US Chart Roundup: Ellie Goulding's "Lights" Sure Took Its Sweet Time...

Seventeen years, four months and 23 days after Ellie Goulding's single "Lights" was released, the song finally makes its way into the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, as it moves up to #6 this week.

Okay, the song wasn't really released that long ago. But I vividly recall writing about the music video way back in January 2011, and Goulding first performing "Lights" live on American TV in May that year. At any rate, the song has far exceeded the success it had in Ellie's home country of the UK, where it peaked at #49 on the chart.

Elswhere, Calvin Harris snags another Top 40 single in the US as his Ne-Yo-featuring "Let's Go" climbs to #35. One Direction also pull off the same feat with "What Makes You Beautiful" follow-up "One Thing", which is at #39.

Cher Lloyd's first US chart entry "Want U Back" ascends to #51, while The Wanted continue their slow crawl upward  (to #75) with "Chasing The Sun".

The U.S. Top 10:

1. "Call Me Maybe" - Carly Rae Jepsen *3 weeks*
2. "Payphone" - Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa
3. "Somebody That I Used To Know" - Gotye feat. Kimbra
4. "Wide Awake" - Katy Perry
5. "Where Have You Been" - Rihanna
6. "Lights" - Ellie Goulding
7. "We Are Young" - fun. feat. Janelle Monae
8. "Starships" - Nicki Minaj
9. "What Makes You Beautiful" - One Direction
10. "Scream" - Usher

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Pet Shop Boys' New Single "Winner": Hear 30 Seconds

"You're a winner, I'm a winner, this is all happening so fast," Neil Tennant sings on the chorus of new Pet Shop Boys single "Winner." A 30-second clip has made its way online, via the German Amazon site. But you can hear it below:



Interesting that they're leading Elysium off with a ballad-type number. But it sounds uplifting and...Olympics-inspired, even?

The full song gets its world premiere on BBC2 Monday morning, before it hits iTunes on Tuesday. More info on that here. 

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Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen's "Good Time" Is...

I really dug Owl City's "Take It All Away," a song off his spring EP Shooting Star. And it's true, I kind of overlooked his new pair-up with Carly Rae Jepsen "Good Time" when it surfaced last week. But it was officially added to iTunes today, so better late than never.



The song is catchy enough, and I can totally see tween glitter meltdown on the gay disco runway happening for some with this. But if I'm being honest, it's a bit flimsy, and is probably more of a grower.

Still, Owl City had the zeitgeist-y song in 2009 with "Fireflies" and Carly Rae has the zeitgeist-y song at the moment with "Call Me Maybe". How can "Good Time" miss, right?

This is the first single from Owl City's upcoming album The Midsummer Station (out August 21).

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Pet Shop Boys' First 'Elysium' Single Is "Winner"

Pet Shop Boys have announced that the first single off upcoming LP Elysium is called "Winner," and that it will debut on UK radio (The Ken Bruce Show on BBC Radio 2) on Monday (July 2) morning, with the song being added to iTunes the following day.

Then, waaay later in the summer, on August 6,  a physical CD single containing three B-sides and two digital bundles with remixes and bonus tracks will be released. 

Also coming next week: the official release date announcement for Elysium.

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Paris Hilton Debuts Soulful Track "Last Night" During Stellar DJ Set At Sao Paolo's Pop Festival

Paris Hilton has finally come out of her musical hibernation to save us all from croak-throated amateurs like Adele. During her amazing DJ set over the weekend at the Pop Festival in Sao Paolo, the soul legend premiered her new track "Last Night," a collaboration with Pitbull/"Give Me Everything" producer Afrojack.

Never mind the fact that Paris accidentally hit play on Rihanna's "We Found Love" at the same time (causing it to collide with the first few moments of her own tune), or that she kind of half-sang over the track, all the while appearing as if she could barely remember the lyrics.

SHE'S BEETHOVEN, FUCKERS!

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'Robyn Is Here' Is Now 15

In happier anniversary news this week (happier than Michael Jackson's death, at least), Robyn's debut album Robyn Is Here turns 15 this week (in the US). It was originally released here on June 24, 1997.

Check out Moogaboo's fab writeup for Idolator's Backtracking series. Likewise, in case you missed them, Xolondon did pieces on Annie Lennox's Diva and En Vogue's Funky Divas — both of which are now 20 — recently.

