December 30, 2000

**NOTE OF CORRECTION FROM DECEMBER 23, 2000 CHART**

I mistakenly listed "So Fabulous, So Fierce" as being performed by Junior Vasquez and Jocelyn Enriquez.  I have corrected the chart to reflect the true artist:  Thunderpuss featuring Jocelyn Enriquez.  My apologies.

COMMENTARY ON THIS WEEK'S TOP 50:

The last chart of 2000...can you believe it???  At times I thought the year would never end, but now, in retrospect, I can't believe it is already almost 2001!  My chart is often full of surprises and the last chart of the year is no different.  Below is the December 30, 2000 chart commentary and I will be posting links to year-end stuff as I complete it.

Madonna scores her second #1 hit from MUSIC with "Don't Tell Me."  I expected, without a doubt, that Kina's "Girl from the Gutter" (#2) would have taken over the top spot with its tremendous point gains and chart movement the past three weeks.  However, fueled by my holiday travels (I covered Pennsylvania, Virginia, and of course Maryland on Christmas Day), Madonna manages to steal the #1 spot in airplay and overall (she is #2 in sales), holding Kina in the #2 spot (Kina is #1 in sales, #3 in airplay).  It seems that every burned cd I have in my car has one version or another of Madonna's hit.  Next week, I expect Kina to give Madonna a run for the pole position.  

Nina Gordon will have to settle for the runner-up spot as her first solo hit (and first career Top 50) drops to #3 after a single week at #2.  Da Buzz lands in the top 5 with their first top 50 hit, "Let Me Love You."  I recently downloaded a fantastic remix of the song that should boost its longevity on the chart.  The song scoots up from #6 to #4.  Lara Fabian inches two positions closer to scoring her second top 5 hit with "I Am Who I Am."  After a single week at #1, Rockell's second top hit plunges to #7.  I've determined that Rockell is an artist that I can listen to in doses.  Gabrielle scores her second top 10 hit of the year with "Sunshine."  The hit moves up a notch to #10 without gaining enough points to keep it bulleted (I hate using Billboard's terms, but I don't really have a term yet...email me with ideas).  I expect the song to regain some momentum next week, but it certainly doesn't seem to have the staying power of the smash hit "Rise."  

Once again Kristine W has two top 10 songs.  "Lovin' You" holds onto the top 10 another week and moves up a notch to #9 (again fueled by holiday travel).  Returning to the top 10 is the seven-week #2 hit "Stronger."  The song's performance has been rejuvenated by the unreleased ballad version of the song.  Ms. W is also heading toward the top 10 with "When the Money's Gone," billed to Bruce Roberts featuring Elton John and Kristine W (the song is currently bulleted [argh!] at #17).  Also, look for other songs from STRONGER to make appearances in 2001.  Some of the more likely contenders include "Let Love Reign," "Someone (Watching Over Me)," "Never Been Kissed," "If Only You Knew," and "Pieces of Me and You."

Elsewhere in the top 20, Erasure continues its ride, moving up two notches, with the recent #9 hit "Freedom" from the LOVEBOAT album.  "Miss the Way" by Razor N Guido featuring Reina continues to storm up the chart, moving #23 to #15 this week.  Reina just missed the Top 50 earlier this year with "Anything for Love."  Leann Rimes scores her second top 20 hit of the year (it is her fourth career Top 50--following "How Do I Live?" "big Deal" and "I Need You").  "I Need You" made it to #11 a few months ago.  Her latest, "Can't Fight the Moonlight" could become her second top 10 hit.

Just beyond the top 20, Kylie Minogue steals the second place point gain award with "Please Stay."  The third single from LIGHT YEARS to chart this year, it is definitely her fasted climbing hit to date.  Donna Summer continues to ride the top 50 with "The Power of One" from the movie POKEMON 2000.  Steps slips a notch to #26, but manages to hang on to a "bullet" with fair airplay gains.  I do expect the song to rebound, but it doesn't seem to have the UMPHF! that the group's hits have had.  I believe it's possible that I've just played them to death this year and I need a break.  A similar fate can probably be predicted for their eighth top 50 hit "Stomp," which moves only three to #32.  Fragma scores its second top 30 hit with "Everytime You Need Me," moving to #28 this week.

Chart newcomer Fisher scores the third place point gain with "I Will Love You," her Sarah-esque tune that is getting a lot of attention as of late.  Taking the week's biggest point gainer is Robbie Williams with "Supreme."  I have to say that I thought "Angels" would be the song to propel Williams into the US spotlight ("Millennium" should have done it), but since that didn't happen, I would certainly place my bets on this little pop gem.  This is most definitely my favorite from him so far and should break the #7/2 weeks chart peak achieved by "Angels" at the beginning of the year.

Thank you, John, for helping me take notice of Mel C's latest.  The song manages to bolt into the chart at #40 just based on a Napster download and airplay since Wednesday.  "If That Were Me" is one of the best songs I've heard all year and it will most definitely take Mel to the top 10 success she has seen with her first two Top 50 hits "Never Be the Same Again" and "I Turn to You."  She is, by far, the most successful of the solo spices (Geri Halliwell has scored four Top 50 hits, but only one Top 10 and Mel B's "Tell Me" has yet to break the chart).  In a prediction, I would give "If That Were Me" the distinction of being the first "most likely to be a huge hit" Top 50.

Other debuts include Sonique's return to the Top 50 for the third time this year with her original first single, "I Put A Spell on You."  Madonna scores her third Top 50 from MUSIC with "Runaway Lover."  Elton John joins the likes of Gabrielle, Madonna, Kristine W, Mel C, Robbie Williams, Steps, and Kylie Minogue, among others, and scores his second current Top 50 hit with a live version of "I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues," a duet featuring Mary J. Blige (who would have thought she would score three Top 50 hits in one year!).  Thanks Sam for giving me the scoop on this little ditty (yes I said ditty).  Finally, ATC scores its first Top 50 with "Around the World," coming in at #50.

What goes up must come down and among those falling this week:

Nina Gordon gets a single week at #2 with "Tonight and the Rest of My Life;" Rockell's "The Dance" scored a single week at #1 and drops to #7; teen popster Mikaila (can you believe she is only 14!?!) plummets to #19 after two weeks at #9 with her debut single "So in Love with Two;" and Lulu hits a wall at #28 with "Better Get Ready" and lands at #37 this week.

What should you expect to see in 2001???

Kristine W, Madonna, Tina Cousins, Erasure, Kina, Mel C, Kylie Minogue, Backstreet Boys, and much much more.

I hope each of you has a safe and joyous New Years celebration (I know I'm praying for lots of snow so I can spend some time in the house relaxing and just, well, relaxing--working on the year-end stuff).

Craig in MD..as always, charts and comments are welcomed...

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