As Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, the charts for this weekend heat up, with six debuts and a brand new No. 1.
At the top is Thompson Square's "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not?" That duo's debut hit marks the first No. 1 song by a newcomer since "Animal" by Neon Trees hit the top in December-January. It's also one of three country crossover hits in the top five, with Blake Shelton's "Honey Bee" at No. 4 and last week's No. 1, Christian Kane's "Thinking of You," falling to No. 5.
A couple of country songs enter the survey this week, too, as Darius Rucker matches the four chart hits of his country debut with a fourth hit from the CD "Charleston, SC 1966." "Come Back Song" and "This" both went to the Top 10, and "Southern State of Mind" hit No. 1 the first week of April. "Things I'd Never Do" enters at No. 32.
At No. 40 are two artists whose biggest hits each went to No. 2. Country singer James Otto made his chart debut in the summer of 2008 with "Just Got Started Loving You," which spent three weeks in the runner-up spot. Now he's teamed up with country-pop legend Ronnie Milsap on "Good Thing's Gone Bad." The duet's entry this week marks Milsap's first time in the Top 40 since "Stranger in My House" in 1983. His biggest hit came in the spring of 1981, when "Smoky Mountain Rain" stayed at No. 2 for two weeks.
The week's highest debut belongs to Pitbull, an artist who has been featured in Top 40 hits by Enrique Iglesias ("I Like It"), Usher ("DJ Got Us Falling in Love") and Jennifer Lopez ("On the Floor") over the past 12 months. This time, it's the Miami rapper's turn to be the lead artist as "Give Me Everything" features appearances by Ne-You, Afrojack and Nayer. It enters at No. 30.
While veteran artists such as Stevie Nicks, Richard Marx and Sade all make strong moves in this week's survey, Lady GaGa earns the biggest mover award as "The Edge of Glory" sprints 39-26. Will it be one of the summer songs of 2011? We'll see in the next few weeks.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Week of May 22
Four songs entered the Top 40 the week of December 12, 2010. All four turned out to make significant chart impact. Neon Trees' "Wish List" hit the Top 10. Natasha Bedingfield's "Weightless" stayed on the chart for 16 weeks, including four weeks at No. 11. And Cee-Lo Green's "Fool for You" is currently the leading candidate for the top song of 2011, spending four weeks at No. 1 in February. But Green has serious competition now from another song that debuted that same week -- a song that hits the top this week.
Christian Kane's country ballad "Thinking of You" completes its run to a peak by moving 2-1 in its 24th chart week. By doing so, Kane moves into second place for the longest drive to the top in the history of my charts. Back in 1986-87, Genesis took 26 weeks to hit No. 1 with "In Too Deep." The slow move for that song came as a result of its initially hitting the chart as an album track and a song from the soundtrack of the movie "Mona Lisa," and then remaining in the Top 25 (as the survey existed at that time) long enough to earn renewed strength as the fifth single from Genesis' "Invisible Touch" LP. By contrast, Kane's song has flown under the radar as a country album track from his EP "The House Rules" that hasn't caught fire nationally. That lack of heavy rotation ironically has helped the song's longevity as it's gained a bit of strength week by week (after being stuck at No. 12 throughout the month of March).
Here are the songs that rank as the five slowest movers to No. 1 since the weekly charts began in 1981:
1) Genesis, "In Too Deep," 26 weeks, 1986-87
2) Christian Kane, "Thinking of You," 24 weeks, 2010-11
3) TIE Darius Rucker, "It Won't Be Like This for Long," 19 weeks, 2009
Jason Mraz/Colbie Caillat, "Lucky," 19 weeks, 2008
4) Nickelback, "If Today Was Your Last Day," 18 weeks, 2009
5) TIE Owl City, "Fireflies,' 17 weeks, 2009
Sara Bareilles, "Love on the Rocks," 17 weeks, 2007-08
It's probably no coincidence that six of these songs have been on the charts in the past three and a half years. First, the chart now is a Top 40 survey, switching from a Top 30 survey in 2006 and a Top 25 survey in 2002. The addition of 15 positions gives songs more room for chart placement and longer stays. Secondly, since the charts resumed in 2006 (after a break from 2003 through mid-'06), the influence of iTunes has been significant. The ability to listen to and purchase individual tracks on albums, as well as iTunes' "free single of the week" feature spotlighting unfamiliar artists, has encouraged a broader variety of songs to chart than a strict radio-reflective survey would.
Christian Kane has the biggest chart story this week, but not the only one. Two of the week's three biggest movers are comeback hits for artists with long chart pedigrees. Moving 16-9 is "She's Got Nothing On (But the Radio)" from Roxette. The Swedish duo first entered the surveys in 1989 with the No. 3 "(She's Got) The Look," the first of 10 hits over a four-year span. Their current hit is the first since "Almost Unreal" hit No. 19 in 1993.
And moving 25-18 is "Secret Love," the latest hit for Stevie Nicks. The singer-songwriter's success as a member of supergroup Fleetwood Mac shouldn't overshadow the fact that she has had quite a solo career. "Secret Love" is her 11th chart hit since 1981 when her duet with Don Henley, "Leather and Lace," went to No. 2. Her last solo hit came in 2001 when "Bombay Sapphires" went to No. 10.
The week's biggest mover belongs to Adele. "Someone Like You" rockets 29-20, on track to follow "Rolling in the Deep" to No. 1. That song hangs on at No. 35 for a second week, in its 23rd week on the chart.
Two debut songs this week: "The Edge of Glory" marks Lady GaGa's third release from her upcoming album (and she's already released a fourth ... obviously, she's never heard of the word "burnout"). This song, at No. 39, features saxophone work from Clarence Clemons (of E Street Band fame). And "Gravity Happens," at No. 40, is the second chart hit for Kate Voegele. The singer and actress (TV's "One Tree Hill") went to No. 1 two summers back with her debut hit, "99 Times." This song is the title track from her new album.
Christian Kane's country ballad "Thinking of You" completes its run to a peak by moving 2-1 in its 24th chart week. By doing so, Kane moves into second place for the longest drive to the top in the history of my charts. Back in 1986-87, Genesis took 26 weeks to hit No. 1 with "In Too Deep." The slow move for that song came as a result of its initially hitting the chart as an album track and a song from the soundtrack of the movie "Mona Lisa," and then remaining in the Top 25 (as the survey existed at that time) long enough to earn renewed strength as the fifth single from Genesis' "Invisible Touch" LP. By contrast, Kane's song has flown under the radar as a country album track from his EP "The House Rules" that hasn't caught fire nationally. That lack of heavy rotation ironically has helped the song's longevity as it's gained a bit of strength week by week (after being stuck at No. 12 throughout the month of March).
Here are the songs that rank as the five slowest movers to No. 1 since the weekly charts began in 1981:
1) Genesis, "In Too Deep," 26 weeks, 1986-87
2) Christian Kane, "Thinking of You," 24 weeks, 2010-11
3) TIE Darius Rucker, "It Won't Be Like This for Long," 19 weeks, 2009
Jason Mraz/Colbie Caillat, "Lucky," 19 weeks, 2008
4) Nickelback, "If Today Was Your Last Day," 18 weeks, 2009
5) TIE Owl City, "Fireflies,' 17 weeks, 2009
Sara Bareilles, "Love on the Rocks," 17 weeks, 2007-08
It's probably no coincidence that six of these songs have been on the charts in the past three and a half years. First, the chart now is a Top 40 survey, switching from a Top 30 survey in 2006 and a Top 25 survey in 2002. The addition of 15 positions gives songs more room for chart placement and longer stays. Secondly, since the charts resumed in 2006 (after a break from 2003 through mid-'06), the influence of iTunes has been significant. The ability to listen to and purchase individual tracks on albums, as well as iTunes' "free single of the week" feature spotlighting unfamiliar artists, has encouraged a broader variety of songs to chart than a strict radio-reflective survey would.
Christian Kane has the biggest chart story this week, but not the only one. Two of the week's three biggest movers are comeback hits for artists with long chart pedigrees. Moving 16-9 is "She's Got Nothing On (But the Radio)" from Roxette. The Swedish duo first entered the surveys in 1989 with the No. 3 "(She's Got) The Look," the first of 10 hits over a four-year span. Their current hit is the first since "Almost Unreal" hit No. 19 in 1993.
