Lady Gaga – Sida 13 – WelcheMusic.com

Erik Grönwall Commands Both Singles and Album Chart in Sweden

In Sweden, Idol winner Erik Grönwall remains atop of the singles chart for a second week with “Higher.” The final chart of the year shows little change as Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” and Darin’s “Viva la vida” remain at No.2 and No.3. Coincidentally, Pet Shop Boys enters the chart at No.32 with another cover of the Coldplay hit. The track is included on the duo’s Christmas EP, headed by the track “It Doesn’t Often Snow at Christmas.” On PSB’s new version, “Viva la vida” is mixed with “Domino Dancing.”

Pet Shop Boys – Viva la vida (Domino Dancing)

The Black Eyed Peas spends its 20th week on the chart with “I Gotta Feeling.” Spotify recently announced that this was the most streamed track in 2008. Idol runner-up Calle Kristiansson won an album deal as well, and his live cover version of the Marc Cohn classic “Walking in Memphis” moves 7-5.

Alicia Keys has three tracks on the singles chart this week. The Jay-Z duet “Empire State of Mind” falls 10-11, while “Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart” vaults 32-19. “Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down” enters the chart at No.59.

As expected, Erik Grönwall’s debut album Erik Grönwall immediately enters the No.1 position. The Priests are pushed back 1-3, while Melody Gardot remains at No.2 with My One and Only Thrill. Peter Jöback’s Xmas set Jag kommer hem igen till jul tops the midprice chart, followed by Il Divo’s The Christmas Collection.

Lady Gaga Remains in the Top 5 in the UK

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIw3SPkxdxQ

Lady Gaga remains at No.3 with “Bad Romance” adding her ninth week on the UK singles chart. She’s trailed by Cheryl Cole who’s back with a follow-up to this fall’s No.1 “Fight for this Love.” Her new single features will.i.am on vocals and is titled “3 Words.” The Black Eyed Peas rise 10-6 with “Meet Me Halfway.” The highest new entry comes from Jay-Z who’s teamed up with Mr. Hudson on the Alphaville rendition “Young Forever.” Similar to recent success by T.I. and Flo Rida, the track is based on a well-known hit, this time “Forever Young.”

Michael Bublé’s Crazy Love denies Susan Boyle another week atop of the album chart. Boyle’s I Dreamed a Dream is still the Billboard 200 album No.1. Lady Gaga remains at No.4 with The Fame, a set that almost celebrates its first anniversary on the chart. The follow-up, The Fame Monster, has already fallen out of the top 40.

Ke$ha Claims the Top Spot in the States

The Rage Against the Machine Facebook campaign didn’t reach the States, which meant that Ke$ha could claim the Billboard Hot 100 top spot without controversy. This means that Jay-Z and Alicia Keys moves 1-2 this week with “Empire State of Mind.”

Last week, Ke$ha only marginally beat Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance.” As “TiK ToK” now reigns atop, this means that she’s the first female artist to reach the top with a debut single since Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance.” To be totally fair, Ke$ha did already top the charts earlier this year, but her appearance on Flo Rida’s “Right Round” was non-credited. Expect her album Animal to reach stores in January 2010.

As WelcheMusic reported a few days back, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the acoustic version of “Empire State of Mind” would reach the charts. As it turns out, this version does debut at No.55. The highest new entry comes from Eminem, whose “Hell Breaks Loose” comes in at No.29. It features Dr. Dre and was added to the release of Relapse:Refill, a re-issue with bonus tracks. It’s worth mentioning that Usher enters at No.94 with “Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home).” It’s the second track lifted from the forthcoming album Raymond vs. Raymond. The first one, “Papers,” peaked at a disappointing No.31. Usher hasn’t reached the upper reaches since “Love in this Club” topped the charts in the beginning of 2008. Maybe he should record a duet it with Alicia Keys – remember “My Boo” in 2004…