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Ringtone becomes a hit
28/05/2005 17:20 - (SA)
London - A cellphone ringtone appeared set to top the British singles chart on Sunday, outselling the new single by the band Coldplay by nearly four to one, a music retailer said.
Crazy Frog Axel F, a ringtone based on the sound of a revving Swedish mo-ped, is the first tune being used on cellphones to cross into mainstream music charts, said Gennaro Castaldo, a spokesperson for HMV, the British music retailing chain.
Coldplay had hoped to go straight to No 1 on this Sunday's British singles chart with its new song, Speed of Sound. But by Saturday, it appeared that Crazy Frog Axel F - which is available for digital download and as a compact disc single in retail stores - would prevail, said Castaldo.
The ringtone was expected to replace the Oasis tune Lyla as the No 1 hit on the list released on Sunday by the Official UK Charts Co. The weekly singles chart, which has been released since 1952, is based on the sales of 5 600 retail shops across Britain.
While Crazy Frog does not appear to be much of a hit among adults, so many youngsters are personalising the sound of their cellphones that such digital music could change world music markets.
"Music purists might not be too happy at the prospect of the Crazy Frog outselling Coldplay, but it shouldn't come as that much of a surprise when you consider its huge novelty appeal and the massive amount of exposure it is currently getting," said Castaldo.
"Kids obviously find it cute and cool, but students and office workers seem to be drawn to its rather kitsch, ironic appeal," he said.
"The only real issue is whether the record label can press enough copies to keep up with the huge demand that we're seeing right now."
The ringtone is based on a song that was recorded in Sweden nearly a decade ago by 17-year-old Daniel Malmedahl, using the high pitched revving of a two-stroke motorcycle.
- AP
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South Africa
