Weaver's Charts

Commentary - July 2000

Main chart | Breakers

Weekend 26: July 2

After close to 20 years with Columbia Records, Michael Bolton and the record label have parted ways. Manager Louis Levin confirmed the split. "We have decided to go in a new direction. We're very proud of our association with Sony and Columbia, and we continue to maintain a good relationship with them." Bolton is still in discussions with Sony about his international contract. The singer and label enjoyed a tremendously successful relationship with Bolton, selling more than 50 albums worldwide. Bolton's decline can be dated back to the day in 1996 when he shaved his trademark locks in an attempt to emulate Richard O'Brien.

The Mavericks have left Mercury Records after just one album - last year's Super Colossal Smash Hits of the '90s, a largely greatest-hits collection culled from the group's output for sister label MCA Nashville. "Being signed to a Nashville label made it difficult to promote the music the Mavericks are making now," manager Frank Callari said. Callari is looking for both a pop label deal for the group and a solo deal for lead singer Raul Malo, possibly with the same label.

Gary Barlow has been fired from RCA records, after a singularly unsuccessful solo career. The former Take That singer-songwriter started well, taking Forever Love and Love Won't Wait to a week as #1 sales single. But he's been completely overshadowed by erstwhile member Robbie Williams, who has had two massive albums and sort-of broken the US. His second album, released last October, Twelve Months and Eleven Days, sold around 1211 copies, leading to Barlow's ditching by his record company.

Another Level, the boy band that shrunk from four to three to two members during last year, has finally shrunk to a one-person act. Dane Bowyers and The Other One will now pursue solo careers. This comes as no surprise to N'Sync, who claim all British boy bands are crap and can't sing. Full marks for observation, then.

Will Smith has been sued for copyright infringement by four songwriters of the Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five song Superappin. The suit, brought by Guy Todd Williams, Nathaniel Glover, Melvin Glover and Eddie Morris, alleges that Smith used portions of the song without their consent on Will2K. The rapper/actor "omitted plaintiffs' names and instead substituted the names of Will Smith and Bobby Robinson." Bill Smith said "I didn't do it, nobody saw me do it, you can't prove anything," thus leaving himself open to be sued by another cartoon character.

Eminem's The Marshall Mathers LP continues its reign at #1 in the US for a fifth consecutive week, on 409,000 sales. The album has sold 4.1 million since its release, and holds off Britney Spears' Oops! ... I Did It Again at #2 for the second straight week.
Two new albums crash into the upper reaches of the chart this week, as the Deftones' White Pony enters at #3 (178,000 copies sold); and Busta Rhymes' Anarchy debuts at #4 (176,500 units.) R&B group Next's Welcome II Nextasy bows at #12
Other entries this week include California-based rap outfit Jurassic 5's debut Quality Control at #43; Billy Gilman's One Voice at #52; k.d. lang's Invincible Summer at #58; the various artists compilation Punk O Rama 4 at #71; MC Eiht's N' My Neighborhood at #95; and Sunny Day Real Estate's The Rising Tide at #97, the group's highest-ever place on the album chart.
The soundtrack to Titan A.E. enters at #127; the Black Crowes' A Tribute To A Work In Progress ... Greatest Hits 1990-1999 at #143; the various artists set Wow Gold: 30 Landmark Christian Songs Of The 70s, 80s, and 90s at #146; SR-71's Now You See Inside at #148; DJs Sasha and John Digweed's Communicate at #149; the various artists collection Suave House Off Da Chain Volume 1 2000 at #158; the soundtrack to Me, Myself & Irene at #181; the various artists set Everlasting Love Songs at #190; and electronic artist Paul Van Dyk's Out There And Back at #192.
Jessica Simpson's Sweet Kisses is the fastest-growing album at retail, and jumps from #66 to #53. BBMak's Sooner Or Later shows the highest percentage growth, and moves from #102 to #79.

Over on The Hot 100, the top three spots remain unchanged. Enrique Iglesias' Be With You is #1 for the third straight week, followed by Aaliyah's Try Again at #2 and Christina Aguilera's I Turn To You at #3. matchbox twenty's Bent jumps into the top 10 from #12 to #8, followed by Creed's Higher, which moves from #11 to #9.
Destiny's Child's Jumpin, Jumpin is the fastest growing track at radio, and leaps from #37 to #22. Everclear's Wonderful is this week's top debut at #77, followed by Stone Temple Pilots' Sour Girl at #79.
Another Creed track, With Arms Wide Open, pulls into the top slot of Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks tally, bumping Metallica's I Disappear to #2. The Creed song is #2 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, just behind 3 Doors Down's Kryptonite, which holds at #1 for the eighth week in a row.

The rest...

                                                  albums
 16 (19) Destiny's Child: the writing's on the wall
 21 (24) Sting: brand new day
*42 (50) va: MTV - Return of the Rock
 75 (55) Sinead O'Connor: faith and courage
*77 (97) A*Teens: the abba generation
*82 (103)Yolanda Adams: mountain high... valley low
*94 (109)Disturbed: the sickness
                                                    heat
  1 (6)  Lara Fabian
* 2 (10) Westlife
* 4 new  SR-71: now you see inside
* 5 new  Sasha and John Digweed: communicate
  7 (14) Dido: no angel
  9 (13) S Club 7
*12 new  Paul Van Dyk: out there and back
*13 (22) Slum Village: fantastic vol 2
*16 new  Face To Face: reactionary
 18 (16) Travis: the man who
                                                   indie
  1 (1)  Three 6 Mafia: when the smoke clears... [week 2]
* 3 new  Punk O Rama #5: va
*10 new  Sasha and John Digweed: communicate
*12 new  Suava House Off Da Chain: va
*15 new  Paul Van Dyk: out there and back
 16 (9)  Belle & Sebastian: fold your hands child...
                                                    inet
  1 new  Deftones: white pony
  7 (11) Creed: human clay
  9 new  k d lang: invincible summer
 10 (16) Whitney Houston: greatest hits
 13 (17) Sting: brand new day
 16 new  Paul Van Dyk: out there and back
 17 new  Black Crowes: a tribute to a work in progress
 18 new  Jurassic 5: quality control
                                                 hot 100
*13 (17) Nine Days: absolutely (story of a girl)
*18 (21) Jay-Z: big pimpin
 19 (18) BBMak: back here
 20 (20) Westlife: swear it again
*24 (35) Sting: desert rose
*25 (31) Next: wifey
*29 (33) Donnell Jones: where i wanna be
*30 (43) Janet: doesn't really matter
*32 (41) Dr Dre: the next episode
*35 (38) Lee Ann Womack: i hope you dance
*38 (76) Ruff Endz: no more
*40 (50) No Doubt: simple kind of life
*41 (51) Da Brat: what'chu like
*43 (48) Son By Four: purest of pain
*44 (47) 3 Doors Down: kryptonite
*50 (54) Mandy Moore: i wanna be with you
                                             modern rock
  1 (1)  Three Doors Down: kryptonite
* 3 (4)  Everclear: wonderful
*11 (16) Red Hot Chili Peppers: californication
*15 (17) SR-71: right now
*19 (24) Eminem: the real slim shady
*20 (25) (Rock) Superstar: cypress hill
                                                 country
* 1 (2)  Lee Ann Womack: i hope you dance
* 4 (5)  Clay Davidson: unconditional
* 5 (7)  Reba McEntire: i'll be
* 6 (12) Lonestar: what about now
*11 (13) Eric Heatherly: flowers on the wall
*12 (15) Alan Jackson: it must be love
*13 (18) Jo Dee Messina: that's the way
*14 (17) Dixie Chicks: cold day in july
*20 (23) Joe Diffie: it's always somethin'
                                                     r&b
* 1 (3)  Avant: separated
* 5 (19) Ruff Endz: no more
* 8 (14) Sisqo: incomplete
* 9 (13) Da Brat: what'chu like
*16 (21) Ideal: whatever
                                            adult top 40
  1 (1)  Vertical Horizon: everything you want [week 11]
* 3 (4)  Sting: desert rose
* 5 (6)  Goo Goo Dolls: broadway
* 7 (10) Nine Days: absolutely (story of a girl)
*17 (19) Sister Hazel: change your mind
*18 (20) Don Henley: taking you home

