Sam Smith tops First Official Streaming Albums Chart

Sam Smith has now become the historic winner in race to claim the number 1 position in the first Official Albums Chart that includes streams.

A fortnight ago the Official Charts Company announced that the chart published on March 1 would be the first of its kind as it will be the first to reflect streaming of albums from the likes of services such as Spotify, Google Play, Deezer, Napster, Xbox Music, Rara and O2 Tracks.

It took seven days to select the number 1 album and during the seven days several different albums challenged at the summit. Finally after seven days it was Smith’s debut album ‘In the Lonely Hour’ which secured the number 1 position. Well if you would have checked on Wednesday then you would have found that Led Zeppelin’s ‘Physical Graffiti’ held the lead thanks to the early sales of the re-mastered album’s physical package. 

However by Friday Led Zeppelin was nowhere to be seen as Ed Sheeran, Royal Blood and Sam Smith were fighting for the Number 1 position. This boost in their ranking was said to be due to their appearances on Wednesday night’s BRIT Awards. Today at last Sam Smith has taken the top spot with his debut album ‘In the Lonely Hour’.

The result was based on sales and streams which were gathered up till Saturday midnight and the sales figured 41000 ahead of Ed Sheeran’s X on 38000. These two albums were the biggest of the week according to both physical or download sales and album streams. Sam Smith’s ‘In the Lonely Hour’ claimed 38000 album sales and 2900 album streams compared to Ed Sheeran’s 35000 album sales and 3400 album streams. 

The chief executive of Official Charts Martin Talbot while congratulating Sam smith stated that this year has already been a huge one for him and referred to his Grammy and BRIT Awards triumphs. Martin also stated that Sam Smith’s accomplishment is really impressive keeping in view the competition he had. 

Apart from Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran, Royal Blood also made many new gains. Royal Blood’s album grew by 11 times following the BRIT Awards and helped him secure the number third position on the Official Albums Chart. Paloma Faith and her album ‘A Perfect Contradiction’ benefitted the most from the BRIT Awards appearance, from last week’s 33rd position to the 8th position now, along with chart sales up by 12 times from 1000 to 12000.

Others on the Official Chart include George Ezra at number fourth with his album ‘Wanted On voyage’. Then on number 5 none other than the gorgeous Taylor Swift with her album ‘1989’. The Number 6 position is secured by Led Zeppelin who was first seen as the favorite contender for the first position. At the seventh position we see Chris Brown and TYGA with their album ‘Fan Of A Fan The Album’ and at number 9 is Gregory Porter. Finally at the 10th position is Hozier.