Chart Beat Wednesday: Hall & Oates Come On Over To The Country

'SMILE,' YOU'RE ON COUNTRY SONGS: Jimmy Wayne nets the Hot Shot Debut on Country Songs with "Sara Smile," featuring the classic song's original performers, Daryl Hall & John Oates. The latter two artists, who make their first visit to Country Songs, took the title to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976.

Wayne recently explained, "'Sara Smile' has been my shield and my sword. Over 13 years ago, I picked a Hall & Oates Greatest Hits CD out of a bargain box that sat outside the department store in the old Gaston Mall in Gastonia, North Carolina.

"I listened to the CD on my way home, and I heard 'Sara Smile' for the first time. I began singing this song, and I just felt as if the song was written for me."

Wayne's performance of the ballad in an audition solidified his first record deal, and he has since become friends and collaborated with John Oates on various projects. When Wayne enjoyed his first No. 1, "Do You Believe Me Now," on Country Songs last year, Oates even traveled to Nashville to help celebrate - and perform with Wayne on-stage - at an industry bash.

With its entrance on Country Songs, "Sara Smile," the title cut of Wayne's new album due Nov. 24, becomes the ninth former Hot 100 hit since the former chart converted to Nielsen BDS-monitored data in 1990 to appear on the tally in an updated version that includes the original artist. Here is a look at the nine such titles to enjoy new lives on the Country Songs chart:

Country Songs Peak, Title, Artists, Year (Original version's Hot 100 Peak, Year). Artist who originally recorded each song shown in italics.

No. 2, "I'm So Happy I Can't Stop Crying," Toby Keith With Sting, 1997 (No. 94, 1996)
No. 2, "Because of You," Reba McEntire Duet with Kelly Clarkson, 2007 (No. 7, 2005)
No. 3, "God Must Have Spent a Little More Time on You," Alabama featuring 'N Sync, 1999 (No. 8, 1999)
No. 15, "I Will Always Love You," Dolly Parton & Vince Gill, 1995 (No. 53, 1982)
No. 19, "Workin' for a Livin'," Garth Brooks & Huey Lewis, 2008 (No. 41, 1982)
No. 34, "Missing You," Alison Krauss and John Waite, 2007 (No. 1, 1984)
No. 51, "Sara Smile," Jimmy Wayne featuring Daryl Hall & John Oates, 2009 (No. 4, 1976)
No. 60, "If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body (Would You Hold It Against Me)," The Bellamy Brothers with Dolly Parton, 2005 (No. 39, 1979)
No. 63, "Margaritaville," Alan Jackson with Jimmy Buffett, 1999 (No. 8, 1977)

Atop Country Songs, Justin Moore collects his first No. 1, as "Small Town USA" lifts 3-1. The song is just the third entry with "USA" in its title to rule in the survey's 65-year-history. It joins Kitty Wells' "Heartbreak U.S.A." (1961) and Donna Fargo's "The Happiest Girl in the Whole U.S.A." (1972).

In fact, patriotism extends to this week's runner-up song. Toby Keith rises 4-2 with "American Ride."


'OBSESSED' WITH 'LOVE': Mariah Carey passes Kristine W for third-most No. 1s in the history of Dance/Club Play Songs, as "Obsessed" rises 2-1. The song is Carey's 15th leader on the list.

The artists with the most toppers on the chart now stand as Madonna (40), whose "Celebration" retreats 1-4, Janet Jackson (18), Carey (15) and Kristine W (14).

Carey concurrently debuts on Adult Contemporary at No. 21 with her remake of Foreigner's 1985 No. 3 hit on the chart, "I Want to Know What Love Is." The start ties for her second-best at the format, topped only by a No. 17 launch for "Dreamlover" in 1993. Another cover of an '80s smash, Lionel Richie and Diana Ross' "Endless Love," updated by Carey with Luther Vandross in 1994, also began at No. 21.

Coincidentally, Foreigner is bidding to make its first appearance on Adult Contemporary since 1995, as "When It Comes to Love" is bubbling under the survey. The new song introduces Foreigner's Sept. 29 Wal-Mart exclusive, "Can't Slow Down," the group's first album featuring new lead singer Kelly Hansen.


LATIN LEADERS: Los Tigres Del Norte ascend 5-1 on Regional Mexican Songs with "La Granja." The song is the venerable Sinaloa, Mexican act's 14th No. 1 on the chart. The act passes Intocable's 13 leaders and now trails only Conjunto Primavera, owners of a chart-best 16 career champs.


COMPLETE BEAT: Check back tomorrow, when we run down feats from among all our charts, including the Billboard Hot 100. After the MTV Video Music Awards aired Sept. 13, several performers and Moonman winners (as well as a certain stage-crasher) received boosts in digital sales, leading to upward action on this week's Hot 100 and Digital Songs charts.