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 Pop 100 chart are disqualified from this chart.
1. Kelly Clarkson - Walk Away
The numbers are stunning for Kelly Clarkson's album Breakaway. It has spent over a year in the top 20 of the albums chart, generated 4 major hit singles, and includes "Since U Been Gone," one of the most celebrated singles of 2005, and my pick for the best pop song of 2005. For this 5th single from the album, Clarkson has returned to edgier material, and it is rushing up the charts.
2. Nelly featuring Paul Wall, Ali & Gipp - Grillz
As his latest hit is climbing the pop singles chart, Nelly will be heading to the gridiron as a celebrity coach in the Battle of the Stars Youth Football Classic this Saturday, January 14th, 2005 in Miami, Florida. His St. Louis All Stars will square off against teams coached by Snoop Dogg, Trick Daddy, Diddy, and Luther Campbell.
3. Ashlee Simpson - L.O.V.E.
Ashlee Simpson is back in the U.S. recovering from an attack of exhaustion sufered last month in Japan. Meanwhile the second single from her album I Am Me is climbing the pop singles chart.
4. Natasha Bedingfield - Unwritten
It is a slow takeoff just like "These Words," her first U.S. hit, but "Unwritten" is picking up steam particularly at pop radio. Natasha Bedingfield is an artist to watch in 2006.
5. Black Eyed Peas - Pump It
The Peas will headline the Honda Civic concert tour that kicks off in late March, 2006. One lucky fan will win a specially souped-up Honda Civic Hybrid.
6. Ne-Yo - So Sick
Ne-Yo has tumbled from the top spot last week. His sweet song "So Sick" seemed to almost get buried in the crush of replaying last year's hits. However, 2006 should be good to Ne-Yo.
7. Cascada - Everytime We Touch
For those with "Listen To Your Heart" withdrawal, "Everytime We Touch" is a new round of sweet, swift, European dance music.
8. Weezer - Perfect Situation
With leader Rivers Cuomo heading back to Harvard this spring, Weezer are on indefinite hiatus, but they have squelched rumors they are breaking up. Meanwhile, the album Make Believe continues to spin off hit songs.
9. Lil' Wayne - Fireman
The latest high profile rapper from the Cash Money camp has been making TV rounds lately including a powerful performance of "Shooter" with Alan Thicke's son, soul singer Robin Thicke, on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Head over to the Prefix Blog for a video clip.
10. Lindsay Lohan - Confessions of a Broken Heart
Lindsay Lohan recently suffered an asthma attack that landed her in the hospital, but she is reportedly recovering well. She is also the subject of a much publicized Vanity Fair cover story this month.
