Just when you thought we’d escape 2009 without another No. 1 single from the chart-dominating Black Eyed Peas, the group’s plaintive DirecTV tie-in “Meet Me Halfway” is up a whopping 119% on this week’s Hot Digital Tracks chart, selling 127,000 copies and vaulting from No. 16 to No. 5. Ahead of the Peas:
Britney Spears’ “3″ (No. 1, 172,000 sold, down 33%)
Owl City’s “Fireflies” (No. 2, up 13%)
Miley Cyrus’ “Party In The USA” (No. 3, down 5%)
Jason DeRulo’s Imogen Heap-biting “Whatcha Say” (No. 4, down 1%).
“Fireflies” is pretty much the Peas’ biggest chart obstacle at this point, as far as track sales go—it’s been No. 1 on the iTunes Music Store for most of this week. So, what we’re looking at here is battle to the death between the Kings And Queens Of Crass (just confirmed as the “sole musical guest” for the forthcoming Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show!) and the majors’ attempt to bring the Postal Service into the big-box stores! This is almost making me hope that the Glambertzons go really crazy and buy up every copy of “Time For Miracles” that they can get their e-hands on.
Earlier: All coverage of the Black Eyed Peas’ dominant 2009
@Maura: Oops! I did it again: underestimated Jay Sean. According to the always well-informed Paul Grein, Britney’s wilting in sales is going to result in a drop from No. 1 on this week’s Hot 100 (down to No. 3). “Down” returns to No. 1, thanks to its ongoing, and huge, airplay advantage.
@Chris Molanphy: Actually, Britney fell all the way to 5. The incredibly hot Jay Sean (sorry I just can’t resist) is 1, but DeRulo is up to number 2. Perhaps he could be the next to occupy the top spot, before any Owl/BEP showdown heats up?