The Hillsborough Justice Collective’s tribute single today
overtook James Arthur’s Impossible in what has become the tightest-ever battle
for the official Christmas number one.
The charity single, He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother, took a
marginal lead based on the first three days of sales data.
According to the Official Charts Company sales data
Impossible had been just over 3,000 sales ahead of He Ain't Heavy (based on sales to midnight on Monday).
But this morning the positions have flipped with The Justice
Collective’s track taking a 3,400 sales lead (based on sales up until midnight
last night).
He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother has sold some 109,700 copies
so far this week versus Impossible’s sales of 106,300.
The Official Charts Company’s managing director Martin
Talbot said: “This really is the closest number one battle we can remember –
even closer than the legendary 2009 battle between Rage Against The Machine and
Joe McElderry. The poll concludes at midnight on Saturday night, so there is a
long way to go yet – but this one looks like going down to the wire."
The Justice Collective’s project manager Pete Byrne said:
“It’s very, very close. There are just 3,400 sales in it. We’re absolutely
ecstatic at the response from around the country. In Merseyside it’s been
fantastic. But it’s also had a huge reaction farther afield. Now we need to
keep up the pressure.
“Everyone needs to keep buying the single. We’re so close
now – we just need to make sure that we keep up those sales throughout the
week.”
The Justice Collective’s track features an all-star cast
including Sir Paul McCartney, Robbie Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, Melanie C,
Holly Johnson, Ian Prowse, Mike McCartney, Shane MacGowan, The Farm, Gerry
Marsden, the RLPO, Kenny Dalglish and John Bishop.
Comedian Bishop said: “We all need to buy the single and
keep buying it. Buy ten copies if you can. I know what I’m getting everyone in
my family this Christmas. It’s a great song for a great cause. Now we all need
to get behind it.”
HMV said if demand continues at this rate the single could
generate up to a quarter of a million sales by the end of the week to top the
festive charts.
Gennaro Castaldo, from HMV in Liverpool One, said: “The race
remains a close one. But with just a few days to go the momentum now appears to
be firmly with The Justice Collective.
“Not surprisingly we're seeing particularly phenomenal
demand in Liverpool and the North West. But sales are pretty good elsewhere,
which show that the campaign is connecting with people around the rest of the
country too.”
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