http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-...ose-race-3358/

Ben Haenow’s Something I Need is straight out of the blocks and has taken an early lead in the race to the 2014 Official Christmas Number 1, OfficialCharts.com can reveal. However the competition remains incredibly close at this early stage.

Based on early Official Charts Company data up to midnight last night (Monday December 15), 75,000 copies of Ben’s track have been downloaded in the UK so far. The physical copy of the single will go on sale in record shops and supermarkets tomorrow.


Reigning Number 1 single Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars is currently just 23,000 copies behind Ben. However, the song will benefit from the addition of streaming into the chart for the first time this Christmas. Uptown Funk has a strong head start on the streaming front and is already the second most streamed track of the week on audio streaming services such as Spotify, Deezer, O2 Tracks and more, just behind Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud.

Official Charts Company chief executive Martin Talbot said: “The week of the Christmas Number 1 race is always among the most exciting in the Official Singles Chart calendar – and early data indicates that we have a genuine battle on our hands in 2014. By Sunday, we will know who has won out – but, for the moment, the race is on!”

It's a charity record so people will be it regardless.

Doing better than Sam Bailey, Little Mix and Steve Brookstein at this stage I think.

Really hope its get to number one

That's really interesting. So it's the first time spotify streaming is included? I really think Up Town Funk might do it, that being the case. Can't people just bump up the chart by constantly replaying a song? I would have thought including streaming would leave the charts open to corruption.

Yes - Sam had sold 45k at this stage and Little Mix had sold 68k. Very good sales for the decreased sales market now. Uptown Funk sales will include streaming which Ben wont have a lot of yet. CD goes on sale tomorrow and should see a further surge.

Doesnt work that way otherwise lots of record companies would be doing it.

Not much to beat then.

They only count ten streams per person per day, to stop manipulation from happening, as an individual can only contribute 0.7 of a sale on their own.

I heard it playing on the radio today - It sounded pretty good.

I heard it today as well i think its brilliant

Thankfully i have'nt heard it, so my poor ears are safe.

Thanks, I suppose that makes sense. If Ben looks like he's slipping I think Simon will have register 500 spotify accounts.

It's only a matter of time before he flops.

You just can't help yourself can you

If Fleur had won you would've said people were buying it because of her and that it was a hard week to get the number 1 especially without streaming. Your favourite was never in the running. Get over it.

I bet your party trick is sucking all the positive energy from the room isn't it

And here you are again doing something you claim you never do to other acts.

Let's be honest if it was'nt a charity record it would'nt be in the top 100.

Back on topic im looking forward to seeing Ben perform on TEXT SANTA on friday and tomorrow he is doing a signing at HMV

Oh whatever even if wasnt a charity single the winner single always does well your just bitter that your beloved Fleur didnt win I bet you would say the same thing about her not.

Is he not doing one in London?

Tesco finest grapes are on special offer today, go get some to replace your sour ones. You sound like a 10 year old sulking because their X Box has been confiscated by their mum

Im not sure I only know about the one that is happening in Cardiff

This no.1 isn't important, it's his next release that will decide the future.