In the first few months of `85, longevity has been the hallmark of the No. 1 songs on Billboard`s pop music chart, starting with Madonna`s ”Like a Virgin” (which ruled for six weeks), and including REO Speedwagon`s ”Can`t Fight This Feeling” (three weeks), Phil Collins` ”One More Night” (two weeks) and USA for Africa`s ”We Are the World” (four weeks).
But that has all changed in the last few weeks, with a series of songs not able to hold the top spot for more than a week. Two weeks ago, Madonna took over No. 1 with ”Crazy for You,” only to yield that position to ”Don`t You (Forget About Me)” by the British group Simple Minds.
This week, there`s another new title at the top, with ”Don`t You” being dropped to No. 2 by Wham`s ”Everything She Wants,” which, in moving from No. 4 to the top spot, gave the British superduo of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley their third straight American No. 1 in just six months.
If Wham follows its previous chart patterns, ”Everything She Wants”
will break the recent string of single-week No. 1 songs and stay at the top for three weeks. That`s how long each of their two previous hits ruled the American charts–”Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” in November and ”Careless Whisper” in late February-early March.
Next week, ”Everything She Wants” should be able to hold on No. 1 over two fast-rising challengers–Tears for Fears` ”Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” which jumped from No. 9 to No. 3, and Harold Faltermeyer`s ”Axel F,” which moved from No. 10 to No. 4 and is now the first megahit
instrumental since Vangelis` ”Chariots of Fire.”
After that, look for serious competition from two powerhouse ballads that still have plenty of momentum–Billy Ocean`s classy ”Suddenly,” which moved from No. 11 to No. 8 this week, and Bryan Adams` poignant ”Heaven,” which already is No. 12 after just six weeks on the charts.
Here are predictions for next week`s singles charts (last week, this column had just 1 of the Top 10 songs in the correct position): 1.
”Everything She Wants,” 2. ”Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” 3.
”Axel F,” 4. ”Smooth Operator,” 5. ”Suddenly,” 6. ”Heaven,” 7.
”Don`t You (Forget About Me),” 8. ”Things Can Only Get Better,” 9.
”Fresh,” 10. ”In My House.”