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Michael Jackson Did Three Years Ago This Week

Christ, time flies by quickly. Michael Jackson died three years ago yesterday (June 25), and in light of that, I did a list of his 10 Best Songs Radio Forgot for Idolator.

At the time, I was freelancing at ABC.com, the website for the TV network, and writing/re-writing online bios for the cast members of shows like Desperate Housewives, Brothers And Sisters and Lost, as well as doing recaps for Ugly Betty.

Life was so different then. Life will no doubt be so different three years from now.

Don't stop till you get enough.

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UK Chart Roundup: I Hope Stooshe Flushe The Saturdays Down The Toilet

Finally, a UK girl group that doesn't make me want to ram a brick trowel into my eardrums.



The UK Top 10:

1. "Payphone" - Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa *new* *1 week*
2. "Call My Name" - Cheryl
3. ""Whistle" - Flo Rida
4. "Black Heart" - Stooshe *new*
5. "Princess Of China" - Coldplay feat. Rihanna
6. "Feel The Love" - Rudimental feat. John Newman
7. "We Are Young" - fun. feat. Janelle Monae
8. "Call Me Maybe" - Carly Rae Jepsen
9. "Scream" - Usher
10. "Picking Up The Pieces" - Paloma Faith

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Kylie Minogue: "You Must Respect The Goddess"

Idolator sat down with Kylie Minogue while she was in L.A. this week, and while I couldn't be there, I provided the questions for the interview (it hasn't run yet). My co-worker Erika surprised me with this video, though.

The back story is this: for Kylie's birthday last month, we did a gallery of her style evolution over the years. There was one racy photo of Kylie performing live in the early '90s, and I protested, "We can't use that! You must RESPECT the Goddess!"

It was a joke, but lo and behold — it turned into the above video.

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Kylie Minogue On 'Chelsea Lately'

I guess I can't have up the clips of Kylie Minogue on The Soup on Wednesday night and not post her appearance on Chelsea Lately. She's officially the Queen of the E! channel this week, as she'll also be on Fashion Police tonight.

Anyway, below she talks to Chelsea Handler about the usual: the Diamond Jubilee performance, touring, her boyfriend, etc.

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'The Soup': Kylie Minogue Cues Up Ryan Gosling Video & Eats Joe Manganiello's Doritos

I'd been looking for a reason to post that video of 10-year-old Ryan Gosling dancing at a talent show in 1991 to C+C Music Factory, and, well, Kylie Minogue has given me the reason to via her visit to The Soup. The best YouTube user comment about this clip: "Why did Kylie stand in a hole?"

And then there's this trashola segment, where Kylie eats a Dorito off True Blood and Magic Mike stud Joe Manganiello's stomach. Kinda gross, actually — sorry.



Um, good luck with The Best Of Kylie Minogue (out now)...if that's what was being "promoted" here?

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US Chart Roundup: Carly Rae Is Still #1, Grouplove Rise & Matchbox Twenty Return

With Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" in its second week at #1 on the Hot 100, Billboard points out that this marks the first time three consecutive artists — in this case Jepsen, Gotye and fun. — have seen their debut US singles hit the top of the chart since 1977. Unfortunately, this means that every time you flip on the radio, one of those damn songs is on. I just might officially be completely over all three.

A quick check-in on the latest British invastion: Ellie Goulding's "Lights" inches up to #12 this week, while One Direction's second single "One Thing," another one getting constant radio play these days, is up to #47. Meanwhile, Cher Lloyd debuts at #75 with the Shellback-produced "Want U Back," and The Wanted jump 10 positions to #81 with "Chasing The Sun."



Other trash: David Guetta and Sia's "Titanium," which might just be my favorite single of the year so far, is up to #15, and that iPod commercial song "Tongue Tied" by Grouplove is all over the place on radio, a fact that has the single moving up to #60.

On a final note, Matchbox Twenty return with their first Hot 100 entry in five years, "She's So Mean," which debuts at #91. Their last hit came in the form of 2007's "How Far We've Come." It peaked at #11.



