POP LP CHART : Opening Up and Saying ‘Wow!’

American metal fans were definitely ready for another dose of Poison, but even the band’s strongest supporters never figured that “Open up and Say Ahh” would rocket to No. 3 on the Billboard magazine pop album chart in just three weeks. Though Poison makes many critics gag, this glam-metal band will undoubtedly be around for a while. Prince’s “Lovesexy”--No. 16 after two weeks on the chart--should be in the Top 10 next week. Other fast-rising albums: Hall and Oates’ “Ooh Yeah!” (No. 24), the “Colors” sound track (No. 31) and Tracy Chapman’s “Tracy Chapman” (No. 35). George Michael’s “One More Try” is still the No. 1 pop single. Michael Jackson’s single “Dirty Diana” is No. 12 and rising. It will be the fifth Top 10 single from his “Bad” album.

* Look for “Stronger Than Pride,” featuring more of the smooth, silky, sounds of sexy Sade, to slither up the charts in the next few weeks. It debuted on the pop album chart at No. 54.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Title (Label) Last Week Weeks Ago on Chart 1. Faith 1 1 29 George Michael (Columbia) 2. Dirty Dancing 2 2 38 Sound track (RCA) 3. Open Up and Say Ahh 13 43 3 Poison (Enigma/Capital) 4. Bad 3 4 37 Michael Jackson (Epic) 5. Savage Amusement 7 10 5 The Scorpions (PolyGram) * Stronger Than Pride 1 Sade (Epic)