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Higher, higher, higher: how the Olympics singing stars rocketed up the pop charts

 

Monday 20 August 2012 05:31 EDT
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Emeli Sandé, who appeared at both 2012 Olympics ceremonies, has six hits in the top 200
Emeli Sandé, who appeared at both 2012 Olympics ceremonies, has six hits in the top 200 (Getty Images)

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The public's lingering appetite for all things Olympic has seen dozens of artists who either performed or whose music was played at the Games storm up the charts.

Yesterday saw a remarkable rise for musicians associated with London 2012 with 65 featuring in the top 200 singles chart, including ageing rockers, soulful songstresses and pop groups benefiting from a late popularity surge.

Of the Official Singles Chart Top 200, 30 performed at the closing ceremony, along with a further eight from the opening ceremony.

Scottish singer Emeli Sandé, who performed to critical and public acclaim at both events, saw her album, Our Version of Events, rise from fourth position to top the charts yesterday.

Sales of the Virgin release rose by 232 per cent last week ahead of her performance at the V Festival in Chelmsford, Essex, over the weekend. "This is already the best year ever," she said.

But her single "Read All About It" failed to reach the top spot even after being sung at the closing ceremony and was placed third. She had six singles in the top 200.

Ed Sheeran, who performed at both the opening and closing ceremonies, had five tracks in the top 200 and singer Jessie J had four.

Alternative rockers Elbow saw their single "One Day Like This" jump from 125th to fourth in the singles chart after the band played it at the closing ceremony. Their fourth studio album, The Seldom Seen Kid, rose from 139 to number six in the charts.

The closing ceremony also saw the reunion of the Spice Girls, whose Greatest Hits album rose from number 164 to 18 yesterday.

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