Review: Rihanna - S.O.S. (Rescue Me)
Tuesday January 31, 2006
If you couldn't quite get into "If It's Lovin' That You Want," but you still can't get "Pon De Replay" out of your head, Rihanna has a new treat for ... Read More
Destiny's Child To Reunite To Say Farewell...Again
Tuesday January 31, 2006
I guess we could have seen this coming. Destiny's Child had one of the most elegant, tasteful farewell processes of any major pop group in recent history last year...but ... Read More
About Top 40 Hot 10 This Week: Gwen Stefani and Mary J. Blige Battle for the Top
Tuesday January 31, 2006
It was quite a battle this week for the top spot between hot new singles from Gwen Stefani and Mary J. Blige. One of them eked out a victory. ... Read More
Review: Mary J. Blige - Be Without You
Tuesday January 31, 2006
Mary J. Blige is climbing the pop charts with her latest single "Be Without You." It is the first single from the #1 smash album The Breakthrough. Read my ... Read More
Something Corporate's Andrew McMahon Performs First Concert After Battling Leukemia
Monday January 30, 2006
Last Wednesday, January 25, 2006, was a milestone day in the young life of Andrew McMahon (second from right in photo), lead vocalist for the band Something Corporate. He ... Read More
Winter Olympics Concerts: Kelly Clarkson, Whitney Houston, Avril Lavigne, and More
Monday January 30, 2006
Did you think the Winter Olympics was just about sports, snow, and ice? Think again. Since ancient times cultural and arts events have been part of the Olympic ... Read More
Arctic Monkeys Have Fastest Selling Debut Album Ever in U.K.
Monday January 30, 2006
It's official. The Arctic Monkeys' first album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not is now the fastest selling debut album ever in the history of pop ... Read More
Pop Music on TV This Week: Pink and Prince
Monday January 30, 2006
The P's have it this week in Pop Music on TV. The highlights of the week for my money are today's appearance on MTV TRL by Pink discussing her ... Read More
How Grammy Award Winners are Selected
Sunday January 29, 2006
One of the most frequent questions I'm asked about the upcoming Grammy Awards is how exactly the winners are selected. Who gets to vote on the awards?
Read How Grammy ... Read More
Weekly Pop Music Blog Roundup - January 28, 2006
Saturday January 28, 2006
It's been a busy week here at About Top40/Pop and a busy week in the blogosphere as well:
After Kanye West's pose as Jesus on the cover of Rolling Stone, it ... Read More
Friday Fun Video: Pink - "Stupid Girls"
Friday January 27, 2006
It's an easy choice picking a video this week. Pink's satirical jab at "stupid girls" is a must-see. Laugh at the parodies of Britney, Jessica, Lindsay, and the Olsen ... Read More
Profile: Max Martin
Friday January 27, 2006
Is Max Martin's name a familiar one to you? If you are a serious pop music fan, it should be. If Kelly Clarkson, Backstreet Boys, or Britney Spears ... Read More
About Top 40 Visitors' Top 10 - January 27, 2006
Friday January 27, 2006
You are a fickle bunch. 2 new songs open at the top of the chart this week with perfect ratings. Something tells me that won't last too long. ... Read More
Pussycat Dolls on 'Dancing With the Stars' Tonight!
