Country star Taylor Swift all over singles scene

NEW YORK (Billboard) - T.I. began a fourth week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart Thursday with "Live Your Life" featuring Rihanna, but the big story was Taylor Swift's six new entries, led by "White Horse" at No. 13.

That song is the 18-year-old country star's sixth top 20 debut of 2008, a calendar-year record for any artist in the 50-year history of the chart. She breaks the record of five, set this summer by the Jonas Brothers.

Swift is now tied for second place with Mariah Carey and the Beatles for the most top 20 debuts in a career. One more new entry inside this elite tier will put her in a three-way tie for first place with Janet Jackson and Madonna.

In addition, her six debuts and seven total tracks on the Hot 100 each tie her with Miley Cyrus' "Hannah Montana" character for the most by a female artist in a single week. Swift's second album, "Fearless," debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Wednesday.

T.I. also held down the No. 2 spot on the Hot 100 with "Whatever You Like," while Beyonce's "If I Were a Boy" jumped two places to No. 3 and Katy Perry's "Hot N Cold" slipped one to No. 4.

Pink's "So What" (No. 5), Kevin Rudolf's "Let It Rock" featuring Lil Wayne (No. 6), and Britney Spears' "Womanizer" (No. 7) were unchanged from last week.

Akon's "Right Now (Na Na Na)" rose two places to No. 8, Kanye West's "Love Lockdown" jumped four to No. 9, and Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours" slipped one to No. 10.

Guns N' Roses notched its first Hot 100 appearance since its 1995 cover of "Sympathy for the Devil" with "Chinese Democracy," the title track from its upcoming album. The song debuted at No. 34.

Down Under country singer Keith Urban netted his first top 50 debut on the Hot 100 with "Sweet Thing" at No. 43. It's the lead single from an album due next spring.

On Billboard's airplay-based Mainstream Rock chart, AC/DC's "Rock'N'Roll Train" ended the seven-week reign of Metallica's "The Day That Never Comes."

Reuters/Billboard