adult contemporary #1: Faith Hill: breathe [week 9]
mainstream rock #1:    Creed: with arms wide open [week 1]
top 40 tracks #1:      N'Sync: it's gonna be me [week 2]

TOTP

Got to see this one. Almost wish I hadn't.

#2 Black Legend: you see the trouble with me
 barry white lookalike prances pointlessly in front of
 girls in gold lame and pictures of the walrus. why?!
#22 Lonestar: amazed
 you saw it three weeks ago. and in may. and in april.
 and in march. and in february on totp2. now go out, buy
 the record, make it the hit it deserves to be. [it's
 the almost-in-a-line performance from the entry week.
 complete with the same brutal edit.]
#8 Girl Thing: last one standing
 no-one mention cheap spice girl rip-offs and we should
 be ok. oh well, this lot can't sing, don't dance, and
 have a very c-grade track.
#7 Damage: ghetto romance
 as insipid as ever, but not as offensive as the last
 lot.
#5 David Gray: babylon
 man with guitar and two backing instruments in front of
 totally white backdrop. apart from the logo. great
 presentation spoiled by shite camerwork and branding.
new Limp Bizkit: take a look around
 wha'? ver bizkit on ver pops? shome mishtake shurely!
 but no! a performance from a small concert in the us.
 just get the f***in logo out of shot. it's not cool.
 unlike this performance.
new oasis: sunday morning call
 a close-up of the logo, anyone?
#1 Kylie Minogue: spinning around
 ew. kylie on a pedastal, with lots of dancers around.
 this is stupid. where's the cricket?

The Richard Ashcroft Bandwagon rolls on. The former Verve frontman's Alone With Everybody album enters at #1 on the UK Album Charts, ousting Eminem's Marshall Mathers LP to #2 and Moby's Play to #3. David Gray's White Ladder climbs from 7 to 4, with S Club 7's 7 slipping 3-5. Travis's The Man Who and Santana's Supernatural climb back into the top 10 as the summer sales begin to kick in. Badly Drawn Boy's The Hour of Bewilderbeast enters at #13, with Jamelia's Drama new at #39. Lil' Kim's Notorious KIM debuting at #67, while new Morcheeba - Who Can You Trust - comes in at the anchor #75 position.
Big climbs include Eminem's Slim Shady LP (28-17), Westlife (32-18), Moby's I Like To Score (71-54)

UK Impact Chart

1 [37]Eminem: The Real Slim Shady
 unwelcome return of the misogynist.
2 [1] Sonique: It Feels So Good
3 [3] Kylie Minouge: Spinning Around
4 [5] Mary Mary: Shackles (Praise You)
5 new Samantha Mumba: Gotta Tell You
 the latest Irish corporate creation
6 [2] Black Legend: You See the Trouble With Me
7 [4] Darrude: Sandstorm
8 [6] Birtney Spears: Oops I Did It Again
9 new Coldplay: Yellow
 the great hopes of British rock
10[11]David Gray: Babylon
...also...
17 Vengaboys: Uncle John From Jamaica
 the vengasong is back. again.
20 Lonyo: Summer Of Love
 strong drumming, weedy voice.
36 Blink 182: What's My Age Again?
 made no impression last october. all good things...
39 Sid Owen: Good Thing Going
 yet another talent-free ex-east-ender.

Personal Airplay

1 [8] Britney Spears: Oops I Did It Again
2 [10]David Gray: Babylon
3 [1] Mary Mary: Shackles
4 new Christina Aguilera: I Turn To You
 classic diane warren, sensitively interpreted.
5  re Tears For Fears: Shout
 us #1 in 1985, when brits did that regularly.
6 new Macy Gray: Why Didn't You Call Me?
 third single - it'll be here for ages.
7  re Nine Days: Absolutely (Story Of A Girl)
8  re Bloodhound Gang: The Bad Touch
9  re Coors: Breathless
10 re Mel C / Lisa Lopez: Never Be The Same Again

Weekend 27: July 9

Nine people are killed in a crush at the Roskilde festival in Denmark. They are trampled underfoot early in a set by Pearl Jam. The remainder of the event continues, but Oasis pulls out as they don't want their dying career to be associated with other failures.

Billie Piper refuses to play a gig at the end of year party at Oxford Uni. The students were really tipsy, apparently, and her minders feared that one might leap on stage and do something Ms Piper might not like, such as sing in tune.
Billie is diversifying her career, by moving into the agony aunt business. The problems, submitted to some girlie website, will be answered by the part-time problem solver and occasional singer.

Robbie Williams sells out his UK 240,000-ticket autumn tour inside six hours. The amazing shifting of tickets is testament to modern box-office systems.

The Other Two members of Boyzone announce their solo career, as a duo. They'll be covering Milli Vanilli's 1988 minor hit Girl You Know It's True. A spokesmodel for the pair said that there would be no lipsyncing involved, after MV were found to not contribute vocals to their track.

Serial rock wife Patsy Kensit has put the kybosh on yet another career. She's split with Oasis lead whiner Liam Gallagher, in the same week that his band's single has failed to meet expectations. Kensit has left the UK; Oasis will release yet another crap album next January afer recording it in a week, next week.

Three For Today... Aspiration Of The Week:
I Hope You Dance - Lee Ann Womack with Sons of the Desert
It's been far too long since Womack had a song hit the airwaves. Her comeback is a quiet number that packs huge amounts of emotion in a simple package. Love never died so sweetly. The album of the same name out in the US now.

Song That Doesn't Need A Cover Of The Week:
The Riddle - Nik Kershaw
I'm really showing my age here, but I really dug this first time round. Nik Kershaw was, for about ten seconds in 1984, the latest, greatest, rocky-singy-songwrity-talent anywhere in Britain. Then we found out about Madonna, and put such childish things aside (: Anyway, this was the centre of much attention on first release, as the lyrics and video made no sense. Heck, they still make no sense, but that hasn't stopped some Italian producer from ripping the heart out of the song in his "dancey" mode. The whole point of this one is that it moves at a cracking pace, without stopping. Worth another listen, I reckon. Originally on "Human Racing," also on "The Best Of Nik Kershaw," UK release August 7.

