[mb-style] Disc Numbers for singles

[Rod Begbie]

On 5/27/05, Cristov Russell <wolfsong at endlessforest.net> wrote:
> I don't think these can be called anomalies though. This is fairly common
> practice in the UK from what I understand, something to do with their charts
> work.

To give some context:

The way the UK charts work is that three "formats" of a single can be
released and counted towards chart placement.  (Historically, it used
to be four, to covered releases on 7", 12", cassette and CD singles. 
This changed in the late 90s).

As vinyl and cassette single sales dropped off, the record companies
shifted to releasing multiple CD singles.  Usually these feature the
exact same version of the single track as Track 1(although sometimes
it's "album version" on one and "single version" on the other, or
remixes), plus two different "b-sides" (Any more than three tracks on
the single exclude it from counting towards the chart.  Until the late
90s, you were allowed four tracks).

By releasing multiple CDs, this increased the chances of selling two
or three copies of the single to the same person, and inflating the
chart position of the record.  Thus the commonness of multiple CD
singles in the UK.

Rod.

-- 
:: Rod Begbie :: http://groovymother.com/ ::