And moving 25-18 is "Secret Love," the latest hit for Stevie Nicks. The singer-songwriter's success as a member of supergroup Fleetwood Mac shouldn't overshadow the fact that she has had quite a solo career. "Secret Love" is her 11th chart hit since 1981 when her duet with Don Henley, "Leather and Lace," went to No. 2. Her last solo hit came in 2001 when "Bombay Sapphires" went to No. 10.
The week's biggest mover belongs to Adele. "Someone Like You" rockets 29-20, on track to follow "Rolling in the Deep" to No. 1. That song hangs on at No. 35 for a second week, in its 23rd week on the chart.
Two debut songs this week: "The Edge of Glory" marks Lady GaGa's third release from her upcoming album (and she's already released a fourth ... obviously, she's never heard of the word "burnout"). This song, at No. 39, features saxophone work from Clarence Clemons (of E Street Band fame). And "Gravity Happens," at No. 40, is the second chart hit for Kate Voegele. The singer and actress (TV's "One Tree Hill") went to No. 1 two summers back with her debut hit, "99 Times." This song is the title track from her new album.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Week of May 15
Two songs debut this week -- Elton John, with a track from the soundtrack of "Gnomeo and Juliet," and James Blunt, with his second hit from his latest CD. But the strongest chart moves this week are for songs that look likely to compete for the top over the summer:
* Country singer Blake Shelton makes another strong move with "Honey Bee," leaping 17-7. The song, Shelton's first Top 40 hit, becomes his first Top 10.
* But Shelton, last week's biggest mover, isn't this week's. That honor goes to the Canadian country trio High Valley, whose debut hit, "A Father's Love (The Only Way He Knew How)," sprints 12 positions to No. 17. The group, brothers Brad, Bryan and Curtis Rempel, has opened shows for Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, LeAnn Rimes and Reba McEntire. The Rempels grew up in Alberta in the rural community of La Crete. "A Father's Love" is from the trio's eponymous CD, released last fall.
* Six more songs move up at least five positions: Mary Mary's "Something Big" (10-5); Sade's "Still in Love With You" (39-34); Chris Medina's "What Are Words" (12-6); Jennifer Hudson's "Why Is It So Hard?" (21-14); Alyssa Reid and P. Reign's "Alone Again" (27-19); and Roxette's "She's Got Nothing On (But the Radio)" (25-16). In addition, another six songs push up four positions in a tight area of the chart (positions 33-28). Those songs -- from Richard Marx, Lady Antebellum, Easton Corbin, Kid Rock featuring Sheryl Crow, Adele and NKOTBSB -- are likely to vie with the preceding tunes for Top 10 supremacy as the spring turns to summer.
* Country singer Blake Shelton makes another strong move with "Honey Bee," leaping 17-7. The song, Shelton's first Top 40 hit, becomes his first Top 10.
* But Shelton, last week's biggest mover, isn't this week's. That honor goes to the Canadian country trio High Valley, whose debut hit, "A Father's Love (The Only Way He Knew How)," sprints 12 positions to No. 17. The group, brothers Brad, Bryan and Curtis Rempel, has opened shows for Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, LeAnn Rimes and Reba McEntire. The Rempels grew up in Alberta in the rural community of La Crete. "A Father's Love" is from the trio's eponymous CD, released last fall.
* Six more songs move up at least five positions: Mary Mary's "Something Big" (10-5); Sade's "Still in Love With You" (39-34); Chris Medina's "What Are Words" (12-6); Jennifer Hudson's "Why Is It So Hard?" (21-14); Alyssa Reid and P. Reign's "Alone Again" (27-19); and Roxette's "She's Got Nothing On (But the Radio)" (25-16). In addition, another six songs push up four positions in a tight area of the chart (positions 33-28). Those songs -- from Richard Marx, Lady Antebellum, Easton Corbin, Kid Rock featuring Sheryl Crow, Adele and NKOTBSB -- are likely to vie with the preceding tunes for Top 10 supremacy as the spring turns to summer.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Week of May 8
Country songs have had a good run on this chart in the past year; since the beginning of 2010, 10 No. 1 hits have been in the country-pop genre. Even so, this week country songs have done something that hasn't happened for more than five years: taking 3 of the top 5 positions this week.
The duo Thompson Square makes a strong bid for a future No. 1 as its debut hit, "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not," sprints 9-4. Meanwhile, Christian Kane pushes his ballad "Thinking of You" 4-3 in its 21st chart week, and Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson mark the fifth month for "Don't You Wanna Stay" by holding at No. 2. By locking down positions 4 through 2, country artists dominate the Top 5 for the first time since March 18, 2006. That's when Keith Urban was No. 3 with "Stupid Boy," Alan Jackson was No. 5 with "A Woman's Love," and Alison Krauss teamed up with John Waite to put a country-pop spin on his 1984 hit "Missing You" at No. 4.
Country doesn't limit itself to the upper reaches either, as the top three debut songs also fall within the genre. Lady Antebellum debuts at No. 36 with "Just a Kiss," replacing the group's collaboration with Maroon 5, "Out of Goodbyes." Easton Corbin, who was in the Top 10 a year ago with his debut hit "A Little More Country Than That," returns at No. 35 with "I Can't Love You Back." And the duo of Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow represent the pop-rock side of country with "Collide," entering at No. 34.
Those songs join Darius Rucker's former No. 1 "Southern State of Mind," the Canadian country vocal group High Valley's "A Father's Love (The Only Way He Knew How)" and the week's biggest mover -- Blake Shelton's "Honey Bee" (moving 29-17) -- as country crossovers to this week's Top 40.
Despite all of this country action, the No. 1 song is a pop song, Bruno Mars' "Talking to the Moon." It rockets 8-1 to become his second No. 1 in the past six months. "Just the Way You Are" went to the top last November.
The duo Thompson Square makes a strong bid for a future No. 1 as its debut hit, "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not," sprints 9-4. Meanwhile, Christian Kane pushes his ballad "Thinking of You" 4-3 in its 21st chart week, and Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson mark the fifth month for "Don't You Wanna Stay" by holding at No. 2. By locking down positions 4 through 2, country artists dominate the Top 5 for the first time since March 18, 2006. That's when Keith Urban was No. 3 with "Stupid Boy," Alan Jackson was No. 5 with "A Woman's Love," and Alison Krauss teamed up with John Waite to put a country-pop spin on his 1984 hit "Missing You" at No. 4.
Country doesn't limit itself to the upper reaches either, as the top three debut songs also fall within the genre. Lady Antebellum debuts at No. 36 with "Just a Kiss," replacing the group's collaboration with Maroon 5, "Out of Goodbyes." Easton Corbin, who was in the Top 10 a year ago with his debut hit "A Little More Country Than That," returns at No. 35 with "I Can't Love You Back." And the duo of Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow represent the pop-rock side of country with "Collide," entering at No. 34.
Those songs join Darius Rucker's former No. 1 "Southern State of Mind," the Canadian country vocal group High Valley's "A Father's Love (The Only Way He Knew How)" and the week's biggest mover -- Blake Shelton's "Honey Bee" (moving 29-17) -- as country crossovers to this week's Top 40.
Despite all of this country action, the No. 1 song is a pop song, Bruno Mars' "Talking to the Moon." It rockets 8-1 to become his second No. 1 in the past six months. "Just the Way You Are" went to the top last November.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Week of May 1
Two debuts and a new No. 1 frame a week of solid chart moves. Among the week's biggest movers are Bruno Mars' "Talking to the Moon" (17-8) and Roxette's "She's Got Nothing On (But the Radio)" (35-27). The former is not only on Mars' "Doo-Wops & Hooligans" CD but also on the fund-raising collection "Songs for Japan" in an acoustic version. The latter, still not commercially available in the U.S., has made big waves in Europe. Perhaps the same sort of lightning that originally struck Roxette with its worldwide smash "(She's Got) The Look" in 1989 will occur with this comeback hit.