Song That Cries Out For A Cover Of The Week:
Life Is A Rollercoaster - Ronan Keating
Think back a year or so, to a ubiquitous rock track, You Get What You Give. The man behind that one, Gregg Alexander, broke his band and continued to turn out kick-ass pop songs. This is such a song. The vocal performance by Keating, the former lead singer with Boyzone, is down to his usual poor standard. Someone, anyone, can make a better version than this. The song deserves it! UK single release next Monday.

For the sixth straight week, Eminem tops The Billboard album chart, holding off another good week for Britney Spears' Oops! ... I Did It Again and three strong debuts inside the top 5.
Eminem's The Marshall Mathers LP sold nearly 342,000 more copies, while Spears' sales remained strong at 257,000 pieces. Knocking on the penthouse door are rapper Nelly's debut album, Country Grammar which sold nearly 253,000 copies to bow at #3; Lil' Kim's long-awaited sophomore release, Notorious K.I.M. debuting at #4 on sales over 230,000 copies; and Kelly Price's Mirror Mirror which rounds out the top 5 after moving 157,000.
Notorious K.I.M. is the top debut on the Internet Album Sales chart, bowing at #7; Country Grammar pulls in at #10; and Mirror Mirror debuts at #20.

The rest of the top 10 lists Creed's Human Clay up one at #6, followed by 'N Sync's No Strings Attached down two at #7. Kid Rock's History Of Rock drops two to #8, while Papa Roach's Infest clocks in up two at #9. Eric Clapton and B.B. King's Riding With The King slips two, but manages to hold on at #10. The album moves up one to top the Internet Album Sales tally, displacing the Deftones' White Pony which falls out of the top 20 of that chart, and slips 12 slots to #15 on The 200.

Other new entries include the various artists Lazie Bone Presents Mo Thugs III: The Mother Ship at #45; Def Squad's Def Squad Presents Eric Onasis at #53; Sister Hazel's Fortress at #63; Kottonmouth Kings' High Society at #65; and Brother Lynch Hung's EBK4 at #86.

Over on The Hot 100, Vertical Horizon vaults up five spots to top the chart with Everything You Want. The song has been on the chart as an album track for 26 weeks, but only last week did RCA release a commercial single version, giving it the retail points it needed to hit #1. Everything You Want knocks Enrique Iglesias' Be With You down to #3, behind Aaliyah's Try Again which holds at #2 again this week. The top 5 on the singles tally is rounded out by Joe's I Wanna Know up one to #4, and 'N Sync's It's Gonna Be Me up two to #5.

New to the Hot 100 are Sister Hazel with Change Your Mind at #75, Shedaisy's I Will... But at #78, Lil' Kim's No Matter What They Say at #80, Keith Urban's Your Everything at #81, Kelly Price's As We Lay at #82, and Eve & Jadakiss' Got It All at #89.

The rest of the story...

                                                  albums
 22 (21) Sting: brand new day
*29 (34) Red Hot Chili Peppers: californication
*36 (53) Jessica Simpson: sweet kisses
*43 (52) Billy Gilman: one voice
*48 (59) Pink: can't take me home
*66 (79) BBMak: sooner or later
*77 (82) Yolanda Adams: mountain high valley low
*84 (94) Disturbed: the sickness
*91 (98) Alice Deejay: who needs guitars anyway?
 95 (75) Sinead O'Connor: faith and courage
*98 (113)Common: like water for chocolate
                                                    heat
* 1 (1)  Lara Fabian [week 2]
* 2 new  Richard Ashcroft: alone with everybody
  3 (2)  Westlife
* 6 new  Taproot: gift
  8 (9)  S Club 7
 10 (5)  Sasha & John Digweed: communicate
*11 (17) Nobody's Angel
*12 new  Bumpy Knuckles: industry shakedown
*14 (20) Splenderer: halfway down the sky
 17 (18) Travis: the man who
*18 new  Nina Gordon: tonight and the rest of my life
*19 new  The Comrads: wake up & ball
                                                   indie
  1 (1)  Three 6 Mafia: when the smoke clears... [wk 3]
* 2 new  Mo Thugs III: va
* 5 new  Brotha Lynch Hung: ebk4
 13 (10) Sasha & John Digweed: communicate
*14 new  Bumpy Knuckles: industry shakedown
 19 (15) Paul Van Dyk: out there and back
 20 (16) Belle & Sebastian: fold your hands child...
                                                internet
  5 (7)  Creed: human clay
  9 (13) Sting: brand new day
 11 re   Red Hot Chili Peppers: californication
 17 new  Billy Gilman: one voice
                                                 hot 100
* 6 (8)  Matchbox 20: bent
*11 (13) Nine Days: absolutely (story of a girl)
*15 (19) BBMak: back here
*18 (22) Destiny's Child: jumpin jumpin
*19 (38) Ruff Endz: no more
*21 (24) Sting: desert rose
*22 (25) Next: wifey
 25 (20) Westlife: swear it again
*27 (32) Dr Dre / Snoop Dogg: the next episode
*30 (37) Nelly: (hot shit) country grammar
*35 (43) Son By Four: purest of pain (a puro dolor)
*38 (44) 3 Doors Down: kryptonite
*44 (52) Jessica Simpson: i think i'm in love with you
*45 (50) Mandy Moore: i wanna be with you
*49 (54) Rascal Flatts: prayin' for daylight
*50 (56) Lonestar: what about now
                                             modern rock
  1 (1)  3 Doors Down: kryptonite [week 9]
* 2 (6)  Papa Roach: last resort
* 7 (11) Red Hot Chili Peppers: californication
*13 (15) SR-71: right now
*17 (26) Incubus: stellar
                                                 country
  1 (1)  Lee Ann Womack: i hope you dance [week 2]
* 4 (6)  Lonestar: what about now
* 6 (8)  Rascal Flatts: prayin' for daylight
* 8 (11) Eric Heatherly: flowers on the wall
* 9 (12) Alan Jackson: it must be love
*15 (18) SheDaisy: i will...but
*18 (21) Brooks & Dunn: you'll always be loved by me
                                                     r&b
* 1 (4)  Jagged Edge: let's get married
* 2 (5)  Ruff Endz: no more
*11 (16) Ideal / Lil' Mo: whatever
*19 (21) Kelly Price: as we lay
                                            adult top 40
  1 (1)  Vertical Horizon: everything you want [week 12]
* 3 (3)  Sting: desert rose
* 4 (7)  Nine Days: absolutely (story of a girl)
 10 (11) Santana / Rob Thomas: smooth
*14 (17) Sister Hazel: change your mind

adult contemporary #1: Faith Hill: breathe [week 10]
mainstream rock #1:    Creed: with arms wide open [week 2]
top 40 tracks #1:      N'Sync: it's gonna be me [week 4]

TOTP
Hosted by Jamie Theakston with Gaby Roslin

#3 Kylie Minogue: spinning around
 repeat of last week's. arse.
#8 Lonyo: summer of love
 dancing around and looking a tad foolish. like the white
 suits, and how it sounds a bit like "sending out an sos"
#2 Samantha Mumba: gotta tell you
 is she singing flat? what's with the personal stereo
 earphones? no, she can't cut it live.
#4 Coldplay: yellow
 third debut of the week, same stage as david grey last
 week, almost the same staging, but with playing
 spotlights. so much popping consonants he sings live.
gaby roslin promotes the bbc's latest promo stunt. zzz.
#6 Vengaboys: uncle john from jamaica
 the music may be crap, but they do put on a decent show.
#14 Sid Owen: good thing going
 same stage as the vengas... hmm... black leather jacket
 and clearly nervous. who's the co-rapper?
pre Robbie Williams: rock dj
 the video - the first since easter. kinda stopped on the
 friday showing, before the watershed. jolly rocky, tho'
pre Five: we will rock you
 like a crowd before the (absent) mercury. then may and
 deacon and the other one emerge from the video wall. the
 lisa lopez to five's mel c.

