The live version of 'July' debuted at number 16 on the survey, which as from June 30 includes digital downloads from the Apple iTunes, Eircom Music Club, Mycokemusic, Vodafone, Sony Connect, Bleep, Wippit and easyMusic sites.
"There's no doubt that it's the start of a major re-think in how music is sold," IRMA Director General Dick Doyle tells Hot Press. "What's amazing is that 41% of total sales are downloads. It took the UK a year to get to 50% downloads compared to physical sales, so we're way ahead of them in terms of growth. The singles chart was beginning to die off – we weren't getting the numbers through, but this has brought the excitement back."
IRMA spent three months monitoring download track sales before going 'live' with the new combined Top 50.
"We've always had the most accurate chart in the world, representing over 90% of weekly sales through nearly 400 stores," Doyle continues.
"Consumer purchasing is changing dramatically and we intend to keep our chart fresh by introducing downloads to mirror this changing market place."
Despite HMV announcing a 20% drop in physical CD sales earlier in the week, Doyle doesn't believe that the end is nigh for record shops.
"Customers vote with their money," he reflects. "Some want digital, some want physical, and I think retailers will offer both in the future."
Meanwhile, Mundy is delighted that 'July' is enjoying a second spell in the charts.
"Every songwriter dreams of writing at least one perennial favourite like 'Fairytale Of New York', 'White Christmas' or 'The Boys Of
Summer'," he enthuses. "When we were recording Live & Confusion, we knew we had to capture the live magic of 'July' for posterity. The fact that the album and the single are doing so well blows my mind. I'm very proud of it all."