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Bill's Top 40 / Pop Blog

By Bill Lamb, About.com Guide to Top 40 / Pop since 2005

Coldplay Discography

Friday May 30, 2008
One of the most eagerly awaited pop music events of the summer is the June 17, 2008 release of Coldplay's 4th studio album Viva la Vida or Death and All ... Read More

Top 10 New Pop Albums This Week - Usher Leads the Way

Thursday May 29, 2008
Usher's last album Confessions was a 9-million selling multi-format smash. His new album Here I Stand is guaranteed to open at the top of the chart. The only ... Read More

US Pop Music Charts This Week - 3 Doors Down Make It 2 Straight

Thursday May 29, 2008
It is 2 straight #1 albums or the band 3 Doors Down as their self-titled collection follows their last Seventeen Days to the top of the chart. Don't miss ... Read More

Adele Stirs Up a Soulful Musical Storm

Wednesday May 28, 2008
A feature on the season finale of Grey's Anatomy, one of TV's top dramas, is a coveted spot for any pop singer. For UK singer Adele it is a ... Read More

Profile: Duffy

Wednesday May 28, 2008
Welsh-born singer Duffy has set the pop music world on its ear with her single "Mercy" and the album Rockferry. She is sometimes compared with Amy Winehouse, but Duffy's ... Read More

Top 10 Hot Pop Songs Weekly Chart

Wednesday May 28, 2008
It's a fast moving pop music market as we head into the summer. Over half of this week's hottest songs are different from last week's. Check out the full ... Read More

Review: Katy Perry - "I Kissed a Girl"

Wednesday May 28, 2008
She likes the taste of "cherry chapstick" and she "liked it." Singer-songwriter Katy Perry is rolling up the pop singles charts with the hit "I Kissed a Girl." Is ... Read More

Review: Usher - Here I Stand

Tuesday May 27, 2008
Usher's last album Confessions sold over 9 million copies. Some are looking at his new release as an opportunity to "save" the recording industry. Is it likely to ... Read More

Remember Ace Young? He's "Addicted"

Tuesday May 27, 2008
It's been a long path for Ace Young from finishing 7th in Season 5 of American Idol to his first album due out this July. His first single "Scattered" ... Read More

Flashback: Top 10 Pop Songs Summer 2007

Tuesday May 27, 2008
Last summer was a season of umbrellas, Fergie, and Delilah. It was also a time for summer love, partying like a rockstar, and tossing down dranks. As we ... Read More

Top 10 Pop Artists to Watch - Summer 2008

Monday May 26, 2008
Summer 2008 promises to be a hot one in the world of pop music. There are great new artists to look out for and a few established artists on ... Read More

David Cook Lights Up Online Sales After American Idol Win

Monday May 26, 2008
While he is no longer holding 4 of the top 5 spots on the iTunes digital sales chart, David Cook continues to post big numbers in download sales of his ... Read More

UK Pop Music Charts - Rihanna Bows Into the Lead

Monday May 26, 2008
This week Rihanna, one of the hottest artists of the decade, rolls into the #1 slot on the pop singles chart with her latest hit "Take a Bow." It ... Read More

Russia Is Victorious in Eurovision Song Contest

Monday May 26, 2008
For the first time since its beginning in 1956, Russia has taken home a victory in the Eurovision song contest. 26-year-old Dima Bilan sang the winning song, "Believe." ... Read More

Pop Music on TV This Week

Sunday May 25, 2008
It's a week of a lot of repeats, but that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of great performances to see. Also, don't miss a live performance by this year's ... Read More

Snap Judgment - Pretty Ricky - "Cuddle Up"

Thursday May 22, 2008
Pretty Ricky's last album Late Night Special debuted at #1 on the album chart in January, 2007. Their upcoming album 80's Babies is due in stores August 26, 2008. ... Read More

US Pop Music Charts This Week

Thursday May 22, 2008
Indie pop heroes Death Cab for Cutie have their first #1 album this week. "Narrow Stairs" opens on the top of the chart. Find out more details on ... Read More

