In the iconic US chart’s 55 year history only nine songs (including Los Del Rio’s Macarena!) have spent longer than 12 weeks at the summit. The man leading the pack is still Robin Thicke, whose Blurred Lines is enjoying a 12 th week at the top. Perry’s Roar has so far had the edge on Gaga’s Applause sales-wise though neither song has yet managed to top the Hot 100 which also incorporates airplay and streaming. The real chart battle across the pond though has been between divas Katy Perry and Lady Gaga who both released new singles in the same week igniting a media frenzy. Meanwhile, Lana Del Rey is also enjoying a transatlantic top 10 smash thanks to the Cedric Gervais remix of Summertime Sadness. It peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 having so far shifted over two million copies. US pop princess and former Disney star Miley Cyrus recently achieved her first UK chart-topping single with We Can’t Stop, which has also been a monster hit stateside.

The Californians have ended the four week operatic reign of Britain’s Got Talent finalists Richard & Adam with The Impossible Dream. However, this week’s UK number one album prize goes to American metallers Avenged Sevenfold whose sixth studio offering Hail to the King becomes their first chart-topper. Their indie anthem Take Me Out, which appeared on that set, remains their highest charting single to date. Its number six placing gives the band their fourth top 10 album since breaking through in 2004 with their self-titled debut. Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand return to the UK albums chart this week with Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action.

However, as well as Sande, Naughty Boy’s debut set includes an impressive array of guest appearances including Bastille, Ed Sheeran and even nineties/early noughties songstress Gabrielle. Khan is perhaps best known for co-writing and producing much of Emeli Sande’s massively successful debut album Our Version of Events. Meanwhile, British songwriter and producer Naughty Boy, aka Shahid Khan, follows up his chart-topper La La La by bursting on to the Official UK Albums Chart at number two with Hotel Cabana. Interestingly, Goulding’s biggest US hit to date Lights never made a chart impact at home, settling for a number 49 peak despite climbing to number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 last year. Goulding has already racked up top five hits with Starry Eyed, Anything Could Happen, her cover of Elton John’s Your Song and Calvin Harris collaboration I Need Your Love since 2010 but until now the top spot had eluded her.

Ellie goulding albums sales