You could have bowled me over with a feather when I saw that Sheppard were sitting at the top of the ARIA singles chart this week. It’s not that the song isn’t stellar, but Australia doesn’t have the best record of supporting local singles. We’re an albums nation, while the singles chart is generally dominated by international fare of the urban variety. It’s even rarer to see an independent local act on the top of the charts. And then consider how unstoppable Pharrell Williams seemed to be and you’ll start to appreciate the enormity of “Geronimo’s” meteoric rise.
“It’s like a dream,” said singer George Sheppard. “You secretly think about having a number one record when you’re in your bedroom writing songs, but you never really believe that it could come true. To have the public embrace us like they have is just such a special feeling and being able to share the success with my siblings and mates just makes it all the sweeter.”
Sheppard’s feat ensures that Aussies are dominating the charts this week. Over on the albums charts we’ve got INXS continuing their reign with “The Very Best,” which notches up its seventh week at number one.
They’re the big guns, but we’ve got plenty of other Aussies threatening to steal their thunder. Last week, Sia had her first every top ten appearance as a solo act with “Chandelier.” Now she’s achieved her first ever top five finish. The song sits at number four this week after jumping six positions.
“High,” by Peking Duk featuring Nicole Millar has also jumped into the top five this week. This betters last week’s position by a couple of spots.
5 Seconds of Summer look to be on the way out with “She Looks So Perfect.” It’s at number seven this week after tumbling three spots. Still, a top ten finish seven weeks after its release is nothing to sneeze at.
Meanwhile on the albums charts, INXS very nearly lost their top spot to Ball Park Music. The Brisbane band’s third album Puddinghead debuted at number two, which is their highest peak on the local charts.
Dan Sultan’s also debuted well at number four with his album Blackbird. It’s amazing to note that with his third release he’s actually achieved his first ever appearance in the ARIA top 50.
The John Butler Trio round out the top 10 with their latest album Flesh & Blood holding steady at number 10.
Click below for more information about this week’s top 10s.
So I might have missed the recent chart success of Kylie and 5 Seconds of Summer, but I’m glad my blog’s back in working order to report about INXS’ return to the top of the albums charts with their greatest hits album The Very Best. This gives INXS’ album their sixth week at the top, which is a new record for the classic rock band.
His X Factor competitor Dami Im continues to sell truckloads with her self-titled debut. The platinum-selling album sits at number seven this week.
Dami Im continues to ride the wave of post-X Factor success. Not content with a number one single a few weeks ago, Dami’s debuted at number one with her self-titled album. It features that number one hit “Alive” as well as tracks performed during her stint on the reality TV juggernaut. Her album’s the 12th by a local performer to hit number one on the ARIA charts this year. That beats the previous record of 11 Aussie number ones set in 2004. Does 2013 have another Aussie number one in it?