#1 Eminem: the real slim shady

Isn't shown. He's too racy for this time of evening, and hasn't consented to do a TOTP-edit. Which means we've no chart topper for the first time since Frankie Goes To Hollywood in 1984.

Eminem's Marshall Mathers LP returns to top the album charts, just ahead of David Gray's White Ladder. That climbs 4-2. Moby Play holds at 3, last week's topper Richard Ashcroft Alone With Everybody slumps to 4 and Whitney's Greatest Hits rebounds 7-5. Britney's Oops I Did It Again bounces 14-10, and is the only entry into the top 10.
In a quiet week, k d lang has the highest entry, Invincible Summer bowing at #17. Blink 182 has the greatest gainer, Enema Of The State rebounds 24-18, while the Red Hot Chili Peppers Californication storms 32-23. Andrea Bocelli's Sogno moves 51-36 following his appearance on a tv chat show, and there are moves for Melanie C (Northern Star, 48-41) and Destiny's Child (The Writing's On The Wall, 53-42) ahead of new singles. That's also the reason why Oasis Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants scuttles 65-45. The only other new entry goes to another Canadian talent, Shania Twain, whose old Wild & Wicked album enters at 66. It goes alongside Come On Over (#21 in its 102nd week) and The Woman In Me (#64 in week 18).

UK Impact Chart

1 [58]Corrs: Breathless
 biggest hit by far for the irish family
2 [1] Eminem: The Real Slim Shady
3 new Limp Bizkit: Take A Look Around
 from mission impossible 2
4 [2] Sonique: It Feels So Good
5 new Steps: Summer Of Love / When I Said Goodbye
 another massive hit that owes nothing to abba.
6 [8] Birtney Spears: Oops I Did It Again
7 [4] Mary Mary: Shackles (Praise You)
8 new Artful Dodger: Woman Trouble
 featuring robbie craig and craig david
9 [5] Samantha Mumba: Gotta Tell You
10new Alice DJ: Will I Ever
 almost ballad territory, at 100 mph.
...also...
14 Oasis: Sunday Morning Call
 it's a certified flop.
24 Jessica Simpson: I Think I'm In Love With You
 overlooking the ill-starred duet. good move.
31 Atomic Kitten: I Want Your Love
 writing credits include Nik Kershaw, Andy McCluskey, and the KLF.

Personal Airplay

1 [2] David Gray: Babylon
2 [9] Coors: Breathless
3 [1] Britney Spears: Oops I Did It Again
4  re Moby: Porcelain
5 new Blink 182: What's My Age Again?
 re-issue of minor hit last year becomes much bigger
6 [3] Mary Mary: Shackles
7 new k d lang: Summerfling
 the most commercial release since the "ingenue" album, methinks
8 new Robbie Williams: (I Don't Wanna) Rock DJ
 a decently loud comeback single
9  re Des'ree: What's Your Sign?
 originally a hit in 1998.
10 re Macy Gray: Still

One more comeback single: George Michael & Mary J Blige "As" (1999).

Weekend 28: July 16

Stop! In The Name Of Bob! The Supremes Reunion Tour (Without Two Of The Three Supremes) is finally cancelled after 12 nights playing to almost empty venues. The tour, consisting of Diana Ross and two late replacements, fell flat on its face, with Diana Ross being all ego and no talent.

If I Could Turn Back The Hands Of Time: Michael Jackson is being sued for $1 million by a Beverley Hills jeweller. The watchmaker lent a watch to Jacko, whose personal clock stopped somewhere around 1985, for the Grammy awards in February. Jacko returned the watch late June, scratched, and in no fit state to sell on. Comparisons with his forthcoming album are just too obvious.

Oops I Did It For Charidee, Mate: Birtney Spears, the 18-million sales teen pop sensation, says she goes into hospitals to cheer sick children up. Sweet, isn't it.

Breathtakingly Pointless: The Coors have been nominated by their record company to lead the ill-starred battle against MP3, internet music and all that jazz. "Downloading something for free is like walking into the store and walking out with a CD. Without paying," says one of the shockingly ill-advised Coors, reading a press statement. Badly.

Step Off: Steps have been criticised by some London DJ for not signing enough autographs at a concert last weekend. "They should remember their pre-teen fans," spouts the self-obsessed jerk. Steps were charming in the press tent; more informed critics than this self-publicist (ie just about everyone) suggest that Steps wore themselves out with the press, and had nothing left for their fans.

Three For Today: Belief Of The Week:
Affirmation - Savage Garden
I spoke last week about the drive and pace behind Nik Kershaw's "Riddle". One track that's sprung out with similar whoomph is the new release from everyone's favourite all-Aussie duo. It rattles through a list of observations on modern life at a frantic pace. Lyrically similar to Baz Luhrmann's "Sunscreen Song," but that's where the similarities end. UK single 7/24.

Eurosong Of The Week:
My Star - Brainstorm
With the UK single release set for this Monday, and the album "Amongst The Suns" out in Germany tomorrow, another hurrah for the stars of this year's Eurovision song contest. Latvian rock acts may be a small category, but it's a big talent. UK single 7/17, DE album 7/14, UK album 8/14, Eurosong compilation now.

Strange Fruit Of The Week:
Paper Bag - Fiona Apple
Radio 2's playlist has been getting more unpredictable by the month recently. Even after ditching the Sinatra image of the 90s for a modern AC station, I wasn't expecting to hear the warblings of Ms Apple interrupting Terry Wogan's ramblings. Yet the second single to promote the Album With A Very Long Title Indeed has made Radio 2's list, and is a scarily soft number. Classic Apple. UK single 7/24; album out now.

And three more... "Take A Look Around" - Limp Bizkit ... "Ghetto Superstar" - ODB / Mya / Pras Michel ... "Good Vibrations" - Beach Boys

In This Life: The Beatles' 1965 ballad In My Life has been named the greatest song ever written, in a poll for a British music magazine. The bittersweet Lennin number, included on the band's album "Rubber Soul," topped the list, selected by well-known songwriters including Brian Wilson, Jerry Leiber, and Hal David. Paul McCartney's song Here, There And Everywhere took fourth spot, while Yesterday came in at 11th place.

