NEW YORK (Billboard) – Katy Perry led Billboard’s Hot 100 singles for a second week on Thursday with “Teenage Dream,” while tunes by Bruno Mars and Rihanna are mounting challenges to take the lead next week.
Mars’ debut solo single “Just the Way You Are” was the top seller with 209,000 downloads ahead of 197,000 for Perry, enough to send it one place higher to No. 3 on the Hot 100. (The chart’s rankings are also determined by radio airplay.)
Also in contention for the No. 1 slot is Rihanna’s “Only Girl (In the World),” which debuted at No. 75. The track hit digital retailers on Monday and will assuredly move into the top five of the chart with first-week download sales expected to be near 200,000. A sum significantly north of that could push the track to the top.
Eminem’s “Love the Way You Lie,” featuring Rihanna, held at No. 2 a week after abdicating the top spot. Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite” slipped one to No. 4, and “I Like It” by Enrique Iglesias featuring Pitbull held at No. 5.
“DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love” by Usher featuring Pitbull remained at No. 6, while Nelly’s “Just a Dream,” which rose two to No. 7. Ke$ha’s “Take It Off” was steady at No. 8.
Flo Rida claimed his fifth top 10 in less than three years, and first since “Sugar” in May 2009, as “Club Can’t Handle Me,” featuring producer David Guetta, jumped four to No. 9. Taylor Swift’s “Mine” fell three to No. 10.
Selena Gomez & the Scene claimed the top debut, coming in at No. 35 with “A Year with No Rain,” the title single and first release from the Disney act’s second studio album, due September 21.
Florence + the Machine made its first Hot 100 appearance as “Dog Days Are Over” debuted at No. 93 due to a download spike on the heels of Sunday’s MTV Video Music Awards. Since SoundScan’s sales tracking week ends at the close of business on Sunday, the show’s impact on the charts should be more noticeable next week.