Friday January 27, 2006
The Dolls are going to show the couples of Dancing With the Stars how dancing is done! Tonight tune into ABC television at 8 p.m. ET and see the ... Read More
US Pop Music Charts This Week
Thursday January 26, 2006
Mary J. Blige and Jamie Foxx continue their tug of war at the top of the album chart while Beyonce holds on firmly to the top rung of the pop ... Read More
While You're At It, Pick This Up: Guest Blogger Tae of The Lonely Note
Thursday January 26, 2006
The Most Terrifying Thing
Liverpool's TMTT is, at its core, a hard rock band. The band formed largely because of a shared affinity for the grunge era, with Nirvana said ... Read More
Profile: Pink
Thursday January 26, 2006
It has been almost 3 years, but Pink promises a new album at last in April, 2006. The new collection of songs is titled I'm Not Dead. Her ... Read More
UK Pop Music Charts This Week
Thursday January 26, 2006
The U.K. is buzzing with the breakout success of the Arctic Monkeys, but there is other pop music doing well on the charts, too. Check out the rest of ... Read More
Homophobia and American Idol
Thursday January 26, 2006
It wouldn't be another season of American Idol without controversy. Remember last season's flap over Paula Abdul's relationship with Corey Clark? So it is no surprise that controversy ... Read More
Top 10 Pop Tracks to Download This Week - Beyonce, Il Divo, Yellowcard, and More
Wednesday January 25, 2006
It's another eclectic mix of suggestions for your favorite digital listening device. Tracks range from the classic country rock of Rosanne Cash to the punkish music of We Are ... Read More
Pink's "Stupid Girls" To Debut Tomorrow on MTV Overdrive
Wednesday January 25, 2006
The video for "Stupid Girls," the first single from Pink's upcoming album I'm Not Dead, is on its way. The clip will debut exclusively on MTV Overdrive, the network's web-only ... Read More
My Initial Thoughts on HD Radio: Guest Blogger Steve of The Lonely Note
Wednesday January 25, 2006
Welcome my first guest blogger this week - Steve of The Lonely Note, one of my Top Pop Music Blogs. The Lonely Note is a multi-author blog so we ... Read More
Top 10 Pop New Releases This Week: Grammy Nominees, Il Divo, Yellowcard, and More
Wednesday January 25, 2006
The music industry has shaken out the post-Christmas cobwebs and gotten back down to the business of releasing new music. The annual Grammy nominees collection leads the pack this ... Read More
American Idol: Paris Bennett and Her Grandmother, Ann Nesby, of Sounds of Blackness
Wednesday January 25, 2006
Last night on American Idol judge Randy Jackson was obviously in awe of the grandmother of one of the contestants auditioning in Greensboro, North Carolina. The contestant was 17-year-old ... Read More
Grammy Award Record of the Year Winners
Tuesday January 24, 2006
The Grammy Awards have been presenting Record of the Year honors since 1959 - 47 awards in all. Check out a gallery of all of the winners complete with ... Read More
Kanye West Poses as Jesus for Cover of Rolling Stone
Tuesday January 24, 2006
The issue of Rolling Stone magazine which hits newstands this Friday will feature what will likely rank as one of their most controversial covers. It features rapper Kanye West ... Read More
About Top 40 Hot 10 This Week: Eminem Shakes That to the Top
Tuesday January 24, 2006
Newly remarried man Eminem is celebrating by taking over the top slot on this week's Hot 10 chart. The music industry is back in full swing after the holiday ... Read More
Profile: Arctic Monkeys
Monday January 23, 2006
Britain's New Musical Express gives their first album, released today, a rating of 10 out of 10, and they have been hailed as the U.K.'s greatest new band since Oasis ... Read More
Pop Music on TV This Week: The Brits Invade - Natasha Bedingfield and James Blunt
Sunday January 22, 2006
It's a Brit week for Pop Music on TV this week. The highlights are performances by Natasha Bedingfield and James Blunt. Check the Pop Music on TV schedule ... Read More
Friday Fun Video - Hawthorne Heights - "Saying Sorry"
Friday January 20, 2006
Just in advance of the release of their upcoming album If Only You Were Lonely, Hawthorne Heights have a video that looks like a depiction of emo heaven, literally. ... Read More
Review: James Blunt - "You're Beautiful"
Friday January 20, 2006
This song was one of the biggest hits of 2005 in the U.K., but it is just starting to climb the pop singles chart in the U.S. Read what ... Read More
About Top 40 Visitors' Top 10 - January 20, 2006
Friday January 20, 2006
This weekly chart has become such a success in trial over the past 2 months that it will continue as a Friday feature. Some rules: Beginning with this ... Read More
American Idol's Diana DeGarmo Headed to Broadway's Hairspray
Friday January 20, 2006
This February American Idol season 3 runner-up, 18-year-old Diana DeGarmo, is headed to the Broadway stage. She will assume the role of Penny Pingleton, the best friend of Tracy ... Read More
US Pop Music Charts This Week: Beyonce and Mary J. Blige in Charge
