US Chart Roundup: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Return To #1, Justin Timberlake's Huge Debut

After being interrupted by the five-week reign of Baauer's senses-dulling "Harlem Shake" on the Hot 100, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis return to #1 with "Thrift Shop." Both songs manage to keep Justin Timberlake's "Suit & Tie" at bay, as that song moves up one position to #3. Elsewhere on the Hot 100, JT's "Mirrors" jumps from #25 to #13.

The real chart news, though, is over on the Billboard 200, where Timberlake's third album The 20/20 Experience debuts at #1 with first-week sales of 968,000 copies. It's his biggest opening week as a solo artist (FutureSex/LoveSounds sold 684,000 out of the gate in 2006 while Justified opened with 439,000 in 2002).

Of course, let's not forget that JT's former sausage fest boy band *NSYNC saw No Strings Attached debut at #1 in 2000 after selling 2.42 million copies in the first week.

Speaking of No Strings Attached, let's just put on our capri shorts, slip into a pair of roller blades and watch these:







The U.S. Top 10:

1. "Thrift Shop" - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Wanz *5 weeks*
2. "Harlem Shake" - Baauer
3. "Suit & Tie" - Justin Timberlake feat. Jay-Z
4. "When I Was Your Man" - Bruno Mars
5. "Stay" - Rihanna feat. Mikky Ekko
6. "Just Give Me A Reason" - Pink feat. Nate Ruess
7. "Started From The Bottom" - Drake 
8. "Feel This Moment" - Pitbull feat. Christina Aguilera
9. "Love Me" - Lil Wayne feat. Drake & Future
10. "I Knew You Were Trouble" - Taylor Swift

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My Writeup On *NSYNC's Debut Album, Which Is Now 15

Alright, I've been accused by Anonymous commentators this week of being on Justin Timberlake's payroll for writing so much about "Mirrors" and The 20/20 Experience. (Imagine that: me typing out words about the biggest pop release of the year so far?) To that I say... if only that cash was coming in, sluts!

Anyway, here's another one for you: *NSYNC's debut album turns 15 on March 24, and I interviewed Kristian Lundin, who co-wrote "Tearin' Up My Heart" with Max Martin and produced the song, for an anniversary piece over on Idolator.

When I asked him if there were any songs given to Backstreet Boys (another boy band he worked with at the time) that *NSYNC really wanted, or vice versa, his response was: "No comment."

One bit that didn't make it into the Idolator writeup was Kristian's reply when I asked if Cheiron Studios head honcho Denniz Pop (who produced, among other great '90s pop songs, *NSYNC's first single "I Want You Back" with Max) got to know Justin, JC and the rest of them before he passed away in 1998.

"No, unfortunately not," he said. "We didn't see the *NSYNC guys as frequently as, say Backstreet Boys back then, so I don't believe there was enough time. But I know they liked and respected him for inviting them and giving them their first hit."

And, no, I didn't get any cash from JT to write this one, either. But it is a good read.

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