Of the debuts, Adele follows up her former No. 1 hit "Rolling in the Deep," still in the Top 10, with the ballad "Someone Like You." Debuting at No. 39, it's also from the CD "21." Meanwhile, Matthew Morrison of TV's "Glee" joins a long line of actors-turned-singers including John Travolta, David Soul and two artists this year -- Gwyneth Paltrow and Christian Kane -- by debuting at No. 40 with "Still Got Tonight." (Kane, meanwhile, pushes 5-4 in his 20th week on the chart with "Thinking of You.")
And at No. 1, Pink returns with "Perfect." It's her first chart-topper since "Sober" a few years back. Pink becomes the fourth solo female to hit the top in 2011, following Melanie Fiona ("Gone and Never Coming Back"), Adele ("Rolling in the Deep") and the artist she knocked to No. 6 this week, Katy Perry ("Not Like the Movies").
Of the debuts, Adele follows up her former No. 1 hit "Rolling in the Deep," still in the Top 10, with the ballad "Someone Like You." Debuting at No. 39, it's also from the CD "21." Meanwhile, Matthew Morrison of TV's "Glee" joins a long line of actors-turned-singers including John Travolta, David Soul and two artists this year -- Gwyneth Paltrow and Christian Kane -- by debuting at No. 40 with "Still Got Tonight." (Kane, meanwhile, pushes 5-4 in his 20th week on the chart with "Thinking of You.")
And at No. 1, Pink returns with "Perfect." It's her first chart-topper since "Sober" a few years back. Pink becomes the fourth solo female to hit the top in 2011, following Melanie Fiona ("Gone and Never Coming Back"), Adele ("Rolling in the Deep") and the artist she knocked to No. 6 this week, Katy Perry ("Not Like the Movies").
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Week of April 24
Lots of stories behind the six new entries in this week's countdown. At No. 40 is the first chart collaboration for two "boy bands" of different eras. New Kids on the Block were a late '80s/early '90s juggernaut that never quite caught on with me; despite their massive international success, only two of their singles hit my charts, with "Tonight" from 1990 peaking the highest (No. 13). On the other hand, the Backstreet Boys about a decade later not only were enormous successes worldwide, but they also caught on with me more -- I found several of their songs much less "teen idol" bubblegum and more mainstream vocal pop than NKOTB. The Boys earned three Top 5 hits on my charts, with two -- "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" and "All I Have to Give" -- going to No. 1. This week, an amalgamation of the two groups called NKOTBSB enters the countdown with "Don't Turn Out the Lights." In the weeks to come, we'll see whether its chart run is more similar to New Kids' or Backstreet Boys'.
These days, I find out about new music from a variety of sources (other than the too-restrictive Top 40 and adult pop radio in my market). That's clear from this week's debuts. Two come courtesy of an article I read online in Billboard. Both "Alone Again" and "A Father's Love (The Only Way He Knew How)" are Canadian hits spotlighted in this report.
Roxette's comeback hit, "She's Got Nothing On (But the Radio)," is a song I had seen charted on several personal surveys, which prompted me to find and listen to the song online. Stevie Nicks' "Secret Love" is a song that a reader of this chart drew to my attention via e-mail. And Weird Al Yankovic's "Perform This Way" came via a Billboard news report Wednesday about a conflict between Yankovic and Lady GaGa, the artist he spoofs. (This isn't the first time Yankovic has been spurned by an artist. His last song to make my charts, "You're Pitiful" in 2006, was put online after the management for James Blunt refused to allow Yankovic to commercially release the parody of "You're Beautiful.")
These days, I find out about new music from a variety of sources (other than the too-restrictive Top 40 and adult pop radio in my market). That's clear from this week's debuts. Two come courtesy of an article I read online in Billboard. Both "Alone Again" and "A Father's Love (The Only Way He Knew How)" are Canadian hits spotlighted in this report.
Roxette's comeback hit, "She's Got Nothing On (But the Radio)," is a song I had seen charted on several personal surveys, which prompted me to find and listen to the song online. Stevie Nicks' "Secret Love" is a song that a reader of this chart drew to my attention via e-mail. And Weird Al Yankovic's "Perform This Way" came via a Billboard news report Wednesday about a conflict between Yankovic and Lady GaGa, the artist he spoofs. (This isn't the first time Yankovic has been spurned by an artist. His last song to make my charts, "You're Pitiful" in 2006, was put online after the management for James Blunt refused to allow Yankovic to commercially release the parody of "You're Beautiful.")
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Week of April 17
Big stories at the top and bottom of this week's chart, but also a lot of action in the middle:
* At No. 1, Katy Perry earns her fourth charttopper in the past three years, as "Not Like the Movies" moves up one final place. She's gone to the top with "Hot 'N' Cold," "California Gurls" featuring Snoop Dogg and "Teenage Dream." In that three-year period, the only other artist to hit the top that often is Darius Rucker ("Don't Think I Don't Think About It," "History in the Making," "It Won't Be Like This for Long" and "Southern State of Mind," the song that hit the top two weeks back). Right behind them are Uncle Kracker ("Smile," "Another Love Song" and "Good to Be Me," the last with Kid Rock) and Cee-Lo Green ("Forget You," "The Thrill Is Gone" with Fantasia and "Fool for You"). Green is pushing to join Perry and Rucker as his latest, "Bright Lights, Bigger City," moves 8-7.
* At No. 40, legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon earns his first chart hit in a decade with the title track from his new release, "So Beautiful or So What?" Simon hit No. 15 in 2001 with "Old" from the CD "You're the One."
* Fifteen songs move up four or more positions this week. The biggest mover is Mary Mary's aptly titled "Something Big," which sprints 29-15. Near the top of the charts, Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson's "Don't You Wanna Stay?" gains steam after 17 weeks on the survey, pushing 7-3.
* At No. 1, Katy Perry earns her fourth charttopper in the past three years, as "Not Like the Movies" moves up one final place. She's gone to the top with "Hot 'N' Cold," "California Gurls" featuring Snoop Dogg and "Teenage Dream." In that three-year period, the only other artist to hit the top that often is Darius Rucker ("Don't Think I Don't Think About It," "History in the Making," "It Won't Be Like This for Long" and "Southern State of Mind," the song that hit the top two weeks back). Right behind them are Uncle Kracker ("Smile," "Another Love Song" and "Good to Be Me," the last with Kid Rock) and Cee-Lo Green ("Forget You," "The Thrill Is Gone" with Fantasia and "Fool for You"). Green is pushing to join Perry and Rucker as his latest, "Bright Lights, Bigger City," moves 8-7.
* At No. 40, legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon earns his first chart hit in a decade with the title track from his new release, "So Beautiful or So What?" Simon hit No. 15 in 2001 with "Old" from the CD "You're the One."
* Fifteen songs move up four or more positions this week. The biggest mover is Mary Mary's aptly titled "Something Big," which sprints 29-15. Near the top of the charts, Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson's "Don't You Wanna Stay?" gains steam after 17 weeks on the survey, pushing 7-3.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Week of April 10
It took four months to get there, but Adele notches her first No. 1 hit, as "Rolling in the Deep" moves 2-1 this week. (Her previous best came with her debut, "Chasing Pavements," a No. 6 hit in 2009.) Meanwhile, another sleeper hit enters the Top 10 in its 17th chart week. Christian Kane's "Thinking of You" moves 11-10. Other songs taking their sweet time moving up are "Our Generation" from John Legend and the Roots (20-19 in its 10 chart week), "Don't You Wanna Stay" from Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson (9-7 in its 16th week) and the aptly named "Never Make It on Time" from Nikki Yanofsky (4-3 in its 13th week).
At the bottom of the Top 40, the three debuts make for interesting chart bedfellows. The "Country Road Version" remix of Lady GaGa's Billboard smash "Born This Way" enters at No. 38. The song, with the most gay-affirmative lyrics since Jody Watley's "Affection" more than 15 years ago, ranks just above hits from two artists whose previous statements have earned negative press for potentially homophobic content. Former "American Idol" competitor Mandisa lands a second Top 40 hit (after 2007's "(Never Gonna) Steal My Joy") with "What If We Were Real" at No. 39, while country singer Blake Shelton makes his pop debut with "Honey Bee" at No. 40.
