POP LP CHART : Janet Jackson Breaks Into Top 5

Janet Jackson’s new album, “Rhythm Nation 1814,” rocketed up the Billboard magazine pop chart to No. 2 in just three weeks. “Miss You Much,” the first single from the album, is No. 1 on the pop singles chart for the third straight week. Tears for Fears’ album, “The Seeds of Love,” is nearly as hot as Jackson’s. “Seeds of Love” climbed to No. 11 in three weeks, boosted by the duo’s single, “Sowing the Seeds of Love”--No. 3 on the pop chart. Ah, those New Kids! There’s no stopping them. One of the fast-rising new albums “Merry Merry Christmas,” which is No. 31 after just two weeks--and it’s not even Halloween yet. Incidentally, New Kids’ “Hangin’ Tough” album just passed the 5-million mark.

* Tracy Chapman’s “Crossroads,” the follow-up to her multimillion-selling debut album, is off to a fast start. It entered the chart at No. 43 and should jump into the Top 20 next week.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Title (Label) Last Week Weeks Ago on Chart 1. “Dr. Feelgood” 1 5 5 Motley Crue (Elektra) 2. “Rhythm Nation 1814” 7 28 3 Janet Jackson (A&M;) 3. “Girl You Know It’s True” 4 2 31 Milli Vanilli (Arista) 4. “Steel Wheels” 3 3 6 Rolling Stones (Columbia) 5. “Forever Your Girl” 2 1 66 Paula Abdul (Virgin) * “Crossroads” ... ... 1 Tracy Chapman (Elektra)