POP LP CHART : Gibson Reigns; Madonna Challenges

Debbie Gibson’s long-running No. 1 album, “Electric Youth,” hasn’t lost its charge. Its major contender for the No. 1 position on the Billboard magazine pop chart is the new Madonna album, “Like a Prayer,” which is likely to debut on the chart next week. Incidentally, Madonna’s single by the same name is going up the pop singles chart like a rocket. It’s No. 11 after just three weeks. Vanessa Williams’ single “Dreamin’ ” just jumped three places to No. 9--her first Top 10 single.

* “Everything” has been a roller-coaster album for the Bangles. A few months ago, it was written off as a flop. But hit singles have kept the 6-month-old album, which is up to No. 22, alive. Their “Eternal Flame” is the new No. 1 pop single.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Title (Label) Last Week Weeks Ago on Chart 1. “Electric Youth” 1 1 8 Debbie Gibson (Atlantic) 2. “Don’t Be Cruel” 2 2 37 Bobby Brown (MCA) 3. “Traveling Wilburys” 5 4 21 Traveling Wilburys (Warner Bros.) 4. “Forever Your Girl” 4 5 37 Paula Abdul (Virgin) 5. “Appetite For Destruction” 3 3 84 Guns N’ Roses (Geffen) * “Everything” 28 33 22 Bangles (Columbia)