At the bottom of the Top 40, the three debuts make for interesting chart bedfellows. The "Country Road Version" remix of Lady GaGa's Billboard smash "Born This Way" enters at No. 38. The song, with the most gay-affirmative lyrics since Jody Watley's "Affection" more than 15 years ago, ranks just above hits from two artists whose previous statements have earned negative press for potentially homophobic content. Former "American Idol" competitor Mandisa lands a second Top 40 hit (after 2007's "(Never Gonna) Steal My Joy") with "What If We Were Real" at No. 39, while country singer Blake Shelton makes his pop debut with "Honey Bee" at No. 40.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Week of April 3
Between 1994 and 1996, Darius Rucker hit the top of the charts four times as lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish -- with "Hold My Hand," "Let Her Cry," "Only Wanna Be With You" and "Hannah Jane," all from the band's breakthrough CD, "Cracked Rear View." This week, he matches that feat as a solo artist. "Southern State of Mind," his third hit from his second country album, moves 2-1. By doing so, it joins three No. 1 hits from "Learn to Live" -- "Don't Think I Don't Think About It," "History in the Making" and "It Won't Be Like This for Long."
Cee-Lo Green makes it 4-for-4 in the Top 10 over the past six months, as "Bright Lights Bigger City" jumps 18-10. The previous hits -- "Forget You," "The Thrill Is Gone" (on which he guested with Fantasia) and "Fool for You" -- all went to No. 1.
In 2000, the gospel duo Mary Mary just missed the Top 10 when "Shackles (Praise You)" hit No. 11. This week, the duo has the top debut, as "Something Big" enters at No. 33. It's the title track of Mary Mary's latest CD.
Also debuting, at No. 40, is Santana's cover of the Cream classic "Sunshine of Your Love." This track features Rob Thomas on vocals, making Thomas the third Santana collaborator to earn two chart hits with the guitar legend. Michelle Branch was the first with "The Game of Love" in 2002 and "I'm Feeling You" in 2005. Nickelback lead singer Chad Kroeger came next, with "Why Don't You and I?" in 2003 and "Into the Night" in 2007. Thomas first hit the Top 40 with Santana on the 1999 smash "Smooth." That single went to No. 1 and spent 19 weeks in the Top 40. This is the second remake of "Sunshine of Your Love" to chart; the rock group Living Colour took theirs to No. 14 in 1994.
Cee-Lo Green makes it 4-for-4 in the Top 10 over the past six months, as "Bright Lights Bigger City" jumps 18-10. The previous hits -- "Forget You," "The Thrill Is Gone" (on which he guested with Fantasia) and "Fool for You" -- all went to No. 1.
In 2000, the gospel duo Mary Mary just missed the Top 10 when "Shackles (Praise You)" hit No. 11. This week, the duo has the top debut, as "Something Big" enters at No. 33. It's the title track of Mary Mary's latest CD.
Also debuting, at No. 40, is Santana's cover of the Cream classic "Sunshine of Your Love." This track features Rob Thomas on vocals, making Thomas the third Santana collaborator to earn two chart hits with the guitar legend. Michelle Branch was the first with "The Game of Love" in 2002 and "I'm Feeling You" in 2005. Nickelback lead singer Chad Kroeger came next, with "Why Don't You and I?" in 2003 and "Into the Night" in 2007. Thomas first hit the Top 40 with Santana on the 1999 smash "Smooth." That single went to No. 1 and spent 19 weeks in the Top 40. This is the second remake of "Sunshine of Your Love" to chart; the rock group Living Colour took theirs to No. 14 in 1994.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Week of March 27
Six debuts this week, with a mix of relative newcomers, popular artists of the past decade and one of the classic pop/rock groups of the 1970s and '80s.
Bruno Mars follows "Grenade" and his No. 1 "Just the Way You Are" with "Talking to the Moon," the week's highest debut at No. 35. All three songs are from his debut CD, "Doo-Wops and Hooligans." Meanwhile, Owl City (a k a Adam Young) earns his fourth Top 40 hit (and third in the past six months) with "Alligator Sky" at No. 39. This single is a bit of a departure for Owl City -- more rhythmic, with a guest rap from Shawn Chrystopher.
Panic at the Disco scores its second chart hit (after 2008's "Nine in the Afternoon") with No. 40, "Ready to Go (Get Me Out of My Mind)." That's from the group's new set, "Vices and Virtues." And Jennifer Hudson enters at No. 38 with "Why Is It So Hard?" It's her sixth chart hit overall, her third post-"Dreamgirls." Last time out, in 2009, she went to No. 1 with "We Gon' Fight."
That leaves the two debut songs with the most veteran performers. "Feel Good" at No. 37 reteams Eric Benet and Faith Evans. This new song, with a background that will remind older listeners of Cheryl Lynn's "Got to Be Real" or the Emotions' "Best of My Love," is the second hit from Benet's "Love and Life" CD; he went to No. 10 a couple of months back with "Never Want to Life Without You." Benet and Evans hit No. 22 in 1999 with a remake of Toto's "Georgy Porgy."
Benet and Evans started their chart runs in the 1990s. The artist at No. 36 goes back two decades before them. The Cars -- Ric Ocasek, Benjamin Orr, Elliot Easton, Greg Hawkes and David Robinson -- splashed onto the national charts in 1978 with the singles "Just What I Needed" and "My Best Friend's Girl" from their debut album. The group scored nationally and on my charts throughout the late '70s and 1980s with songs such as "Let's Go!" "You Might Think," "Magic" and "Drive." Their last appearance on my surveys came in 1986 when "I'm Not the One" hit No. 24. Ocasek and Orr spun off solo careers, and Orr passed away in 2000. The remaining four members reunited this year for a new project, and the first single from it is "Sad Song" at No. 36.
From this week's Top 10, the week's biggest mover shows the power of a good edit. I did not care for Pink's latest single in its original album version. I think the use of the explicit adjective that she has in the song's title is juvenile and undercuts the message of a powerful song. The radio version completely strips that word and makes all the difference. The single edit, simply called "Perfect," leaps 18-8 and is a solid contender for No. 1. If it does go to the top, it will be the sixth for Pink; her other five are "Get the Party Started," "Don't Let Me Get Me," "Who Knew?" "Dear Mr. President" (featuring the Indigo Girls) and "Sober."
Bruno Mars follows "Grenade" and his No. 1 "Just the Way You Are" with "Talking to the Moon," the week's highest debut at No. 35. All three songs are from his debut CD, "Doo-Wops and Hooligans." Meanwhile, Owl City (a k a Adam Young) earns his fourth Top 40 hit (and third in the past six months) with "Alligator Sky" at No. 39. This single is a bit of a departure for Owl City -- more rhythmic, with a guest rap from Shawn Chrystopher.
Panic at the Disco scores its second chart hit (after 2008's "Nine in the Afternoon") with No. 40, "Ready to Go (Get Me Out of My Mind)." That's from the group's new set, "Vices and Virtues." And Jennifer Hudson enters at No. 38 with "Why Is It So Hard?" It's her sixth chart hit overall, her third post-"Dreamgirls." Last time out, in 2009, she went to No. 1 with "We Gon' Fight."
That leaves the two debut songs with the most veteran performers. "Feel Good" at No. 37 reteams Eric Benet and Faith Evans. This new song, with a background that will remind older listeners of Cheryl Lynn's "Got to Be Real" or the Emotions' "Best of My Love," is the second hit from Benet's "Love and Life" CD; he went to No. 10 a couple of months back with "Never Want to Life Without You." Benet and Evans hit No. 22 in 1999 with a remake of Toto's "Georgy Porgy."
Benet and Evans started their chart runs in the 1990s. The artist at No. 36 goes back two decades before them. The Cars -- Ric Ocasek, Benjamin Orr, Elliot Easton, Greg Hawkes and David Robinson -- splashed onto the national charts in 1978 with the singles "Just What I Needed" and "My Best Friend's Girl" from their debut album. The group scored nationally and on my charts throughout the late '70s and 1980s with songs such as "Let's Go!" "You Might Think," "Magic" and "Drive." Their last appearance on my surveys came in 1986 when "I'm Not the One" hit No. 24. Ocasek and Orr spun off solo careers, and Orr passed away in 2000. The remaining four members reunited this year for a new project, and the first single from it is "Sad Song" at No. 36.
