'Idol' Underwood Shoots Straight To No. 1



By Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.



A little more than a month after becoming the fourth winner of "American Idol," Carrie Underwood has the country's top single. "Inside Your Heaven," a Desmond Child-written song the country-leaning singer performed during her final week of competition on the Fox series, debuts at No. 1 on The Billboard Hot 100.

Underwood is only the third artist to bow in the top slot since chart policy changed in 1998 to allow airplay-only tracks on the Hot 100, a move that made it much harder for any title to debut at No. 1. And it's a feat only "Idol" contestants have been able to achieve with largely sales-driven success. Underwood's triumph follows in the footsteps of second season runner-up Clay Aiken's "This Is the Night" in 2003 and third-season winner Fantasia "I Believe" in 2004.

"Inside Your Heaven" also debuts at No. 1 on the Pop 100, where Gwen Stefani's "Hollaback Girl" falls to No. 4 after eight weeks on top. To make way for Underwood's debut on the Hot 100, Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together" drops to No. 2, but retains its bullet due to continued growth. The cut also improves its stand on the Pop 100, advancing 3-2, and holds onto its No. 1 post on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

The Black Eyed Peas' "Don't Phunk With My Heart" falls 3-4 on the Hot 100, but retains its bullet, and remains No. 1 on the Hot Digital Songs chart for a second week. Underwood's single is that chart's highest debut at No. 4.

Moving into the Hot 100's top 10 this week is Fat Joe's "Get It Poppin'" featuring Nelly with a 16-10 move. As reported yesterday, Joe's album "All or Nothing" (Terror Squad/Atlantic) bows this week at No. 6 on The Billboard 200.

Among the cuts making big Hot 100 gains this week is Rihanna's debut single "Pon De Replay," which bolts 30-13 and is the chart's greatest airplay gainer. Her debut album, "Music of the Sun," will be released Aug. 16 by SRP/Def Jam.

The Foo Fighters, who notch a No. 2 Billboard 200 debut this week for their two-disc "In Your Honor" (Roswell/Capitol), jump 37-18 with the single "Best of You," while Brad Paisley has the Hot 100's top debut with "Alcohol" at No. 89. Also new to the list are SheDaisy's "Don't Worry 'Bout a Thing" (No. 90), Brooks & Dunn's "Play Something Country" (No. 92), Fall Out Boy's "Sugar, We're Goin' Down" (No. 93) and Natasha Bedingfield's "These Words" (No. 100).

On the Hot Country Songs chart, Rascal Flatts' "Fast Cars and Freedom" advances 2-1 as Keith Urban's "Making Memories of Us" falls to No. 2 after five weeks on top. That chart's top debut is George Strait's "Texas" at No. 50, while Underwood's "Inside" bows at No. 59.

Seether's "Remedy" is the No. 1 title on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart for a second week, while Weezer's "Beverly Hills" moves 2-1 to take over the lead on the Modern Rock list as Nine Inch Nails' "The Hand That Feeds" falls to No. 2 after five weeks in the pole position.

On Billboard's Adult Contemporary list, first "American Idol" winner Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway" is No. 1 for a 17th consecutive week. On the Hot 100, the song drops 36-42, while her song "Since U Been Gone" drops 9-12 and "Behind These Hazel Eyes" holds steady at No. 6.

Those American Idol kids sell singles! I noticed a few people buying that Bo Bice single the other day. I haven't heard either of their singles (which I believe are of the same song) with different b-side covers.

asg said:

I really like that Natasha Bedingfield song. Great fun video!
[Edited 6/23/05 18:39pm]

asg said:

They really need new writers at Billboard. The title is that Underwood debuts at number 1...

can someone tell me if this is the same girl simon predicted would win?