Ultratop
Encyclopedia
Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record chart
s in Belgium
, and it is also the name of most of those charts. Ultratop is a non-profit organization
, created on the initiative of the Belgian Entertainment Association (BEA), the Belgian member organization of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.
. So it is that the Dutch-speaking Flanders
region has one set of charts of record activity there, while the French-speaking Wallonia region has another set to measure popularity in those provinces. All of the charts generated by Ultratop are published in three different languages: Dutch, primarily for the Flemish inhabitants of Flanders; French, primarily for the Walloons in Wallonia; and English.
In Flanders the most important charts are the Ultratop 50 singles
and the Ultratop 50 albums. In Wallonia the most important charts are the Ultratop 40 singles
and the Ultratop 50 albums (the two versions of Ultratop 50 albums are separate). The rankings in all of these charts are based on record sales. The charts are broadcast on several Belgian radio stations, and on TV stations TMF in Flanders
and Plug TV in Wallonia. In addition to the Ultratop charts, Ultratop also produces singles charts named "Ultratip"; these, too, are produced separately for the Flanders and Wallonia regions.
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
s in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, and it is also the name of most of those charts. Ultratop is a non-profit organization
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
, created on the initiative of the Belgian Entertainment Association (BEA), the Belgian member organization of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.
Ultratop charts and regional versions
The music charts produced by Ultratop are separated along regional-language boundaries, an unusual division that is justified by the cultural differences in BelgiumCulture of Belgium
A discussion of Belgian culture requires the language and what they eat discussing both those aspects of cultural life shared by 'all' or most of the Belgians, regardless of what language they speak, and also, the differences between the main cultural communities: the Flemish people from...
. So it is that the Dutch-speaking Flanders
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
region has one set of charts of record activity there, while the French-speaking Wallonia region has another set to measure popularity in those provinces. All of the charts generated by Ultratop are published in three different languages: Dutch, primarily for the Flemish inhabitants of Flanders; French, primarily for the Walloons in Wallonia; and English.
In Flanders the most important charts are the Ultratop 50 singles
Ultratop 50
Ultratop 50 singles, often just Ultratop 50, is the weekly chart of fifty best-selling singles in Flanders, Belgium, and is produced and published by the Ultratop organization. The chart has existed since March 31, 1995...
and the Ultratop 50 albums. In Wallonia the most important charts are the Ultratop 40 singles
Ultratop 40
Ultratop 40 singles, often just Ultratop 40, is the weekly chart of best-selling singles in Wallonia and Brussels Capital Region, the french-speaking parts of Belgium. Its equivalent covering the Flanders region is Ultratop 50. Both charts are produced and published by the Ultratop organization...
and the Ultratop 50 albums (the two versions of Ultratop 50 albums are separate). The rankings in all of these charts are based on record sales. The charts are broadcast on several Belgian radio stations, and on TV stations TMF in Flanders
TMF Flanders
TMF Flanders is a Flemish television station operating from Lint which mainly shows popmusic videoclips. TMF is an abbreviation of The Music Factory.TMF Vlaanderen started in 1998, due to the success of the station in the Netherlands...
and Plug TV in Wallonia. In addition to the Ultratop charts, Ultratop also produces singles charts named "Ultratip"; these, too, are produced separately for the Flanders and Wallonia regions.
Ultratip
Ultratip (also referred to as "Tipparade") is a Top 50 chart of commercially-available singles, with chart positions based on a combination of sales and airplay (i.e., the number of times a song is played on the radio or television, combined with the calculated audience size for a station, region or language). It differs from the Ultratop charts which are based on sales only, however a song cannot chart on the Ultratip chart on airplay alone.Records
These records are noted from the Ultratop records made from their starting date in April 1995 until April 2005, as has been written in the databook Ultratop 1995-2005 by Sam Jaspers. Some have been updated, but not all.Singles
- Most Top 50 singles: K3K3 (band)K3 is a Flemish/Dutch girl band with a Dutch repertoire, mainly aimed at pre-adolescent children. The name of the group is derived from the names of the three original members: Karen Damen, Kristel Verbeke and Kathleen Aerts. Their music is produced by production company Studio 100 and is written...
