POP ALBUM CHART : Woman’s Place Is at the Top

Whoever said pop music is a man’s world had better take another look. The Top Three albums on the Billboard pop chart are all by solo female artists, with Bonnie Raitt’s “Nick of Time,” climbing three notches to No. 3, joining albums by the perennial top two, Paula Abdul and Janet Jackson. On the pop singles scene, solo female artists also reign, with Allanah Myles’ “Black Velvet” and Taylor Dayne’s “Love Will Lead You Back” Nos. 1 and 2. Lisa Stansfield’s “All Around the World” (No. 5) makes it three out of five in the Top Five. The hottest pop single in the country now is by another woman--Sinead O’Connor, whose “Nothing Compares to U” is No. 16 after just three weeks.

* Midnight Oil’s “Blue Sky Mining”--No. 22 after three weeks--is not only the fastest rising album on the pop chart, but also the fastest-rising of this Australian band’s career.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Title (Label) Last Week Weeks Ago on Chart 1. “Forever Your Girl” 1 1 89 Paula Abdul (Virgin) 2. “Rhythm Nation 1814” 2 2 26 Janet Jackson (A&M;) 3. “Nick of Time” 6 12 51 Bonnie Raitt (Capitol) 4. “Soul Provider” 4 6 37 Michael Bolton (Columbia) 5. “... But Seriously” 3 3 18 Phil Collins (Atlantic) * “Blue Sky Mining” 31 59 3 Midnight Oil (Columbia)