September 4, 2001 14:53

SUPERMEN LOVERS CEMENT CHART LEAD

He saw off Eminem last year - but the plucky builder's unique take on 'Mambo No 5' looks like falling just short of the top slot in the UK singles chart...

SUPERMEN LOVERS are currently outselling BOB THE BUILDER in the race to become this week's Number One single.

Supermen Lovers released their single 'Starlight' yesterday (September 3), the same day as Bob The Builder's cover of 'Mambo No 5'. Initial chart predictions were that the pre-teen animated favourite, voiced by comedian Neil Morrissey, would follow the success of 'Can We Fix It', and go to the top of the UK singles chart.

However, midweek sales figures published earlier today (September 4), based on yesterday's sales, show 'Starlight' to have sold 3,000 copies more, and is the midweek Number One.

A chart expert at Virgin Megastore commented: "It's really close, so we'll have to wait until later this week to get a clearer picture, but at the moment Superman Lovers are just edging it."

Other new releases expected to break the Top Ten include Artful Dodger and Melanie Blatt's 'Twentyfourseven', which is currently at Number Six, and Redman's 'Let's Get Dirty', which is at Number 10.

Elsewhere, Spiritualized are at Number 13 with 'Stop Your Crying', Staind are at Number 15 with 'It's Been A While', while Macy Gray is at Number 23 with 'Sweet Baby'.

For a list of the final chart placings, visit NME.COM at 7pm this Sunday (September 9) for a list of the Top 100 singles and albums.