Top Selling Downloads Of 2006

7digital.com today revealed its top selling downloaded singles, albums and artists of 2006. Leading the singles chart is X Factor winner Leona Lewis with A Moment Like This, which sold 571,253 copies from release to 31st December 06. Top of the albums chart is Black Holes And Revelations by Muse and the top artists of 2006 include Depeche Mode, who secured the number one spot, Sugababes at number five and Coldplay at 14.

In addition, 7digital.com reports a 400% increase in sales from 2005 to 2006 and a surge in users, with over half a million people buying from 7digital.com over the past 12 months. Speaking about this growth, Ben Drury, MD, 7digital.com says: "The digital music market has exploded, particularly over the past six months, accounting for approximately 79% of all single sales. We have seen Leona Lewis become the fastest selling female artist of all time with over 100,000 digital sales in the first 48 hours. Over 80% of these sales were via our X Factor promotion.

Looking forward to 2007, the changes to the chart rules that came into place on Monday (1st January 07) will support the future growth of the digital music industry. Increasing numbers of unsigned bands and independent labels now have the ability to secure Top 40 positions, particularly via sites like 7digital's indiestore.com, as they no longer have to release a physical single or secure the backing of a major record label."

The 2006 Chart Versus 2007's

Drury continues: "I expect the top download singles, albums and artist charts of 2007 will read very differently to what we have reported for 2006. We can expect to see songs featured prominently in ad campaigns for example charting without any record label push or re-release. Unsigned bands will also feature strongly as they no longer have to invest in physical format releases to succeed. Ultimately, we are going to see the charts becoming more relevant and exciting - they will be a true reflection of the music that we are buying and listening to."

Top Singles of 2006

1 Leona - A Moment Like This
2 Gnarls Barkley - Crazy
3 David Hasselhoff - Jump In My Car
4 Scissor Sisters - I Don't Feel Like Dancin'
5 José González - Heartbeats
6 Muse - Assassin
7 Thunder - The Devil Made Me Do It
8 Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars
9 Orson - No Tomorrow
10 The Automatic - Monster

Top Albums of 2006

1 Muse - Black Holes And Revelations
2 Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere
3 Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
4 Snow Patrol - Eyes Open
5 James Morrison - Undiscovered
6 Lily Allen - Alright, Still
7 Adam Ant - Extra Wonderful
8 José González - Veneer
9 Keane - Under The Iron Sea
10 Pet Shop Boys - Fundamental

Top Artists of 2006

1 Depeche Mode
2 Gnarls Barkley
3 Pet Shop Boys
4 Muse
5 Sugababes
6 Snow Patrol
7 Arctic Monkeys
8 Madonna
9 Girls Aloud
10 Keane
11 José González
12 David Hasselhoff
13 Scissor Sisters
14 Coldplay
15 The Feeling
16 Thom Yorke
17 U2
18 Orson
19 Razorlight
20 Embrace

2006 rankings are based on download sales from 7digital.com throughout 2006.