Counting Down the Biggest Hits of 2015

Counting Down the Biggest Hits of 2015

As the year draws to an end and the Official NZ Top40 charts close in on the final countdown for 2015, Recorded Music NZ have unveiled the biggest hits of the last 12 months.

Released just four weeks ago, Adele’s record-shattering success worldwide is mirrored in New Zealand, as 25 becomes the biggest selling album of 2015.

Certified six times platinum already and set to go much higher before 2016 is ushered in, the record has proven to be one of the fastest sellers ever. Adele’s previous album 21 was the highest seller back in 2011. 21 beat Ed Sheeran’s Plus in that year, and we see history repeating itself with Ed Sheeran coming in at #2 again with his seven-week #1 album X.

It has been a successful year for Justin Bieber too. The Canadian singer began this year without ever having had a #1 single here but finishes with three to his name for What Do You Mean?, Sorry and Love Yourself.

The release of his #1 album Purpose also saw him set a new chart record when 12 of his songs reached the Top40 Singles Chart simultaneously.

The longest run at #1 in 2015 was 8 weeks, shared by Bieber’s What Do You Mean? and See You Again by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth. However, the #1 track of the year was Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars. The Christmas #1 from last year went on to spend 40 weeks in the charts, seven of those in the prime spot.

Freaks by Timmy Trumpet and Savage continued to have legs in 2015 too. The biggest Kiwi hit of 2014 repeated the feat this year. Meanwhile, Inside Out by Avalanche City was the only local act to reach #1.

Six60 and Sol3 Mio continued their dominance of the Kiwi albums chart, Six60 (2) proving to be the biggest local seller in 2015. The Dunedin band’s self-titled debut came in ahead of Sol3 Mio’s two albums at #2 and #3 to hold the opera trio out of the top place they had secured the last two years running.

This year the Official NZ Top40 Charts celebrated their 40th anniversary with the awarding of some historical honours and the release of a special commemorative 7” vinyl single.

Fittingly enough, several artists proved their longevity by appearing in this year’s end of year rundown having also made the same list right back in 1975. At the other end of the spectrum, the newly introduced Heatseekers Singles Chart focuses on newest music ‘bubbling under’ the main Top40, ideal for anyone interested in seeking out the potential hits of tomorrow.

About The Chart: The Chart is produced by Recorded Music New Zealand from statistics gathered from data collection agency RadioScope. For more information on the Official NZ Top 40 Chart, please see:

• www.nztop40.co.nz

• www.facebook.com/officialnzmusicchart

• www.twitter.com/officialnzchart

YouTube

Top 50 Singles - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQ7xFcQsgX3xv_PAxnN_7CqfIADhIVZyY

Top 20 NZ Singles - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQ7xFcQsgX3wOKX5G-LqfI7mKj5s5qEZy

Spotify

Top 50 Singles - https://open.spotify.com/user/rianz/playlist/0uSQapD9VFuM2m3EA4SuqJ

Top 20 NZ Singles - https://open.spotify.com/user/rianz/playlist/4tTdUAq6957JLSgpGZ0qfY

ENDS

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