The U.S. Top 10:

1. "Call Me Maybe" - Carly Rae Jepsen *2 weeks*
2. "Somebody That I Used To Know" - Gotye feat. Kimbra
3. "Payphone" - Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa
4. "Wide Awake" - Katy Perry
5. "We Are Young" - fun. feat. Janelle Monae
6. "What Makes You Beautiful" - One Direction
7. "Starships" - Nicki Minaj
8. "Where Have You Been" - Rihanna
9. "Wild Ones" - Flo Rida feat. Sia
10. "Boyfriend" - Justin Bieber

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Pink Announces Single "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)", Co-Written By Greg Kurstin

Pink's first single from her upcoming sixth LP will be "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)", a co-write she did with Greg Kurstin (Kylie Minogue "Wow," Lily Allen "The Fear," etc.). 

According to the below video announcement, it'll be out July 9. (If the video is acting up, watch it here.)



It's about time this broad got back to music.

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MNEK's Cover Of Kylie Minogue's "Put Yourself In My Place" Is Pretty Decent

PopJustice has alerted the music masses to the fact that 17-year-old Londoner MNEK (who penned The Saturdays' "All Fired Up") has done a complete reworking of Kylie Minogue's 1994 single "Put Yourself In My Place."

To put some perspective in its place, MNEK was born on November 9, 1994, which just happens to be five days before Kylie's original "Put Yourself In My Place" single was released in the UK.



Note that you can download MNEK's moody version via the SoundCloud player above.

At any rate, this is probably one of my top five all-time favorite jams by Minogue. It was the second single off her fifth, self-titled album (after "Confide In Me"), and the song scandalously just missed the UK Top 10 by peaking at #11.



Alas, "Put Yourself In My Place" was left off the compilation The Best Of Kylie Minogue, which was released yesterday here in the States, and two weeks ago in the UK (where it also hit #11, on the album chart.)

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Pop Goddess Heidi Montag Is Back With "Heartbeat"

There's new music from a pop legend on iTunes this week, and, no, I'm not talking about Fiona Apple or Smashing Pumpkins. It's music force Heidi Montag, who's back with an EP called Dreams Come True that contains shit she's already released over the past couple years — EXCEPT for a new-ish song called "Heartbeat" (a rough demo leaked in January 2011).

The song is a hot mess of synths and hip hop beats, and it's not nearly as fun as her previous addictive trash jams like "Higher" and "I'll Do It."

Still, Montag's whisper-gasping and moan-cooing through the tune is enough to earn it a spot on my summer playlist. Marvel below at Heidi's new masterpiece.



[Via The Prophet Blog]

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Katy Perry's "Wide Awake" Video Closes Out Two-Year 'Teenage Dream' Era

Two years ago, "California Gurls" kicked off Katy Perry's Teenage Dream era. The single became her second #1 on the Hot 100 (following 2008's "I Kissed A Girl"), and she subsequently went on to become a superstar. The further chart-topping hits "Teenage Dream," "Firework," "E.T." and "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" followed, while "The One That Got Away" peaked at #3.

Then came the album's Complete Confection re-release this past March, which spawned another #1 ("Part Of Me"), and her current, and final, single from the whole she-bang, "Wide Awake." It's a sweet number about finding redemption and life anew following a failed relationship, penned by the dream team of Perry, Bonnie McKee, Max Martin, Dr. Luke and Henry Walter, and the video is a fitting farewell to all the teenage dreaminess that has led Katy to this point.

The fairy tale-like clip fittingly begins with Perry on the set of her "California Gurls" video shoot, then proceeds through a Candy Land-esque labyrinth of baddies in masks, closing walls, a false Prince Charming and new chances. In the end, she winds up on stage during her recent tour.



Of course, Katy is a brand at this point, and she can't truly say goodbye without the inevitable concert movie/documentary tie-in (the 3D Part Of Me film hits theaters on July 5).

But somewhere, under all this gloss and floss, there's just a good, simple pop song at the heart of it all — and that's "Wide Awake."

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Madonna Shoots "Turn Up The Radio" Video In Florence, Italy

Yes, Ye Olde Vampyre fans, it seems the MDNA campaign isn't six feet under just yet. Madge was snapped by manager Guy Oseary while shooting the video for third single "Turn Up The Radio" in Florence yesterday.

Am I the only one who thought Madonna was the old hooker in torn stockings sucking on a hookah in the back of the car? Turns out that's not her — she's on the right, in the cheap Village People get-up.

Meanwhile, this was me in Florence four years ago. Madonna's always ripping me off.

