UK

Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead storms charts in wake of Thatcher death

Punters buying Wizard of Oz track in droves after divisive former British leader’s passing

Thousands of cheering people held parties last night across Britain - including in Brixton in south London (above) - to 'celebrate' the death of Margaret Thatcher. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA Wire
Thousands of cheering people held parties last night across Britain - including in Brixton in south London (above) - to 'celebrate' the death of Margaret Thatcher. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA Wire
Tue Apr 09 2013 - 12:39

The death of Margaret Thatcher could propel The Wizard Of Oz track Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead into the top 40 of the British singles chart.

The late former prime minister divided opinion and while many have mourned, some have seen her death as a cause for celebration prompting a download surge for the track.

In the space of less than 12 hours Judy Garland's version had made it to number 54, according to the latest sales figures collated for the Official Charts Company. It is expected to climb higher as a result of a Facebook campaign being set up to encourage sales.

A member of the public signs a book of condolence under a portrait of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher at the Grantham Museum in her hometown Grantham. Photograph: Rui Vieira/PA Wire
A member of the public signs a book of condolence under a portrait of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher at the Grantham Museum in her hometown Grantham. Photograph: Rui Vieira/PA Wire

There has been some speculation that it may be too short to qualify at just 51 seconds, but chart bosses say it is eligible. In 2007 the track The Ladies Bras by Wisbey made the chart despite lasting just 36 seconds.

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Garland's version is not the only one to be selling. A performance by Ella Fitzgerald is at 146 and one by the Munchkins is at 183. If sales of the three versions had been combined it would be selling strongly enough to be at number 40.

The Official Charts Company will release its midweek sales tomorrow to give an indication of whether it is continuing to sell and the top 40 itself will be announced on Sunday.

Garland’s version is also at number 16 in the iTunes chart today.

PA