From this week's Top 10, the week's biggest mover shows the power of a good edit. I did not care for Pink's latest single in its original album version. I think the use of the explicit adjective that she has in the song's title is juvenile and undercuts the message of a powerful song. The radio version completely strips that word and makes all the difference. The single edit, simply called "Perfect," leaps 18-8 and is a solid contender for No. 1. If it does go to the top, it will be the sixth for Pink; her other five are "Get the Party Started," "Don't Let Me Get Me," "Who Knew?" "Dear Mr. President" (featuring the Indigo Girls) and "Sober."
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Week of March 20
Melodic pop/rock seems to be the sound of the week, as two of the most proficient groups of that genre enter the chart this week and singer James Blunt returns to No. 1 with his latest slice of it.
With such hits as the No. 1's "Everybody Hurts" (1993) and "Strange Currencies" (1995) and the No. 2's "Losing My Religion" (1991) and "Drive" (1992), R.E.M. was one of the top artists of the 1990s. The group hasn't been quite as active in the past decade, but it returns to the charts with "It Happened Today" at No. 40. That's from the band's latest CD, "Collapse Into Now." It's the first chart hit for R.E.M. in about three years, since "Supernatural Superserious" went to No. 21.
As active as R.E.M. was in the '90s, the group at No. 39 was the past decade. Lifehouse didn't connect on my charts with the song that ruled Billboard's Hot 100 in 2001, "Hanging by a Moment." But the band made up for that with a strong run the past five years, including three No. 1's: "First Time" in 2007, "Whatever It Takes" in 2008 and "It Is What It Is" last year. "Falling In," which debuts this week, is the latest Lifehouse hit co-written by another strong pop/rock act of the 1990s, Jude Cole. As a solo singer, Cole hit the Top 10 five times in a row between 1990 and 1993, including No. 1 in 1990 with "Time for Letting Go" and in 1993 with "Tell the Truth."
At the top of the charts, James Blunt earns his second No. 1 hit with "There She Goes Again." (His first on my charts was "1973"; "You're Beautiful" was a hit before the charts restarted in mid-2006.)
With such hits as the No. 1's "Everybody Hurts" (1993) and "Strange Currencies" (1995) and the No. 2's "Losing My Religion" (1991) and "Drive" (1992), R.E.M. was one of the top artists of the 1990s. The group hasn't been quite as active in the past decade, but it returns to the charts with "It Happened Today" at No. 40. That's from the band's latest CD, "Collapse Into Now." It's the first chart hit for R.E.M. in about three years, since "Supernatural Superserious" went to No. 21.
As active as R.E.M. was in the '90s, the group at No. 39 was the past decade. Lifehouse didn't connect on my charts with the song that ruled Billboard's Hot 100 in 2001, "Hanging by a Moment." But the band made up for that with a strong run the past five years, including three No. 1's: "First Time" in 2007, "Whatever It Takes" in 2008 and "It Is What It Is" last year. "Falling In," which debuts this week, is the latest Lifehouse hit co-written by another strong pop/rock act of the 1990s, Jude Cole. As a solo singer, Cole hit the Top 10 five times in a row between 1990 and 1993, including No. 1 in 1990 with "Time for Letting Go" and in 1993 with "Tell the Truth."
At the top of the charts, James Blunt earns his second No. 1 hit with "There She Goes Again." (His first on my charts was "1973"; "You're Beautiful" was a hit before the charts restarted in mid-2006.)
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Week of March 13
Here are the highlights of a tight chart week:
Her first No. 1: Canadian soul singer Melanie Fiona earns the first charttopper of her career as "Gone and Never Coming Back" moves 3-1. She made her chart debut last year as a guest artist on John Legend's remake of "Wake Up Everybody." Fiona is the fourth artist in 2011 to earn that first No. 1, following Neon Trees, Ricky Martin and Joss Stone.
Trying for four in a row: Fiona is also a guest artist on the remix of Cee-Lo Green's "Fool for You" (which falls 5-10 this week in its original album version). Green has had a heck of a year, and he shows no signs of stopping as "Bright Lights Bigger City" is the week's biggest mover. It's up 33-26. Since last autumn, the soul singer has gone to No. 1 with "Fool for You," "Forget You" and his duet with Fantasia, "The Thrill Is Gone."
Other contenders: These artists show signs of having future Top 10 hits: pop-rockers Runner Runner, up 30-25 with "Hey Alli," country duo Thompson Square, moving 34-30 with "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not?" and the duo of Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull, with the week's only debut, "On the Floor," at No. 39. It's Pitbull's third guest appearance in six months, following concurrent hits with Enrique Iglesias and Usher. Lopez marks her first appearance in the Top 40 since "Do It Well" hit No. 28 in 2007.
Her first No. 1: Canadian soul singer Melanie Fiona earns the first charttopper of her career as "Gone and Never Coming Back" moves 3-1. She made her chart debut last year as a guest artist on John Legend's remake of "Wake Up Everybody." Fiona is the fourth artist in 2011 to earn that first No. 1, following Neon Trees, Ricky Martin and Joss Stone.
Trying for four in a row: Fiona is also a guest artist on the remix of Cee-Lo Green's "Fool for You" (which falls 5-10 this week in its original album version). Green has had a heck of a year, and he shows no signs of stopping as "Bright Lights Bigger City" is the week's biggest mover. It's up 33-26. Since last autumn, the soul singer has gone to No. 1 with "Fool for You," "Forget You" and his duet with Fantasia, "The Thrill Is Gone."
Other contenders: These artists show signs of having future Top 10 hits: pop-rockers Runner Runner, up 30-25 with "Hey Alli," country duo Thompson Square, moving 34-30 with "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not?" and the duo of Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull, with the week's only debut, "On the Floor," at No. 39. It's Pitbull's third guest appearance in six months, following concurrent hits with Enrique Iglesias and Usher. Lopez marks her first appearance in the Top 40 since "Do It Well" hit No. 28 in 2007.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Week of March 6
As is often the case, a week light on debuts (this past week, with one new song) is followed by a week heavy on debuts. Seven songs enter the Top 40 -- the most in one week since Nov. 7 of last year. (Interestingly, two of the songs that entered that week, "The Best Thing About Me Is You" from Ricky Martin and Joss Stone and "Just the One (I've Been Looking For)" from Huey Lewis and the News, just dropped out this week.) The seven span a variety of genres, from the R&B of Cee-Lo Green and Marsha Ambrosius to the country of Thompson Square to the alternative rock of Florence + The Machine to the straight-up pop of Christina Perri, Chris Medina and Beady Eye.
While he ends his four-week No. 1 run with "Fool for You," now No. 5, Green looks to follow it up with the week's highest debut, "Bright Lights Bigger City" at No. 33. It's his third hit from the CD "The Lady Killer." Right above "Lights" is Green's Grammy duet partner, Gwyneth Paltrow, moving 38-32 with "Me and Tennessee" from the soundtrack of "Country Strong."
Speaking of country, debuting at No. 34 is the country crossover hit "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not?" It's the first chart hit for husband and wife Keifer and Shawna Thompson, known as Thompson Square. The duo has been the opening act for Jason Aldean, the artist who is earning his own chart success with his duet with Kelly Clarkson, "Don't You Wanna Stay?" (up 16-13 this week).
Thompson Square is one of six artists debuting for the first time in the Top 40 this week. Recent "American Idol" castoff Chris Medina enters at No. 36 with "What Are Words," singer-songwriter Christina Perri enters at No. 38 with "Jar of Hearts" and Grammy nominee Florence + The Machine debuts at No. 39 with "Hardest of Hearts."
Beady Eye, the group at No. 37 with "The Beat Goes On," is made up of several former members of the British rock group Oasis. And Marsha Ambrosius, originally from Liverpool, England, was half of the R&B duo Floetry. Her solo debut, "Hope She Cheats on You (With a Basketball Player)," enters at No. 40.
While he ends his four-week No. 1 run with "Fool for You," now No. 5, Green looks to follow it up with the week's highest debut, "Bright Lights Bigger City" at No. 33. It's his third hit from the CD "The Lady Killer." Right above "Lights" is Green's Grammy duet partner, Gwyneth Paltrow, moving 38-32 with "Me and Tennessee" from the soundtrack of "Country Strong."