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Kelly Rowland's Video For Rum Jam "Summer Dreaming"

The Real Talent From Destiny's Child Kelly Rowland has a new video out for some Bacardi rum 150th anniversary tie-in she's doing called "Summer Dreaming" (it's a remake of a song by Kate Yanai that went to #1 in Germany in 1991). The song itself is pretty generic dance fodder — the beat is kinda cheap, and it sounds like a whole four minutes were spent writing down lyrics ("Come on over, let's have some fun, just dancing in the morning sun") on a cocktail napkin.



Still, it's Ms. Kelly and it's a sunny summer jam. Imagine that this is what Beyonce would be doing if she wasn't busying herself with ripping off European artists she thinks no one in the States has ever heard of. Instead, she should just be knocking off Kate Yanai, like Kelendria!

Here's Kate's version:

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Mika's "Celebrate" And "Make You Happy": Catching Up

So I was in France for nine days, and didn't have time to stop and listen to these new Mika tracks from upcoming third album The Origin Of Love until now, because, quite frankly, I was too busy walking till my feet ached so my ass doesn't get fat from eating pastry after pastry over there.

So here's a bit of a catch up for me, and anyone else whose eyes glazed over when they first saw the word "Mika." First of all, new single "Celebrate" sounds like Alphabeat meets The Sound Of Arrows, but was produced by Nick Littlemore of Empire Of The Sun, and strangely features Pharrell Williams telling the listener to "stand up" and "have fun." I like it — it gets particularly fun at the 2:32 mark.



The other track is "Make You Happy," about which Mike noted the following on Vimeo:

Here's the first song I wanted you to hear from my new record, "The Origin of Love." This is not a single but a song I really love and wanted to share with you.

I commissioned a short film which I felt perfectly captured the sentiment of the track. The film was directed by Iouri Philippe Paillé and was made in Montreal. This is where the entire album started taking shape a year ago with Nick Littlemore at Planet Studios in Papineau.

And this is from the official press release for the announcement of the album:

Completely self-created and self-imagined, The Origin of Love has been a two-year DIY labour of love for Mika who has put together everything on the record himself, flying around the world under his own steam personally assembling an incredible roll call of collaborators – in addition to Nick Littlemore and Pharrell Williams Mika has also worked with William Orbit, Benny Benassi, FrYars, Greg Wells (Katy Perry, Adele), Klas Ahlund (Robyn’s Body Talk) as well as working with some brand new unsigned musicians he found himself online. 

So far, so good.

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UK Chart Post: Cheryl Cole's Second Decent Solo Single, "Call My Name", Is Rightfully #1

Apparently Cheryl Cole is all classy and ultra-famous now, and only goes by her first name, as evidenced by her billing on her third #1 single in the UK, "Call My Name." I've been a fan of this Calvin Harris-produced jam since it first sauntered into the pop lexicon back in April, and so I'm not to vexed to see this vocal torturess achieve some success this time around.

"Call My Name" is now Cheryl's third solo chart-topper in her home country, and all three of her #1s to-date have been the lead singles off her solo albums. If you ask me,  it's also this broad's first good single since her debut one, "Fight For This Love."

At any rate, "Call My Name" sold 152,000 copies in the UK over the past week, thus marking the best sales week for a single in the country so far in 2012.

But let's get down to brass tacks here: there's a fucking Precision Tunes karaoke version of Maroon 5's "Payphone" IN THE TOP 10 THIS WEEK (!!), since the real deal has yet to be made digitally available in the UK. That, FYI, is like 14 rungs lower than Glee cover version Hell.

The UK Top 10:

1. "Call My Name" - Cheryl *new* *1 week*
2. "Whistle" - Flo Rida 
3. "Sing" - Gary Barlow feat. The Commonwealth Band
4. "Princess Of China" - Coldplay feat. Rihanna
5. "Feel The Love" - Rudimental feat. John Newman
6. "We Are Young" - fun. feat. Janelle Monae
7. "The Power" - DJ Fresh feat. Dizzee Rascal
8. "Scream" - Usher
9. "Payphone" - Precision Tunes *new*
10. "Call Me Maybe" - Carly Rae Jepsen

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US Chart Roundup: Carly Rae Jepsen Closes The Deal With "Call Me Maybe"

The inevitable has happened — Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" is the new #1 song on the Hot 100, and it only took me stepping out of the country for this feat to happen. Well, not really — the 26-year-old (!) Canadian bimbette has been hovering at #2 for weeks, and it was only a matter of time before "Somebody That I Used To Know" finally ran out of steam. Meanwhile, look out Bieber: my prediction about your pop protege is coming true.

