POP LP CHART : Rockers Swap Top Spots

Def Leppard’s “Hysteria” is playing musical chairs with the No. 1 position of the Billboard magazine pop album chart, waltzing in and out at will. “Hysteria,” which has sold more than 6 million units, is back on top again . “Follow the Leader” (No. 22) by rappers Eric B. and Rakim is one the fastest-rising albums on the chart. After a slow start, Joan Jett’s “Up Your Alley” (No. 41) is racing up the pop chart. However, Beach Boy Brian Wilson’s ballyhooed self-titled album hasn’t made many waves--it’s No. 63 and sinking. George Michael’s “Monkey” is still No. 1 on the pop chart. Whitney Houston, who considers a single that didn’t make No. 1 a failure, is probably in mourning because her “Love Will Save the Day” peaked at No. 9 and slipped to No. 11.

* Long recognized in jazz and soul circles as a super-singer, Bobby McFerrin is finally getting pop recognition thanks to a smash single, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” (No. 15). A hit because of its exposure on the “Cocktail” sound track, the single is also boosting sales of his “Simple Pleasures” album, now up to No. 40 on the pop chart.

POP LP CHART

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Title (Label) Last Week Weeks Ago on Chart 1. “Hysteria” 2 2 55 Def Leppard (PolyGram) 2. “Tracy Chapman” 1 4 19 Tracy Chapman (Elektra) 3. “Appetite for Destruction” 4 3 54 Guns N’ Roses (Geffen) 4. “Roll With It” 3 1 9 Steve Winwood (Virgin) 5. “He’s the D.J., I’m the Rapper” 5 5 20 D.J. Jazzy Jeff/ The Fresh Prince (Jive/RCA) * “Simple Pleasures” 51 61 20 Bobby McFerrin (EMI-Manhattan)