US Singles Chart:
1. The Black Eyed Peas – Imma Be (last week – 1)
The Black Eyed Peas go all hip-hop on our asses with their number one single ‘Imma Be’, and reportedly repeats the song title more than one hundred times through the course of the track. So much, in fact, that it eventually sounds more like ‘Imma Be’ hence the insect themed cover.
2. Young Money Featuring Lloyd – BedRock (last week – 3) – SONG OF THE WEEK
Lil Wayne’s court case rumbles on after the most recent sentencing for possession of marijuana was delayed due to a fire in the basement of the courtroom. The likelihood is the rapper will eventually go down for at least a short stint, but not before becoming an icon of his local community. And nowhere needs an icon right now quite as much as a resurgent New Orleans. He’s had plenty of help on this track, but there’s still that distinctive Lil Wayne edge.
3. Lady Antebellum – Need You Now (last week – 5)
Lady Antebellum’s second number one single is the also the lead track from their second album, and features the thoughts of the band on waking up in the middle of the night all alone. Companionship and loneliness are covered with a hefty dose of soul.
4. Ke$ha – Tik Tok (last week – 2)
Ah, Ke$ha, that reformed party animal. Tik Tok seems like it’s been round forever already, given the volume of radio play it’s still drumming up, though it’s actually only been a few months. Ke$ha will no doubt last a whole lot longer.
5. Lady Gaga – Bad Romance (last week – 4)
Lady Gaga rounds out a top five that’s changed only in order, but not in content. Bad Romance is another track that’s heavy on the radio play, and is no doubt getting a few buyers as it doesn’t feature on the infamous ‘The Fame’ album. We’re all completists at heart…
US Albums Chart:
1. Sade – Soldier Of Love (last week – 1)
A second week at number one for the unlikely come back kinds Sade. This is actually the English group’s first US number one, and an emphatic one, too, given the total sales of in excess of half a million in the first week of release.
2. Lady Antebellum – Need You Now (last week – 2)
Lady Antebellum, then, has to settle for second place, but when Johnny Cash is down in third, that’s not so bad. Sade’s early sales would take some matching, but ‘Need You Now’ has at least given the group a run for their money.
3. Johnny Cash – American VI: Ain’t No Grave (new entry)
A posthumous album taken from sessions and featuring covers of tracks by the likes of Sheryl Crow and Bob Nolan. The release date for this album coincides with what would have been Johnny’s 78th birthday, and continues a successful and critically acclaimed series.
4. The Black Eyed Peas – The E.N.D (last week – 3)
The Black Eyed Peas influence on the pop charts these days is so hefty it’s bordering on embarrassing, and their latest effort is testimony to just why. The E.N.D flits through genres like there’s no tomorrow, yet manages to make every one fit in just right.
5. Lady Gaga – The Fame (last week – 4)
Will she ever drop from the top five? We’re seriously starting to wonder who doesn’t yet own a copy of this album. Maybe big Gaga fans are out buying second and third copies, or perhaps she’s got a warehouse full of them herself somewhere? The new Madonna? It’s hard to even argue against these days, isn’t it.