"Call Me Maybe", which has been certified three-times Platinum in the US alone, is now the eighth single to top the Hot 100 in 2012. Of those, it's the fifth to be fronted by a female solo artist.

Elsewhere, Ellie Goulding's "Lights" is up one position to #13, David Guetta and Sia's "Titanium" cracks the Top 20 and moves to #18, One Direction bound seven notches to #54 with "One Thing" and Calvin Harris and Ne-Yo's "Let's Go" climbs to #58. And as for The Wanted, whose breakout US hit "Glad You Came" drops out of the Top 10 this week, their follow-up tune "Chasing The Sun" creeps up to #91.

Over on the Top 200 album chart, Adele's 21 is #1 for a 24th non-consecutive week, and now ties the runs at the top of both the Purple Rain and Saturday Night Fever soundtracks. Only five albums have spent more weeks in the peak position. Think Adele has the chops left to beat at least a few of them? Her next hurtle is 31 weeks, which Fleetwood Mac racked up with Rumours, Harry Belafonte achieved with Calypso and the South Pacific soundtrack also spent on top.

Meanwhile, Scissor Sisters' fourth album Magic Hour, which I'm finding myself quite hooked on, has plunged from its debut spot at #35 to #160 in its second week.

The U.S. Top 10:

1. "Call Me Maybe" - Carly Rae Jepsen *1 week*
2. "Somebody That I Used To Know" - Gotye feat. Kimbra
3. "Payphone" - Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa
4. "We Are Young" - fun. feat. Janelle Monae
5. "What Makes You Beautiful" - One Direction
6. "Starships" - Nicki Minaj
7. "Wild Ones" - Flo Rida feat. Sia
8. "Where Have You Been" - Rihanna
9. "Wide Awake" - Katy Perry
10. "Boyfriend" - Justin Bieber

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Cheryl Cole Teams Up With Will.i.am For Dumbstep Track "Craziest Things"

Just when you were thinking, well, surely not everything will.i.am touches turns to shit, along comes Cheryl Cole's new tune "Craziest Things."



On a scale from one to ten, I give it "cockroach-infested snatch."

Au revoir!

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Kylie Minogue Covers 'Glamour' UK, Talks About PWL Days

My friend/travel companion AGirlAndHerCity picked up a copy of the July issue of Glamour UK at Heathrow — the one with Kylie Minogue on the cover, where she talks about performing at the upcoming Hit Factory Live fest — and she gave it to me upon meeting up in Paris yesterday.

Here's an excerpt:

"I can't divulge...oh, I'll tell you," she blurts. "At the PWL Hyde Park gig...I'm going to sing 'Especially For You' with Jason Donovan. I don't think we'll even need to sing it; I'm sure the audience all went through the Neighbours wedding; it's going to bring the house down! Even though it's outdoors..."

...She is, let's face it, too good, too big and too contemporary to headline Pete Waterman's nostalgia-led pop-fest, but, she notes, "I would like to thank him in some way."

...Back in1997, I saw the singer's crystal-blue eyes brim with tears. Her "Indie Kylie" phase was fraught with nerves and confusion: while her then-collaborators, the Manic Street Preachers and Nick Cave, had "embraced [her] past," she herself had not, always feeling "creatively knee-deep in concrete" at Pete Waterman's perky Hit Factory. This year, by contrast, her Anti Tour celebrated those very days...

"It was torturous inside me," she says, of her '97 self. "I just thought, 'I can't be that person, she's not accepted, she's so uncool,' and it transpires I was none of those things. The coolest people were just, 'No, we love those songs, we love you from that time!' But I had to go through my own process to embrace it."

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Pet Shop Boys Announce New Album 'Elysium'

More info on Pet Shop Boys' new album, following the surfacing of new track "Invisible" over the weekend: it's called Elysium and, as was expected, will be out in September.

