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The Hot 100 is pretty much static this week. Nothing very interesting going on. No new entries in the top 15. No big exciting debuts elsewhere in the chart as well.
Maybe we can talk about the return to popularity of the teenage pop boy band.
First, those who play their own instruments. Not much had been heard from this genre since the heyday of Hanson in the late 90s. But now, there are two entries in the Top 10 recently that fit exactly that description.
The bigger band nowadays is of course the Jonas Brothers. These three brothers from New Jersey were born between 1987 to 1992. They hit the big time in 2007 with heavy support from the Disney Channel and their single "S.O.S." went top 20 in the Hot 100. Now their career goes into higher gear with their inclusion in the new hit Disney Channel Original Movie "Camp Rock" and the release of their third album. Last week, their newest single "Burnin' Up" debuted at # 5. Here is the video of "Burnin' Up":
The second band is Metro Station. When they hit the Top 10 a few weeks back, I have not heard of them at all. I thought they were another rap group. Their song "Shake It" is not being played on local radio. Then I learned that their vocalist and guitarist Trace Cyrus is the half brother of Miley. The song is actually very good pop, very catchy. Here is a lyrics video of "Shake It":
Of course, there are also the boybands who are just purely a vocal group. At the turn of the century, that was when BAckstreet Boys and N'Sync ruled the airwaves and video channels. However, that trend sort of petered itself out for the rest of the decade.
We have already talked about the comeback of the New Kids On the Block a few weeks back. Of course they are not teenage anymore, although based on their latest output, they still target the teenage girls market. Their song "Summertime" is still in the Top 40 Stateside, although we have not heard this song locally at all. Here is the video:
And do you know that the latest incarnation of that 80s "sensation" Menudo is also about to break into the chart limelight again? They are expected to hit the mainstream again with the hit "Lost". Also very juvenile and catchy. Here is the video:
I don't know about the teenage girls who will read this, but I think these songs all sound the same to me. Interchangeable even. Well, that said, this is still the current pop trend, and we can't argue with the charts. LOL!
"Lollipop" by Lil Wayne and Static Major returns to the Number 1 slot giving way to Leona Lewis and Rihanna for the past three weeks. I personally do not like this song, finding it too syncopated. It did not really catch fire on local radio so I barely hear it. But this feat of returning to the top after three weeks out is impressive. "U Got It Bad"by Usher had 4 weeks between its peaks at Number 1 back in 2002.
Talking about Usher though, while his song "Love In the Club" is still strong at # 4, his new song called "Love in This Club, Part II" featuring Beyonce and Lil Wayne (again). This song is a ballad this time, and quite good actually when I hear it on local radio. With his big move up from #63 up to #18 this week, it is strong contender for the top 10 next week.
The Greatest Gainer in Sales this week is earned by Welsh singer Duffy with "Mercy". This moves up fast from # 66 to #27. From what I hear in her Channel V ad spots, she exudes a Macy Gray vibe in her voice. Hope to hear her better soon.
Yes, believe your eyes, that picture above is really Jonathan, Joey, Danny, Donnie and Jordan -- The New Kids on the Block! They are actually on this week's Hot 100. In fact, these guys (hardly new and hardly kids now, all pushing age 40) are even the Hot Shot Debut with their new song "Summertime" which debuts at # 57 this week. I had not heard from since the early 90s. Who would have thought they could stage a comeback after 15 years or so??? It would be interesting to track the chart fortune of this song.
