BEST WEEK EVER?: It would be an historic Billboard Hot 100 this week if just one landmark record was broken, but when the Black Eyed Peas and Jason Mraz each rewrite 51 years of Hot 100 achievements, the chart dated Aug. 29, 2009, is undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary of its entire existence.

The Black Eyed Peas spend an unprecedented 20th straight week atop the Hot 100, as "I Gotta Feeling" logs an eighth week at No. 1. "Boom Boom Pow" led for 12 weeks beginning April 18, 2009. The group passes the 19 consecutive frames that Usher spent in command with "Yeah!" and "Burn" from Feb. 28 through July 3, 2004.

Click here for billboard.com's exclusive video interview with the Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am, who discusses how he never envisioned "Boom Boom Pow" as a radio hit. He also offers background into the inclusion of the catchy "Mazel Tov!/L'chaim" shoutout in "I Gotta Feeling." (Considering "L'chaim" is a Hebrew goodwill salute meaning "to life!," the lyric is perhaps especially fitting, considering the song's record-breaking chart life atop the Hot 100).

Adding to the Hot 100's momentous nature this week is the 70th chart week notched by Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours." The song, which bowed on May 3, 2008 (and peaked at No. 6 on Sept. 20), passes the 69-week stay of LeAnn Rimes' "How Do I Live," which completed its run on Oct. 10, 1998.

Instrumental in the sustained success of "I'm Yours" has been its saturation on radio. "I'm Yours" is the only song to top each of the following airplay charts: Triple A (one week in June 2008), Adult Top 40 (nine weeks beginning in October), Pop Songs/Mainstream Top 40 (one week in December) and Adult Contemporary (16 weeks beginning this past February).

The radio reach of "I'm Yours" has extended to surprising extremes. It debuted on Latin Pop Songs in March. As it peaked at No. 28 on April 4, it crossed to Smooth Jazz Songs, rising to No. 16 two weeks ago. This week, a reggae remix of the song begins at No. 40 on Rhythmic.

Mraz told Billboard this week that he recently became aware that "I'm Yours" was approaching the Hot 100 record book and was "moved" about the possibility of the honor.

"I had little expectations about 'I'm Yours' on the radio," Mraz said. "But I was wrong. People just kept getting on board at both ends of the radio dial. I'm still blown away, humbled by the success of my happy little hippie song."

Regarding the song's multi-format acceptance, Billboard noted to Mraz that only one major genre - country - had yet to join in. On whether he would record a version for country radio, Mraz's answer was one straight from that of an avid chart watcher, and certainly tailor-made for Chart Beat.

"I don't think I would do the song justice going country," Mraz mused. "Maybe Kenny Chesney could put a clever spin on it. Or LeAnn Rimes! Who knows? If she did it right, she might get her title back."


ALL-AMERICAN GIRL: Miley Cyrus blasts onto the Billboard Hot 100 just below the Black Eyed Peas with "Party in the U.S.A." at No. 2. The song can't top the title above it, but it does match "I Gotta Feeling" for the year's highest bow. The Peas' track began in the runner-up spot (to "Boom Boom Pow") on June 27. This decade, only two songs by solo females have started higher, and both became instant No. 1s for "American Idol" winners: Fantasia's "I Believe" (July 10, 2004) and Carrie Underwood's "Inside Your Heaven" (July 9, 2005).

The lofty launch of her new hit also marks Cyrus' highest Hot 100 ranking. She previously peaked as high as No. 4 with "The Climb."

"Party in the U.S.A." is the 22nd Hot 100 entry to include "U.S.A." (or "USA") in its title and immediately ties for highest-ranking, with a shot at No. 1 still a possibility. Here is a look at all such patriotic titles, ranked by peak position (18 of which charted before Cyrus was born in 1992):

No. 2, "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. (A Salute to '60s Rock)," John Mellencamp (1986)
No. 2 (to date), "Party in the U.S.A.," Miley Cyrus (2009)
No. 3, "Surfin' U.S.A.," The Beach Boys (1963)
No. 4, "God Bless the U.S.A.," American Idol Finalists (2003)
No. 9, "Born in the USA," Bruce Springsteen (1985)
No. 11, "The Happiest Girl in the Whole U.S.A.," Donna Fargo (1972)
No. 13, "634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.)," Wilson Pickett (1966)
No. 15, "Southtown, U.S.A.," The Dixiebelles (1964)
No. 16, "Back in the U.S.A.," Linda Ronstadt (1978)
No. 16, "God Bless the USA," Lee Greenwood (2001)
No. 20, "Surfin USA," Leif Garrett (1977)
No. 20, "Banned in the U.S.A.," Luke featuring the 2 Live Crew (1990)
No. 26, "Philadelphia U.S.A.," The Nu Tornados (1958)
No. 27, "Twistin' U.S.A.," Danny & the Juniors (1960)
No. 28, "High School U.S.A.," Tommy Facenda (1959)
No. 37, "Back in the U.S.A.," Chuck Berry (1959)
No. 49, "Living in the U.S.A.," The Steve Miller Band (1974)
No. 52 (to date), "Small Town USA," Justin Moore (2009)
No. 68, "Twistin' U.S.A.," Chubby Checker (1961)
No. 69, "Bossa Nova U.S.A.," The Dave Brubeck Quartet (1963)
No. 82, "Mashed Potatoes U.S.A.," James Brown and the Fabulous Flames (1962)
No. 89, "Philadelphia U.S.A.," Art Lund (1959)

It's a good bet you knew that there are 50 states in the U.S.A., but you may not have known that with Cyrus' "Party in the U.S.A." joining Justin Moore's "Small Town USA," this week's Hot 100 marks the first in 50 years on which two "U.S.A./USA" songs have charted simultaneously. On the charts dated Dec. 20 and 27, 1958, and Jan. 3, 1959, the Nu Tornados' and Art Lund's versions of "Philadelphia U.S.A." also shared space on the list.

Further coincidentally, Cyrus ranks at No. 2, and Moore places at No. 52 - 50 spots apart.

While no "U.S.A./USA" song has yet reached the Hot 100 summit, one like-titled group has reigned. USA for Africa took "We Are the World" to the top for four weeks beginning April 13, 1985. Only one other "USA" artist has charted: Off Broadway USA showed with "Stay in Time" in 1980. The song reached No. 51 - or, oddly enough, 50 spots lower than the peak of "We Are the World."