Also, "Invisible" is not a single, but merely a track "to give an idea of the album’s sound," their official site notes:

...a short film for the album track “Invisible”... was made by renowned Los Angeles artist/film-maker Brian Bress. Like several tracks on Elysium, “Invisible” features backing vocals by singer/songwriter James Fauntleroy and veteran singers Oren, Maxine and Julie Waters whose long singing career spans sessions with The Jackson Five to Adele.

I interviewed Andrew Dawson, the producer of upcoming album Elysium, earlier in the spring for Idolator. Here's what he had to say about the new LP:

They sent me some demos of songs that they had been recording over the past year. Over our phone conversations, they were like, “We want to make a record in Los Angeles.” So they ended up moving out here for the recording process, and renting a place, and we’re making their first L.A. record. They’ve never done a record in Los Angeles before. They wanted to be around that thing, and get that classic L.A. sound — the L.A. players and all that stuff.

And here's the full short film for "Invisible":

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UK Chart Roundup: Gary Barlow Lands First Solo #1 In 15 Years

Gary Barlow racks up his third solo #1 single on the UK chart with "Sing" in the same week the parent EP retains its hold atop the album chart. Last week "Sing" debuted at #11, but has now jumped to the top following Gary's performance of the Queen's official Diamond Jubilee song outside Buckingham Palace earlier in the week.

Meanwhile, the last time Gaz hit the top by himself in his home country was in 1997, when the Madonna and Shep Pettibone co-write "Love Won't Wait" became his second consecutive chart-topper, after "Forever Love."

But let's get down to brass tacks... doesn't he look like some gay daddy who got lost while wandering to from Old Compton Street in the pic above?

The UK Top 10:

1. "Sing" - Gary Barlow feat. The Commonwealth Band *1 week*
2. "Whistle" - Flo Rida *new*
3. "We Are Young" - fun. feat. Janelle Monae
4. "Feel The Love" - Rudimental feat. John Newman
5. "Scream" - Usher *new*
6. "The Power" - DJ Fresh feat. Dizzee Rascal *new*
7. "Call Me Maybe" - Carly Rae Jepsen
8. "Princess Of China" - Coldplay feat. Rihanna
9. "Where Have You Been" - Rihanna
10. "Too Close" - Alex Clare

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Pet Shop Boys Premiere New Song "Invisible"

The first new Pet Shop Boys song from, presumably, their upcoming Andrew Dawson-produced 11th studio album (due out in the fall) has arrived, and it's called "Invisible". Keep in mind it's probably not the lead single (though if it is, it's as unconventional as the video for "Home And Dry" was) — and likely a teaser track to whet the appetite.

That said, "Invisible" is the Boys at their most beautiful. The song is a slow, moody synth number with Neil Tennant's haunting vocals layered into harmony, singing, arguably about the duo's own perception within the music industry — and possibly signaling that this will indeed be their final release:

I'm here, but you can't see me
I'm invisible
It's queer how gradually
I've become invisible
Look at me, the absentee
Disappearing finally
Goodbye
Is it magic or the truth?
Strange psychology or justified 
By the end of youth



In a way, "Invisible" reminds me of some of the great Pet Shop Boys ballads from past albums, like "It Couldn't Happen Here", "I Made My Excuses And Left" and "King Of Rome".

There's also an arty video for the song that depicts costumed, camouflaged figures (Neil and Chris?) moving around in different abstract boxes.

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Saint Etienne's "I've Got Your Music" Single Info

Above you'll see the art for Saint Etienne's second Words And Music By Saint Etienne single, "I've Got Your Music." (And with a little luck, you'll see me in the video!)

And here is the info on the formats, B-sides, poster, etc:

We can confirm that the new single I've Got Your Music will be released on 25th June 2012 on 7", 12" and digital download EP.

The 12" and digital EP come with remixes by the amazing Golden Filter and Leo Zero plus the previously unreleased Dominion Tiles, while the 7" is backed by Lullaby, an unreleased demo recording from the Words and Music by... album .

As with our Tonight single, the physical formats are strictly limited to 1,000 copies worldwide each and come in a sleeve designed by Paul Kelly.

The 12" comes with an exclusive, large 20" x 30" poster for the What Have You Done Today Mervyn Day? film. This is the second in the set of three - the first, in the Tonight 12", featuring a poster from Finisterre.

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US Chart Roundup: Rihanna Has Really Big Hits

It's an eighth week for Gotye atop the Hot 100 with "Somebody That I Used To Know," which basically means that even if he never has another hit after this, he'll probably never have to flip burgers for a living.

