For the second straight week, we have serious movement within the Power Rankings. Things stay predictably static at the very top with “Boom Boom Pow,” but former heavyweight “Blame It” continues to slip, while young upstarts “Birthday Sex” and “Best I Ever Had” solidify their positions. We also welcome back an old friend making a dramatic return and greet an SOTS fringe contender who could no longer be ignored.
But most surprising of all? The smackdown Kenny Chesney’s “Out Last Night” put on the Rankings this week. We admit, when we slotted Chesney in last week at No. 8, it may have had just a touch to do with his token-country qualification. But “Out” has proven us prophetic, jumping from No. 60 all the way to No. 16 on the Hot 100. Now we realize that we underestimated this thing — why wouldn’t a silly song about being irresponsibly wasted take off? (We especially like this part: “I was a doctor, a lawyer, a senator’s son / Brad Pitt’s brother and a man on the run / anything I thought would get the job done.” Classy, Kenny.) Could it really give the big dogs a run for their money? As long as Mr. Chesney continues to refuse to wear sleeves, we see no reason why not.
1. Black Eyed Peas, “Boom Boom Pow”: Now that their new album is out, Black Eyed Peas should have another chart to dominate: If estimates hold, The E.N.D. will top the Billboard 200 next week.
2. Drake, “Best I Ever Had”: Okay, so those Rihanna rumors weren’t just rumors? Well done, young man.
3. Jeremih, “Birthday Sex”: Most plays on MySpace means Jeremih’s got the 13- to 15-year-old set locked down.
4. Keri Hilson feat. Kanye West and Ne-Yo, “Knock You Down”: Back with a vengeance. Cracking the Hot 100’s top five will do that.
5. Kenny Chesney, “Out Last Night”: Seriously, if anyone’s written a more carefree, seasonally appropriate jam this year, we’d like it brought to our attention.
6. Jamie Foxx feat. T-Pain, “Blame It”: Slowly and steadily slipping, this time down to No. 10 on the Hot 100. Has it been done in by its own airplay ubiquity (and when, oh when, will this happen to “Boom Boom Pow”?).
7. Pitbull, “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)”: Peaking at No. 2 on the Hot 100 means we can no longer ignore you, Pitbull. Welcome — you should probably go ahead and make yourself comfortable.
8. Sean Kingston, “Fire Burning”: The newbie’s already the No. 3 most-downloaded song on iTunes. Plus, it uses a heat metaphor to describe the attractiveness of a lady dancing — always good for this time of year.
9. Green Day, “Know Your Enemy”: They’re still everywhere — but is that a good thing? And have you actually heard this playing during any kind of summer activity?
10. Animal Collective, “Summertime Clothes”: Releasing the video for “Summertime Clothes” means A.C. bumps Grizzly Bear’s “Two Weeks” for the indie-barbecue-playlist spot.
