Digital downloads reinvigorate singles market
Those prophesising the death of the humble single may have to eat their words after new digital download sales figures revealed that 10 music tracks each sold more than a million copies this year.
Adele’s ’Someone Like You’ and ‘Somebody That I used to Know’ by Goyte featuring Kimbra were amongst those identified by the Official Charts Company as having achieved the feat, despite the fact that CD singles are now rare as hen’s teeth.
It follows a continued upward trend in the sale of music singles with 190m sold this year versus 178m last year.
Industry analysts indicate that this popularity is down to pricing, with consumers able to pick and mix their favourite tracks for 99p a pop rather than fork out £5.49 for a full CD of tracks they may not like.
The data formed part of a 60th anniversary list of all 123 hits to sell more than 1m copies since formation of the singles chart in 1952.
Elton John’s ‘Candle in the Wind’, released in the aftermath of Princess Diana’s death, continues to top the list since its release in 1997.