POP LP CHART : Jackson’s ‘Nation’ No. 1

Janet Jackson is the queen of pop music--for this week anyway. Her album “Rhythm Nation 1814” moved to the top of the Billboard pop chart. Her single “Miss You Much” tops the pop singles chart for the fourth straight week. Tracy Chapman’s “Crossroads” bolted to No. 15 in just two weeks. Albums by two veteran female pop stars are also bounding up the charts: Barbra Streisand’s “A Collection: Greatest Hits . . . and More” (No. 37) and Linda Ronstadt’s “Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind” (No. 39). One of the surprises of the year is the success of the B-52’s album, “Cosmic Thing” (No. 18). Tears For Fears’ “The Seeds of Love” cracked the pop album Top 10--climbing three rungs to No. 8.

* New Kids on the Block has the hottest Christmas album in many, many years with “Merry Merry Christmas,” which jumped to No. 22 in just three weeks. In a few more weeks, it’s possible these teen vocal sensations may have two Top 10 pop singles and two Top 10 pop albums simultaneously. On the singles chart, “Cover Girl” is No. 4 followed closely by “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind)”--a fast-rising No. 14. Their Christmas album may join “Hangin’ Tough” (No. 7) in the pop album Top 10.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Title (Label) Last Week Weeks Ago on Chart 1. “Rhythm Nation 1814” 1 2 4 Janet Jackson (A&M;) 2. “Girl You Know it’s True” 3 4 32 Milli Vanilli (Arista) 3. “Dr. Feelgood” 1 1 6 Motley Crue (Elektra) 4. “Steel Wheels” 4 3 7 Rolling Stones (Columbia) 5. “Forever Your Girl” 5 2 67 Paula Abdul (Virgin) * “Merry Merry Christmas” 31 52 3 New Kids on the Block (Columbia)