BPI To Rank Top Music Downloads

The British Phonographic Industry has announced it will publish a regular chart tracking the top downloaded music tracks.

The chart will track the most downloaded songs in the UK from services such as iTunes and Virgin and be compiled by the Official Chart Company (OCC).

The BPI unveiled this week’s top twenty downloads in a sneak peak of what is to come when they begin the list in September. Topping this week’s chart is the Pixies single Bam Thwok, which is only available as a download from iTunes.

BPI chairman Peter Jamieson said, “People have talked about the online music revolution for years. The launch of the UK’s Official Download Chart shows the revolution is here.

“There has been an incredible excitement over the past few weeks about the launch of new download services. With their choice and convenience these services are transforming people’s music buying experience.

“What really excites me about the launch of the Official Download Chart, however, is that it throws the emphasis away from the technology and on to what really counts – the music.”

The Official UK Download Chart will be sponsored by Coca-Cola alongside its existing sponsorship of the Official UK Singles and Albums Charts.

The OCC is currently talking to licensees who will publish and broadcast the chart.

OCC charts director Omar Maskatiya says,

“The Official UK Download Chart marks the most significant development in the charts since the advent of compact disc 20 years ago.”

A new angle on music

Coinciding with the announcement of the September 1 launch of the Official UK Download Chart, OCC has released test data showing the kind of chart it is likely to be.

Number One last week would have been the Pixies with Bam Thwok released independently by the band on their own label. Number two would have been Maroon 5 with This Love? and number three Outkast with Hey Ya!.

“Downloads are not a replacement for the physical single or album,” says BPI Chairman Jamieson. “What this test data shows is that they are generating a new way of listening to music.

“Sales of tracks via download will likely be a fraction of those on album or even single for some time to come. Music remains overwhelmingly a CD market. But the excitement and energy surrounding the new legal music sites is giving a lift to the entire market.”

The First Top Twenty

1 Pixies Bam Thwok

2 Maroon 5 This Love

3 Outkast Hey Ya!

4 Anastacia Left Outside Alone

5 Mario Winans I Don’t Wanna Know

6 Corrs Summer Sunshine

7 Rasmus In The Shadows

8 Keane Everybody’s Changing

9 Jet Are You Gonna Be My..

10 Beastie Boys Ch-Check It Out

11 George Michael Flawless

12 Streets Dry Your Eyes

13 Britney Spears Everytime

14 Avril Lavigne Don’t Tell Me

15 Streets Fit But You Know It

16 Dido White Flag

17 Cure Lost

18 Snow Patrol Run

19 Keane Somewhere Only We…

20 Ash Teenage Kicks

Source: Silicon.com, BPI Press Release