NEW YORK (Billboard) - With help from "American Idol,"British pop singer Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love" hit
the topspot on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for the third timeThursday.
In its 11th week on the chart, the track flip-flopped withLil Wayne's "Lollipop," which slipped to No. 2 after one weekon top. Lewis performed the song, this week's biggest digitalsales gainer, last week during the elimination round on "Idol."
"Bleeding Love" first went to No. 1 in the week of March27, making Lewis the first British female solo artist to topthe Hot 100 in over 21 years. It reclaimed the lead thefollowing month, when her album debuted at No. 1.
Lewis' J Records label said "Bleeding Love" has sold over1.5 million tracks in the United States, while the ringtone wascertified gold this week with over 500,000 ringtones sold.
Reigning "Idol" champ Jordin Sparks' "No Air" featuringChris Brown held at No. 3 on the Hot 100.
Madonna's "4 Minutes" featuring Justin Timberlake reboundedtwo places to No. 4, aided by Tuesday's release of her newalbum, "Hard Candy." Usher's "Love in This Club" featuringYoung Jeezy slipped one to No. 5, as "Sexy Can I" by Ray J &Yung Berg rose one to No. 6.
Mariah Carey, who has led the U.S. album chart for the pasttwo weeks, dropped two to No. 7 on the Hot 100 with "Touch MyBody," while Sara Bareilles' "Love Song" kept the No. 8 spotwarm.
Chris Brown's "Forever" debuted at No. 9. That achievementequals Yael Naim's "New Soul" for highest debut of 2008. Yetanother Brown track, "With You," slipped one to No. 10.
Other debuts included Jesse McCartney's "Leavin"' at No.14, a new personal best for the teen idol; Lil Wayne's "AMilli" at No. 60; and Weezer's "Pork and Beans" at No. 84.
Reuters/Billboard
...
(more) - 05 2 2008 4:54PM