'FALLIN' ' LOVE: Colbie Caillat ascends to the Adult Contemporary apex, as "Fallin' for You" rises 2-1.

The song is Caillat's second No. 1 on the survey. On the chart dated Jan. 19, 2008, her debut smash "Bubbly" began a 19-week reign, the longest penthouse residence for a female artist's debut single in the chart's 48-year history.

Caillat co-wrote "Fallin' for You" with venerable pop tunesmith Rick Nowels, who also produced the track with Caillat and John Shanks. The song's ascension grants Nowels a No. 1 on a Billboard chart in a fourth decade.

Here is a look at Nowels' career chart leaders as a songwriter:

Year, Song, Artist (Chart)
1987, "Heaven Is a Place on Earth," Belinda Carlisle (Billboard Hot 100)
1994, "Body & Soul," Anita Baker (Adult R&B)
1999, "Sexual (Li Da Di)," Amber (Dance/Club Play Songs, Hot Dance Singles Sales)
2000, "Above the Clouds," Amber (Dance/Club Play Songs)
2002-03, "The Game of Love," Santana featuring Michelle Branch (Adult Pop Songs, Adult Contemporary)
2010, "Fallin' for You," Colbie Caillat (Adult Contemporary)

Other notable Nowels compositions include Stevie Nicks' "I Can't Wait" (1986), Madonna's "The Power of Good-Bye" (1998), New Radicals' "You Get What You Give" (1998), Jewel's "Standing Still" (2002), Dido's "White Flag" (2003) and John Legend's "Green Light" (2008).

Upon learning of his latest achievement, Nowels told Billboard, "Colbie is the real deal. We're writing new hits, so hopefully we'll have another big one next year at this time!"


ROB RULES: Rob Thomas rises to the top of Adult Pop Songs, as "Someday" lifts 3-1.

The song is Thomas' fourth leader on the list, following the first single from "cradlesong," "Her Diamonds," which spent four weeks at No. 1 in August. Thomas previously held sway as a guest on Santana's "Smooth" (25 weeks, 1999-2000) and with his own "Lonely No More" (10 weeks, 2005).

With his latest coronation, Thomas passes Pink for most Adult Pop Songs No. 1s among solo acts and equals the chart-topping output of his band, matchbox twenty.

Here is a recap of the artists with the most No. 1s dating to the chart's launch in the March 16, 1996, Billboard:

No. 1s, Artist
5, Nickelback
4, Daughtry
4, matchbox twenty
4, Rob Thomas
3, Goo Goo Dolls
3, Pink
3, Santana


GAGA FOR LADY ANTEBELLUM: Lady Antebellum's former Country Songs No. 1 "Need You Now" continues its multi-format crossover. The ballad soars 32-25 on Adult Pop Songs and 20-17 on Adult Contemporary and debuts on Pop Songs at No. 37.

Lady Antebellum becomes just the fifth group to send a former Country Songs chart entry onto Pop Songs in the latter list's 17-year history:

Restless Heart
"When She Cries," No. 9 Country Songs/No. 4 Pop Songs, 1993

Lonestar
"Amazed," No. 1/7, 2000

Dixie Chicks
"Landslide," No. 2/13, 2003

Rascal Flatts
"What Hurts the Most," No. 1/22, 2006

Lady Antebellum
"Need You Now," No. 1/37 (to date), (2010)


COMPLETE BEAT: Following Friday's (Jan. 22) benefit concert, the "Hope for Haiti Now" album storms the Billboard 200 at No. 1, while two cuts from the set impact the Hot 100 and Digital Songs. The Hot 100 also sports a pair of top five debuts for the first time since 2003, led by Taylor Swift's launch at No. 2. Check out tomorrow's edition of Chart Beat for all the details.