Mariah’s holds off newcomer on singles chart

By Barry A. Jeckell

NEW YORK (Billboard) – Mariah Carey ruled the U.S. pop
singles chart for a fourth consecutive week Thursday, but
dancehall newcomer Rihanna made a serious bid for glory as her
debut single jumped three places to No. 2.

Carey’s “We Belong Together” has held the top spot on the
Billboard Hot 100 for eight non-consecutive weeks, and it also
led the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for a ninth. In addition,
Carey boasted the Hot 100’s top debut with “Shake It Off,”
which entered the chart at No. 66.

In addition to climbing up the Hot 100, Rihanna’s “Pon de
Replay,” jumped three places to No. 1 on the Hot Digital Tracks
list, and bounded 33 places to No. 33 on the R&B/Hip-Hop tally.
Last week’s Digital tracks leader Jessica Simpson’s cover of
“These Boots Are Made for Walkin”‘ slipped to No. 2, but jumped
six places to No. 14 on the Hot 100.

Locked at No. 4 on the Hot 100 was the Pussycat Dolls’
“Don’t Cha” featuring Busta Rhymes.

Rapper Bow Wow scored the first top 10 Hot 100 single of
his career with the 11-8 move of “Let Me Hold You” featuring
Omarion. On the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, the song was stuck
at No. 2 for a third week behind Carey’s “Together.”

Fat Joe’s “Get It Poppin”‘ was also new to the Hot 100’s
top 10, making a 12-9 move.

Among the cuts making big Hot 100 moves this week were
Gorillaz’ “Feel Good Inc.” (43-25), Gwen Stefani’s “Cool”
(64-50), Ying Yang Twins’ “Badd” featuring Mike Jones and Mr.
ColliPark (72-59), 50 Cent’s “Outta Control (Remix)” featuring
Mobb Deep (96-67), David Banner’s “Play” (90-68) and Rob
Thomas’ “This Is How a Heart Breaks” (95-70).

Also debuting on the Hot 100 this week were the Click
Five’s “Just That Girl” (No. 83), Relient K’s “Be My Escape”
(No. 88), Kanye West’s “Gold Digger” featuring Jamie Foxx (No.
92), Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley’s “Welcome to Jamrock” (No. 96),
Jamie O’Neal’s “Somebody’s Hero” (No. 99) and Seether’s
“Remedy” (No. 100).

Despite making mainstream strides, the Seether cut lost the
No. 1 crown on the Mainstream Rock airplay chart after four
weeks to the Foo Fighters’ “Best of You.” In addition to its
2-1 move there, the Foos’ track notches its fourth week on top
of the Modern Rock airplay list.

Toby Keith’s “As Good As I Once Was” was No. 1 for a second
straight week on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, while
Shakira’s “La Tortura” featuring Alejandro Sanz was No. 1 for a
seventh non-consecutive week on the Hot Latin Songs chart.

After nine weeks at No. 2 on the Adult Contemporary airplay
chart, Michael Buble’s “Home” took over the lead from Kelly
Clarkson’s “Breakaway,” which fell into second place. It marks
the end of a remarkable 20 week No. 1 run for the single, the
third longest of all time on the chart behind “Drift Away” by
Uncle Kracker featuring Dobie Gray (28 weeks) and Celine Dion’s
“A New Day Has Come” (21 weeks).

Reuters/Billboard

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