Top 10 New Pop Albums This Week

Thursday May 22, 2008
This week 3 Doors Down aim to follow up their #1 album Seventeen Days with a second consecutive chart-topping smash. Check out the details on the biggest new pop ... Read More

American Idol Crowns David Cook - The First American Rock Idol

Wednesday May 21, 2008
While heading into the big night it seemed as if this may be one of the closest outcomes in the history of American Idol, rocker David Cook won rather easily ... Read More

Boy Band Mogul Lou Pearlman Goes to Prison for 25 Years

Wednesday May 21, 2008
Lou Pearlman rode high in the entertainment industry in the 1990's. He is the man given the credit for launching both the Backstreet Boys and 'NSYNC. Unfortunately, courts ... Read More

American Idol - What Was That Song? - The Final 2

Wednesday May 21, 2008
The final performances by 2008's final two American Idol competitors took place March 20, 2008. Check below for more details on the songs: David Archuleta "Don't Let the Sun Go Down ... Read More

Top 10 Hot Pop Songs Weekly Chart - A Hot New #1

Wednesday May 21, 2008
The #1 spot this week is wrenched away by a very hot new song from a 24-year-old female singer-songwriter. Check out all of the action on this week's Top ... Read More

Review: New Kids on the Block - "Summertime"

Tuesday May 20, 2008
It has been 14 long years for fans of New Kids on the Block, but the boys are back at last with a new single. "Summertime" is making a ... Read More

UK Pop Music Charts This Week - Neil Diamond At the Top for the First Time

Monday May 19, 2008
Just as he did last week at home in the US, Neil Diamond has topped the UK album chart for the very first time this week. Read more about ... Read More

Pop Music on TV This Week

Monday May 19, 2008
It's a crowded week of great performances. Over 25 appearances across the television dial. Check out the full listing of Pop Music on TV this week.

American Idol Finale 2008: A Tale of Two Davids

Monday May 19, 2008
Tomorrow night, Tuesday, 8 p.m. ET on Fox Television the 2008 finale of American Idol begins. This year the competition has come down to a final battle between 2 ... Read More

Top 10 New Pop Albums This Week

Monday May 19, 2008
This week's top new release comes from one of the hottest new British artists of the year. She has already been to the top of the pop album and ... Read More

Josh Groban on Good Morning America Tomorrow With Free New York Concert

Thursday May 15, 2008
Tomorrow morning, Friday, May 16, 2008, Josh Groban takes the stage in New York City's Bryant Park for Good Morning America's Summer Concert Series. The show airs on ABC ... Read More

US Pop Music Charts This Week - Neil Diamond Sets a Career Best

Thursday May 15, 2008
In his phenomenal 40 year career on the pop charts, Neil Diamond has never had a #1 album, until now. Home Before Dark, his second album working with producer ... Read More

American Idol - What Was That Song? - The Final 3

Thursday May 15, 2008
The final trio vied for who would make it to the finale with these songs. Check below for more details: David Archuleta "And So It Goes" "Longer" "With You" David Cook "Dare You to Move" "The ... Read More

New Kids on the Block Are Back With "Summertime," First Hit in 14 Years

Wednesday May 14, 2008
It has been 14 years since the last new release from New Kids on the Block, the standard bearers of boy bands of the early 90's. The group sold ... Read More

Top 10 Hot Pop Songs Weekly Chart

Tuesday May 13, 2008
The top 2 songs on this week's chart are by artists who are now one of the hottest young couples in the music business. Check out all of the ... Read More

Review: Clay Aiken - On My Way Here

Tuesday May 13, 2008
This time the album is really for the fans. Clay Aiken returns with a new collection of songs for his devoted following. The first impression is they will ... Read More

American Idol: David Archuleta to Channel Chris Brown Tonight

Tuesday May 13, 2008
We're down to the final 3 on American Idol, and it is the night where the contestants are asked to perform 3 songs. One is chosen by the producers. ... Read More

Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love" Continues to Smash Chart Records

Tuesday May 13, 2008
Late last year I reported on Leona Lewis and her hit single "Bleeding Love" as something special. At that point, it had not yet been released in the US. ... Read More

