Witch

From Irish times report.


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 display of mugs depicting late former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher today in a museum in Grantham, central England. Photograph: Darren Staples/Reuters Thatcher ceremonial funeral to be held on April 17th

Video: Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead

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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.

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.