IN THE NINETEEN-SEVENTIES: It’s rare to see even one song that dates back to the 1970s on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, but this week there are two. “Lonesome, On’ry and Mean” (RCA) by Travis Tritt enters at No. 50.
“Lonesome” is Tritt’s contribution to the new album, “I’ve Always Been Crazy: A Tribute to Waylon Jennings.” Written in 1972 by Steve Young, “Lonesome” was a signature song of the outlaw movement in country, but never charted until now. It’s only the second signature song to be a hit for the first time as a remake in the modern country era. The first was “Crying Time,” a signature song for Buck Owens that never charted until Lorrie Morgan’s version was a hit in 1993 when included on the soundtrack of “The Beverly Hillbillies” movie.
The other ’70s song charting on the country list is “Tell Me Something Bad About Tulsa” (MCA) by George Strait. Written by Red Lane in 1978, Strait’s remake falls 20-27. Merle Haggard’s son recorded the song and charted with it for one week at No. 75, during the week of Aug. 9, 1997.
‘INTO’ SOMETHING GOOD: Back in September 1998, Tamia had what was her highest-ranking hit to that date on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart when “So Into You” peaked at No. 7. This week, “Into You” (Desert Storm/Elektra) by Fabolous featuring Tamia or Ashanti breaks into the top-10, jumping 13-8.
Based on “So Into You,” “Into You” could tie the original’s peak position or surpass it as early as next week.
‘SOMEWHERE’ IN TIME: “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” according to the Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett duet that slides into pole position on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. As predicted last week, it’s the 21st No. 1 on this chart for Jackson, and the first for Buffett.
It’s not Buffett’s first time topping a Billboard singles and tracks chart, however. “Margaritaville” went to No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart the week of May 28, 1977.
‘STRAYS’ ON THE PATH: Almost 15 years after making their debut on The Billboard 200, the members of Jane’s Addiction have their first top-10 album. “Strays” (Capitol) is a new entry at No. 4 on the chart.
“Nothing’s Shocking,” the group’s major label debut and first album to chart, entered the week of Sept. 17, 1988, and peaked at No. 103 the week of Feb. 25, 1989. “Ritual De Lo Habitual” went to No. 19 in September 1990 and the odds-and-ends collection “Kettle Whistle” reached No. 21 in November 1997.
OH MYA: Jane’s Addiction isn’t the only act having the highest-charting album of its career this week. Mya’s third chart title, “Moodring” (A&M/Interscope), is new at No. 3 on The Billboard 200. That bests the No. 29 peak of her self-titled first CD in 1998 and the No. 15 peak of the follow-up, “Fear of Flying,” in 2000.
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