Christmas has come early for Sony/ATV. As of today, songs published by the company have topped the UK Single Chart for 40 consecutive weeks - a run going back to March.
The impressive stint at the top of the chart includes tracks that are co-published and fully published by the company, culminating this chart week with Clean Bandit Ft Sean Paul and Anne-Marie’s Rockabye, which has sold a total of 63,335 units to top the chart, with a total of 531,758 sales to date. Sony/ATV publish Sean Paul and Clean Bandit’s Jack Patterson.
In addition to Rockabye, which has been at No.1 or six weeks, the publisher has had Singles Chart success with the following tracks:
I Took A Pill In Ibiza by Mike Posner (Sony/ATV publish Mike Posner), having spent four weeks at No.1.
One Dance by Drake featuring Wizkid and Kyla (Sony/ATV publish Drake and co-writers Errol Reid and Paul “Nineteen85” Jefferies), which spent 15 weeks at No.1.
Cold Water by Major Lazer featuring Justin Bieber and MO ( The company co-publishes co-writers Ed Sheeran and Jamie Scott), which spent five weeks at No.1.
Closer by The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey (The Chainsmokers and co-writers Isaac Slade and Joseph King are epublished by Sony/ATV), which spent four weeks at No.1.
Say You Won’t Let Go by Sony-ATV singer songwriter James Arthur, which spent three weeks at No.1.
Shout Out To My Ex by Little Mix (Sony/ATV publishes co-writer Camille Purcell), which spent three weeks at No.1.
The publisher also had No.1s earlier this year with Justin Bieber’s hit Love Yourself (co-written by Sony/ATV’s Ed Sheeran and spending three weeks at No.1) and Zayn’s Pillowtalk (co-written by Sony/ATV writers Anthony Hannides and Michael Hannides, spending 1 week at No.1).
“That’s a pretty amazing accomplishment,” said Sony/ATV CEO Martin Bandier, speaking to Music Week. “It isn’t ridiculous, because we work hard at it. It’s not like we’ve had one single that’s stayed there for 35 weeks, we’re doing pretty terrifically well in what’s now become a very competitive business, [there are] lots of new players in the business well-funded by private equity. We continue to be the largest and best music publisher in the world. We have people in place all around the world that are at the top of their market.”
Look out for the next issue of Music Week for a full interview with Sony/ATV’s chief.
By Murray Stassen