has the record with 32 singles in the top 50. Milk Inc.Milk Inc.Milk Inc. is a Euro House band that formed in the commercial house-scene in Belgium in 1996. The Discography of the band includes a total of six studio albums and thirty-four singles In 2006, to celebrate their 10th anniversary, Milk Inc...
has 30 entries, Britney SpearsBritney SpearsBritney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
has 28 entries, MadonnaMadonna (entertainer)Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
has 26 entries, Clouseau has 25 entries, Robbie WilliamsRobbie WilliamsRobert Peter "Robbie" Williams is an English singer-songwriter, vocal coach and occasional actor. He is a member of the pop group Take That. Williams rose to fame in the band's first run in the early- to mid-1990s. After many disagreements with the management and certain group members, Williams...
and RihannaRihannaRobyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
have 24 entries, SylverSylverSylver is a Belgian vocal Trance group best known for the song "Turn the Tide". The group's vocalist is Silvy De Bie and keyboardist/songwriter is Wout Van Dessel . Regi Penxten is the producer and co-songwriter...
and David GuettaDavid GuettaPierre David Guetta , known professionally as David Guetta , is a French house music producer and DJ. Originally a DJ at nightclubs during the 1980s and 1990s, he co-founded Gum Productions and released his first album, Just a Little More Love, in 2002. Later, he released Guetta Blaster and Pop Life...
have 22 entries, U2U2U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
, Celine DionCeline DionCéline Marie Claudette Dion, , , is a Canadian singer. Born to a large family from Charlemagne, Quebec, Dion emerged as a teen star in the French-speaking world after her manager and future husband René Angélil mortgaged his home to finance her first record...
and Marco BorsatoMarco BorsatoMarco Borsato is a Dutch singer. He started performing in Italian before switching to Dutch in 1994. He is married to Leontine Ruiters and has three children.-Biography:...
have 21 top 50 entries; Helmut LottiHelmut LottiHelmut Lotti , is a Flemish Belgian tenor and singer-songwriter. Lotti performs in several styles and languages: Once an Elvis impersonator, he has sung African and Latino hit records, and he crossed over into classical music in the 1990s.-Life and music:The son of Luc Lotigiers and Rita Lagrou,...
, Belle PerezBelle PerezMaribel Pérez , best known by her stage name Belle Perez, is a Flemish musician and songwriter.Born in Neerpelt to Spanish parents as María Isabelle Pérez Cerezo, the Flemish singer was discovered for her musical talents by Patrick Renier at a local talent show in 1997 at the age of 21...
, Jennifer LopezJennifer LopezJennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
and EminemEminemMarshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
have 20 entries. Beyoncé KnowlesBeyoncé KnowlesBeyoncé Giselle Knowles , often known simply as Beyoncé, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child...
has 14 entries with Destiny's ChildDestiny's ChildDestiny's Child was an American R&B girl group whose final line-up comprised lead singer Beyoncé Knowles alongside Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Formed in 1997 in Houston, Texas, Destiny's Child members began their musical endeavors in their pre-teens under the name Girl's Tyme...
and 17 under her own name, or a total of 31 entries. Regi PenxtenRegi PenxtenRegi Penxten is a Belgian DJ and record producer, of numerous dance and trance projects in Belgium, including Milk Inc. and Sylver....
had 10 entries in the Ultratop as Regi, and 30 as a member of Milk Inc, or a total of 40. - Kvraagetaan by FixkesFixkesFixkes is a Belgian band from Stabroek, close to Antwerp. The band mixesacoustic pop and rap in their music. In February 2007, they released their first official single, Kvraagetaan. The single was an enormous success in Belgium and reached highest position in the local hit charts, Ultratop.-Band...
held on the longest at the first place - 16 weeks. Las KetchupLas KetchupLas Ketchup is a Latin Grammy Award nominated 4-girl group composed of sisters Lola Muñoz, Pilar Muñoz, Lucía Muñoz and Rocío Muñoz from Córdoba in Andalucia, Spain. They are the daughters of Juan Muñoz, a flamenco guitarist known as Tomatito , which is not the same as famous and virtuoso flamenco...
with "The Ketchup SongThe Ketchup Song"The Ketchup Song" is the English title of the song "Aserejé", performed by the Andalusian-Spanish pop group Las Ketchup, which was an international hit in 2002. The song exists in three versions, Spanish, a version in a mixture of English and Spanish, described as "Spanglish", and a version in...
