‘MEET’ THE SUPREME
Hi Fred,
I am a huge Diana Ross fan. In the [Nov. 3] “Chart Beat” column you said that Diana last appeared on a Billboard singles chart in 1996 with “Voice of the Heart” (one of my favorite songs by the way). I believe Diana reached No. 2 on the dance chart in 1999 with “Until We Meet Again.” If so, please correct your column, we don’t want to shortchange Diana in any way!
By the way, any word on when we can expect the next Diana Ross album? It has been far too long!
Best,
Bill Sturman
Dear Bill,
When I wrote the item, I was only considering the Billboard Hot 100, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and the Adult Contemporary tally. But since the dance charts are essentially singles charts, I should have considered these as well.
“Until We Meet Again” from the “Every Day Is a New Day” album did indeed peak at No. 2 on the Hot Dance Club Play list, for the week ending June 19, 1999. In addition, “Meet” made it to No. 39 on the Hot Dance Singles Sales tally and No. 73 on the Hot R&B Singles Sales chart.
Diana appeared at a press screening of “Lady Sings the Blues” on the Paramount lot in Hollywood on Nov. 1, and she did reveal that she has been in the studio recording a new album. She hopes to have it released in time for Mother’s Day 2006. NUMBER NINE. NUMBER NINE. NUMBER NINE. NUMBER NINE…
Dear Fred,
I notice this week that the fab Kelly Clarkson’s “Because of You” chart position stats are 9,9,9,9. Like other readers, I’m sure, I spent years doing my own personal weekly chart (a top 10) and noticed this effect happening once in a while on my own countdown (my all time favorite was PM Dawn’s “Looking Through Patient Eyes” that was 7,7,7,7 in its seventh week on my chart). But I have to admit I’ve rarely seen it on the Billboard charts. Is this is a common occurrence?
Cheers,
Dominic Sheehan
Auckland, New Zealand
Dear Dominic,
For those “Chart Beat Chat” readers who aren’t sure what you’re referring to, you’re talking about the numbers in the various columns on the Hot 100 that indicate this week’s position, last week’s position, the position two weeks ago and weeks on chart.
Every once in a while these numbers do line up and form what I call a “Bingo!” It happens often enough that it’s not worth mentioning in “Chart Beat,” but not so often that you will see it every week. NUMBER TWO. NUMBER TWO. NUMBER…YOU GET THE IDEA…
Hi Fred,
Every one talks about being No. 1, and how many weeks a song is No. 1, and who’s had more No. 1s. What about No. 2s?
I’d love to know which song had the longest run at No. 2. There must be songs that never reached the top spot because of long-lasting No. 1 songs! And I’m positive there are No. 1 songs that spent more time/weeks at No. 2 than at No. 1.
I really enjoy reading your column!
Best regards,
Luis Fonseca
Porto, Portugal
Dear Luis,
There is a tie for the longest-running No. 2 song in the history of the Billboard Hot 100. Just considering songs that peaked in second place, the record-holders are “Waiting for a Girl Like You” by Foreigner and “Work It” by Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott. Both songs were No. 2 for 10 weeks.
To answer the second part of your question about No. 1 songs that spent more time at No. 2, the record-holder is Whitney Houston’s “Exhale (Shoop Shoop),” which was on top for one week and then had an 11-week run at No. 2.
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