It looks as if we’re deeply embedded in one of\u00a0the\u00a0slowest chart eras for years. \u00a0The main reason for that, of course, is that the charts are increasingly determined by streaming data rather than sales. \u00a0And while sales measure\u00a0how many people were interested enough to\u00a0buy a track in the first place, streaming data is more interested in how long they keep listening to it.<\/p>\n
In many ways this is a good thing for the chart, because it puts an end to the days when you could engineer a number one by releasing your single in a quiet week and relying on fan base sales. \u00a0In that sense, a chart position is arguably more meaningful than it’s been in quite some ways. \u00a0But in other ways, it’s a problem, because there simply isn’t very much happening, which doesn’t greatly serve the chart’s other\u00a0role of\u00a0promotion.<\/p>\n
So when we left off at the end of February,\u00a0“7 Years” by Lukas Graham<\/strong> had been at number for three weeks. \u00a0It went on to stay there for\u00a0another two,\u00a0so evidently\u00a0this rather maudlin reflection on ageing has more appeal than I can comprehend.\u00a0 \u00a0Perhaps it’s the video. \u00a0Maybe\u00a0it reminds people of\u00a0Wayne’s World<\/em>.<\/p>\n