" and Crazy FrogCrazy FrogCrazy Frog, originally known as Adam King, is a computer-animated character created in 2003 by Erik Wernquist. Marketed by the ringtone provider Jamba!, the animation was originally created to accompany a sound effect produced by Daniel Malmedahl in 1997 while attempting to imitate the sound of a...
with "Axel F" both held out 12 weeks. "This Is the Life" of Amy MacdonaldAmy MacDonaldAmy MacDonald is an American author of children's books. Her works include Little Beaver and the Echo, which has been translated into 28 languages around the world, and Rachel Fister's Blister. Her first book, a satire of Jill Krementz's children's books, was A Very Young Housewife.Amy MacDonald...
held the first spot for 11 weeks. "Barbie GirlBarbie Girl"Barbie Girl" is a song by the Danish-Norwegian dance-pop group Aqua, who released the song in 1997 as their third single overall, and the first United Kingdom release...
" from AquaAqua (band)Aqua is a Danish dance-pop group, best known for their 1997 breakthrough single "Barbie Girl". The group formed in 1989 and achieved huge success across the globe in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The group managed to top the UK Singles Chart with their first three singles. The group released two...
, Wild Dances of RuslanaRuslanaRuslana Stepanivna Lyzhychko is a World Music Award winning and MTV Europe Music Award nominated artist, and the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2004....
, Con te Partiro of Andrea BocelliAndrea BocelliAndrea Bocelli, is an Italian tenor, multi-instrumentalist and classical crossover artist. Born with poor eyesight, he became blind at the age of twelve following a soccer accident....
and Last Thing On My Mind of Steps each held out 10 weeks on first spot. - Longest noted single is The Black Eyed PeasThe Black Eyed PeasThe Black Eyed Peas are an American pop group , formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995. The group includes rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, and singer Fergie. Since the release of their third album Elephunk in 2003, the group has sold an estimated 56 million records worldwide...
with "I Gotta FeelingI Gotta Feeling"I Gotta Feeling" is the second single from The Black Eyed Peas' fifth studio album The E.N.D., produced by the French DJ David Guetta. The song was released on May 21, 2009 and debuted at number two on the Canadian and Billboard Hot 100 on the week of June 27, 2009, behind the group's "Boom Boom...
". It was present in the Ultratop 50 for 69 weeks. "Sex On FireSex on Fire"Sex on Fire" is the first single to be taken from Kings of Leon's fourth studio album Only by the Night and as of September 2009, the second most-downloaded digital single ever in the United Kingdom...
" from Kings Of LeonKings of LeonKings of Leon is an American rock band that originated in Albion, Oklahoma but formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 1999. The band is composed of brothers Anthony Caleb Followill , Ivan Nathan Followill and Michael Jared Followill Kings of Leon is an American rock band that originated in Albion,...
charted 54 weeks and Marco BorsatoMarco BorsatoMarco Borsato is a Dutch singer. He started performing in Italian before switching to Dutch in 1994. He is married to Leontine Ruiters and has three children.-Biography:...
with "Rood" 46 weeks. - Shortest noted Number 1 hit was for Artist for Haiti with "We are The World". It left the Ultratop 50 after 6 weeks.
- Biggest leap to the number 1 position was for Elton JohnElton JohnSir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
with "Candle in the Wind 1997Candle in the Wind"Candle in the Wind" is a song with music by Elton John and lyrics by Bernie Taupin. It was originally written in 1973, in honour of Marilyn Monroe, who had died 11 years earlier....
" / "Something About the Way You Look Tonight". It jumped from the 46th position, directly to the number 1 spot in September 1997. - From nowhere to number 1 is not all that rare in Flanders, apparently. At least 4 singles have already achieved that: Peter EvrardPeter EvrardPeter Evrard is the winner of the first season of Idool 2003, the Belgian version of Pop Idol.Evrard defied the traditional rules of the Idols series by singing punk rock music instead of the expected pop. Regardless, he managed to win the series, and in 2003 he placed third overall in the World...
with "For You", XandeeXandeeXandee is a stage name of Sandy Boets , Flemish singer who represented Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest 2004. At the age of 16 she founded the pop duo "Touch of Joy" with Serge Quisquater...
with "1 Life1 Life"1 Life" was the Belgian entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004, performed in English by Xandee.The song was performed thirteenth in the final, to which Belgium was prequalified...
