Coldplay make US singles history

Coldplay release their third album, X&Y, in June

Coldplay have become the first male British band to have a new entry in the US Top 10 singles chart since The Beatles.

Coldplay's debut at number eight with Speed of Sound is the third time a UK band has achieved the feat. The Beatles managed it with Hey Jude in 1968.

The Spice Girls' Say You'll Be There went in at number five in 1997.

Speed of Sound is the highest new entry since American Idol winner Fantasia went in at number one last July.

Rapper 50 Cent's nine-week reign at the top of the chart with Candy Shop was ended by Gwen Stefani's Hollaback Girl.

The Fab Four had a run of US number one hits in the 1960s - but Hey Jude, which made its debut at number 10, was their first single to go straight into the Top 10.

Record-breakers

Speed of Sound is released in the UK on Monday. Coldplay's previous biggest US hit was Clocks, which reached number 29 in 2003.

The four-piece have spent three years recording the follow-up to their Brit and Grammy award-winning album A Rush of Blood to the Head.

Their third album, X&Y, is released in the UK on 6 June and they kick off their world tour with five outdoor concerts in the UK the same month.

Earlier this month, 50 Cent became the first artist to have four singles in the US Top 10 since The Beatles.

Gwen Stefani is also top of the Hot Digital Songs download list for the second week running.

Her debut solo album Love, Angel, Music, Baby has sold 1.8 million copies in the US since its release last November.