Leona Lewis returns to No. 1 on U.S. singles chart
By Katie Hasty
NEW YORK (Billboard) - With help from "American Idol," British pop singer Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love" hit the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for the third time Thursday.
In its 11th week on the chart, the track flip-flopped with Lil Wayne's "Lollipop," which slipped to No. 2 after one week on top. Lewis performed the song, this week's biggest digital sales gainer, last week during the elimination round on "Idol."
"Bleeding Love" first went to No. 1 in the week of March 27, making Lewis the first British female solo artist to top the Hot 100 in over 21 years. It reclaimed the lead the following month, when her album debuted at No. 1.
Lewis' J Records label said "Bleeding Love" has sold over 1.5 million tracks in the United States, while the ringtone was certified gold this week with over 500,000 ringtones sold.
Reigning "Idol" champ Jordin Sparks' "No Air" featuring Chris Brown held at No. 3 on the Hot 100.
Madonna's "4 Minutes" featuring Justin Timberlake rebounded two places to No. 4, aided by Tuesday's release of her new album, "Hard Candy." Usher's "Love in This Club" featuring Young Jeezy slipped one to No. 5, as "Sexy Can I" by Ray J & Yung Berg rose one to No. 6.
Mariah Carey, who has led the U.S. album chart for the past two weeks, dropped two to No. 7 on the Hot 100 with "Touch My Body," while Sara Bareilles' "Love Song" kept the No. 8 spot warm.
Chris Brown's "Forever" debuted at No. 9. That achievement equals Yael Naim's "New Soul" for highest debut of 2008. Yet another Brown track, "With You," slipped one to No. 10.
Other debuts included Jesse McCartney's "Leavin"' at No. 14, a new personal best for the teen idol; Lil Wayne's "A Milli" at No. 60; and Weezer's "Pork and Beans" at No. 84.
Reuters/Billboard