", Joeri FransenJoeri FransenJoeri Fransen is the winner of Idool 2004, the Belgian version of Pop Idol.- Idol performances :# Semi-Finals : "Lean On Me" # Top 10: "If I Had A Rocket Launcher"...
with "Ya bout to Find Out" and Artiesten voor Tsunami 12-12 with "Geef een teken" achieved it in the last 10 years. Also Belle PerezBelle PerezMaribel Pérez , best known by her stage name Belle Perez, is a Flemish musician and songwriter.Born in Neerpelt to Spanish parents as María Isabelle Pérez Cerezo, the Flemish singer was discovered for her musical talents by Patrick Renier at a local talent show in 1997 at the age of 21...
with El Mundo Bailando, Andy Sieren with "Mijn Leven", Britney SpearsBritney SpearsBritney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
with "Hold It Against MeHold It Against Me"Hold It Against Me" is a song by American recording artist Britney Spears, released as the first single from her seventh studio album, Femme Fatale. It was written and produced by Max Martin, Dr. Luke and Billboard, with additional writing by Bonnie McKee. Luke explained that he wanted "Hold It...
", Natalia with "Hallelujah" (with Gabriel RiosGabriel RiosGabriel Ríos is a Puerto Rican musician currently residing in Brooklyn.-Biography:As a child Ríos was member of his church choir, and in addition to this early exposure to music his father also taught him to play the guitar. After finishing his studies at the Academia del Perpetuo Socorro high...
), Jennifer LopezJennifer LopezJennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
with "On The Floor" and Idols 2011 finalists with "More to Me" did it. - Milk Inc.Milk Inc.Milk Inc. is a Euro House band that formed in the commercial house-scene in Belgium in 1996. The Discography of the band includes a total of six studio albums and thirty-four singles In 2006, to celebrate their 10th anniversary, Milk Inc...
holds the record of most top-ten hits by an artist ever (25), followed by Britney Spears. - Natalia holds the record of most songs in the top 100 at the same moment. In june 2007 she charted with 10 songs. Back then, she was the first artist worldwide who did this.
Albums
- Most top 50 albums:
- The Beatles: 25
- André RieuAndré RieuAndré Léon Marie Nicolas Rieu is a Dutch violinist, conductor, and composer best known for creating the waltz-playing Johann Strauss Orchestra.- Early life and studies :...
: 24 - Will TuraWill TuraWill Tura is the stage name of Arthur Achiel Albert, Knight Blanckaert, a Belgian artist famous in Flanders and the Netherlands. Tura is a singer, musician , composer and songwriter...
: 23 - Celine Dion: 20
- Helmut Lotti: 17
- Bruce SpringsteenBruce SpringsteenBruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
and Pearl JamPearl JamPearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...
: 16 - Andrea Bocelli: 15
- Most #1 albums:
- Helmut Lotti and Clouseau: 8
- K3 and Marco Borsato: 7
- U2, Michael Jackson and Samson & Gert: 6
- Celine Dion and Madonna: 5
- Longest stay in the charts:
- Marco Borsato, Onderweg: 184 weeks
- ColdplayColdplayColdplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
, A Rush Of Blood To The HeadA Rush of Blood to the HeadA Rush of Blood to the Head is the second studio album by English rock band Coldplay. Released on 26 August 2002 in the UK through the label Parlophone, the album was produced by the band and British record producer Ken Nelson...
: 168 weeks - Norah JonesNorah JonesNorah Jones is an American singer-songwriter and occasional actress.In 2002, she launched her solo music career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album Come Away With Me, which was certified a diamond album in 2002, selling over 20 million copies...
, Come Away With MeCome Away with MeCome Away with Me is the debut album of pianist and singer Norah Jones, released February 26, 2002 on Blue Note Records. Recording sessions for the album took place at New York City's Sorcerer Sound Studio and Shokan's Allaire Studios in 2001...
: 144 weeks - St. Germain, Tourist: 122 weeks
- Gabriel RiosGabriel RiosGabriel Ríos is a Puerto Rican musician currently residing in Brooklyn.-Biography:As a child Ríos was member of his church choir, and in addition to this early exposure to music his father also taught him to play the guitar. After finishing his studies at the Academia del Perpetuo Socorro high...