The top 10:

1. 'In My Life' - Lenin / McCartney
2. '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction' - Jagger
3. 'Over The Rainbow' - Harburg / Arlen
4. 'Here, There And Everywhere' - Lenin / McCartney
5. 'Tracks Of My Tears' - Robinson
6. 'The Times They Are A Changing' - Bob Dylan 
7. 'Strange Fruit' - Billie Holiday 
8. 'I Can't Make You Love Me' - King
9. 'People Get Ready' - Marley
10. 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Spector / Mann / Weil

For the seventh straight week, Eminem's The Marshall Mathers LP holds off allcomers to stay on top of The Billboard 200. The latest challenger, the compilation Ryde Or Die Vol II, pulls up at #2 in its debut week on the chart. The debut bumps Britney Spears' Oops!... I Did It Again down one notch to #3, and Nelly's Country Grammar down one from its debut slot last week to #4.

Over on The Hot 100, it was short-lived glory for Vertical Horizon's Everything You Want, which shot to #1 last week after RCA commercially released the song as a single, giving it retail points in addition to its sizable airplay points to push it to the top. A similar strategy for matchbox twenty's single Bent, released July 4, rides the rocket this week, up five spots to top the chart, knocking Everything back to #2.
More rock is creeping into the top 10 of the singles list, which has been dominated by teen pop and R&B/hip-hop artists for several months, as the Nine Days album cut Absolutely (Story Of A Girl) bounces up five slots to #6 with the week's biggest increase in airplay. Higher, an album cut from Creed's "Human Clay" also takes a two-spot step to #7 on the chart. Creed's With Arms Wide Open, also from "Human Clay," tops the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for the third week in a row.

Back on the album list, teen stars 'N Sync rebound two rungs to #5, and Papa Roach's self-titled album inches up one spot to #8.
Dropping is Lil' Kim's Notorious KIM falling three places from last week's debut to #7, and Kid Rock's The History Of Rock dropping one spot to #9. Kelly Price's Mirror Mirror, a top debut last week at #5, sinks to #12 on the latest survey. BB King & Eric Clapton's Riding With The King holds tight for a second week at #10.
Jimmy Page & the Black Crowes' Zoso Live At The Greek shows up at #64 after its first week of traditional retail release. The album angered retailers several months ago when it was exclusively offered only via the Musicmaker.com website. The album sold enough copies via online retail outlets this week to debut at #11 on Billboard's Top Internet Albums Sales Chart.
Other debuts are few on The Billboard 200, with Methrone's My Town new at #187, and The Comrads' Wake Up & Ball entering at #189.

                                                    albs
*11 (13) 3 Doors Down: the better life
 23 (22) Sting: brand new day
*28 (29) Red Hot Chili Peppers: californication
*31 (36) Jessica Simpson: sweet kisses
*54 (67) Sammie: from the bottom to the top
 62 (77) Yolanda Adams: mountain high... valley low
 70 (66) BBMak: sooner or later
*71 (80) A*Teens: the abba generation
*88 (107)SheDaisy: the whole shebang
*92 (101)Incubus: make yourself
*93 (98) Common: like water for chocolate
100 (103)Bloodhound Gang: hooray for boobies
                                                    heat
* 1 (1)  Lara Fabian [week 3]
  2 (3)  Westlife
* 5 (8)  S Club 7
* 6 (9)  Eric Heatherly: swimming in champagne
* 7 (13) SR-71: now you see inside
* 9 (27) Methrone: my life
*10 (19) The Comrads: wake up and ball
 15 (2)  Richard Ashcroft: alone with everybody
 16 (17) Travis: the man who
                                                   indie
  1 (1)  Three 6 Mafia: when the smoke clears [week 4]
* 2 new  Jimmy Page & Black Crowes: zoso live at greek
 17 (13) Sasha & Digweed: communicate
*19 (27) Jimmy Buffett: buffet live
                                                internet
  1 (1)  BB King & Eric Clapton: riding with the king [week 3]
  3 new  Motley Crue: new tattoo
  7 new  Donna The Buffalo: positive friction
  9 new  Ryde Or Die II
 10 (9)  Sting: brand new day
 11 new  Jimmy Page & Black Crowes: zoso live at greek
 12 (19) 3 Doors Down: the better life
 20 new  Papa Roach: infest
                                                 hot 100
*13 (18) Destiny's Child: jumpin jumpin
*15 (23) Jagged Edge: let's get married
*17 (19) Ruff Endz: no more
 18 (15) BBMak: back here
*19 (21) Sting / Cheb Mami: desert rose
*22 (29) Janet: doesn't really matter
*23 (30) Nelly: hot shit country grammar
*28 (38) 3 Doors Down: kryptonite
*29 (44) Jessica Simpson: i think i'm in love with you
 30 (25) Westlife: swear it again
*33 (41) Da Brat: what'chu like
 41 (34) Santana / Rob Thomas: smooth {week 52!}
*42 (45) Mandy Moore: i wanna be with you
*45 (52) Lara Fabian: i will love again
*47 (50) Lonestar: what about now
*50 (54) Jo Dee Messina: that's the way
                                             modern rock
* 1 (1)  Three Doors Down: kryptonite [week 10]
* 3 (7)  Red Hot Chili Peppers: californication
*10 (11) Limp Bizkit: take a look around
*15 (17) Incubus: stellar
*20 (24) Vertical Horizon: you're a god
                                                 country
  1 (1)  Lee Ann Womack: i hope you dance [week 3]
* 3 (4)  Lonestar: what about now
* 4 (5)  Reba McEntire: i'll be
* 5 (6)  Rascal Flatts: prayin for daylight
* 7 (9)  Alan Jackson: it must be love
*10 (11) Jo Dee Messina: that's the way
*11 (13) Dixie Chicks: cold day in july
*12 (15) SheDaisy: i will... but
*20 (23) Toby Keith: country comes to town
                                                     r&b
* 1 (1)  Jagged Edge: let's get married [week 2]
* 5 (7)  Lucy Pearl: dance tonight
*13 (19) Kelly Price: as we lay
*16 (22) Lil Kim: no matter what they say
                                            adult top 40
  1 (1)  Vertical Horizon: everything you want [week 13]
* 3 (3)  Sting: desert rose
* 5 (6)  Goo Goo Dolls: broadway
*16 (18) Don Henley: taking you home
adult contemporary #1: Marc Anthony: you sang to me [week 1]
mainstream rock #1:    Creed: with arms wide open [week 3]
top 40 tracks #1:      N'Sync: it's gonna be me [week 5]

TOTP: Jamie Theakston reunites the brothers Gallagher. Who gives a

#15 Jessica Simpson: i think i'm in love with you
 four dancers, the diamond stage, performance doesn't
 quite happen. good to see it ending with a bang!
#5 Steps: summer of love
 orange and cyan for the ladies, dark for the gents.
 it's steps-by-numbers, but far better than much of the
 competition for it. long stage.
#6 Artful Dodger et al: woman trouble
 double bass and keyboard on the central spot. vocalist
 has no presence.
#10 Atomic Kitten: i want your love
 recorded on the long stage, bobbing around on the spot.
 looks silly, sounds great, even with live vocals.
#4 Oasis: sunday morning call
 as shown two weeks ago.
Sudden appearance by Alice Cooper, or a lookalike.
#7 Alice DJ: will i ever
 miming, not very well, but quality dancing. back to the
 diamond stage.
#3 Limp Bizkit: take a look around
 again, as shown two weeks back. interesting to see the
 subtitles talk of "tihs"
#1 Corrs: breathless
 live vocals on the cube stage with blue backlighting.