Coldplay Announce Viva La Vida Concert Tour

Tuesday May 13, 2008
Coldplay's 4th studio album Viva La Vida Or Death and All His Friends is due to hit stores in June. To support the new release, the band will embark ... Read More

Frank Sinatra, One of Top Pop Artists of All Time, Honored With Stamp and New Collection of Hits

Monday May 12, 2008
Tomorrow, May 13, 2008, the U.S. Postal Service will issue a 42-cent stamp to honor Frank Sinatra, one of the greatest entertainers, and top pop artists, of all time. ... Read More

Review: Chris Brown - "Forever"

Monday May 12, 2008
As a teaser for the re-release of the hit album Exclusive, Chris Brown has released the new single "Forever." Due to the momentum of recent smashes, "Forever" is already heading ... Read More

UK Pop Music Charts This Week - "4 Minutes" Makes 4 Weeks

Monday May 12, 2008
Madonna has now spent more weeks at the top with "4 Minutes" than with any of her singles in the last 18 years. Find out the rest of this ... Read More

Pop Music on TV This Week - Clay Aiken Fans Rejoice

Monday May 12, 2008
There's a lot of Clay Aiken to go around this week. Also, don't miss Duffy's debut on North American shores. Check out the details in this week's schedule ... Read More

Snap Judgment - Mariah Carey - "Bye Bye" Video

Friday May 9, 2008
Mariah Carey's new video for her single "Bye Bye" is likely to be a bit of a tearjerker. It also includes footage of Carey's new husband, Nick Cannon. ... Read More

Madonna's Sticky & Sweet Concert Tour

Friday May 9, 2008
Hot on the heels of the #1 debut for her Hard Candy album, Madonna has announced details on her upcoming concert tour. The Sticky & Sweet Tour will cover ... Read More

American Idol: The Strongest Final 3 Yet?

Thursday May 8, 2008
As Jason Castro was eliminated last night on American Idol, it became evident that 3 very strong singers were remaining in competition for this year's title of the American Idol. ... Read More

US Pop Music Charts This Week - Madonna's 7th #1

Thursday May 8, 2008
It was not a big surprise when Madonna rolled to the top of the album chart this week with her new release Hard Candy. This 7th chart-topping smash puts ... Read More

Top 10 New Pop Albums This Week

Wednesday May 7, 2008
This is a grand week for fans of adult contemporary pop as Neil Diamond leads the pack of new pop releases. Check out this week's full list of the ... Read More

Top 10 Hot Pop Songs Weekly Chart

Wednesday May 7, 2008
One of the top male artists in pop music today holds the top spot again this week. Check out that song and the 9 others listed in this week's ... Read More

American Idol Visits the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Tuesday May 6, 2008
Tonight as the 4 remaining American Idol contestants battle to continue toward the dream of being named 2008's victor in America's top talent contest, the focus will be on the ... Read More

Profile: Usher

Monday May 5, 2008
His last solo album, Confessions, sold over 9 million copies. His current single "Love In This Club" is his 12th top 10 pop hit. Usher's 5th studio album ... Read More

UK Pop Music Charts This Week - Madonna Back at the Peak

Monday May 5, 2008
Madonna hauls in her 11th #1 placing on the UK pop albums chart this week while maintaining a firm grip on the singles chart as well. Later this week ... Read More

Pop Music on TV This Week

Monday May 5, 2008
It's a wide range of artists performing on shows from morning to late night. Plan your week ahead. Check out the listings of this week's Pop Music on ... Read More

Artist in the Wings: Eric Hutchinson

Sunday May 4, 2008
Last fall Eric Hutchinson's self-released album Sounds Like This was released. It received some national notice from sources like the Washington Post. The collection became the highest charting ... Read More

Complete List of Madonna's Top 10 Pop Singles

Thursday May 1, 2008
Madonna has reached the top 10 on the Billboard pop singles chart an incredible 37 times. This puts her at the pinnacle of the all-time list. How many ... Read More

US Pop Music Charts This Week - Mariah Carey Is Solid

Thursday May 1, 2008
Mariah Carey is solid for a second week at the top on the albums chart with E=MC2. A new single roars into the pop singles chart with a debut ... Read More

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