Billboard Hot 100, November 28, 2009

1. Empire State of Mind - Jay-Z Featuring Alicia Keys

Jay-Z summits the Hot 100 for the first time as the lead performer with "Empire State of Mind," the lovely second single from The Blueprint 3. The single features female R&B singer Alicia Keys, earning her fourth #1 hit. Jay-Z has topped the chart three time previously as a featured rapper--all for very prominent female artists: with Mariah Carey in 1999 on "Heartbreaker," his wife Beyonce in 2003 on "Crazy in Love" and in 2007 with Rihanna on "Umbrella." This is the 7th week in a row that the Hot 100's #1 single has been something different than the previous week, a rate of turnover unseen since the advent of the Soundscan era in late 1991. The last time there was such a stretch was in the latter half of 1990, a 7-week period beginning with Nelson's "Cant Live Without Your (Love and Affection)" and ending with Mariah Carey's "Love Takes Time," which spent 3 consecutive weeks at #1. In 1989 there was an 8-week stretch beginning with Michael Damian's "Rock On" and ending with Martika's "Toy Soldiers."

5. Need You Now - Lady Antebellum

Last week's Country Music Awards (CMA) had quite the impact on the Hot 100 this week--a rare showing for country, the Hot 100's 4th-place genre after R&B, pop and rock. Lady Antebellum was one of the evening's big winners, picking up single of the year (for "I Run to You") and best vocal group. "Need You Now" is the group's newest single and first to be in the top 10.

10. Tik Tok - Ke$ha

Ke$ha lands her first top 10 solo hit. I think I already mentioned she was #1 earlier this year as a guest on Flo Rida's "Right Round."

26. Fifteen - Taylor Swift

Nice jump for Taylor Swift's "Fifteen," up 12 to #26 (but wouldn't a 15-spot jump have been nice? Maybe it will land on #15 at some point).

31. Defying Gravity - Glee Cast featuring Chris Colfer and Lea Michele

Glee scores its 6th top 40 hit with "Defying Gravity," the subject of a diva-off between Kurt (Chris Colfer) and Rachel (Lea Michele). Rachel won the contest when Kurt failed to hit the song's high note. The album version is actually different than what appeared on the show, as the song has been re-arranged to be a duet (and Kurt doesn't miss that note). Fun fact: Broadway star and Glee guest star Kristin Chenoweth sang this song as part of the cast of Wicked. Hopefully something from this week's Glee will appear in the top 40 next week--Rachel's disco-ey version of Jennifer Paige's "Crush?" Finn's goofy rendition of "You're Having My Baby" or, better, his version of The Pretenders' "I'll Stand By You?" Rachel and Mr. Schuester's lovely yet creepy "Endless Love?" or perhaps the full-cast finale of "Lean on Me?"

32. I'm Alive - Kenny Chesney feat. Dave Matthews
35. Do I - Luke Bryan
38. White Liar - Miranda Lambert
39. Consider Me Gone - Reba

Just look at all that country music. Perhaps the music industry just needs a few more awards shows.