, Ghostboy: 118 weeks - QueenQueen (band)Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
, The Platinum Collection - Greatest Hits I, II & III, 116 weeks - MilowMilowMilow is a municipality in the Ludwigslust-Parchim district, in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.-References:...
, The Bigger Picture: 110 weeks - HooverphonicHooverphonicHooverphonic are a Belgian rock/pop group, formed in 1995. Though early on categorized as a trip hop group, they quickly expanded their sound to the point where they could no longer be described as a lone genre, but rather encompass alternative, electronica, electropop, rock, and mixture of others...
, The Magnificent Tree: 107 weeks - Lady Linn And Her Magnificent Seven, Here We Go Again: 106 weeks
- Amy WinehouseAmy WinehouseAmy Jade Winehouse was an English singer-songwriter known for her powerful deep contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres including R&B, soul and jazz. Winehouse's 2003 debut album, Frank, was critically successful in the UK and was nominated for the Mercury Prize...
, Back to BlackBack to BlackBack to Black is the second studio album by English recording artist Amy Winehouse, released on 27 October 2006 by Island Records. It is the last album released in her lifetime. The album incorporates 1960s soul music styles and modern R&B production, with subjective lyrics that concern...
: 103 weeks - The Black Box RevelationThe Black Box RevelationBlack Box Revelation, also known as the BBR, is a Belgian garage rock band. It was formed in 2005 by vocalist and guitarist Jan Paternoster and drummer Dries Van Dijck...
, Set Your Head On Fire: 102 weeks - Mumford & SonsMumford & SonsMumford & Sons are a British folk rock band. The band consists of Marcus Mumford , Ben Lovett , Country Winston Marshall , and Ted Dwane...
, Sigh No More: 101 weeks
In Wallonia
- Las KetchupLas KetchupLas Ketchup is a Latin Grammy Award nominated 4-girl group composed of sisters Lola Muñoz, Pilar Muñoz, Lucía Muñoz and Rocío Muñoz from Córdoba in Andalucia, Spain. They are the daughters of Juan Muñoz, a flamenco guitarist known as Tomatito , which is not the same as famous and virtuoso flamenco...
with "The Ketchup SongThe Ketchup Song"The Ketchup Song" is the English title of the song "Aserejé", performed by the Andalusian-Spanish pop group Las Ketchup, which was an international hit in 2002. The song exists in three versions, Spanish, a version in a mixture of English and Spanish, described as "Spanglish", and a version in...
" held on 5 weeks longer on first spot than in Flanders, namely 17 weeks. "Pour que tu m'aimes encore" of Céline DionCeline DionCéline Marie Claudette Dion, , , is a Canadian singer. Born to a large family from Charlemagne, Quebec, Dion emerged as a teen star in the French-speaking world after her manager and future husband René Angélil mortgaged his home to finance her first record...
held on for 15 weeks at that first spot. - "Con te partirò" of Andrea BocelliAndrea BocelliAndrea Bocelli, is an Italian tenor, multi-instrumentalist and classical crossover artist. Born with poor eyesight, he became blind at the age of twelve following a soccer accident....
held on 52 weeks in the chart and thus holds the Belgian Record of longest noted number. "Obsesión" from Aventura stayed in the charts for 48 weeks. - "Ensemble" of Solidarité Asie Tsunami 12-12 was the number 1-hit, which was kicked out of the chart the fastest, after 8 weeks. The hit held on for 2 weeks on the first place.
- Songs that entered at number 1: Elton John with "Something About the Way You Look Tonight" / "Candle in the Wind 1997", Star Academy (France) with "La musique (Angelica)", Mario Barravecchia with "On se Ressemble" and Britney SpearsBritney SpearsBritney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
with "Hold It Against MeHold It Against Me"Hold It Against Me" is a song by American recording artist Britney Spears, released as the first single from her seventh studio album, Femme Fatale. It was written and produced by Max Martin, Dr. Luke and Billboard, with additional writing by Bonnie McKee. Luke explained that he wanted "Hold It...
" (2011). - The strongest riser in the chart to the number one position were Phil Barney and Marlène Duval with "Un enfant de toi". They rose from the 20th place to the first.