This week's upper tier of the Billboard Hot 100 is indeed pretty hot for several reasons. First off, Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love" and Lil Wayne's "Lollipop"—two former #1s that have been hanging around like scappy, flea-riddled stray cats since the spring—finally drop out of the Top 10, making room for Ne-Yo's "Closer" at #10 and the re-entry of The Pussycat Dolls at #9 with "When I Grow Up."Meanwhile, Leona's "Better In Time" has been steadily slithering up the chart for several weeks, this week making its way to #50.
Back to that Pussycat Dolls garbage, has anyone ever actually heard "When I Grow Up" getting airplay? I'll occassionally turn on the radio, and just from that am familiar with most of the songs by the usual pimps and strippers. But I've only ever heard the PCD one from the godawful MTV Movie Awards clip.
Also, it's worth noting that with "Disturbia" at #3 and "Take A Bow" at #4, Rihanna is only the sixth female artist to achieve two Top 5 U.S. singles at the same time (after Ashanti, Madonna, Donna Summer, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey). Both were initially in the Top 5 together last week.Chris Brown's got writing credits on two Top 5 singles, with "Forever" at a new high of #2 (hoo-ray!) and "Disturbia," on which he also contributes backing vocals, just behind.
The Jonas Brothers seemed to be unleashing an onslaught of a single each week leading up to their second album's release. Thank God that trash is out Tuesday so it can all end. "Tonight" is their second single to debut in the Top 10 in a month, entering at #8.
Other than jazz, Estelle's "American Boy" creeps up to #12 this week. Wouldn't that just be the perfect song if Kanye West didn't have his sleazy, arrogant paws all over it?
Then again, it probably wouldn't get any play otherwise. Sigh.
The U.S. Top 10:
1. "I Kissed A Girl" - Katy Perry *7 weeks*
2. "Forever" - Chris Brown
3. "Disturbia" - Rihanna
4. "Take A Bow" - Rihanna
5. "Viva La Vida'" - Coldplay
6. "A Milli" - Lil Wayne
7. "Dangerous" - Kardinal Offishall Feat. Akon
8. "Tonight" - Jonas Brothers *new* *hot shot debut*
9. "When I Grow Up" - The Pussycat Dolls
10. "Closer'" - Ne-Yo