Saturday, March 11, 2006

US Chart Analysis, 3/18/2006

Billboard Hot 100:

1. So Sick - Ne-Yo

Ne-Yo makes a big jump up 8 to #1 this week with "So Sick," after finally being released in iTunes so it could get digital sales. This is Ne-Yo's first top 40 hit. It's a love song that purports to be "so sick" of love songs. It's a pretty, tuneful, soulful song. Ne-Yo knocks James Blunt's "You're Beautiful" from #1 after just 1 week at the top.

2. Temperature - Seal Paul

Sean Paul earns the Airplay Gainer award this week, rising 1 spot to #2, surely angry that Ne-Yo leaped over him to reach #1.

4. Be Without You - Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige continues to climb within the top 10 with "Be Without You," however, she's still below her initial peak of #3.

9. Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It - Dem Franchize Boyz

Spellling-challenged Dem Franchize Boyz score their first top 10 hit with "Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It," up 2 to #9.

14. Bad Day - Daniel Powter

Daniel Powter earns the Sales Gainer award this week with "Bad Day," up 15 spots to #14. Look for the Canadian singer, already a hit in Europe, to be top 10 next week.

35. Always on Your Side - Sheryl Crow & Sting

Sheryl Crow's had a time of it lately. Breast cancer. Breaking up with Lance Armstrong. "Always on Your Side," a slow track from her album Wildflowers, gets a lift with more radio-friendly production and the addition of Sting, to make it a great single from Crow. It debuts in the top 40 (and the hot 100) at #35 this week.

39. Tonight I Wanna Cry - Keith Urban

Australia country singer Keith Urban, currently beau of Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman, scores his 10th top 40 hit with "Tonight I Wanna Cry," up 7 to #39. Urban has had 7 #1 hits on the Country chart, where "Tonight I Wanna Cry" is currently #4.

Billboard 200:

Not content with just topping the singles chart, Ne-Yo's debut album, In My Own Words, also tops the album chart in its first week of release. Ne-Yo leads of trio of top 10 debuts. At #3 is Hawthorne Heights with If Only You Were Lonely and Alan Jackson debuts at #4 with Precious Memories. Also worth noting is that the Kelly Clarkson's bubble seems to finally have burst; Breakaway dives 12 spots this week to #26, its lowest chart position in its 66-week run.

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