Saturday, March 04, 2006

US Chart Analysis, 3/10/2006

Billboard Hot 100:

1. You're Beautiful - James Blunt
8. Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield

There's a new #1 this week--the first British artist to top the US singles chart in 8 years. James Blunt ascends to the top with his first single, "You're Beautiful," a classic pop/rock ballad about lost love that spent 5 weeks at #1 in Britain last summer. Last time a Brit was #1 on this chart was Elton John in 1997 with his tribute to Princess Diana, "Candle in the Wind 1997." Although it took about 8 months for Blunt to catch on (he had previously released 2 singles that failed to make the top 40), once he did, he was huge. His album Back to Bedlam, currently in the top 10 and rising in the US, was the top-selling album in Britain last year. "You're Beautiful" ends the 5 week run at #1 for Beyonce's "Check on it." Blunt, along with Natasha Bedingfield (up 1 to #8 this week with "Unwritten") are leading the way for a resurgence in popularity in US. Sugababes anyone?

3. Temperature - Sean Paul

Sean Paul is up 1 to #3 this week with "Temperature," which earns this week's airplay gainer award. The track is Paul's highest-charting solo hit since his #1 "Get Busy" in 2003.

10. Everytime We Touch - Cascada

Cascada earns the sales gainer award and climbs 6 places to land in the top 10 with "Everytime We Touch," a high-energy House track in the vein of last year's DHT remake of "Listen to Your Heart."

29. Bad Day - Daniel Powter

Canadian artist Daniel Powter has the highest top 40 entry (up 12 from #41) with "Bad Day." The single was a big hit in the UK last year, spending 3 weeks at #2 (and 4 wks @ #1 on the airplay chart). I really like the clever video, which is the first example I've seen of graffiti flirting. Very cute.

31. Beep - The Pussycat Dolls Featuring Will.I.Am

The Pussycat Dolls score their 3rd top 40 this week with "Beep," up 19 from #50. Although decidedly weaker than "Don't Cha" or "Stickwitu," it's still pretty fun. Although I gets compared to Black Eyed Peas' "My Humps," I like it much better.

37. Who Says You Can't Come Home - Bon Jovi

Here's a real chart veteran. Bon Jovi enters the top 40 at #37 (up from #54) with "Who Says You Can't Come Home," their first top 40 hit in 6 years. Their 22-year chart career began in 1984 with "Runaway," which peaked at only 39. It was their third album, Slippery When Wet, that made them household names and gave them 2 #1 hits, "You Give Love a Bad Name" and "Livin' on a Prayer." This new track is their 20th top 40 hit, and the last since "It's My Life" hit #33 in 2000.

Billboard 200

Over on the albums chart, High School Musical finally ascends to #1, a move we dreaded but which seemed inevitable. Also dreadful is the #2 debut of Kidz Bop 9, the popular series that takes bad remakes of popular songs and adds kid voices to the choruses. Good news at #5 though for James Blunt's Back to Bedlam, which moves up 3 to reach a new peak. Hot new Brit act Arctic Monkeys debut at #24 with Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not.

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