It’s another battle of the mega-collabs on the midweek U.K. singles chart where Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” (Def Jam/RBMG/Republic/UMLE) featuring Justin Bieber, takes the lead over “Feels” (Columbia), Calvin Harris’ track featuring Pharrell, Katy Perry and Big Sean.
“Despacito” won the singles race last Friday for the 11th non-consecutive week, though not by a big margin. The record-busting song finished the week less than 2,500 combined units ahead of the former No. 1 “Wild Thoughts” (Black Butter/We The Best), by DJ Khaled featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller, with “Feels” finishing at No. 3.
On the latest Official Singles Chart Update, “Despacito” has the edge over No. 2-placed “Feels” by just 500 combined units. Should “Feels” usurp “Despacito” at the summit, notes the Official Charts Company, Harris will have his eighth U.K. No. 1 single, Pharrell his fourth, Katy her fifth and Big Sean his first.
A trio of fast-rising tracks complete the midweek top five: Enrique Iglesias' “Subeme La Radio” (RCA), featuring Sean Paul and X Factor champ Matt Terry; Rudimental and James Arthur’s “Sun Comes Up” (Asylum) and Dua Lipa’s “New Rules” (Warner Bros).
There are notable gains for The Script’s “Rain” (Columbia), which improves to No. 10, and the Jax Jones-Demi Lovato-Stefflon Don number “Instruction” (Polydor) which is at No. 14, just one place ahead of another Lovato track, “Sorry Not Sorry” (Hollywood).
With a No. 39 bow, Camila Cabello has the highest new entry with “OMG” (Epic/Syco Music) featuring Quavo.
The contest for the albums chart crown isn't quite so tight as Ed Sheeran’s Divide (Asylum) looks likely to replace Arcade Fire’s Everything Now (Columbia) at the top after just one week. Meanwhile, a pair of reissues -- Def Leppard’s Hysteria (No. 5 via UMC/Virgin) and David Bowie and Trevor Jones’ Labyrinth OST (No. 8 via UMC/Virgin) should crack the top 10. Also, Shaun Ryder's Black Grape is on the verge of a triumphant return with Pop Voodoo (UMC), their first album in 20 years. It's new at No. 6 on the Official Albums Chart Update.