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. Adele - "Set Fire To the Rain"
Courtesy Columbia
"Set Fire To the Rain" replaced "Rumour Has It" as Adele's follow up single to the #1 smash hits "Rolling In the Deep" and "Someone To Love" after radio programmers reported stronger positive response from audiences to "Set Fire To the Rain." It is becoming a success across multiple radio formats like its predecessors. "Set Fire To the Rain" is a top 40 dance and adult pop hit as well as reaching the rock songs chart.
2. Lady Gaga - "Marry the Night"
Courtesy Interscope
"Marry the Night" is looking to becomeLady Gaga's 12th consecutive top 10 pop hit. However, it appears to be struggling to reach that lofty goal. This is the first time Lady Gaga has released five singles from an individual album. "Marry the Night" is a dance and adult pop hit as well as climbing the mainstream top 40 radio chart.
3. T-Pain - "5 O'Clock" featuring Wiz Khalifa and Lily Allen
Courtesy Jive
T-Pain's album rEVOLVEr was released last week. It looks like the album will be his first to fail to reach the top 10 since his debut Rappa Ternt Sanga in 2005. "5 O'Clock" debuted at #6 in the UK this week becoming T-Pain's first top 10 pop hit there. It is also a top 10 R&B hit here in the US.
4. Selena Gomez and the Scene - "Love You Like a Love Song"
Courtesy Hollywood Records
Selena Gomez and the Scene hit a new peak for "Love You Like a Love Song" this past week on the Billboard Hot 100 rising to #34. The chart climb is fueled by the fact the song is nearing the top 10 in mainstream top 40 radio airplay. "Love You Like a Love Song" is a top 10 pop hit in Canada.
5. J. Cole - "Work Out"
Courtesy Roc Nation
Rapper J. Cole was the first artist signed to Jay-Z's Roc Nation label. His debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story was released in September 2011. It went straight to #1 on the album chart. It has been certified gold for selling more than 500,000 copies. "Work Out" is the biggest hit single from the album so far and has reached the top 10 on R&B and rap singles charts.
6. Justin Bieber - "Mistletoe"
Courtesy Island Records
Justin Bieber's single "Mistletoe" has helped lead the album Under the Mistletoe to sales exceeding 500,000 and a gold record certification. "Mistletoe" is a top 5 adult contemporary hit in the US as well as reaching the pop top 10 at home in Canada. It has climbed as high as #21 in the UK.
7. Hot Chelle Rae - "I Like It Like That" featuring New Boyz
Courtesy RCA
Hot Chelle Rae's breakthrough single "Tonight Tonight" has been certified two times platinum. "I Like It Like That" is beginning to follow in its footsteps as it picks up both radio airplay and sales steam. The song was co-produced by Emanuel Kiriakou, a music veteran who co-wrote and co-produced "Tonight Tonight" as well as hits by others including "Who Says" by Selena Gomez and the Scene and "Crush" by David Archuleta.
8. Gym Class Heroes - "Ass Back Home" featuring Neon Hitch
Courtesy Fueled By Ramen
"Ass Back Home" features upcoming British singer and songwriter Neon Hitch. She is a protege of Benny Blanco. She was also featured on the minor chart hit "Follow Me Down" by 3OH!3. Gym Class Heroes detail the difficulties of maintaining a relationship with the lifestyle of a touring musician in the lyrics for "Ass Back Home."
9. Big Sean - "Dance A($$)" featuring Nicki Minaj
Courtesy Def Jam
"Dance (A$$)" is Big Sean's third consecutive single to reach the top 5 on the R&B and rap charts from his debut album Finally Famous. The album debuted at #3 on the album chart.
10. Karmin - "Crash Your Party"
Courtesy Epic
Karmin are a pop duo made up of engaged couple Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan. Their debut album is expected in February 2012. "Crash Your Party" was first released in October 2011.
