Coldplay rises to the summit of the singles chart this week with “Viva la Vida,” marking the first time the band has done so (the only track to crack the U.S. top 20 previously was “Speed of Sound,” which peaked at No. 8 in 2005). What a difference an iTunes commercial can do for a singles’ profile (see below). Chris Martin & co. will debut atop the album charts next week with their fourth disc, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends.
Elsewhere in the top ten, Katy Perry (photo below) is still gaining strength at No. 2 with her infectious bi-curious anthem “I Kissed A Girl,” and I must admit that I love that shit! Good luck to Ms. Perry in the longevity department, because that track has one-hit wonder written all over it (though honestly I think she’s talented enough to keep the momentum going).
A little further down, Leona Lewis is still mulling around after ages with “Bleeding Love” at No. 4. Natasha Bedingfield continues to thrive on mediocrity at No. 6 with “Pocketful of Sunshine (I like her, I do, but this song is not her best!). Most interestingly, pop-rock act Metro Station scores its first top ten with “Shake It,” a terribly inane but completely irresistible electro-pop confection that will likely stick around for the remainder of the summer. They remind me a bit of Hellogoodbye, actually…
Bad news for Mariah Carey, however. Sappy-sad single “Bye Bye,” her calculated attempt at a nineteenth No. 1, dropped out of the top twenty this week after a disappointing peak of 19. At least Mimi’s got a man to dry her tears!
britain’s top selling male artist, james blunt, has accomplished a major feat - he is actually enjoying success on this side of the pond! his debut single, “you’re beautiful,” just