1(RE) Kelly Clarkson Heat (2 weeks) (4-OUTx24-1-)
2(1) Westlife Hello My Love (3 weeks) (9-1-2-)
3(8) That Kid Take It Off (2 weeks) (8-3-)
4(RE) Emily Blunt A Cover is Not the Book (3 weeks) (3-10-OUTx1-4-)
5(4) Calvin Harris & Rag ‘n’ Bone Man Giant (2 weeks) (4-5-)
6(6) Kyunchi Regina George (4 weeks) (2-1-6-6-)
7(RE) Dido Friends (2 weeks) (6-OUTx3-7-)
8(NE) Ariana Grande 7 Rings **HIGHEST NEW ENTRY**
9(3) Little Mix Think About Us (2 weeks) (3-9-)
10(5) Little Mix Strip (2 weeks) (5-10-)

Commentary

Tim’s Top 10 has been a self-indulgent chart I’ve published on and off for 18 years. It’s been used as a feature on numerous radio shows I’ve hosted or co-hosted and is currently contributing to Buzzjack.com and its weekly forum members’ collaborative top 75.

The top 10 is based on Spotify streams of songs released within the last 12 months or, newly promoted in the form of a new release campaign or remix package. From the first chart on my blog (this one) I’m allowing re-entries which I hadn’t before. This will help slow-burners have the eventual exposure it may have missed otherwise from my attempts at keeping it as fresh as possible. I’ve also scrapped my previous rule of 2 tracks per artist per week. If someone releases 10 bangers that all get enough plays then that someone will now have all 10 positions though I can assure you Ed Sheeran or Drake domination it will not be!

Kicking off my commentary for this week’s chart, Kelly Clarkson’s HEAT originally made the chart for one week in September on the back of a funky remix by Luke Solomon. 2019 starts with a deluge of wicked mixes which has helped boost interest in the original mix, first released in 2017 but first promoted as a single in summer 2018. HEAT has received 9 plays this week and re-enters the chart right on top!

Westlife climbed fast to #1 last week and a further 8 plays of their new song this week help it only drop 1 place. A new acoustic version, more akin to their stools and key change era, should help keep it at least top 5 for next week too.

Allowing re-entries has led Ariana’s UK #1 single 7 RINGS to enter TT10 at a relatively lowly #8. Prior rules would have enabled it to enter at #5 after 3 curiosity plays on the back of her name. Sadly, I think she will not be in the chart for a 2nd week. This song is certainly not one of my favourite things.

Some songs that will likely receive a look-in next week include Adelphi Music Factory’s 90s throwback JAVELIN and Xenomania’s new girl group proteges Unperfect’s debut single GOTS TO GIVE THE GIRL.

But that’s next Friday 1 February.

Thanks for reading.