Speaking of country, debuting at No. 34 is the country crossover hit "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not?" It's the first chart hit for husband and wife Keifer and Shawna Thompson, known as Thompson Square. The duo has been the opening act for Jason Aldean, the artist who is earning his own chart success with his duet with Kelly Clarkson, "Don't You Wanna Stay?" (up 16-13 this week).
Thompson Square is one of six artists debuting for the first time in the Top 40 this week. Recent "American Idol" castoff Chris Medina enters at No. 36 with "What Are Words," singer-songwriter Christina Perri enters at No. 38 with "Jar of Hearts" and Grammy nominee Florence + The Machine debuts at No. 39 with "Hardest of Hearts."
Beady Eye, the group at No. 37 with "The Beat Goes On," is made up of several former members of the British rock group Oasis. And Marsha Ambrosius, originally from Liverpool, England, was half of the R&B duo Floetry. Her solo debut, "Hope She Cheats on You (With a Basketball Player)," enters at No. 40.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Week of February 27
After a few weeks of hot chart action, this week's chart cools down a bit, with only one debut, giving a chance to take a look at some potentially overlooked stories on the chart.
Slow climber: The only new song in the Top 10 this week is Sunshine Anderson's "A Warning for the Heart," moving 11-10 in its 16th week on the survey. That's the slowest climb into the Top 10 since the weekly charts resumed in 2006. Tim McGraw's "Southern Voice" and Moby's "Disco Lies" each hit the Top 10 in 14 weeks. Anderson earns her third Top 10 hit with this song; her debut hit, "Heard It All Before," went to No. 1 in 2001, and later that year, she followed up with a guest appearance on Macy Gray's "Don't Come Around" (No. 5, two weeks).
Biggest "Fool": Cee-Lo Green has his biggest chart hit yet with "Fool for You," which hangs in at the top for a fourth straight week. His previous best came in 2000, when his collaboration with Lauryn Hill and Santana, "Do You Like the Way?" went to No. 1 for three weeks. Here's a look at the 10 biggest "Fools" in this chart's history:
1) "Fool for You," Cee-Lo Green (No. 1, four weeks to date, 2011).
2) "Fool If You Think It's Over," Chris Rea (No. 1, three weeks, 1978).
3) "Maybe I'm a Fool," Eddie Money (No. 1, one week, 1979).
4) "Who'll Be the Fool Tonight?" Larsen-Feiten Band (No. 2, 1980).
5) "What a Fool Believes," Doobie Brothers (No. 3, 1979).
6) "Everybody Plays the Fool," Aaron Neville (No. 5, three weeks, 1991).
7) "Only the Fools Survive," Donna Summer/Mickey Thomas (No. 5, one week, 1988).
8) "What Kind of Fool?" Barbra Streisand/Barry Gibb (No. 8, three weeks, 1981).
9) "What Kind of Fool Am I?" Rick Springfield (No. 10, two weeks, 1982).
10) "Fool for You Anyway," Foreigner (No. 11, two weeks, 2010).
Quite a collaborative week: Superstar collaborations make up more than a quarter of this week's Top 40, from Dave Koz and Herb Alpert at No. 3 to Elton John and Leon Russell at No. 40. Particularly adept are Ricky Martin and the late Michael Jackson. Each has two collaborations in the survey -- Martin teams with Wisín & Yandel for "Frio" (No. 36) and Joss Stone on "The Best Thing About Me Is You" (No. 37), while Jackson partners with Akon on "Hold My Hand" (No. 34) and Lenny Kravitz on "(I Can't Make It) Another Day" (No. 14).
Caliente, in any language: With separate Spanish-language and English-language hits on the chart, Ricky Martin becomes the first artist to have concurrent Top 40 hits in different languages. The last artist to earn a Top 40 hit in Spanish was Nelly Furtado; she went to No. 11 in 2009 with "Más." Though she had an English hit earlier in the year with James Morrison on "Broken Strings," and later in the year with Timbaland and SoShy on "Morning After Dark," neither of those songs crossed over the chart run of "Más."
Perry's streak: This week, Katy Perry tops her previous best of consecutive Top 20 hits. In 2008-09, she scored three Top 20 songs from "One of the Boys." This week, "Teenage Dream" spins off its fourth consecutive Top 20 hit as "Not Like the Movies" moves 30-18. That joins "California Gurls," "Teenage Dream" and "Firework" as Top 20 hits for Perry.
Slow climber: The only new song in the Top 10 this week is Sunshine Anderson's "A Warning for the Heart," moving 11-10 in its 16th week on the survey. That's the slowest climb into the Top 10 since the weekly charts resumed in 2006. Tim McGraw's "Southern Voice" and Moby's "Disco Lies" each hit the Top 10 in 14 weeks. Anderson earns her third Top 10 hit with this song; her debut hit, "Heard It All Before," went to No. 1 in 2001, and later that year, she followed up with a guest appearance on Macy Gray's "Don't Come Around" (No. 5, two weeks).
Biggest "Fool": Cee-Lo Green has his biggest chart hit yet with "Fool for You," which hangs in at the top for a fourth straight week. His previous best came in 2000, when his collaboration with Lauryn Hill and Santana, "Do You Like the Way?" went to No. 1 for three weeks. Here's a look at the 10 biggest "Fools" in this chart's history:
1) "Fool for You," Cee-Lo Green (No. 1, four weeks to date, 2011).
2) "Fool If You Think It's Over," Chris Rea (No. 1, three weeks, 1978).
3) "Maybe I'm a Fool," Eddie Money (No. 1, one week, 1979).
4) "Who'll Be the Fool Tonight?" Larsen-Feiten Band (No. 2, 1980).
5) "What a Fool Believes," Doobie Brothers (No. 3, 1979).
6) "Everybody Plays the Fool," Aaron Neville (No. 5, three weeks, 1991).
7) "Only the Fools Survive," Donna Summer/Mickey Thomas (No. 5, one week, 1988).
8) "What Kind of Fool?" Barbra Streisand/Barry Gibb (No. 8, three weeks, 1981).
9) "What Kind of Fool Am I?" Rick Springfield (No. 10, two weeks, 1982).
10) "Fool for You Anyway," Foreigner (No. 11, two weeks, 2010).
Quite a collaborative week: Superstar collaborations make up more than a quarter of this week's Top 40, from Dave Koz and Herb Alpert at No. 3 to Elton John and Leon Russell at No. 40. Particularly adept are Ricky Martin and the late Michael Jackson. Each has two collaborations in the survey -- Martin teams with Wisín & Yandel for "Frio" (No. 36) and Joss Stone on "The Best Thing About Me Is You" (No. 37), while Jackson partners with Akon on "Hold My Hand" (No. 34) and Lenny Kravitz on "(I Can't Make It) Another Day" (No. 14).
Caliente, in any language: With separate Spanish-language and English-language hits on the chart, Ricky Martin becomes the first artist to have concurrent Top 40 hits in different languages. The last artist to earn a Top 40 hit in Spanish was Nelly Furtado; she went to No. 11 in 2009 with "Más." Though she had an English hit earlier in the year with James Morrison on "Broken Strings," and later in the year with Timbaland and SoShy on "Morning After Dark," neither of those songs crossed over the chart run of "Más."
Perry's streak: This week, Katy Perry tops her previous best of consecutive Top 20 hits. In 2008-09, she scored three Top 20 songs from "One of the Boys." This week, "Teenage Dream" spins off its fourth consecutive Top 20 hit as "Not Like the Movies" moves 30-18. That joins "California Gurls," "Teenage Dream" and "Firework" as Top 20 hits for Perry.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Week of February 20
Lots of dramatic action this week, with three songs falling out of the Top 10 and plunging 20 positions or more, and two of their successors leaping from outside the Top 20. Meanwhile, Ricky Martin and Tim McGraw double up on this week's chart with debut follow-ups to recent smashes.
Martin's first all-Spanish hit to chart, the radio remix of "Frio" featuring Wisin & Yandel, enters at No. 39. Checking in a couple of notches higher is his recent No. 1 duet with Joss Stone, "The Best Thing About Me Is You."
