MercyMe doubles the record!

[Hervard]

On 20: The Countdown Magazine this past weekend, "Word Of God (Speak)" by MercyMe logged a sixteenth week atop the chart, thus breaking their own record for another week. If my memory serves me correctly, the previous record on the 20: Countdown chart was the eight weeks that Steven Curtis Chapman spent on top back in the summer of 2002 with "Magnificent Obsession". This means the previous record was doubled. In actual weeks, this would be the seventeenth week, because I believe that when Jon Rivers returned to the show, he said it was number one for the eleventh week, which is what the other host had said on the previous week's show. During the song's run on top, there must have been a special 20: Countdown show (i.e. "The Top 20 hits of (a certain Christian artist), or maybe they ran the 90's in Review show for the umpteenth time. But that doesn't really matter, as the previous record has been outdistanced by its number of weeks. However, the Newsboys moved up to number two this week and I have a feeling they'll take over next week (BTW, for those who have that info, DO NOT let me know; I want to be surprised, like I've been for the past two months.
Anyone want to place any bets as to what the number one song is going to be this year?

[jimmy74747]

Is this based on the chart that is on Billboard's website? MercyMe has been #1 forever on that chart as well.

And I may take up that bet with you. Third Day has been on the charts FOREVER with "You Are So Good To Me"

[Hervard]

Actually, I'm pretty sure MercyMe will be number one for 2003. I have no idea about the Third Day song, since the 20 Countdown website seems to be down. All I get is a GR24U banner.

[Hervard]

Well, MercyMe is still on top for a seventeenth week! What is it about this song? The message it conveys must be very profound for so many people for it to remain on top for so long! Back when it spent its ninth week on top (in early September), I was impressed, but then I was thinking, "That's it, it's not going to spend any longer on top." Good thing I didn't put any money on it! Don't get me wrong; the song is a very beautiful and inspiring song, but I never dreamed it would spent a third of the year on top. The question is, however, will the Newsboys, at number two for another week, grab top honors next week? I forget what number three is, but I'm pretty sure it was moving up. Plus, at number seven, Darlene Zhech's new song (I forget what it's called) zoomed ahead 14-7, so that song has a chance at the top spot as well. I'm through saying every week that MercyMe's going to be dethroned, because that's never the case.

[Hervard]

Eighteen weeks now. BTW, when I said it doubled the record, well, that holds true for CCM magazine (I think). But as for 20: The Countdown Magazine, I heard that there was another song ten years ago that spent twelve weeks at number one. Still, "Word Of God Speak" outdistances the record by six weeks, which is still amazing. However, I really think the end of their reign is near. The Newsboys are still hanging tough at number two and the new Darlene Zhesch song moves from 7-3 so she'll most likely make it if the Newsboys can't cut the mustard.

[Hervard]

They're still up there! That makes it nineteen weeks now. Could they possibly hold on next week and make it 20 weeks? I don't know; Darlene Zschech still holds on to the number three position, but I don't know how close she is to grabbing hold of the top. We can't count the Newsboys out, neither, as they're still holding on to number two for, what is it, three weeks now? I'm not sure if they're losing plays or not. It'll be interesting to see next weekend what pans out. I do believe the MercyMe single will be the top song for all of 2003.

[Hervard]

Over the last few years, it was amazing if a song could spend twenty or more weeks on the 20: Countdown chart. Well, now that seems like such small potatoes, especially now that a song has spent as many weeks on top of that chart. MercyMe did it again this past weekend. And the Darlene Zschech song, "Pray", may not be as strong as we think, as it has been pushed back to number four. Replacing her at number three is Casting Crowns' song "If We Are The Body", which has been out for several months now so, unless the song got a second wind, "Pray" may not make it to the top. But who knows? The Newsboys song, which has been in the runner-up position for the past month, must still have a lot of juice in it, too, since neither of the above songs weren't able to get past it. The question is, how long can MercyMe stay on top? Something's gotta give. We'll have to see in ensuing weeks. I just hope there's not a bad snowstorm or anything the next few weekends, since the only way I can tune in the station that runs it is to drive out to the east side of LaPorte county, where the signal for LaPorte's radio station, which is 96.7 (Pulse FM is 96.9) isn't quite as strong. The radio station is only several blocks from where I live, so it's a wonder I can get Pulse on my car radio at all in the city.

[Hervard]

...and that time is now. After an amazing twenty weeks on top, MercyMe slips a spot to number two and the Newsboys take over. The question is, will MercyMe rebound to the top? I doubt it, since it's very unusual for a song to return to the top on that show. The last time it happened was back in 2000 and I don't even remember which song did it. Of course, they're using a new chart, so I guess anything is possible.
Casting Crown and Darlene Zschech are both still numbers three and four, respectively.

[Hervard]

jimmy74747 said:

Is this based on the chart that is on Billboard's website?  MercyMe has been #1 forever on that chart as well.

And I may take up that bet with you.  Third Day has been on the charts FOREVER with "You Are So Good To Me"

I don't remember seeing this post by you earlier....

But I just noticed that the Third Day song that you mentioned was #4 for the year, so you were close.  Sort of like "Blessed Be Your Name" in 2004, which spent forever on the charts.