Thursday January 19, 2006
Two of today's top female r&b stars - Beyonce and Mary J. Blige are at the top of the pop singles and pop album charts respectively this week. Find out ... Read More
Review: Ne-Yo - So Sick
Thursday January 19, 2006
Ne-Yo is on nearly everyone's short list of artists to watch in 2006. The success of "So Sick" is one reason why. Read all of the details, listen ... Read More
Australian Music Rocks! Pt. 2: Guest Blogger Pop Princess
Thursday January 19, 2006
Welcome my guest blogger - Pop Princess from Australia. This is part 2 of her excellent wrapup of current Australian pop. Check out part 1 from yesterday if ... Read More
UK Pop Music Charts This Week: The Return of Richard Ashcroft
Thursday January 19, 2006
X Factor winner Shayne Ward holds on to the top spot on the singles chart for a 4th big week, but the post-holiday stagnation has ended, and there are some ... Read More
Profile: Richard Ashcroft
Thursday January 19, 2006
He's back with his first new recordings in almost 4 years. The single "Break the Night With Colour" is already out and the album Keys to the World will ... Read More
Profile: Beyonce
Thursday January 19, 2006
At the young age of 24, she is one of the world's biggest stars. Beyonce's first solo album Dangerously in Love sold over 4 million copies in the U.S. ... Read More
Kelly Clarkson Refuses to Allow Her Songs on American Idol
Wednesday January 18, 2006
Kelly Clarkson, the first American Idol, has stirred up controversy by refusing to allow any of her songs to be used by new contestants on the show. Clarkson's spokesman ... Read More
Top 100 Pop Songs of 2005
Wednesday January 18, 2006
In response to requests from visitors to About Top40/Pop, I have put together a list of the Top 100 Pop Songs of 2005. Start your iPods!
Top 10 Pop Tracks to Download This Week: Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Fall Out Boy, and More
Wednesday January 18, 2006
I'm digging a little deeper into albums that have been in release for some time this week to find the nuggets you may have missed. Check out the music ... Read More
Australian Music Rocks! Pt. 1: Guest Blogger Pop Princess
Wednesday January 18, 2006
Welcome my guest blogger - Pop Princess from Australia. This is part 1 of her excellent wrapup of current Australian pop. Check out part 2 tomorrow.
Considering Australia’s location ... Read More
Fall Out Boy Tops Best New Artist Poll
Tuesday January 17, 2006
In the first of my Grammy Award polls, Fall Out Boy easily outdistanced Ciara as your choice for Best New Artist. See the final results. Thanks for voting!
Please ... Read More
Rihanna Sweeps First Ever Barbados Music Awards
Tuesday January 17, 2006
Teen star Rihanna received a rousing welcome home in her native Barbados Sunday, January 15, 2006. She was presented with 8 awards ranging from Best New Artist to Song ... Read More
About Top 40 Hot 10 Weekly Chart: Ne-Yo Back to the Top
Tuesday January 17, 2006
This week is a good week for r&b necomer Ne-Yo who rises back to the top of the About Top 40 Hot 10 with "So Sick." Check out the ... Read More
Top 10 Independent Pop Record Labels
Tuesday January 17, 2006
Major record labels may control the strong majority of the pop music market, but independent record labels are responsibility for much of the innovation. Read my guide to the ... Read More
Cautious Optimism for Sales of Albums
Monday January 16, 2006
One of the big stories of the business side of pop music in 2005 was a significant slide in album sales compared with the previous year. Week after week ... Read More
Pop Music on TV This Week
Sunday January 15, 2006
The post-holiday doldrums seem to be easing. There is a wide range of performances on TV this week by some of today's most fascinating pop performers including Matisyahu, Coheed ... Read More
Eminem and Kim are Married Again
Sunday January 15, 2006
Last week I reported that Eminem and his ex-wife Kim Mathers had applied for a new marriage license. Now his publicist David Dennehy has confirmed that they are once ... Read More
Black Eyed Peas' Will.I.Am Forms Music Company
Sunday January 15, 2006
The Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am. (second from right in photo) is forming his own music company as part of the A&M/Interscope record label. He has already collaborated with a ... Read More
Friday Fun Video: Morningwood - The Nth Degree
Friday January 13, 2006
Take early 80's post-punk and throw in a fetish for heavy metal guitar riffs and you might find something like Morningwood. Click below to watch the video for "Nth ... Read More
About Top 40 Visitors' Top 10 - January 13, 2006
Friday January 13, 2006
This weekly chart has become such a success in trial over the past 2 months that it will continue as a Friday feature. Some rules: Beginning with this ... Read More
US Pop Music Charts This Week
Thursday January 12, 2006
The great post-Christmas iPod download rush is over, and the charts are back to normal relatively speaking. Find out the latest news about this week's US Pop Music Charts.