McGraw also has a hit duet, as his soundtrack contribution to the movie "Country Strong," "Me and Tennessee," enters at No. 40. McGraw's co-star, Gwyneth Paltrow, is his duet partner. His former No. 2 hit, "Felt Good on My Lips," drops 11-29 in its 16th chart week.
Though the top three songs hold this week (and Cee-Lo Green's "Fool for You" earns its third week at No. 1), look for a big chart fight in the weeks to come, as five songs in this week's Top 10 move at least five positions up the survey: Melanie Fiona's "Gone and Never Coming Back" (9-4), James Blunt's "There She Goes Again" (10-5), Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" (15-7), Darius Rucker's "Southern State of Mind" (24-8) and Nikki Yanofsky's live version of "Never Make It on Time" (23-9). Not far from the Top 10 is another big mover, Michael Jackson and Lenny Kravitz's "(I Can't Make It) Another Day," up 30-15.
Martin's first all-Spanish hit to chart, the radio remix of "Frio" featuring Wisin & Yandel, enters at No. 39. Checking in a couple of notches higher is his recent No. 1 duet with Joss Stone, "The Best Thing About Me Is You."
McGraw also has a hit duet, as his soundtrack contribution to the movie "Country Strong," "Me and Tennessee," enters at No. 40. McGraw's co-star, Gwyneth Paltrow, is his duet partner. His former No. 2 hit, "Felt Good on My Lips," drops 11-29 in its 16th chart week.
Though the top three songs hold this week (and Cee-Lo Green's "Fool for You" earns its third week at No. 1), look for a big chart fight in the weeks to come, as five songs in this week's Top 10 move at least five positions up the survey: Melanie Fiona's "Gone and Never Coming Back" (9-4), James Blunt's "There She Goes Again" (10-5), Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" (15-7), Darius Rucker's "Southern State of Mind" (24-8) and Nikki Yanofsky's live version of "Never Make It on Time" (23-9). Not far from the Top 10 is another big mover, Michael Jackson and Lenny Kravitz's "(I Can't Make It) Another Day," up 30-15.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Week of February 13
Although the No. 1 song stays the same this week, lots of chart action in lower positions suggests a strong battle for the top in the near future. Moving more than five positions up this week's chart are the Zac Brown Band's "Colder Weather" (8-2), Melanie Fiona's "Gone and Never Coming Back" (21-9), James Blunt's "There She Goes Again" (26-10), Darius Rucker's "Southern State of Mind" (35-24) and Michael Jackson/Lenny Kravitz's "(I Can't Make It) Another Day" (36-30).
Among the debuts this week is "When You're Young," the first Top 40 hit for 3 Doors Down since "It's Not My Time" went to No. 23 in 2008. The group, originally from Mississippi, bubbled under with "Kryptonite" in 2000 but broke through the next year with "Be Like That" (No. 13 for three weeks in 2001).
Colbie Caillat enters one notch above 3 Doors Down, with "I Do" at No. 39. It's the first single from her third album; we'll see whether it follows the No. 1 trails of "Bubbly" and "Fallin' for You," the debut singles from Caillat's first two albums.
And Katy Perry has the final of this week's new entries. "Not Like the Movies" at No. 38 marks her first ballad hit after a string of midtempo and uptempo hits.
Among the debuts this week is "When You're Young," the first Top 40 hit for 3 Doors Down since "It's Not My Time" went to No. 23 in 2008. The group, originally from Mississippi, bubbled under with "Kryptonite" in 2000 but broke through the next year with "Be Like That" (No. 13 for three weeks in 2001).
Colbie Caillat enters one notch above 3 Doors Down, with "I Do" at No. 39. It's the first single from her third album; we'll see whether it follows the No. 1 trails of "Bubbly" and "Fallin' for You," the debut singles from Caillat's first two albums.
And Katy Perry has the final of this week's new entries. "Not Like the Movies" at No. 38 marks her first ballad hit after a string of midtempo and uptempo hits.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Week of February 6
Songs make their way up the chart in a variety of ways. Take the two songs entering this week's Top 10. Jazmine Sullivan's "10 Seconds" has been a chart "sleeper," taking 10 weeks of mostly one- or two-notch moves before breaking through this week and sprinting 16-9. That becomes her first Top 10 since her No. 1 debut hit, "Bust Your Windows." Meanwhile, the Zac Brown Band's "Colder Weather" leaps 27-8 in its third chart week, making it all the likelier to become the group's third consecutive No. 1 hit. "Free" and "As She's Walking Away" (the latter with Alan Jackson) topped the chart last year.
Another of the big chart movers this week is the new No. 1 song. Cee-Lo Green's "Fool for You" jumps 7-1, the biggest leap to the top since Rie Sinclair and Friends' "My Confession" moved 9-1 a little more than a year ago. This makes Green's third consecutive chart-topper, following "Forget You" and "The Thrill Is Gone," his guest spot with Fantasia.
Sullivan and Green are part of a wave of adult R&B songs storming the chart. Joining that wave is Melanie Fiona's "Gone and Never Coming Back," moving 26-21. Fiona's former collaborators on last year's remake of "Wake Up Everybody," John Legend and the Roots, enter at No. 39 with "Our Generation (The Hope of the World)" from their iTunes Live release.
Also debuting are Darius Rucker's "Southern State of Mind" at No. 35, the third hit from his "Charleston SC 1966" album, and Michael Jackson with his second consecutive duet hit. "(I Can't Make It) Another Day," featuring Lenny Kravitz, is from "Michael," the same album that yielded his recent No. 1 duet with Akon, "Hold My Hand." This marks the first chart appearance for Kravitz since "I'll Be Waiting" went to No. 2 in 2007.
Another of the big chart movers this week is the new No. 1 song. Cee-Lo Green's "Fool for You" jumps 7-1, the biggest leap to the top since Rie Sinclair and Friends' "My Confession" moved 9-1 a little more than a year ago. This makes Green's third consecutive chart-topper, following "Forget You" and "The Thrill Is Gone," his guest spot with Fantasia.
Sullivan and Green are part of a wave of adult R&B songs storming the chart. Joining that wave is Melanie Fiona's "Gone and Never Coming Back," moving 26-21. Fiona's former collaborators on last year's remake of "Wake Up Everybody," John Legend and the Roots, enter at No. 39 with "Our Generation (The Hope of the World)" from their iTunes Live release.
Also debuting are Darius Rucker's "Southern State of Mind" at No. 35, the third hit from his "Charleston SC 1966" album, and Michael Jackson with his second consecutive duet hit. "(I Can't Make It) Another Day," featuring Lenny Kravitz, is from "Michael," the same album that yielded his recent No. 1 duet with Akon, "Hold My Hand." This marks the first chart appearance for Kravitz since "I'll Be Waiting" went to No. 2 in 2007.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Week of January 30
Two debuts this week. "Mine Is Yours" at No. 39 is the first chart hit for the group Cold War Kids. And Peter Bjorn and John notch their third Top 40 single with "Second Chance" at No. 40, a song that shares the title of the 1989 hit for .38 Special and the hit in late 2009 for Shinedown.
Meanwhile, the week's new No. 1 also has a recycled title. "Hold My Hand" was the title of the breakthrough hit for Hootie and the Blowfish, a No. 1 single in 1994-95. Michael Jackson and Akon take a different composition with the same title to the top this week, Jackson's second posthumous No. 1. ("This Is It" was the first in late 2009.)
Songs to watch for future No. 1 contenders: Cee-Lo Green's "Fool for You" (14-7), Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" (26-19), Melanie Fiona's "Gone and Never Coming Back" (30-26), the Zac Brown Band's "Colder Weather" (35-27).
Meanwhile, the week's new No. 1 also has a recycled title. "Hold My Hand" was the title of the breakthrough hit for Hootie and the Blowfish, a No. 1 single in 1994-95. Michael Jackson and Akon take a different composition with the same title to the top this week, Jackson's second posthumous No. 1. ("This Is It" was the first in late 2009.)
Songs to watch for future No. 1 contenders: Cee-Lo Green's "Fool for You" (14-7), Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" (26-19), Melanie Fiona's "Gone and Never Coming Back" (30-26), the Zac Brown Band's "Colder Weather" (35-27).