Coldplay bags the big one, taking the #1 album spot with their debut Parachutes. Eminem is shoved down to #2, David Gray slips to 3, Moby 4 and Whitney holds at 5. Morcheeba has the biggest album of their career as Fragments Of Freedom bows at #6, ahead of Bryan Ferry's hits collection, Slave To Love at #11.

Tina Turner's Twenty Four Seven, originally a #6 hit last autumn, returns to #15 as the old gal returns for one final swing of the zimmer frame around Wembley. A similar excuse, this time shows in Bolton, lifts Oasis' Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants from 45 to 22. Westlife's climb from 35 to 25 is not explained by live work. Melanie C Northern Star (41-28), Destiny's Child The Writing's On The Wall (42-29) and Savage Garden Affirmation (67-42) all lift ahead of new singles.

Also new this week... Julio Iglesias Noche De Cuatro Lunas #34 ... Jimmy Page & Black Crowes Live At The Greek #48 ... Limp Bizkit's Significant Other re-enters at #63.

UK Impact Chart

1 [1] Corrs: Breathless
2 [2] Eminem: The Real Slim Shady
3 [69]Ronan Cheating: Life Is A Rollercoaster
 would have been #1 if one of the cd singles hadn't contained
 an interview.
4 [3] Limp Bizkit: Take A Look Around
5 [29]Aaliyah: Try Again
 the top ten debut
6 [4] Sonique: It Feels So Good
7 [5] Steps: Summer Of Love / When I Said Goodbye
8 [12]Darrude: Sandstorm
9 [8] Artful Dodger: Woman Trouble
10[7] Mary Mary: Shackles (Praise You)
...also...
12 Christina Aguilera: I Turn To You
 blew out release dates to mid May. suffers as a result.
24 N'Sync: I'll Never Stop
 not the us single, which is far better.
25 Marc Et Claude: I Need You Lovin'
 cover of baby d's 1995 cover of the korgis' 1980 hit.

Personal Airplay

1 [1] David Gray: Babylon
2 new Macy Gray: Why Didn't You Call Me?
 single three is another classic act
3 [17]Sonique: It Feels So Good
4 new Limp Bizkit: Take A Look Around
5 re  Lonestar: Amazed
6 [6] Mary Mary: Shackles
7 [3] Britney Spears: Oops I Did It Again
8 new Steps: Summer Of Love
9 new Alice DJ: Will I Ever
 release an original single? (laughs)
10 re Beach Boys: Good Vibrations
 the 1966 classic

Also back this week: Beach Boys Surfin USA (1964) ... Bob Seager & Silver Bullet Band We've Got Tonight (1995) ... Bryan Adams & Mel C When You're Gone (1998) ... Alisha's Attic I Am I Feel (1996) ... New Radicals You Get What You Give (1998) ... TLC Unpretty (1999)

Weekend 29: July 23

Mike + The Mechanics singer Paul Young has died from an apparent heart attack. Young, 53, enjoyed success with the band Sad Cafe. After a run of moderate hits, including 1977's Misplaced Ideals album, Young joined up with Genesis's Mike Rutherford and one-time Ace and Squeeze keyboardist Paul Carrack to form Mike + The Mechanics. The band scored a huge hit with The Living Years.
"We are all shocked and devastated by Paul's death," Rutherford said. "He had a fantastic voice, one of the best rock voices of his generation, and aside from his musical talent, he had such an infectious enthusiasm for the business. Paul loved performing, we all thought he would be singing in 50 years time. This is a terrible loss."

Birtney Spears is the most searched-for pop star in the UK, according to a silly-season survey. MP3, sex, warez, and Pokemon top the list, with Spears #18.

The Spice Girls has been ordered to pay �400,000 after losing a High Court battle with sponsors of their 1998 Spiceworld Tour. Motorcycle firm Aprilia won �45,550 damages - the cost of Spice Sonic scooters kept by the group.
The Girls must also pay legal costs estimated at �350,000 for their unsuccessful �212,500 damages claim against Aprilia for alleged breach of the sponsorship agreement.
Aprilia said after the hearing: "They sued us for the pathetic sum of �200,000 and have ended up paying us �400,000. It is an example of greed." Aprilia had produced scooters with images of five Spice Girls and withheld money after Geri left. It was this sum that the Girls' company sued for.

Eminem's The Marshall Mathers LP makes eight straight weeks at the #1 spot on The Billboard 200, selling another 257,375 copies. Britney Spears' Oops ... I Did It Again was close behind, selling 217,350 units and jumping one spot to #2.
With all the force of the film's rotund title character, the soundtrack to The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps crashed into the chart at #4. The album includes tracks from Jay-Z, Redman and Eminem, Sisqo, and Janet Jackson's Doesn't Really Matter, which is #15 with a bullet on The Hot 100 this week.
This week's other top 10 album chart debut was Everclear's Songs From An American Movie Vol. One: Learning How To Smile, which sold 107,275 in its first week. 3 Doors Down's The Better Life made it into the 10, rising one spot on the strength of 98,400 copies sold.
Other debuts this week came from Motley Crue's New Tattoo at #41; Third Day's Offerings: A Worship Album at #66; Beenie Man's Art And Life at #68; and two albums from guitarist Esteban: Heart Of Gold at #53, and All My Love right behind at #54. Splender's Halfway Down The Sky inched onto the chart at #200.
On The Hot 100, the revolving door at #1 ushered in yet another new entry, 'N Sync's It's Gonna Be Me. The third straight #1 buoyed by its release as a commercial single bumped matchbox twenty's Bent down to #2.
Destiny's Child's Jumpin, Jumpin was the fastest-growing track at radio, climbing from #13 to #8. The Red Hot Chili Peppers' Californication bowed at #72, followed by Papa Roach's Last Resort at #75. The latter cut is at #2 on Modern Rock chart and #7 on Mainstream Rock tally this week.

