– Folks, despite the burnout that we all may be experiencing out here in the blogosphere over Ms GaGa, “Just Dance” FINALLY secures hit status. It is #1 most added at Pop Radio this week, among the most increased played tracks of the week, and is the top debut on the Pop chart at #34. While the odds of this record going #1 are slim, since some stations have been on the record for a while, I would guess this one’s going Top 10 at the minimum. On the Hot 100, the track takes a big jump from 49 to 27. The full-length “The Fame” arrives in the U.S. at #17, with 24,000 units. That’s actually a pretty decent debut for a brand-new artist without a fully established hit.
– Speaking of the album chart, AC/DC remain at #1 with “Black Ice”, P!nk scores her highest debut yet with “Funhouse” at #2 (although she sold more her opening week of “Missundaztood”). At first, it looked like it might be a lower debut, as iTunes never showed the album higher than #4, but her sales were split between a standard release and a Deluxe Edition. Other notables include John Legend at #4, Snow Patrol at #9, the Cure at #16, and Bloc Party at #18. Country music gets back-to-back debuts at #5 and 6 with Toby Keith and Rascal Flatts.
– T.I. once again has the #1 single on the Hot 100, but we’re back to “Live Your Life” with Rihanna. This is getting as annoying as trying to get through a revolving door that a couple of bratty kids keep going around and around and around. “Whatever You Like” is at 2, “So What” moves back up to 3, “Hot N Cold” inches up to 4, and Beyonce drops to #5 with “If I Were A Boy”.
– Ms Knowles’s “Single Ladies” continues to push through the chart, up another 12 spots to #44. Other notable moves on the Hot 100 include John Legend’s “Green Light” finally shifting into drive and moving 47 – 31, and Brandy makes a move for relevance, as “Right Here (Departed)” moves 63 – 53. Her “Human” CD has been pushed back to December, but it looks like she might actually have a hit single to help promote it. I still don’t get the appeal of Jazmine Sullivan, but her second release “Bust Your Windows” also climbs 10 spots to #48.
– In one last bit of chart news, Rihanna debuts at #37 on the Pop radio chart with “Rehab”, while the group Rehab drop one spot to #39 with “Bartender Song”. Which only proves that I am, as you already suspected, a chart geek. In the immortal words of Casey Kasem, “keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars.”
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Pop Music Notes 
Hey just discovered your blog v cool!
Is “Green Light” still the John Legend single being pushed? Great song, but it’s taking a little while to take off, no? Well, still quicker than “Just Dance,” I guess. Have you heard the album? I’m not sure whether to get it or not.
“Rehab” is infinitely better than “Take A Bow” (for me)–I would’ve much rather been forced to listen to that on the radios all summer.
Oh, wow, I’ve only just remembered that you said the whole album was great–I knew I’d heard it that from somewhere. OK, put it on the to get list for next Tuesday…
Ooo Casey Kasem. I loved his “should’ve been a top ten hit” feature. You should do that too. Please 🙂
Lady G’s album does come in quite respectably after being leaked (lewdly) all over the inna’nets. I wonder how much steam the single’s going to have since it’s been on the chart forever it seems? In any event, “Just Dance” is probably the best song other than the title track so perhaps Top 10 is not so crazy, eh?
I can’t help but think that Lady GaGa’s album would have done MUCH better if it would have been released many months ago; as planned. Especially after they know it leaks, I wonder what makes them wait so long to finally release it? Oh well, I BOUGHT IT!
Aidan, thanks so much! Glad you found us, and I’m even more glad you like what you found.
Ah, Poster Girl. It’s like you were implanted with the musical taste of gay men from all over the planet. I will warn you that I’ve talked to a couple of people who loved Legend’s first two CDs, but aren’t crazy about this one. So I’d scope it out first. And “Rehab” is a quality song, even with the gratuitous Justin bits.
Paul, I will now refer to you as “my muse”, because I’m going to take your advice and run with the “shoulda been a hit” feature. How much do I owe you?
Yuri, it’s got a shot. Never say never, and all of that. I’m just wondering if it’s a coincidence that GaGa finally starts climbing the charts as her label president Akon hits the airwaves in a big way with his new record. Coattails, perhaps?
Duane, you’re probably right, although the label seems to have known how to set up the single quite nicely. Kudos to them for positioning some decent bonus tracks on the different international releases, too.