A tribute song for the 29 miners who lost their lives in Pike River disaster is the highest new entry on the Kiwi artists singles chart this week.
Written and sung by Dave Dobbyn, along with the Orpheus Choir of Wellington, This Love was recorded at a concert attended by members of the miners’ families. It enters the local chart at number 16.
Before writing the song Dobbyn spent time in Greymouth with the families of the miners, and said he felt their overwhelming grief. “I was very moved by their strength of community upon such a heavy loss of life. It spoke of a shared deeper love that survives in hope.”
Holding onto first place on the NZ Top 40 chart is Joel and Benji Madden, formerly of Good Charlotte, with their song We Are Done. The identical twins now work under the title The Madden Brothers.
Meanwhile, Stan Walker’s rousing anthem Aotearoa retains the number 1 spot on the NZ singles chart for a second week. The song, which Walker sings entirely in te reo, was launched last week to mark Maori Language Week.
Hamilton-based rock and metal band Devilskin are also clinging to the top of both the general and Kiwi album charts for a third week with We Rise.
Highest new entry to the album chart is former Midnight Youth vocalist Jeremy Redmore, with debut album Clouds Are Alive making it in at number 6. It also reached number 2 on the Kiwi artist album list.
Entering the singles chart at number 2 is 19-year-old actor Troye Sivan, with Happy Little Pill. It is the debut single for the Australian, who has a massive following on YouTube. He also played a young Wolverine in X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
