The singles charts have settled into what we hope will be a momentary midsummer slumber. And that starts with the song in its fourth week at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100.
Idolator's distaste for Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl" is well-documented, but I nonetheless have to acknowledge that this blandly titillating dance-pop smash is emerging as the nation's song of this summer, its chart run perfectly timed for the season of moist, exposed flesh.
Perry seems likely to hold the keys to the penthouse for a few more weeks, unless Rihanna's "Take a Bow" regains its bullet at No. 2, or Chris Brown's gradually rising, more enjoyably summery "Forever" (up two slots to No. 4 this week) experiences a left-field surge. Otherwise, it's a wasteland out there.
For those of us seeking good news, however, the simultaneous Top 10 entry of three cool songs on three different flagship Billboard charts—Hot 100, R&B/Hip-Hop, and Country—provide a small dose of encouragement.
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Idolator
Most of the music magazines from across the pond saw circulation dips on the print side in the first quarter of 2008, with Kerrang! experiencing a staggering 21.6% drop in readership (to 60,290 readers) and NME's readership falling 12.1% on the half-year to 56,284. Q remains the biggest music rag in the land, with 113,174 readers—although that number also represents a 13.1% dip. The one mag to come out ahead this year? Metal Hammer, which saw a 6% uptick in readership. Its current circulation is 48,540. (Wonder if this means Kerrang! will lessen its focus on emo and go back to its metal roots?) [Musicweek via Coolfer]
