POP CHARTS

U2’s “The Joshua Tree” did not , as expected, rise to the top of the Billboard magazine pop album chart after two weeks. After debuting at No. 7, it reached only the No. 3 spot on the new chart. As hot as U2 is, its album still isn’t selling better than the Beastie Boys’ “Licensed to Ill,” which is No. 1 for the sixth week. Bon Jovi’s “Slippery When Wet,” which has sold 6 million copies, is a perennial No. 2. If it weren’t for the U2 album, “Trio”--by Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris--would be the most sizzling on the chart. It shot up to No. 14 in just three weeks. “Look What the Cat Dragged in,” the debut album by the glam-rock band Poison, jumped five notches to No. 7. Watch out for the English band Cutting Crew. Its “Broadcast” album rocketed from No. 70 to No. 44 and its single, “(I Just) Died in Your Arms” (No. 17) should make the Top 10 easily. Other hot singles: U2’s “With or Without You” (No. 23), Bryan Adams’ “Heat of the Night” (No. 32) and Huey Lewis’ “I Know What I Like” (No. 40). Starship’s “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” is still the No. 1 single.