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. will.i.am - "Scream and Shout" featuring Britney Spears
Courtesy Interscope
will.i.am and Britney Spears have a major international pop hit on their hands. "Scream and Shout" is a top 10 hit across Europe as awell as in Australia and New Zealand. The song did not receive an official UK release until this past weekend. It will not debut at the top of the chart due to being forced to battle the first week of "Impossible" by new X Factor winner James Arthur, but "Scream and Shout" looks set to open at #2.
2. Alicia Keys - "Girl On Fire" featuring Nicki Minaj
Courtesy RCA
Alicia Keys has her biggest pop hit single since 2007's #1 smash "No One." "Girl On Fire" has also climbed to #2 on the R&B singles chart. It is her seventh top 10 pop hit single in the UK and is the first release from the #1 hit album Girl On Fire.
3. One Direction - "Little Things"
Courtesy Syco
Ed Sheeran wrote the song "Little Things" with Fiona Bevan when he was 17. The song was then lost until Ed Sheeran found it earlier this year and offered it to One Direction. "Little Things" has become the boy band's second #1 hit single in the UK.
4. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis - "Thrift Shop" featuring Wanz
Courtesy Macklemore
The commercial success of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis proves that major label support is unnecessary to generate hit music. "Thrift Shop" has risen into the top 10 on both the rap and R&B singles charts. It is also a #1 pop smash in both Australia and New Zealand. An accompanying music video has become very popular generating nearly 30 million views on YouTube.
5. Swedish House Mafia featuring John Martin - "Don't You Worry Child"
Courtesy Astralwerks
"Don't You Worry Child" has been nominated for a 2013 Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording. It is a #1 dance hit in both the US and UK. "Don't You Worry Child" is the trio's third single to top the US dance chart.
6. Justin Bieber - "Beauty and a Beat" featuring Nicki Minaj
Courtesy Schoolboy Records
Justin Bieber became the subject of recent controversy when he failed to receive any Grammy Award nominations when they were announced last week. Many fans were shocked after he recently dominated the American Music Awards. He did receive two nominations last year for Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Album.
7. Calvin Harris - "Sweet Nothing" featuring Florence Welch
Courtesy Columbia
"Sweet Nothing" recently became the second #1 hit single in the UK by Calvin Harris as lead artist. It came after he peaked at #2 with four consecutive singles. The song is also turning into a major pop hit around the world. "Sweet Nothing" has reached #2 in both Australia and New Zealand.
8. Pink - "Try"
Courtesy RCA
Pink's latest hit "Try" has received strong critical acclaim. It is a major hit at adult pop radio and has climbed into the pop top 10 in the UK. The accompanying music video featuring evocative, acrobatic dance moves has also been acclaimed as one of the best of Pink's career.
9. Maroon 5 - "Daylight"
Courtesy Octone
"Daylight" is a change of direction for Maroon 5 singles. It is a soft rock anthem that moves away from more uptempo beats of recent hits. "Daylight" has become an instant top 30 hit at adult pop radio.
10. Of Monsters and Men - "Little Talks"
Courtesy Republic
Of Monsters and Men are an Icelandic band formed in 2010. They have risen quickly to international success with the single "Little Talks." It has topped the alternative songs chart in the US and has been certified platinum for sales. The album My Head Is An Animal reached #6 on the album chart.
