These are the hottest 10 pop songs of the week as determined by About Top 40. This chart is compiled consulting data from various music industry charts and sources. It is intended to indicate the hottest rising hits. Recordings that have reached the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart are disqualified from this chart.
1. Foster the People - "Pumped Up Kicks"
Courtesy Columbia
"Pumped Up Kicks" was first released nearly a year ago. It has since gone to #1 on the alternative songs chart and #3 on the mainstream rock songs chart in the US. It is nearing the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. The success of the single helped propel Foster the People's debut album Torches to #8 on the album chart when it was released in May 2011.
2. Gym Class Heroes - "Stereo Hearts" featuring Adam Levine
Courtesy Fueled By Ramen
Benny Blanco and Adam Levine, the duo that collaborated in helping write Maroon 5's current smash "Moves Like Jagger," worked with Gym Class Heroes' Travie McCoy in helping craft "Stereo Hearts." The result is already the second biggest hit of the band's career. It is the lead single from the album The Papercut Chronicles II due for release later this year.
3. Rihanna - "Cheers (Drink To That)"
Courtesy Def Jam
4. Cobra Starship - "You Make Me Feel..." featuring Sabi
Courtesy Decaydance
Gabe Saporta, leader of Cobra Starship, is a former member of the band Midtown. Their first recording was the song "Snakes On a Plane (Bring It)" from the soundtrack to the movie Snakes On a Plane in 2006. Their most recent album Hot Mess was released in 2009 and went to #4 buoyed by the band's breakthrough top 10 pop single "Good Girls Go Bad."
5. Lil Wayne - "She Will" featuring Drake
Courtesy Cash Money
It looks like rapper Lil Wayne's long awaited album Tha Carter IV will finally hit stores August 29, 2011. Meanwhile the singles from the project keep coming. The song "6 Foot 7 Foot" hit the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been certified double platinum. The current hit single "How To Love" is in the top 10 and has been certified platinum.
6. Lady Gaga - "You and I"
Courtesy Interscope
Just as this list was being put together, Lady Gaga's music video for "You and I" was unexpectedly released two days early. It is filled with classic Lady Gaga style and images of mad science experiments, dancing in a cornfield, Lady Gaga kissing herself in drag, and much more. The basic story line involves Lady Gaga walking to Nebraska to reunite with a past boyfriend.
7. Drake - "Headlines"
Courtesy Cash Money
"Headlines" is the official first single from Drake's upcoming second full-length album Take Care. The new collection is due in stores October 24, 2011. The first album Thank Me Later hit #1, was certified platinum, and included four top 40 pop hit singles.
8. The Band Perry - "If I Die Young"
Courtesy Republic Nashville
"If I Die Young" was nominated for the award for Top Country Song at both the Grammy Awards and the Billboard Music Awards. The Band Perry were named Top New Artist by the Academy of Country Music. "If I Die Young" is a top 10 adult pop and adult contemporary hit single in addition to reaching #1 on the country chart.
9. Coldplay - "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall"
Courtesy Capitol
Coldplay have announced that their next album will be titled Mylo Xyloto. It is due in stores October 24, 2011. "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall" is a top 5 hit on both the alternative songs and mainstream rock songs charts.
10. Adele - "Someone Like You"
Courtesy Columbia
How do you follow a landmark like "Rolling In the Deep?" This song is Adele's effort to do just that. "Someone Like You" has already gone to #1 on the pop singles chart in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and the UK. It has been certified double platinum in both Australia and the UK.