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Week of January 23
Five debuts this week, anchored by contemporary Christian artist Brandon Heath at No. 40 with his first chart hit, "Leaving Eden." A much more veteran Christian singer-songwriter, Michael W. Smith, debuts two notches higher with "Wonder (Not Far Away)." That's his 15th song to hit the charts, including collaborations with Jim Brickman and with Stephen Curtis Chapman. ("I Will Be Your Friend" hit two separate times, in 2000 and last year.) "I Will Be Your Friend" is one of his two biggest hits on my charts, going to the top last spring; his other No. 1 was "Love Me Good" in 1998.
James Blunt notches his fourth chart hit with "There She Goes Again" while The Script follows "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" with "Walk Away." But the top debut belongs to the Zac Brown Band at No. 35. "Colder Weather" is the band's bid for a third consecutive No. 1 after the success of "Free" last summer and "As She's Walking Away," featuring Alan Jackson, in the fall.
Country artists did well this week, not only with the week's top new entry but also with the No. 1 and 2 songs. Rascal Flatts earns its first No. 1 pop hit with "I Won't Let Go," while Tim McGraw moves 3-2 with "Felt Good on My Lips." He first went to the top with "Please Remember Me" in 1999 and most recently in 2007 with "If You're Reading This."
James Blunt notches his fourth chart hit with "There She Goes Again" while The Script follows "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" with "Walk Away." But the top debut belongs to the Zac Brown Band at No. 35. "Colder Weather" is the band's bid for a third consecutive No. 1 after the success of "Free" last summer and "As She's Walking Away," featuring Alan Jackson, in the fall.
Country artists did well this week, not only with the week's top new entry but also with the No. 1 and 2 songs. Rascal Flatts earns its first No. 1 pop hit with "I Won't Let Go," while Tim McGraw moves 3-2 with "Felt Good on My Lips." He first went to the top with "Please Remember Me" in 1999 and most recently in 2007 with "If You're Reading This."
Friday, January 14, 2011
Week of January 16
Last week, the Top 10 was where the action was. This week, the action is from No. 11 down, with 4 debuts and 14 songs moving up at least four positions.
Of the debuts, the most "veteran" artist is Raphael Saadiq. Although his track record is only back to 2008 as a solo artist, his chart history with Tony! Toni! Tone! goes back to the early 1990s with such hits as the 1993 No. 1 "If I Had No Loot." "Radio," at No. 40, follows three hits from his "The Way I See It" CD.
The remaining debuts come from artists who made their first chart splash last year. Brendan James replaces himself, as "Your Beating Heart" at No. 39 comes in while the former No. 1 "The Lucky Ones" falls out. Nikki Yanofsky, who went to the top with "Cool My Heels," takes the live version of "Never Make It on Time" to No. 35 this week. And R&B singer Melanie Fiona, who sang background on John Legend's remake of "Wake Up Everybody," hits solo with "Gone and Never Coming Back," the week's highest debut at No. 34.
Leaping 22-11 is Dave Koz with his remake of "This Guy's in Love With You," featuring the artist who originally scored a hit with it, Herb Alpert. Should it rise another notch next week, it will become Koz's first Top 10 hit.
And at the top of the charts, "The Best Thing About Me Is You" holds for a second week. It's the biggest hit for either singer, Ricky Martin or Joss Stone. Martin went to No. 10 in 1999 with "Livin' la Vida Loca." Stone hit No. 12 last year with "Free Me."
Of the debuts, the most "veteran" artist is Raphael Saadiq. Although his track record is only back to 2008 as a solo artist, his chart history with Tony! Toni! Tone! goes back to the early 1990s with such hits as the 1993 No. 1 "If I Had No Loot." "Radio," at No. 40, follows three hits from his "The Way I See It" CD.
The remaining debuts come from artists who made their first chart splash last year. Brendan James replaces himself, as "Your Beating Heart" at No. 39 comes in while the former No. 1 "The Lucky Ones" falls out. Nikki Yanofsky, who went to the top with "Cool My Heels," takes the live version of "Never Make It on Time" to No. 35 this week. And R&B singer Melanie Fiona, who sang background on John Legend's remake of "Wake Up Everybody," hits solo with "Gone and Never Coming Back," the week's highest debut at No. 34.
Leaping 22-11 is Dave Koz with his remake of "This Guy's in Love With You," featuring the artist who originally scored a hit with it, Herb Alpert. Should it rise another notch next week, it will become Koz's first Top 10 hit.
And at the top of the charts, "The Best Thing About Me Is You" holds for a second week. It's the biggest hit for either singer, Ricky Martin or Joss Stone. Martin went to No. 10 in 1999 with "Livin' la Vida Loca." Stone hit No. 12 last year with "Free Me."
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Week of January 9
Only one newcomer to the Top 40 this week, but it's an interesting collaboration between two hot groups: country-pop trio Lady Antebellum and pop/rock combo Maroon 5. "Out of Goodbyes," at No. 40, is Maroon 5's follow-up to "Misery," a No. 1 from last year, while Lady Antebellum is coming off back-to-back No. 1 hits in "Need You Now" and "Our Kind of Love."
Though the bottom of the chart is moving slowly this week, that's not the case with the Top 10. Five songs leap into the upper reaches of the charts, led by Huey Lewis and the News' "Just the One (I've Been Looking For)," moving 13-6 to become the group's first Top 10 hit since 1991. That's when "It Hit Me Like a Hammer" went to No. 10. Huey Lewis and the News went to No. 1 five times in the 1980s, with the biggest hit being their first, "Do You Believe in Love?" (No. 1 for four weeks in 1982).
By moving 11-7 with "Never Too Old (To Hold Somebody)," Elton John adds Leon Russell to his long streak of hit duet partners. Elton has gone to the Top 10 in collaborations with George Michael, P.M. Dawn, Bruce Roberts, Collective Soul, Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Kiki Dee, Nik Kershaw and Lady GaGa. (He's also gone Top 20 with Eric Clapton, Jennifer Rush and LeAnn Rimes.)
Bruce Springsteen's "Spanish Eyes," moving 12-8, becomes his second ocular Top 10. "Sad Eyes" went to No. 4 in 1999.
"Teenage Dream" is the first Top 10 hit for the Glee Cast, moving 14-9. Katy Perry's original spent nine weeks in the Top 10 from August through October, with three of those weeks at No. 1.
And Neon Trees puts two songs in the Top 10, with "Wish List" moving 20-10 to join the former No. 1 "Animal," now at No. 2. The last artist to score concurrent Top 10 hits was Cee-Lo Green, with "Forget You" and his collaboration with Fantasia, "The Thrill Is Gone," in November.
Though the bottom of the chart is moving slowly this week, that's not the case with the Top 10. Five songs leap into the upper reaches of the charts, led by Huey Lewis and the News' "Just the One (I've Been Looking For)," moving 13-6 to become the group's first Top 10 hit since 1991. That's when "It Hit Me Like a Hammer" went to No. 10. Huey Lewis and the News went to No. 1 five times in the 1980s, with the biggest hit being their first, "Do You Believe in Love?" (No. 1 for four weeks in 1982).
By moving 11-7 with "Never Too Old (To Hold Somebody)," Elton John adds Leon Russell to his long streak of hit duet partners. Elton has gone to the Top 10 in collaborations with George Michael, P.M. Dawn, Bruce Roberts, Collective Soul, Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Kiki Dee, Nik Kershaw and Lady GaGa. (He's also gone Top 20 with Eric Clapton, Jennifer Rush and LeAnn Rimes.)
Bruce Springsteen's "Spanish Eyes," moving 12-8, becomes his second ocular Top 10. "Sad Eyes" went to No. 4 in 1999.
"Teenage Dream" is the first Top 10 hit for the Glee Cast, moving 14-9. Katy Perry's original spent nine weeks in the Top 10 from August through October, with three of those weeks at No. 1.
And Neon Trees puts two songs in the Top 10, with "Wish List" moving 20-10 to join the former No. 1 "Animal," now at No. 2. The last artist to score concurrent Top 10 hits was Cee-Lo Green, with "Forget You" and his collaboration with Fantasia, "The Thrill Is Gone," in November.
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