[WGO] ...Like A Record, Baby...

This week's WGO comes to you a bit late, I'm afraid. I've been swamped with work, and had lots of goodies to share with you this week (with much more coming soon!). I hope you had time to check out the interviews with Matt Mariner and Red Blooded Women! :)

However, it might be just as well at it comes late, as not too much has changed in terms of chart toppers. Taylor Swift and Flo Rida have kept their holds on the top positions. But here are some points worthy of interest:

On the Billboard 200 Album Chart: Yes, Taylor is again #1 (and her guest appearance on 'CSI' aired this week as well), making this her 11th non-consecutive week in the top position, and she is gaining on three times platinum. If she takes the #1 spot for just one more week after this, she will tie with Santana's epic Supernatural album. However, it is predicted she will lose out the top spot next week, as U2's new album is expected to crush all competition...only time will tell.

Imagine my surprise to see the brothers Jonas beat out (and pretty resoundly) by Lamb of God. I wasn't aware there were so many ardent Lamb of God fans, but obviously their are. But I think the biggest thing that is surprising me is that Taylor Swift continues to sell major amounts of records (over 70K this week) in such a recessive climate. I swear that every person who buys albums must own her record by now!

The top 10 is as follows:

1. Taylor Swift, Fearless (static)
2. Lamb of God, Wrath (debut, Hot Shot of the Week)
3. Jonas Brothers, The 3D Concert Experience (Soundtrack) (debut)
4. Slumdog Millionaire, Soundtrack (up from #22, Greatest Gainer)
5. Nickelback, Dark Horse (down from #4)
6. Beyonce, I Am...Sasha Fierce (down from #5)
7. Lady Gaga, The Fame (up from #10)
8. The Fray, The Fray (down from #3)
9. Jamie Foxx, Intuition (down from #6)
10. Kanye West, 808s & Heartbreak (down from #8)

Just a few points of interest:

• Kings of Leon's Only By the Night clocks in at #23 this week on its 23rd week on the chart. :) It's up in sales from #28 last week. It was also recently announced the band would be headlining the Lollapalooza festival. Good for them finally getting the recognition they deserve!
  
• Despite her popularity in home country, Lily Allen's It's Not Me, It's You continues to slip in sales in America. Which is a real shame because it's a brilliant album. The debuted at #5, the fell to #16, and this week clocks in at #27.
• I want to say congrats to K'NAAN, whose major label debut, Troubador, debuted at #32, just ahead of the debut of Van Morrison's latest effort, Astral Weeks.
• ABBA music cannot be denied, as the soundtrack to Mamma Mia! lands at #38 this week, up from #43 after 34 weeks on the chart.

Over on the Hot 100 Singles Chart:

I was under the impression that T.I./Justin Timberlake's "Dead and Gone" would snach the #1 spot out from under Flo Rida, but that was not so, as "Right Round" continues to hold steady in the top spot as the hottest song in the USA. The rest of the Top 10 have familiar faces, but surprising placement, most especially for my beloved Gaga...

The Top 10 is as follows:
1. Flo Rida (feat. Ke$ha) "Right Round" (static)
2. T.I./Justin Timberlake "Dead & Gone" (static)
3. Lady Gaga "Poker Face" (up from #6, new peak)
4. Soulja Boy Tell Em "Kiss Me Thru The Phone (feat. Sammie)" (up from #9, Airplay Gainer of the Week)
5. All American Rejects "Gives You Hell" (down from #4)
6. Kanye West "Heartless" (down from #3)
7. Lady Gaga "Just Dance" (static)
8. Eminem/Dr. Dre/50 Cent "Crack a Bottle" (down from #5)
9. Taylor Swift "Love Story" (down from #8)
10. Kelly Clarkson "My Life Would Suck Without You" (static)

Outside the Golden 10:

• Ne-Yo is definitely gunning for a Top 10 hit with "Mad". It falls at #11 this week to a new peak, up from #13 last week.
• The undisputable theme from Slumdog Millionaire (amazing movie -- if you haven't seen it yet, what's wrong with you?), "Jai Ho", by AR Rahman is officially connecting with American audiences, despite its intrinsically Indian groove. Personally, I love the original version in Hindi, but the English translation with Nicole Scherzinger of The Pussycat Dolls has literally jumped into the Top 20. It lands at #15 this week as the Sales Gainer, up from #100.
  
• Keri Hilson continues her slow crawl up the chart to #17 this week with "Turnin' Me On", the song's latest peak. It was #18 last week. Remember girl, slow and steady wins the race!
• Beyonce's "Halo" finally sees some positive movement, but is still outside the Top 40, landing at #41, at a new peak. It was #46 last week.