UK struggles against US music power - only Leona Lewis has any credibility

The new season of American Idol proves, again, the overwhelming dominance of America in chart music - whether pop, rock, soul or whatever. Idol is the number one tv show in the States, on the No. 1 tv network, and achieves an average of 30 million viewers per episode.

Even better figures help the final, which has 55 million viewers, as the results of the 97 million votes are revealed. Don't forget, these are just the USA figures and millions more watch the show worldwide. That power means only exceptional talent - and almost always a fantastic voice - will make a significant impact Stateside. For the UK there has been a severe lack of music power.


Leona Lewis is the most successful British artist to cross the Atlantic for years. Having conquered Top 10 album charts around the world, her album Spirit hit No. 1 status in the States too. With the single Bleeding Love also topping the Billboard Hot 100, Leona has proven her extraordinary talent in the most competitive market in the world.

Just for the record, Spirit achieved No. 1 all major markets: UK, USA, Canada, Australia, China, Germany, etc.

Robbie Williams arrived in America along with massive hype with The Ego Has Landed. The best the album could achieve was No. 63 on the U.S. pop charts. Follow-up Sing When You’re Winning only reached No. 110 on the U.S. charts. Escapology didn't reach Top-40, while Rudebox did not even get in the shops - it was only released digitally in America.

After winning the Mercury Prize in 2002 Ms. Dynamite was tipped as the British rapper who would win over America. The critics fell over themselves with praise for A Little Deeper but the American public was not fooled - it only reached No. 179 in the States and follow-up Judgement Day didn’t receive full release in the U.S. Ms. Dynamite is just one of many hyped UK rappers who failed to resonate, including Dizzee Rascal and Lady Sovereign.

Although the Sugababes are one of the most successful pop groups in Britain, they have very little presence in the U.S. Only Hole in the Head charted low on Billboard’s Hot 100 and Americans can only buy Sugababes on import.

Even MySpace-hyped Lily Allen could do no better than No. 49 on Billboard’s Hot 100 with Smile.

All of which shows that only real musical talent and dedication will achieve success in America. Britain's music press and gutter tv pundits need to get their heads out of lurid, non-music hype and self-promotion. Only then will they see any real British music talent.