POP LP CHART : Prince’s ‘Batman’ Soars to No. 1

After just three weeks on the Billboard magazine chart, Prince’s “Batman” swooped into the No. 1 spot, chasing out the Cannibals’ “The Raw and the Cooked.” Incidentally, Prince’s “Batdance” single is up to No. 4. Richard Marx’s “Repeat Offender” moved up to No. 9, with a strong boost from his “Right Here Waiting” single--just about the fastest-rising on the pop chart. Rappers Heavy D and the Boyz have a hot album with “Big Tyme,” which bounded from No. 53 to No. 35. Martika’s debut album, “Martika,” is surging, rising 23 places to No. 28--mainly because it features “Toy Soldiers,” the new No. 1 pop single. Paul McCartney’s album, “Flowers in the Dirt,” has already bit the dust after a little over a month on the chart. After peaking quickly at No. 21, it’s on its way down, slipping to No. 26.

* White Lion is often accused of being just another pretty-boy, pop-metal band in the Bon Jovi mold. Critics may skewer White Lion, but it’s a big fan favorite. After four weeks on the chart, the band’s “Big Game” leaped 10 places to No. 23.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Title (Label) Last Week Weeks Ago on Chart 1. “Batman” 7 29 3 Prince’s sound track (Warner Bros.) 2. “The Raw and the Cooked” 1 1 20 Young Cannibals (I.R.S./MCA) 3. “Don’t Be Cruel” 2 2 53 Bobby Brown (MCA) 4. “Hangin’ Tough” 4 6 48 New Kids on the Block (Columbia) 5. “Full Moon Fever” 3 3 11 Tom Petty (MCA) * “Big Game” 33 43 4 White Lion (Atlantic)