Album ... Read More
Ryan Seacrest Profile
Thursday January 12, 2006
The new season of American Idol begins January 17th. Now is a great time to refresh your memory about the show (Like you would forget?) Check out my ... Read More
UK Pop Music Charts This Week
Thursday January 12, 2006
Shayne Ward hangs on to the top spot of the singles chart in one of the slowest sales weeks of the year. There is little action, but some top ... Read More
Fall Out Boy Black Clouds and Underdogs Tour 2006
Thursday January 12, 2006
One of the most eagerly awaited concert tours of the New Year kicks off in March. Fall Out Boy's Black Clouds and Underdogs Tour will also feature All-American Rejects, ... Read More
Top 10 Pop Tracks To Download This Week: Morningwood, Kaiser Chiefs, the Strokes, and More
Thursday January 12, 2006
This week's list of tracks to download is piled with a heavy dose of Punk/New Wave influenced Power Pop. However, don't miss quieter moments from Emmylou Harris and Imogen ... Read More
2006 Brit Award Nominations
Wednesday January 11, 2006
Award season is in full swing. Yesterday the nominations for the UK version of the Grammys, the Brit Awards, were announced. Among those leading the list of nominees ... Read More
Review: Kelly Clarkson - Walk Away
Wednesday January 11, 2006
Just when you thought Kelly Clarkson's album Breakaway might begin to fade away, along comes the 5th single from the album "Walk Away." Check out a sound clip from ... Read More
Kelly Clarkson, Tim McGraw, Green Day Win in 'People's Choice' Awards That Ignore Biggest Selling Music of the Year
Wednesday January 11, 2006
I suppose 'the people' didn't choose to have Mariah Carey and 50 Cent be the top-selling music artists of the year. Both were shut out of nominations by last ... Read More
Eminem Applies for Re-Marriage to Ex-Wife Kim
Wednesday January 11, 2006
It is now official that rapper Eminem and his ex-wife Kim are planning to get re-married. The Macomb County, Michigan, clerk confirmed that Kim Mathers has filed for a ... Read More
Top 100 Pop Songs of the 1990's
Tuesday January 10, 2006
Here it is - my own idiosyncratic list of the best 100 pop songs of the 1990's. It was put together compiling the yearly top 10 lists into one ... Read More
About Top 40 Hot 10 Weekly Chart: Kelly Clarkson Walks Away With the Top Slot
Tuesday January 10, 2006
Kelly Clarkson is coming off a tremondous year in 2005, and she shows no signs of letting up as her latest single Walk Away" heads to the top of my ... Read More
Grammy Awards Poll: Best New Artist
Tuesday January 10, 2006
This is your chance to match wits with Grammy Awards voters. Take part in the poll on who should win this year's Best New Artist Grammy Award. Cast ... Read More
Review: Natasha Bedingfield - Unwritten
Monday January 9, 2006
Natasha Bedingfield is looking for her second major U.S. hit, and it looks like she is well on her way. This is the title song from the album Unwritten. ... Read More
Pink Gets Married in Costa Rica
Monday January 9, 2006
Last summer when she got engaged to motocross racer Carey Hart she did it in her own unconventional style proposing from the pit of a motocross race track. Her ... Read More
The Big 4 Major Record Labels
Monday January 9, 2006
70% of the world's recorded music is sold by one of the 4 major record labels. All 4 are major media conglomerates with multiple record label imprints and dozens ... Read More
Pop Music On TV This Week
Monday January 9, 2006
It's that time of the year and the listing is pretty light, but there are still some great performances to be found. Check out this week's listings of Pop ... Read More
Friday Fun Video: The Click Five - Catch Your Wave
Friday January 6, 2006
The Click Five, the boys from Boston, are back in the top 40 this week with their first single, the pop masterpiece "Just the Girl," but make sure you don't ... Read More
About Top 40 Visitors' Top 10 - January 6, 2006
Friday January 6, 2006
This weekly chart has become such a success in trial over the past 2 months that it will continue as a Friday feature. Some rules: Beginning with this ... Read More
Profile: Producer/Songwriter Scott Storch
Friday January 6, 2006
In the first of a series of profiles of pop music MVP's (the behind the scenes songwriters and producers), let me introduce you to Scott Storch, producer and/or songwriter of ... Read More
US Pop Music Charts This Week
Thursday January 5, 2006
The US pop music charts are hit with an interesting "iPod effect" this week. Read all of the details in this week's US Pop Music Charts.
