If anyone is shocked at the new number one this week, they clearly don't know how this whole thing works. Since its inception, X-Factor has been a chart force to be reckoned with. It's only been since downloads began to be included in the tally, however, that the full impact of the show (and indeed other talent competitions) has been evident. Most weeks the low end of the chart is riddled with ages-old tracks that were performed by the contestants the prior week, but whenever a truly new X-Factor product hits the market it is destined for greatness. In the commercial sense at least - critically most of these things are reviled. In any case, this week's top track is by all 12 X-Factor finalists, inventively called "X-Factor Finalists 2009," who give the karaoke treatment to Michael Jackson's 'You Are Not Alone.' It's for charity so we'll leave the discussion of its musical merits to you. That pushes Black Eyed Peas down to 2, with Leona Lewis' latest down to 4, sandwiching the new entry from Jason Derulo. 'Whatcha Say' already topped the charts in the US, and gives him his first hit in the UK. The rest of the top ten is pretty boring, save for the re-entry of Lady Gaga's 'Bad Romance,' up 3 to number 8 on the strength of its new video. Up next we have Alesha Dixon, who lands another top 20 hit with the Gary Barlow-penned 'To Love Again.' Fully released this week, it's questionable whether it will push any higher, but for now it at least ups awareness for her repackaging of her debut album. The single, along with Peter Kay's new entry at 18, will have all proceeds donated to Children in Need. 50 Cent has a new track in at 23, and fresh off her X-Factor appearance, Shakira clocks in at 26.
The UK Top Ten:
1 - You Are Not Alone: X Factor Finalists 2009
2 - Meet Me Halfway: Black Eyed Peas
3 - Whatcha Say: Jason Derulo
4 - Happy: Leona Lewis
5 - Fight For This Love: Cheryl Cole
6 - Everybody In Love: JLS
7 - Tik Tok: Kesha
8 - Bad Romance: Lady Gaga
9 - I Need You: N-Dubz
10- 3: Britney Spears
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