Welcome to the online home of James Masterton, author of the definitive – and remarkably long-running – weekly analysis of the UK music charts.
Since 1992, James has been chronicling the British singles and albums charts online. His essential weekly column delves beyond the numbers, telling the stories behind the hits and putting every chart movement and record into context. For decades, across various publications, music fans and industry followers have relied on this analysis from the earliest days of the internet.
Each week, James breaks down the UK charts: Who's Number One and why? What are the significant new entries making waves? And yes, who is this artist everyone's talking about?.
This site is also your gateway to chart history. Explore the extensive archives, featuring a library of columns dating all the way back to October 1992.
Beyond the weekly updates, you'll find James's other writings – discover retrospective pieces on classic chart countdowns, reflections on favourite songs, and more in-depth explorations of issues shaping the British music charts. While updates here are more occasional, you can find the latest articles in the feed below or browse the full collection on the blog.
Latest Blog Posts
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Gnarly
It is the song(?) that is taking the internet by storm and might even end up being the most annoying hit of the year. But surely, surely, there isn't room for a lyrical analysis of Gnarly. Well, it turns out there is.
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From The Vault: True Faith
It may not be the most difficult of metaphors, but New Order's True Faith contains enough symbolism to baffle the listener on first listen.
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Chappell Roan x 3
Good luck babe, there's a total giver dancing at the Pink Pony club. How do you pick one Chappell Roan song for Steve and Sharon to break apart? You don't. You pick her two smash hits from the past 12 months and stir in new single The Giver, and listen to the magic happen.
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Not Like Us
The Super Bowl blew this one up, sending it skyrocketing to the Top 3 after months in abeyance. We all know Not Like Us is Kendrick Lamar's brutal (and at times libellous) takedown of Drake. But just what exactly is he saying?
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Messy
Breaking news: Messy has finally made it to the top of the charts for Lola Young. Further breaking news: Steve believes the song "speaks to a change in our culture". We find out more inside.
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From The Vault: How Soon Is Now
"A shyness that is criminally vulgar". The Smiths' ode to the angst of the unloved is - scarily - 40 years old. It remains Morrissey's most celebrated and affecting lyric.