                                                    albs
 20 (23) Sting: brand new day
*23 (28) Red Hot Chili Peppers: californication
*26 (31) Jessica Simpson: sweet kisses
*34 (45) Billy Gilman: one voice
*50 (54) Sammie: from the bottom to the top
*57 (70) BBMak: sooner or later
*64 (62) Yolanda Adams: mountain high valley low
*67 (79) Disturbed: the sickness
*83 (89) Ideal
                                                    heat
  1 (1)  Lara Fabian [week 4]
* 2 (7)  SR-71: now you see inside
* 3 (9)  Methrone: my life
* 4 (5)  S Club 7
  5 (2)  Westlife
 14 (15) Richard Ashcroft: alone with everybody
*15 (21) Keith Urban
*17 (41) FATE: for all that's endured
 18 (16) Travis: the man who
*20 (30) UPO: no pleasantries
                                                   indie
  1 (1)  Three 6 Mafia: when the smoke clears [week 5]
  2 new  Esteban: heart of gold
  3 new  Esteban: all my love
*17 (28) Love Serenade Body & Soul - va
                                                    inet
  1 new  Everclear: scenes from an american movie 1
  5 (6)  Creed: human clay
  8 (12) 3 Doors Down: the better life
  9 (20) Papa Roach: infest
 10 (10) Sting: brand new day
 12 (16) Red Hot Chili Peppers: californication
 13 new  Kansas: somewhere to elsewhere
                                                 hot 100
* 1 (4)  N'Sync: it's gonna be me
* 2 (1)  Matchbox Twenty: bent
* 8 (13) Destiny's Child: jumpin jumpin
*11 (15) Jagged Edge: let's get married
*12 (17) Ruff Endz: no more
*13 (18) BBMak: back here
*15 (22) Janet Jackson: doesn't really matter
 19 (19) Sting / Cheb Mami: desert rose
*21 (23) Nelly: (hot shit) country grammar
*22 (28) 3 Doors Down: kryptonite
*25 (29) Jessica Simpson: i think i'm in love with you
*28 (33) Da Brat: what'chu like
*31 (42) Mandy Moore: i wanna be with you
 32 (35) Lee Ann Womack: i hope you dance
 33 (30) Westlife: swear it again
 36 (40) Lucy Pearl: dance tonight
*37 (53) Everclear: wonderful
*39 (47) Lonestar: what about now
*40 (45) Lara Fabian: i will love again
 41 (41) Santana / Rob Thomas: smooth {week 53}
 42 (37) Lonestar: amazed {week 52}
*44 (50) Jo Dee Messina: that's the way
*49 (57) Alan Jackson: it must be love
*50 (51) LeAnn Rimes: i need you
                                             modern rock
  1 (1)  3 Doors Down: kryptonite [week 11]
* 6 (7)  Stone Temple Pilots: sour girl
* 7 (8)  Eve 6: promises
* 8 (9)  Deftones: change (in the house of flies)
*17 (20) Vertical Horizon: you're a god
*20 (25) Disturbed: stupify
                                                 country
* 1 (1)  Lee Ann Womack: i hope you dance [week 4]
* 2 (3)  Lonestar: what about now
* 3 (5)  Rascall Flatts: prayin for daylight
* 4 (7)  Alan Jackson: it must be love
* 6 (8)  Eric Heatherly: flowers on the wall
*10 (11) Dixie Chicks: cold day in july
*14 (17) Brooks & Dunn: you'll always be loved by me
*15 (18) Joe Diffie: it's always somethin
*17 (20) Toby Keith: country comes to town
*20 (26) Faith Hill / Tim McGraw: let's make love
                                                     r&b
* 1 (1)  Jagged Edge: let's get married [week 3]
* 3 (4)  Avant: separated
*14 (26) Torrey Carter: take that
*17 (21) Toni Braxton: just be a man about it
*19 (32) Destiny's Child: jumpin jumpin
adult top 40 #1:       Matchbox Twenty: bent      [week 1]
adult contemporary #1: Faith Hill: breathe [week 14 non-consec]
mainstream rock #1:    Creed: with arms wide open [week 4]
top 40 tracks #1:      Aaliyah: try again         [week 1]

TOTP
Scraping the barrel this week, it's Jamie Theakston.

#2 Corrs: breathless
 as last week
#12 Korgis: i need your lovin
 (ok, credited to marc et claude, but they don't show.)
 long stage, piano at the left, singer in black in the
 middle. ditch the dancers, and the beat, and this could
 be a classic (:
#6 Steps: when i said goodbye
 sitting on the long stage. why?
#5 Aaliyah: try again
 non-studio insert, with shimmering mirrory things and
 a half dozen dancers. no totp logo until after the
 first chorus.
#9 Darrude: sandstorm
 as shown about a month back. dancers on the centre
 stage.
#13 N-Sync: i'll never stop
 blinkin' 'eck! the video!!
new Moloco: pure pleasure seeker
 the diamond stage, with glitterball and dodgy checker-
 board clothes. looks preposterous, sounds bizarre.
#1 Ronan Cheating: life is a rollercoaster
 big corner stage. he's singing live. ronan, no!!!

The Corrs do the double, hitting the top of the album list with their newie, In Blue. Eminem's Marshall Mathers LP holds at 2, Coldplay's Parachutes slips 1-3, and there are one place falls for David Gray and Moby.
Alice Deejay's Who Needs Guitars Anyway debuts at #8, with Jill Scott's Who Is Jill Scott? coming in at #73.
Destiny's Child has the greatest gainer, The Writing's On The Wall climbs 29-23. Also climbing: Savage Garden Affirmation 42-32 ... Page & Crowes Live At The Greek 48-39 ... Five Invincible 52-40 ... Limp Bizkit Significant Other 63-50

...hot hits...
1 [1] Corrs: breathless [week 3]
2 [2] Eminem: the real slim shady
3 [3] Ronan Keating: life is a rollercoaster
4 [5] Aaliyah: try again
5 [4] Limp Bizkit: take a look around
6 new Five & Queen: we will rock you
 dodgy re-make of the gladiators classic
7 [6] Sonique: it feels so good
8 [55]Destiny's Child: jumpin jumpin
 another hit that sounds familiar
9 [16]Kylie Minogue: spinning around
10[10]Mary Mary: shackles (praise you)

also...
14 Louise: two faced
 first new single in two years
23 Savage Garden: affirmation
35 Shanks & Bigfoot: sing-along
 mary had a little lamb...
49 Placebo: taste in men
 another two-year comeback.

...personal airplay...
1  re Corrs: breathless
2 [3] Sonique: it feels so good
3 [5] Lonestar: amazed
4 new Vertical Horizon: everything you want
 former us #1 begins to get pre-release plays here
5  re Mel C / Lisa Lopez: never be the same again
6  re Coldplay: yellow
7 [4] Limp Bizkit: take a look around
8 new Britney Spears: lucky
 the second release, bound to be huge
9 new Precious: it's gonna be my way
 sub-destiny's child, or the future of uk girl groups?
10 re Semisonic: closing time

also... new... Savage Garden: affirmation (Baz Luhrmann
meets The Riddle) ... old... Meredith Brooks: bitch
(nothing in between) (1997) ... Cher: believe (1998)

Weekend 30: July 30

A survey reveals Britain's most hated records. The Birdie Song wins from Agadoo and Lady In Red. This is one chart Ronan Keating does not try to top by releasing ineligiable formats then bleating when they're counted out.

(Tuesday) A US court orders shut Napster's popular online song-sharing service. "What's next...shut down the free Internet?" a commentator asked. Marilyn Hall Patel granted the injunction at the request of the Recording Industry Association of America, which sued Napster in December for copyright infringement. The judge said Napster had the capability to police the unauthorized trade of copyrighted music through its system, but failed to do so.
The company plans to appeal. "We intend to see this through in every venue, in every court," a spokesfile said. An estimated 20 million Napster users worldwide will be affected by the court order, over 17 million of them outside the US. The order applies only to copyrighted music, but Napster attorneys said it would cripple or shut down the swapping service. The injunction will go into effect after the record producers post a $5 million bond against any financial losses Napster suffers from being shut down pending trial.
The order is cancelled on appeal Friday night. The appeal court judge is deeply unhappy with certain aspects of the original ruling. This one will run.

Steps are criticised by a bunch of illiberal spods for deigning to speak on the subject of asylum speakers. "It's not the sort of thing we like to see, pop stars being sensible" frothed someone interminably dull.

