You know, on the morning of Christmas Eve 2006, I distinctly remember sitting in a mom and pop coffee shop up in the mountains of Idyllwild, California -- the only coffee shop in that town, and, incidentally, the only place there that offers wireless Internet service -- and typing up the post about the U.K. chart that week. I believe it was eloquently titled "X Factor Ho Leona Lewis Unwraps A Christmas #1." And I remember thinking, That's nice, luv, but you'll never, ever happen here in the States.Of course, my thinking was for no other reason than the fact that for one week earlier that year, James Blunt narrowly became the first U.K. artist to top Billboard's Hot 100 since Elton John's re-re-vamped "Candle In The Wind" Princess Diana tribute dominated the chart during the latter months of 1997. And, as the title of this gem pronounces, it was June 1987 when we last saw a U.K. female hit #1 here -- Kim Wilde's Hi-NRG cover of The Supremes' "You Keep Me Hangin' On."
Sure, some broads came close; Nicki French's even higher-NRG cover of "Total Eclipse Of The Heart" peaked at #2 in June 1995, and Welsh-born Donna Lewis reached the same position the following summer with "I Love You Always Forever" (where it sat for nine weeks, held back by the tragic, hypnotic dominance of "Macarena"!). But it wasn't till this week that a British dame truly stole Kim Wilde's thunder.It looks like Leona Lewis may even match the short, one-week stay at the top Kim had. "Bleeding Love" is this week's new #1 on the Billboard chart, but Mariah Carey has already knocked the single off the peak of the iTunes chart, and is looking to do the same on Billboard next week.
For a bit of a throwback, here are the vids for Kim Wilde and Donna Lewis, both of which are bringing back some great, D'luvvly memories:
Elsewhere, after six months, Timbaland and OneRepublic's "Apologize" finally drops out of the Top 10, and Danity Kane's fun pop number "Damaged" makes a crazy jump from #64 to #27.
Also, Madonna and Justin Timberlake's "4 Minutes" debuts at #68, and my next boyfriend, Ferras, enters at #84 with "Hollywood's Not America."
The U.S. Top 10:
1. "Bleeding Love" - Leona Lewis *1 week* *sales gainer*
2. "Love In This Club" - Usher Feat. Young Jeezy *airplay gainer*
3. "Sexy Can I" - Ray J & Young Berg
4. "With You" - Chris Brown
5. "Love Song" - Sara Bareilles
6. "No Air" - Jordin Sparks Duet With Chris Brown
7. "Low" - Flo Rida Feat. T-Pain
8. "Don't Stop The Music" - Rihanna
9. "Lollipop" - Lil Wayne Feat. Static Major
10. "Shawty Get Loose" - Lil Mama Feat. Chris Brown & T-Pain