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U.K. MIDWEEKS: ATLANTIC U.K. EYES
CHRISTMAS #1

Atlantic U.K. has expertly gamed the British charts this year with Ed Sheeran and, as year ends, the WMG label is doing so again. A re-release of “Perfect” f/Beyonce is on course for its second week at the top of the singles list with another—f/Andrea Bocelli— arriving on Friday.

Meanwhile, ÷ is back at #1 on albums. You’ve gotta hand it to ‘em…

If you’ll recall, Sheeran spent 13 consecutive weeks at #1 on the Official Singles Chart with “Shape of You” in January. On the release of ÷ in March, all 16 album tracks were in the Top 20. Now Atlantic is taking full advantage of the featured artist trend to try and ensure Sheeran ends the year on top. It’s working so far.

“Perfect,” which originally peaked at #4 in March, is on course for its second week at #1 on the Official Singles Chart. The sales of the original version as well as remixes and new editions all count toward the current version f/Beyonce hitting #1. So if the track stays there next week and onward, it will be because of Beyonce and Bocelli, plus the original, the acoustic version, and remixes by Mike Perry and Robin Schulz.

It's a clever tactic to employ in time for Sheeran to claim the coveted Christmas #1. Including this week, there are two chart weeks to go before the winner is crowned on12/22. By the way, Atlantic claimed it last year with "Rockabye" by Clean Bandit.

Further down, X Factor winners Rak Su are at #2 midweek with debut single, "Dimelo" f/Naughty Boy and Wyclef Jean (Syco), Mariah Carey's festive classic "All I Want for Christmas is You" (Columbia) rises to #3, Camila Cabello and Young Thug are at #4 with "Havana" (Syco) and Wham!'s "Last Christmas" (RCA) rises to #5.

With ÷ back at #1 on the Official Albums midweeks, Sheeran is on course for an 18th week at the top this year, thanks in part to a boost from the Christmas shopping season. Other records selling well in Blighty over the last few days include Sam Smith with The Thrill of it All (Capitol) at #2, P!nk and Beautiful Trauma (RCA) at #3 and Paloma Faith with The Architect (RCA) at #4. Michael Ball & Alfie Boe are Together Again (Decca) at #5 and Columbia breakout star Rag’n’Bone Man is with Human at #6.

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