Connie Francis News

The third chart entry proves to be the charm for Mario, who rises to a new career peak on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Let Me Love You" (3rd Street/J). The single moves 3-2, eclipsing the No. 4 peak of his debut effort, "Just a Friend 2002," in August 2002.

Mario is not to be confused with Bad Boy artist Mario Winans, who also peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100 this year. "I Don't Wanna Know" by Winans with featured artists Enya and P. Diddy reached the runner-up spot in April.

Both Marios have berths on this week's Hot 100. Winans is featured on Guerilla Black's "You're the One" (Czar/Virgin) at No. 78.

Mario -- the one who sings "Let Me Love You" -- debuts on the Billboard 200 with his second CD, "Turning Point." His self-titled debut peaked at No. 9 in August 2002.

WHERE NO IDOL HAS GONE BEFORE

While a number of "American Idol" contestants have topped the Hot 100 Singles Sales chart, Kelly Clarkson is the first "Idol" singer to occupy pole position on Hot Digital Tracks.

Clarkson bowed on the download survey in July 2003, when "Miss Independent" peaked at No. 2. "Breakaway" went to No. 3 in September. Now she is No. 1 with "Since U Been Gone" (RCA).

The longest-running No. 1 on the digital tally is OutKast's "Hey Ya!" at 19 weeks. Hoobastank is in second place, thanks to the 10-week reign of "The Reason."

'COLD' HARD FACTS

Teaming with Rod Stewart on the holiday classic "Baby, It's Cold Outside" (J) has given Dolly Parton her biggest Adult Contemporary hit in 21 years. The collaboration is Parton's highest-charting AC entry since another duet, "Islands in the Stream," went to No. 1 in October 1983. Recorded with Kenny Rogers, "Islands" is Parton's biggest AC hit.

"Baby, It's Cold Outside" is the fourth Parton song to reach the top two on the AC list. "Here You Come Again" spent two weeks at No. 2 in 1977, and "9 to 5" spent two weeks at No. 1 in 1980.

"Cold" is Stewart's highest-charting AC title since his remake of Carole King 's "So Far Away" also peaked at No. 2, in April 1996.

SINGLED OUT

My top 10 albums of 2004 can be found at billboard.com. Being single as well as single-oriented, I also compile my top 10 singles of the year (commercial release no longer required):

1. "Min Karlek," Shirley Clamp (Lionheart, Sweden).

2. "Soy Tu Venus," Baccara (Lionheart, Sweden).

3. "Stronger Every Minute," Lisa Andreas (CMC/EMI, Cyprus).

4. "Ingen Vill Veta Var Du Kopt Din Troja," Raymond & Maria (Metronome, Sweden).

5. "Photograph"/"Crazy in Love," Carmen Rasmusen (R3 Media).

6. "White Houses," Vanessa Carlton (A&M).

7. "1985," Bowling for Soup (Silvertone/Jive).

8. "On Again ... Off Again," Julie & Ludwig (CMC/EMI, Malta).

9. "The Image of You," Anjeza Shahini (CMC/EMI, Albania).

10. "Undone," Patrick Nuo (WEA, Germany).

Reuters/Billboard