Oasis left a stage in Switzerland after complaining that Swiss fans at the Paleo Festival in Nyon pelted them with a carton of Um Bongo (They Drink It In The Congo.) Singer Liam Gallagher flounced offstage without notice and without cause. Oasis's performance at the festival was witnessed by about 35,000 fans. The only signs of trouble came when the audience began chanting for Gallagher's arch-rival, Robbie Williams.

After eight consecutive weeks at #1 on The Billboard 200, Eminem's The Marshall Mathers LP has been knocked from its perch by NOW That's What I Call Music 4, a compilation from Universal, EMI, Sony, and Zomba. This marks the first time ever that an album of previously released hits has debuted at #1 in the US. The 18-track NOW disc, which sold 320,500 copies this week, is the fourth in a series of compilations distributed by Universal, based on a series that has been running in the UK since 1983.
Britney Spears' album Oops! ... I Did It Again held at #2, while The Marshall Mathers LP fell to #3. Rising quickly is Papa Roach's Infest, which sold 136,050 -- up 15,250 from the previous week -- and leapt from #8 to #5.
Other debuts this week came from rapper Canibus' 2000 BC at #23; the soundtrack to Pokemon The Movie 2000: Power Of One at #97; Will Downing's All The Man You Need at #100; Somethin' For The People's Issues at #124; the various artists compilation BET On Jazz Presents: For The Love Of Jazz at #137; the Moby retrospective Mobysongs at #158; vocalist Jill Scott's Who Is Jill Scott? Words And Sounds Vol 1 at #168; Jon Secada's Better Part Of Me at #173; Big Moe's City Of Syrup at #176; country outfit the Kinleys' II at #177; and the Urge's Too Much Stereo at #200.

On The Hot 100, 'N Sync's It's Gonna Be Me remained at #1 for the second week in a row, but will be facing a stiff challenge from Sisqo's Incomplete, which zoomed from #55 to #2 in its seventh week on the chart. Incomplete is the new R&B #1.

Christina Aguilera's new single Come On Over (All I Want Is You) debuted at #57. Janet Jackson's Doesn't Really Matter was the fastest growing track at radio, and jumped from #15 to No. 10. Debelah Morgan's Dance With Me showed the highest percentage growth at retail, and enjoyed a move from #91 to #86.

                                                   album
* 9 [10] 3 Doors Down - the better life
*16 [20] Sting - brand new day
*48 [57] BBMak - sooner or later
*51 [64] Yolana Adams - mountain high valley low
*62 [73] Britney Spears - baby one more time
*70 [88] Common - like water for chocolate
*76 [86] SheDaisy - the whole shebang
*78 [89] Mary Mary - thankful
*85 [112]Lara Fabian
*92 [100]Dixie Chicks - wide open spaces
*99 [113]POD - the fundamental elements of southtown
                                                    heat
* 1 [7]  Dido - no angel
  4 [5]  Westlife
  5 [4]  S Club 7
* 8 new  Jill Scott - who is jill scott?
* 9 new  Big Moe - city of syrup
*10 new  The Kinleys - ii
*12 new  The Urge - too much stereo
*14 new  Kina
*16 [18] Travis - the man who
*17 new  The Union Underground - an education in rebellion
*18 new  No Authority
                                                   indie
  1 [1]  Three 6 Mafia - when the smoke clears [week 6]
  3 [6]  Slipknot
  6 [10] Kittie - spit
  9 new  BET On Jazz Presents...
 12 [15] Johnnie Taylor - gotta get the groove back
 13 new  Big Moe - city of syrup
 17 [22] Kurupt - tha streetz iz a mutha
                                                internet
  1 new  Now! 4
  7 [14] Jimmy Page & Black Crowes - live at the greek
 15 re   Macy Gray - on how life is
 17 re   Moby - play
 18 new  Moby - mobysongs - essential tracks from 92-98
                                                 hot 100
* 6 [8]  Destiny's Child - jumpin jumpin
*10 [15] Janet Jackson - doesn't really matter
*13 [50] Leann Rimes - i need you
*16 [13] BBMak - back here
*17 [21] Nelly - (hot shit) country grammar
*18 [22] 3 Doors Down - kryptonite
*19 [19] Sting & Cheb Mami - desert rose
*21 [24] Next - wifey
*28 [31] Mandy Moore - i wanna be with you
*33 [37] Everclear - wonderful
*36 [40] Lara Fabian - i will love again
*37 [39] Lonestar - what about now
*38 [44] Jo Dee Messina - that's the way
*44 [49] Alan Jackson - it must be love
 45 [33] Westlife - swear it again
                                             modern rock
* 1 [2]  Papa Roach - last resort
* 2 [3]  Red Hot Chili Peppers - californication
* 5 [7]  Eve 6 - promise
* 9 [11] SR-71 - right now
*15 [17] Vertical Horizon - you're a god
*17 [20] Disturbed - stupify
*18 [22] BT - never gonna come back down
*19 [29] Wheatus - teenage dirtbag
                                                 country
* 1 [1]  Lee Ann Womack - i hope you dance [week 5]
* 3 [4]  Alan Jackson - it must be love
*10 [11] SheDaisy - i will but
*14 [17] Toby Keith - country comes to town
*16 [21] Darryl Worley - when you need my love
*19 [22] Mark Wills - almost doesn't count
*20 [23] LeAnn Rimes - i need you
                                                     r&b
* 1 [10] Sisqo - incomplete
*10 [19] Destiny's Child - jumpin jumpin
*17 [21] Joe - treat her like a lady
*19 [25] DMX - what you want
*20 [26] Common - the light

adult top 40 #1:       Matchbox Twenty: bent      [week 2]
adult contemporary #1: Faith Hill: breathe        [week 15 nc]
mainstream rock #1:    Creed: with arms wide open [week 5]
top 40 tracks #1:      Aaliyah: try again         [week 2]
...hot hits...
1 new Craig David - seven days
 why?
2 [2] Eminem: the real slim shady
3 [3] Ronan Keating: life is a rollercoaster
4 new Bomfunk MCs - freestyler
 pan-european hit finally makes it here
5 [6] Five & Queen: we will rock you
6 [8] Destiny's Child: jumpin jumpin
7 [4] Aaliyah: try again
8 [1] Corrs: breathless [week 3]
9 [41]Santana / Product G&B - maria maria
 former us #1 finally makes it here
10 [5]Limp Bizkit: take a look around
also...
30 Janet Jackson - doesn't really matter
 on airplay alone
40 Macy Gray - why didn't you call me?
 a very minor hit
43 Robbie Williams - rock dj
 still only on airplay
48 Point Break - you
 fabness from the geordie band
...personal airplay...
1  re David Gray - babylon
2  re Britney Spears - oops i did it again
3 [1] Corrs: breathless
4 new Santana / Product G&B - maria maria
5  re Macy Gray - why didn't you call me
6 [6] Coldplay: yellow
7 [2] Sonique: it feels so good
8  re New Radicals - you get what you give
 back on the grounds that gregg wrote ronan's hit. any excuse, really.
9  re Britney Spears - baby one more time
10 re TLC - unpretty
also...
new... Mandy Moore - i wanna be with you (nice but dull)
old... Mamas & Papas - california dreamin' ("If You Can Believe Your
Eyes and Ears", 1966)

Next month...
front local mscl music news sport
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00-jul-30
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