an exciting time listening on radio for Tony Blackburn to announce no 1....no longer....

I think it's more to do with getting older.

Teenagers today still talk about 'Top 40' and can name the number one single. Working with them every day means that sadly I know nearly all the top 40 singles, but now album tracks feature in their too it's getting more difficult to keep in touch.

The word 'single' means less and less. It's just music. The charts lists the songs people choose to listen to- by purchasing a download or streaming or sometimes buying a physical CD. I can't see what the alternative is when music is available digitally.

[TWR]

YOU WHATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

[TWR]

Sign of old age F.F.

[vulcan42]

It's all about chart manipulation these days. If an LP was sold years ago it became part of the LP chart, they didn't then add the individual songs on the LP to the singles chart. Ed Sheeran has effectively sold a lot of copies of one LP but they've added the songs to the singles chart.

[fiction-factory]

Not sure why it is manipulation, vulcan. People are still buying these songs or choosing to get them through a paid for streaming service.

In the old days it took ages to press, manufacture, release, distribute and market a record. Record companies only released a song if they felt there was a good chance it would sell sufficient copies because of the costs involved. Nowadays an artist can release a song digitally whenever he/she wants at little cost.
The definition between album track and single is going and will probably disappear. It's just a piece of music.

[fiction-factory]

^distinction not definition

[fiction-factory]

Whereas we had to buy a single or an album or both, you can now buy individual album tracks. We all bought albums with lots of dross on just to get a few good songs, so maybe this is progress. However it is a little sad that people don't buy/ listen to whole albums and fall in love with them to the same extent that we did

[Gromit]

It's quite amusing reading peoples' excuses for getting old.
You stopped listening to the charts 30 years ago, says more about you than about the music.
People are paying money for the music, and the charts are a compilation of sales, then Sheeran is entitled to his stardom (and 16 hits in one week).
Not my kind of music, but I didn't buy any John Denver music 40 years ago either.

This week, I have been mostly lustening to: Knife Party

[murraymints]

FF I am only 16 !!......and a bit....well a big bit.....:o) x

[fiction-factory]

Yes I bet we have all found ourselves saying the things our parents used to say when they tutted at our music- "they all sound the same", "can't tell what they are saying", "there's no tune", "they can't sing"

[murraymints]

just a noise !!

[EcclesCake]

I realised I was getting old when a relative told me she works with Ed Sheeran's mum. I was quite proud that I was able to ask 'Is he the ginger one?'.

[Gromit]

Just been reading about Sheeran on wikipedia. Amongst many interesting facts about his career, his earnings in 2015 were a staggering

// $57 million for the previous 12 months //

[TWR]

Well this is a first, has AH Emigrated? has someone gagged him? Has he been Banned I can not believe he's not answered this Post.

[Arksided]

^ LOL... I'm saying nothing.

[TWR]

UFO Spotted going down the M1, the only description given on the number plate AH ?????????