TOPS IN POPS

It looks like Ratt, obviously no flash-in-the-pan, has another Top 10 album with “Invasion of Your Privacy.” In only three weeks, the heavy-metal album has rocketed up to No. 11 on the Billboard pop chart.

Night Ranger, a softer metal band, has a fast-rising new album, “7 Wishes,” that should make the Top 10 easily. It’s No. 12. . . . Dire Straits’ “Brothers in Arms” is doing surprisingly well, reaching No. 18 in a six weeks. Another band showing unexpected strength is Survivor whose “Vital Signs” is No. 16.

Hot new albums: Sting’s “The Dream of the Blue Turtles” debuted at No. 41, with the Scorpions’ “World Wide Live,” close behind at No. 44. Talking Heads’ “Little Creatures” shot up to No. 29 in only two weeks.

ALBUM BITS: If it weren’t for Sade’s “Diamond Life,” “Whitney Houston” (No. 13) by Whitney Houston would be the sleeper of the year. . . . Christian singer Amy Grant has a hit album, “Unguarded” which jumped from No. 55 to No. 43. . . . Freddie Jackson’s ‘Rock Me Tonight,” a relatively obscure crossover from the soul chart, is an impressive No. 38.

SINGLES: Bubbling under the Billboard Top 10: Sting’s “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free” (No. 11), Night Ranger’s “Sentimental Street” (No. 13), Tears for Fears’ “Shout” (No. 14) and Kim Carnes’ “Crazy in the Night” (No. 15). . . . Debuts: Billy Joel’s “You’re Only Human (Second Wind)” (No. 50). . . . Tina Turner’s “Mad Max III” sound-track single, “We Don’t Need Another Hero,” is already No. 41.

OTHER CHARTS: Loose Ends’ “Hangin’ on a String” is the top soul single. Freddie Jackson’s “Rock Me Tonight” is still the No. 1 soul album. . . . The country chart leaders: Willie Nelson’s single, “Forgiving You Was Easy” and Hank Williams Jr.’s album “Five-O.”

TOP POP ALBUMS 1--”Songs From the Big Chair,” Tears For Fears (PolyGram).

2--”No Jacket Required,” Phil Collins (Atlantic).

3--”Around the World in a Day,” Prince (Warner Bros.).

4--”Reckless,” Bryan Adams (A&M;).

5--”Beverly Hills Cop,” sound track (MCA).

6--”Born in the U.S.A.,” Bruce Springsteen (Columbia).

7--”The Power Station,” the Power Station (Capitol).

8--”Make it Big,” Wham (Columbia).

9--”Like a Virgin,” Madonna (Warner Bros.).

10--”Be Yourself Tonight,” Eurythmics (RCA).

TOP POP SINGLES 1--”A View to a Kill,” Duran Duran (Capitol).

2--”Sussudio,” Phil Collins (Atlantic).

3--”Raspberry Beret,” Prince (Warner Bros.).

4--”The Search Is Over,” Survivor (Epic).

5--”Would I Lie to You?,” Eurythmics (RCA).

6--”Everytime You Go Away,” Paul Young (Columbia).

7--”You Give Good Love,” Whitney Houston (Arista).

8--”Voices Carry,” ’til tuesday (Epic).

9--”Glory Days,” Bruce Springsteen (Columbia).

10--”The Goonies ‘r’ Good Enough,” Cyndi Lauper (Epic).