It's hard to believe that, before this summer, Max Martin's (below left) only writing and/or production credit on a U.S. #1 single was almost 10 years ago—Britney Spears' "...Baby One More Time."
Of course, had their been a CD single released for Backstreet Boys' "I Want It That Way," it surely would have hit the top, rather than peaking at #6 on airplay alone. ('Twas the days before iTunes, kids.)Also, how much of a pain in the ass was it that Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" got stuck at #2 three years back?
Anyway, Pink lands at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time, with "So What." Well, first time if we're discounting her contribution to 2001's "Lady Marmalade," along with Christina Aguilera, Mya and Lil' Kim. The old cougar look is working well for her, it would seem!
And along with his co-writing credit on Katy Perry's "I Kissed A Girl," Max Martin's role as producer and co-writer of "So What" gives him two #1-charting singles this year alone.
It truly does feel like a bit of a Pop Renaissance is going down in 2008.
Elsewhere, Estelle being re-added to iTunes after a brief experiment where Atlantic Records removed it in an attempt to boost CD sales has "American Boy" finally cracking the Top 10, at #9.
The U.S. Top 10:
1. "So What" - Pink *1 week*
2. "Whatever You Like" - T.I. *airplay gainer*
3. "Disturbia" - Rihanna
4. "Paper Planes'" - M.I.A
5. "Swagga Like Us'" - Jay-Z *new* *hot shot debut*
6. "Forever" - Chris Brown
7. "Closer'" - Ne-Yo
8. "Can't Believe It'" - T-Pain feat. Lil Wayne
9. "American Boy" - Estelle feat. Kanye West
10. "Got Money" - Lil Wayne feat. T-Pain