Take a picture of the Top 10 of this week's Billboard Hot 100 -- it's the most pop it's been in years! While unfortunately Chris Brown's "Forever" fell to #15 after a solitary week on the upper reaches of the chart, Natasha Bedingfield's "Pocketful Of Sunshine" and Jesse McCartney's "Leavin'" hop in at #8 and #10, respectively. That gives Natasha her second U.S. Top 10 hit (after "Unwritten") and fourth one to reach the Top 20 (including "These Words" and "Love Like This").Natasha performed "Pocketful Of Sunshine" on American Idol last week, which not only boosted the single, but causes her so-so same-titled album to fly up to #24 from last week's position of #97 on the Top 200 Albums.
Does anyone else smirk when she sings "a sweet escape," thinking of Gwen Stefani? Here's the sweet escapist video:
Meanwhile, back to Chris Brown's "Forever," it'd be a shame if radio doesn't pick up on the track simply because it's got a more pop edge to it. Last week's debut at #9 was purely based on downloads, which is a testament to Chris' popularity -- so why not give the song some damn airtime? Aw, screw radio. Who even listens, anyway?
Elsewhere, keyboard-driven emo act Metro Station -- kind of the new Hellogoodbye -- jump into the Top 40 at #36 with "Shake It," and Duffy's "Mercy" climbs to #61.
On the album chart, Madonna's Hard Candy is #1 with first-week sales of 280,000, while Robyn's album debuts way down at #100. Check out my latest Towleroad music column to see a video of Madge being a total snatch to MTV's John Norris when he asks her about turning 50.
Meanwhile, that sounds like him being nice -- I thought she was already 60!
The U.S. Top 10:
1. "Bleeding Love" - Leona Lewis *4 weeks*
2. "Lollipop" - Lil Wayne Feat. Static Major *airplay gainer*
3. "No Air" - Jordin Sparks Duet With Chris Brown
4. "Love In This Club" - Usher Feat. Young Jeezy
5. "Sexy Can I" - Ray J & Young Berg
6. "4 Minutes" - Madonna Feat. Justin Timberlake
7. "Touch My Body" - Mariah Carey
8. "Pocketful Of Sunshine" - Natasha Bedingfield *sales gainer*
9. "Love Song" - Sara Bareilles
10. "Leavin'" - Jesse McCartney