Hard Candy giving Madonna sweet success

It now appears that major acts such as Madonna are virtually guarranteed a No.1 placing with either singles or albums. Something is seriously wrong with a system whereby every product, whatever the quality, will go to No.1.

The system needs seriously looking at as the popular charts have now become an object of derision.

In my opinion, 'downloading' is the major culprit here, together with disproportionate 'airplay' being granted to certain acts over others, particularly on the basis of age.

Brian, let's just point out that of Madonna's single releases since 2006, 2 (out of 4) have gone to Number 1, so to say "every product, whatever the quality, goes to Number 1".

And besides, "quality" is a subjective characteristic - the charts measure popularity through sales, and are not intended as a measure of "quality". If "the popular charts have now become an object of derision" I can only assume you're a musical snob, but wonder then why you care about the preferences of others, as expressed via the sales charts. Were you happier 10 years ago when every Spice Girls release topped the charts?

I'm not sure of the relevance (or indeed, what you mean) by your references tro downloading and airplay. Downloading still accounts for a very small percentage of the ALBUMS market. Airplay has no unequivocal connection to sales (the current airplay Number 2 has only just now arrived in the Top 10 of the singles chart, for instance).

The reason that major acts like Madonna are guaranteed a No 1, is because they work damn hard for it and have extremely large fan bases.

The single has been A-playlisted on Radio One since its debut spin - there's no hyping here. 'Disproportionate airplay based on age' - she receives almost no airplay in the US because of age-ism. And its the airplay factor not sales in the US which has stopped her getting to No 1 with this single, as the sales have been stronger than the current No 1. Thank god the UK charts to not include airplay as a factor.

She's is on the cover of five monthly glossies this month, and has cross-promotional campaigns with Vodaphone and Unilever - its good old fashoned hard work, good product and good promotion.

Timbaland, Timberlake and Madonna are on leaders in their respective markets, why would it not be crediible that a record like 4 Minutes would be a No 1.

If anything the download system had harmed this single's chance of being a No 1, as it lingered in the Top Ten for 4 weeks before getting to No1.

At the end of the day Brian, the UK charts are based solely on sales and therefore accurately portray what is the most popular album or single week on week... no matter your opinion on any particular album in any given week - if Madonna wasn't selling she wouldn't be guaranteed pole position

The fact that her challengers in both singles & albums charts are Sam Sparro, Wiley & Portishead just goes to show - to me at least - what a bloody healthy state the UK music industry is in, in terms of QUALITY - sure we'd all want more QUANTITY of sales for the artists themselves and for Record Co's to conversely reinvest in much needed artist development...

Downloading IS the major culprit - of course it is... that's like saying its fault of cd's that songs sell - duh!

At least downloading has slowed the chart's rapacious turnover down and now provides longevity to singles/artists and also means that artists can, on occasion, chart based on strong word-of-mouth rather than massive ad campaigns...

Would your option be to merge with airplay - which is how most national charts across the world are configured??

My guess is not based on your comment above... if its selling, it's no.1 - simple as...

Your argument is full of contradiction and therefore pointless really.

I am glad the UK charting format is not similar to the US.

For example, Mariah's "Touch My Body" - the biggest joke ever as the song went to Number One because streaming in AOL, MTV, Yahoo Music and etc are included in order to secure a #1 position in the Billboard.

Thats why the charts in the US are dominating by younger singers because kids and youngsters are the biggest group who stream and enjoy surfing the Net.

Madonna is not the 3rd Act to reach 10, (or more) UK No.1 Albums. The Rolling Stones have had 10 No.1 Albums too - their 10th was 'Voodoo Lounge' in 1994.

Madonna has now Topped both UK Charts for the 4th time, & it is the 8th Week that she's managed it.

Only 2 other Female Singers have managed it four times - Agnetha & Frida, as part of ABBA. They did it for 13 Weeks, so Madonna has not - yet - held the 'Double Top' for the longest time, as regards Female Singers.

However, she has held it the longest for a Solo Female Artist.

Love Portishead!

In the 9th paragraph of Paul Williams Editorial this week, he asks a question concerning the perceived value of computer games such as Grand Theft Auto IV. I suggest that he reads the article about Madonna and Tescos to the left of his own writing.

Current major label strategy seems to allow short-term greed to eclipse long-term greed. Madonna's true competition in Tescos this week are Spuds, Microwave Ovens, Frozen Chips and Toilet Rolls all on similar ludicrous offers. Such a 'bargain' to her fans must contribute to her 'perceived value' and not necessarily the contents of her latest album.

Context as well as Content is all - something that Grand Theft Auto seem to have taken care of. Madonna can look after her content, so perhaps she should also be concerned about the context in which her album is sold?

Likewise Paul McCartney on your front cover. CAN his album be any good if it is 'given away'? You may chide Bill Drummond in Dooley, but he may just have a point. Perhaps it is time to re-value music as Radiohead seem intent on doing.