Rhythm is a Dancer by Snap is back in the UK Top 40 at number 36. The track has not been officially re-released, it has gained a new lease of life after being featured in a new TV ad.

'Rhythm Is A Dancer' is also featured in the current BBC Sound Index and the Sound Index results show success of the song is 100% based on itunes downloads (an explanation of the BBC Sound Index is here -
http://www.nickburcher.com/2008/04/bbc-sound-index-great-new-way-of.html).
Colour coding underneath the listing shows the contributory factors and 'Rhythm Is A Dancer' is entirely pink, showing that its ranking in the BBC Sound Index is exclusively down to itunes downloads:




The interesting thing about 'Rhythm Is A Dancer' re-charting is that it is user generated success, rather than in response to a co-ordinated re-release. There were many examples of 80's ad campaigns that extended into music with tactical re-releases of songs like 'The Joker' or developing new bands like Babylon Zoo, however these were initiatives instigated by record companies and the associated advertiser. The momentum behind 'Rhythm Is A Dancer' is bottom up rather than top down and, whether anticipated or not, it is viral buzz tapping into the itunes long tail, with the audience leading things rather than the music / advertising industries.
This example also shows how buzz trackers and initiatives like the BBC Sound Index can give more insight into how viral / word of mouth develops.
Footnote: Full details of the Drench ad (with high resolution files) can be seen here: http://dekku.blogspot.com/2008/05/drench-brains-dance.html
This example also shows how buzz trackers and initiatives like the BBC Sound Index can give more insight into how viral / word of mouth develops.
Footnote: Full details of the Drench ad (with high resolution files) can be seen here: http://dekku.blogspot.com/2008/05/drench-brains-dance.html
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