Recent American Idol winner Phillip Phillips debuted at #10 last week with his coronation song "Home," but now sees the upbeat guitar tune drop all the way down to #41. This makes way for Rihanna's "Where Have You Been" to slip up to #9, thus marking her 22nd Top 10 hit in the US, all within a seven-year span. Billboard points out that, among female solo artists, only Madonna (with 38), Mariah Carey (27), Janet Jackson (27) and Whitney Houston (23) have more.

And the only other news is that I'm taking off for France in a few hours! I'm bringing my laptop, and will be blogging over the next week-and-a-half from Paris. Be on the lookout for some classy pictures of me with a baguette. 

The U.S. Top 10:

1. "Somebody That I Used To Know" - Gotye feat. Kimbra *8 weeks*
2. "Call Me Maybe" - Carly Rae Jepsen
3. "Payphone" - Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa
4. "We Are Young" - fun. feat. Janelle Monae
5. "Starships" - Nicki Minaj
6. "What Makes You Beautiful" - One Direction
7. "Wild Ones" - Flo Rida feat. Sia
8. "Boyfriend" - Justin Bieber
9. "Where Have You Been" - Rihanna
10. "Glad you Came" - The Wanted

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Kylie Minogue Performs Medley Of Hits At Diamond Jubilee Concert

Kylie Minogue's medley of jams at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert in London on Monday was clearly one of the night's highlights. The Aussie hit-maker tore through "Spinning Around," "Can't Get You Out Of My Head," "Step Back In Time" and "All The Lovers" while first wearing a black jacket, then tossing it off to reveal a hot little bustier/corset/dress number.

This broad, who invited street dance crew Flawless on stage for "Step Back In Time," is top class.

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Cheryl Cole Butchers "Need You Now" (With Gary Barlow) At Diamond Jubilee Concert

There's no kind way to put this: Cheryl Cole sounded like a drunk whore passing a watermelon through her vagina while warbling through Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now" with Gary Barlow at the Diamond Jubilee Concert in London tonight.

Poor Gaz held his own on the duet, but Cheryl, who never fails to sound like a sea lion getting fucked by an iceberg when attempting live vocals, should have been put out of her misery by having a cane yank her ass off stage.



Stick to the miming and tit shots, baby.

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Coldplay & RIhanna's "Princess Of China Video": Wait, Aren't Ninjas & Geishas Japanese?

Beautifully shot by directors Adria Petty and Alan Bibby. But where are the Viet Cong soldiers and a little girl playing a violin?

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'Pete Waterman Presents The Hit Factory': Tracklisting

The Facebook page for that Pete Waterman Presents The Hit Factory compilation (out July 9) finally got 1,000 likes, and the tracklist was posted yesterday. If you already own the 2005 Stock Aitken Waterman Gold set, this three-disc package is worth it for the third CD only.

I will say that it's bizarre to include Steps' "Heartbeat". True, it went to #1 as a double A-side with "Tragedy," but the latter proved to be the far more popular of the two, and "One For Sorry" is surely the band's other widely-recognized signature song, no?

Another random choice: Loveland's "Let The Music (Lift You Up)." Not complaining, though. Loveland's entire 1995 The Wonder Of Love LP is pretty spectacular.

And bravo for the remastered "Looking Good Diving" and "Heartache." Pity about no Donna Summer, however.

Full tracklisting:

CD 1
1. Mel & Kim – Respectable
2. Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up
3. Kylie Minogue - I Should Be So Lucky
4. Dead or Alive – You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)
5. Bananarama – Love In The First Degree
6. Jason Donovan - Too Many Broken Hearts
7. Sonia - You'll Never Stop Me Loving You
8. Lonnie Gordon – Happenin’ All Over Again
9. Loveland Featuring Rachel McFarlane – Let The Music (Lift You Up)
10. Sybil – When I’m Good And Ready
11. Brother Beyond – The Harder I Try
12. Hazell Dean – Whatever I Do (Wherever I Go)
13. Divine – You Think You’re A Man
14. Sinitta – Toy Boy
15. Big Fun – Blame It On The Boogie
16. Pepsi & Shirlie – Heartache
17. Princess – Say I’m Your Number One
18. Kylie & Jason - Especially For You
19. Steps – Heartbeat

