Chart Chasers #18

It’s Monday so it’s time for me to check out the latest tracks in the UK chart. Before that though I want to just chat about the Diamond Jubilee a little. Queen Elizabeth II has now been on the throne for 60 years and all sorts of celebrations are going on. Unfortunately I have managed to miss them all but I’ve at least shown some patriotism with a special header which you can see above (or look on Facebook or Google+ if you’ve missed it). The Queen is an incredibly hard-working woman and does a fantastic job at being a royal. She’s probably been the best monarch our country has had for a huge amount of time. Long may her reign continue!

OK, on with the post!

First up today is a song I’ve probably seen being performed live. If it was though I don’t remember. Wretch 32 was one of the support acts when I went to see Example last month and in my opinion he is one of the worst rappers around. This track also features Ed Sheeran who may improve things but he’ll have to do something pretty good. It’s called Hush Little Baby.

Actually I think I did hear this live¬ As suspected the rapping bit was pretty rubbish. Ed Sheeran’s bit is pretty good but his vocals are drowned out by the music. It’s a bit of a mess really. I shan’t bother listening to this again. 2/5.

Oh-oh, the next track is by Justin Bieber and is called Die in Your Arms. I would happily let Bieber die in my arms. Well I could easily imagine my hands round her throat so that’s pretty much the same.

This is probably one of Bieber’s better songs. Sadly that does not mean a lot. It’s unexciting pop and the chorus sounds like a cat being squeezed too hard*. Not at all pleasant to listen to. 1/5.

*No animals were harmed in the making of this post. Apart from any that had to endure that Bieber song.

Alexandra Burke makes her return next. The X Factor singer has a decent voice but has as yet not put it to good use in any of her singles. Burke is fed up of her association with the X Factor though and that is why this song is called Let it Go. Probably.

Firstly, that’s a fantastic car at the start. But what person in their right mind would get out of an Audi sports car to get on the Tube? What a Burke! The song itself is pretty forgettable and is indistinguishable from any other Alexandra Burke song. Yet another rubbishy pop/dance song. 1/5.

Next up a song by Ingrosso and Alesso called Calling. Judging my the names and the title this is one of those dance tracks which everyone downloads after doing on holiday. Is it actually any good though? Time to find out!

And the answer is yes, it’s alright! Ryan Tedder, the provider of the vocals in this, has an impressive video and this track does everyone you want a dance song to do. It’s nothing particularly special but it’s enjoyable enough. 3/5.

It is now time for the special Jubilee song! It’s by Gary Barlow and a collection of people all over the world that he has called the Commonwealth Band. Here is Sing.

I was sceptical that this concept would pull together to make anything good. Gary Barlow went round the Commonwealth and got people to record bits for the song. It’s turned out wonderfully and I really quite like it, much to my surprise. Nice work Gary! 4/5.

The next track is by (what I presume is) a band called Lawson. What a dreadful name for a band! It’s too late to change now but it’s flipping awful. The song is called When She Was Mine so I’m guessing it’s something of a romantic number.

Ooh, I like that. It’s nice to see a guitar-based song be so high up in the charts, it doesn’t happen very often these days. I think this one is probably a grower as well so I will probably love it after a few listens. Hopefully we will see great things from Lawson in the not so distant future. 4/5.

Euphoria by Loreen is the next track and was the winning song of last week’s Eurovision Song Contest. Click the link to see me talk about the whole thing. I’m not sure it should have won but let’s have another listen to remind ourselves what it is like.

Actually it’s a bit better than I remember. It’s a snappy dance number and though most of the song isn’t that exciting, the chorus is pretty damn good. Nice work Loreen, winning Eurovision for Sweden. 4/5.

Finally this week is the brand new number one. It’s by Rudimental and features John Newman. I have absolutely no idea what to expect with this one. Here’s Feel the Love.

Wow, that is a cracking Drum n Bass track. Lots of horses in the video too. More music videos should have horses in. I love this and can see why it topped the chart. 4/5.

That’s it for this week. It started pretty badly and I was worried this was going to be the worst set of songs yet but the second half delivered some fantastic tunes. As always share your thoughts in the comments!

^{*No animals were harmed in the making of this post. Apart from any that had to endure that Bieber song.}