Album cover courtesy Roadrunner ... Read More
UK Pop Music Charts This Week
Thursday January 5, 2006
This is the week of the iPod effect. It seems that sales of the devices were good this year, and the sudden deluge of customers downloading songs has brought ... Read More
Teen Pop: A Guide
Thursday January 5, 2006
Such top performers as The Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears can be classified in the musical genre Teen Pop. Check my guide to Teen Pop to learn ... Read More
Review: Chris Brown - Yo (Excuse Me Miss)
Wednesday January 4, 2006
Teenage star Chris Brown is back with his second single "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)" He's moved off the dancefloor in pursuit of a girl he has admired from a ... Read More
Top 10 Bestselling Albums of 2005
Wednesday January 4, 2006
The final sales figures are in and the top 10 bestselling albums of the year are:
Mariah Carey - The Emancipation of Mimi 4,970,000
50 Cent - The Massacre 4,850,000
Kelly Clarkson - ... Read More
Top 10 Pop Tracks to Download This Week
Wednesday January 4, 2006
It's a completely fresh batch of 10 great pop songs for you to download to your digital player. This week Johnny Cash, James Blunt, Mary J. Blige, Anthony Hamilton, ... Read More
Ne-Yo Profile
Wednesday January 4, 2006
At age 23, he is one of the hottest young r&b/pop singers. Ne-Yo is on many lists of artists to watch for 2006. Read more details about his ... Read More
Kelly Clarkson Photo Gallery
Wednesday January 4, 2006
She was selected by About Top 40 visitors as the artist of the year for 2005. Check out a collection of publicity photo images of Kelly Clarkson.
Photo: Tony Duran. ... Read More
Top 10 Pop Songs of 2005
Tuesday January 3, 2006
About Top40/Pop visitors have weighed in with their opinions and now it is my turn as your About Top40/Pop guide. These are the 10 songs I consider the best ... Read More
Amelle Berrabah is the Newest Sugababe
Tuesday January 3, 2006
Last month Mutya Buena, age 20, announced she was leaving the Sugababes, the British female pop trio she had been part of since age 13. Just a day ... Read More
Hawthorne Heights Concert Tour
Tuesday January 3, 2006
In advance of their rumored tour with Fall Out Boy and a new album, If Only You Were Lonely, Hawthorne Heights are setting out on tour once again with ... Read More
Profile: Shayne Ward
Tuesday January 3, 2006
He won the UK talent competition The X Factor and has already gone on to score one of the biggest Christmas #1's ever in the UK - "That's My Goal." ... Read More
About Top 40 Hot 10 Weekly Chart: Ne-Yo Is Still the Hottest
Tuesday January 3, 2006
Singer-songwriter Ne-Yo continues to have the hottest song in the pop world this week. Billboard Magazine picked him as one of the 10 artists to watch for the New ... Read More
Poll: Top Pop Artist of 2005 - It's Kelly Clarkson!
Monday January 2, 2006
The poll for top pop artist of 2005 has ended.
The top artists selected by visitors were as follows:
Kelly Clarkson
Gwen Stefani
Mariah Carey
Shakira
Green Day
Thanks for voting!
Photo courtesy RCA Records
Pop Music on TV This Week
Monday January 2, 2006
It's a very sparse listing this week, but you might find a performance or two you'll like. Check out this week's listings of Pop Music on TV.