CD 2
1. Kylie Minogue - Hand On Your Heart
2. Bananarama – Venus
3. Hazell Dean – Who’s Leaving Who?
4. Cliff Richard – I Just Don’t Have The Heart
5. Rick Astley - Together Forever
6. Sinitta – Cross My Broken Heart
7. Samantha Fox – Nothing’s Gonna Stop Me Now
8. Dead Or Alive – Lover Come Back (To Me)
9. Opus III – It’s A Fine Day
10. Stock Aitken Waterman – Roadblock
11. Princess – I’ll Keep On Loving You
12. Lonnie Gordon – Beyond Your Wildest Dreams
13. Jason Donovan – Sealed With A Kiss
14. West End featuring Sybil – The Love I Lost
15. Brother Beyond – He Ain’t No Competition
16. Sonia – Listen To Your Heart
17. The Reynolds Girls – I’d Rather Jack
18. Mel & Kim – Showing Out (Get Fresh At The Weekend)
19. Steps – Tragedy
20. The WIP 2 Tribute Mix

CD3
1. Princess – Say I’m Your Number One [Princess To A King Mix]
2. Mondo Kane– New York Afternoon [Extended Version]
3. The Three Degrees – The Heaven I Need [Extended Version]
4. Morgan McVey featuring Neneh Cherry – Looking Good Diving (With The Wild Bunch)
5. Mandy Smith – I Just Can’t Wait [Alternative 12” Mix]
6. Precious Wilson – Only The Strong Survive [Extended Version]
7. Sybil – When I’m Good And Ready [Original 12” Mix]
8. Jason Donovan – Too Many Broken Hearts [Party Hearty Mix]
9. Kylie Minogue – What Do I Have To Do? [Billy The Fish Mix]
10. Dolly Dots – What A Night (Party Night) [12” Remix]
11. Dead Or Alive – You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) [Buzzing Bees Mix]

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UK Chart Roundup: Gary Barlow Has A Royal Diamond Jubilee Debut With 'Sing' EP

Gary Barlow's Diamond Jubilee tune "Sing" may have settled for a debut just outside of the Top 10 (at #11) on the UK single chart, but its parent EP has entered at #1 on the album roundup.



The rainy jubilee celebration is of course happening today in a very grey London, and the Buckingham Palace-held Diamond Jubilee Concert, which Barlow, Elton John and Paul McCartney are performing at, goes down tomorrow.

Here's Queen Elizabeth II's fleet of boats (over a thousand) in the flotilla going down the River Thames today.

Barlow co-wrote "Sing" with Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber, and the EP's chart-topping debut means Paloma Faith's Fall To Grace is forced to enter at #2 on the UK album chart, while Scissor Sisters go in at #4 with their fourth LP Magic Hour.

Meanwhile, poor Saint Etienne tumble from #26 to #91 with Words And Music By Saint Etienne in the album's second week on the chart.

The UK Top 10:

1. "Feel The Love" - Rudimental feat. John Newman *new* *1 week*
2. "We Are Young" - fun. feat. Janelle Monae
3. "Euphoria" - Loreen *new*
4. "When She Was Mine" - Lawson *new*
5. "Call Me Maybe" - Carly Rae Jepsen
6. "Where Have You Been" - Rihanna
7. "Too Close" - Alex Clare
8. "R.I.P." - Rita Ora feat. Tinie Tempah
9. "Drive By" - Train
10. "Chasing The Sun" - The Wanted

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Kylie Minogue To Duet (Not Do It) With Jason Donovan

No one will be surprised to find that "very special duet 23 years in the making" set to happen at the PWL Hit Factory Live fest in London's Hyde Park on July 11 is going to be Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan doing "Especially For You." According to the grapevine that is PopJustice via Contactmusic via Glamour magazine, Kylie confirmed she'll be taking the stage with her old Neighbours mate.

Meanwhile, the above box set, Pete Waterman Presents The Hit Factory: The Soundtrack To A Generation, is being released on July 9. The full tracklist isn't being released until this Facebook page gets 1000 "likes" or something (it's currently up to 815), but judging by the cover art, it's going to be very similar to the three-disc Stock Aitken Waterman Gold compilation from 2005. Which, of course, was ages ago, so who even remembers that, right?

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