Thursday, November 04, 2010

Billboard Hot 100, November 13, 2010


1. We R Who We R - Ke$ha

Female pop singer Ke$ha makes her best effort yet to step outside Lady Gaga's shadow with her new single, "We R Who We R," which debuts at #1 on the Hot 100 this week. Like Gaga, Ke$ha is coming out with an EP, Cannibal, that will be available by itself or with her album, Animal. So "We R Who We R" is basically her "Bad Romance," and although it may not be readily apparent, Ke$ha has said it's her response to the recent slate of gay teen suicides--a call to be yourself. "We R Who We R" is Ke$ha's second #1 hit this year, making her the fifth artist this year to score a second chart-topper (after Eminem, Rihanna, Katy Perry and Bruno Mars). It's also her sixth top 10 hit this year.

4. Only Girl (in the World) - Rihanna
5. Just a Dream - Nelly

These two singles, once #1 hopefuls, are looking less likely to top the chart now. Although still bulleted, they both slip a notch this week. "Only Girl" in particular is likely to be eclipsed by Rihanna's new single, "What's My Name," which is currently #1 at iTunes.

11. Whip My Hair - Willow

Whoa! Where did this come from? I've never even heard of this. So I looked it up. Willow is only 10 years old. She's Willow Smith, the daughter of actor and hip-hop artist Will Smith and actress Jada Pinkett Smith. "Whip My Hair" is her first single. Did I mention she's only 10 years old? Remember when Christina Aguilera's "Come on Over Baby" was a #1 hit? That was the week Willow was born.

17. Sparks Fly - Taylor Swift
(21. Mine - Taylor Swift)
(27. Innocent - Taylor Swift)
(41. The Story of Us - Taylor Swift)
(54. Dear John - Taylor Swift)
(56. Better than Revenge - Taylor Swift)
(63. Haunted - Taylor Swift)
(71. Last Kiss - Taylor Swift)
(75. Enchanted - Taylor Swift)
(84. Never Give Up - Taylor Swift)
(85. Long Live - Taylor Swift)

With the release of Taylor Swift's new album, Speak Now, fans had the opportunity to either buy the whole thing or cherry-pick individual tracks. And cherry pick they did! Enough to send 10 new entries into the Hot 100. In addition to current single "Mine" at #21, that gives Swift 11 titles on the Hot 100 this week, the most ever in one frame by a female artist. The record is held by The Beatles, who ones had 14 songs on the Hot 100. Since the remaining three tracks from the 14-track album have already charted as promotional singles, every track on Speak Now has appeared on the singles chart. That's pretty cool. This week's tally gives Swift 39 total appearances on the Hot 100, putting her 9th among female artists with the most Hot 100 titles (tied with Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, and Janet Jackson).

18. Monster - Kanye West (feat. Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Bon Iver and Nicki Minaj)

Still searching for a big hit to launch his new album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, West tries a third time with "Monster." He hit #22 with "Power," but it lacked staying power. "Runaway" hit #12, but still hasn't generated much airplay. We'll see if this does the trick.

29. Firework - Katy Perry

Katy Perry scores her third top 40 hit from Teenage Dream and 8th top 40 hit overall, as "Firework" climbs 28 spots to #29.

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