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David Bowie's new single 'Where Are We Now?' will now be eligible for the UK singles' chart - despite previous reports that the song would be banned from the countdown.
Yesterday, the Official Charts Company stated that 'Where Are We Now?' would not be eligible for UK charts, as it was released as part of a pre-order strategy.
The song was given away for free to anyone who pre-ordered Bowie's upcoming album The Next Day, as well as being available to buy separately. Only songs that have been paid for are eligible to place in the charts, and the Official Charts Company originally said that they would not be able to differentiate between paid for and free downloads.
"Owing to chart rules which are agreed in partnership with UK record companies and retailers, data relating to the David Bowie single 'Where Are We Now' cannot currently be counted towards the official singles charts, as the release is linked to an album pre-order promotion and it is not possible to distinguish album sales from track sales from the retail data received," said a spokesperson for the Official Charts Company.
However, according to the Guardian they now appear to have changed their minds, and have said that the paid for downloads will be counted towards a chart place - if retailers such as iTunes provide separate figures.
Pre-orders for David Bowie's The Next Day include a free download of the single
'Where Are We Now?' is currently number one on the iTunes sales charts, although that does include the free downloads. So far, Will.i.am and Britney seem set for the Official UK Charts number one spot with their latest single 'Scream and Shout'.
If they get the top spot, it will be Britney's first number one single since 2004, with her hit 'Everytime' - and Will.i.am's second solo number one.
Listen to David Bowie's new single 'Where Are We Now?' below:
Everything you need to know about David Bowie's new album
