The day music-lovers took control of the pop charts

The Indie band Snow Patrol underlined their claim to be the hottest act on the new-look charts yesterday when they notched up a top 10 success with a deleted album track which is only available online.

"Chasing Cars", a previous single from the top-selling album of 2006, Eyes Open, entered at number nine, as the Top 40 underwent the biggest shake-up in its 50-year history.

Under the new rules, which could ultimately hand power over to music lovers rather than record companies, tracks are eligible to chart, based on how many times they are downloaded and irrespective of whether there is a physical version available for sale. The move has been hailed as an opportunity for golden oldies to find their way back in to the charts they once topped.

Music industry chiefs, ever dependent on promoting money-spinning new talent, will have been content to see the X Factor winner Leona Lewis continue selling copies of her single by the lorry load to top the charts, as well as high-profile new entries from Eric Prydz and U2. But there were clear signs that a music revolution has begun.

Alongside Snow Patrol, the irrepressible Gnarls Barkley - whose single "Crazy" became the first track to reach number one based on downloads alone last year - returned at number 30. Welsh rockers Automatic re-charted at number 33 with their hit from last year, "Monster", while Nelly Furtado's number one from 2005, "Maneater", also made a comeback at 38.

The new, more relaxed rules also benefited American songstress Jojo whose new single "A little Too Late" would not normally have been eligible to chart until next week.

There was also a top 40 place for Eminem with "You Don't Know" which was previously excluded under tight marketing regulations.

But there was no place for Gary Jules whose 2003 remake of "Mad World" had been tipped for a return after featuring on a trailer for the Xbox computer game Gears of War.

Bubbling under, the top 100 saw eight previously deleted tracks come back. These included James Morisson and the Killers. The X Factor effect also helped the Proclaimers and Aerosmith gain a tentative fingerhold on the charts after being covered by hopefuls Ben and the MacDonald Brothers in the series.

The music industry has been rocked by the collapse of the traditional singles market and critics say it only belatedly acted to meet the demand for downloading after years of trying to quash illegal filesharers through the courts.

Meriel Blackburn of the Official UK Charts Company said the full impact of the new rules had still not been felt.

"These changes have given the singles chart a new lease of life in that it now reflects exactly what singles the consumers are buying, regardless of whether they are downloaded or bought as a physical single," she said.

Gennaro Castaldo, spokesman for the retailer HMV, also welcomed the new rules even though record shops will struggle should record companies switch entirely to digital sales.

He said: "The charts will now offer a much broader representation of the nation's music tastes. January is always the quietest month for singles sales so these older songs are benefiting from that. But old releases are likely to feature heavily from now on. The nature of the charts is changing entirely."

The shake-up also raises the intriguing possibility of the Beatles staging an almighty chart comeback.

There are rumours that EMI is negotiating to release the band's back catalogue as downloads for the first time prompting speculation that the Fab Four could occupy the whole of the top 10.

Back by popular demand

Snow Patrol

2006 was their breakthrough year, with the album Eyes Open selling 1.5 million copies - the year's biggest seller. One of its hit singles is back at No 9.

Gnarls Barkley

The duo made history with 'Crazy' by securing the UK No 1 slot on the strength of pre-release download sales alone. It has now returned at No 30.

Nelly Furtado

Eclectic Grammy-winning Canadian singer/songwriter whose 2005 hit 'Maneater' is now back in the charts, courtesy of downloading fans.

Gary Jules

His haunting reworking of 'Mad World' made No 1 after it appeared in the cult film Donnie Darko. Now featuring on the Xbox game Gears of War, it failed to make the Top 40.

The Proclaimers

The brothers had a No 11 hit with 'I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)' when it was released in 1988. New fans are seeking it online after it was covered on The X Factor.