It’s No Joker: Prince Sweeps the Charts

Batmania strikes again--this time on the Billboard pop music charts. Prince’s “Batman,” featuring music from the movie, is still the No. 1 pop album. And his “Batdance” single has powered its way to the top, giving “Batman” a rare pop-chart sweep. Great White and Skid Row, metal bands that critics love to trash, have reached the upper echelons of the pop album chart--Great White’s “Twice Shy” at No. 10 and “Skid Row” at No. 11. Fast-rising albums: Gloria Estefan’s “Cuts Both Ways” (No. 28) and Boogie Down Productions’ “Ghetto Music” (No. 39). Paula Abdul’s hot “Cold Hearted” single (No. 9) is the third from her “Forever Your Girl” album to reach the Top 10. Thanks to the singles, the year-old album--a 2-million seller--is still going strong (No. 9 on the pop chart).

* Soul II Soul is an innovative British dance unit whose eclectic sound is far-ranging enough to encompass New York hip-hop and straight jazz. Its acclaimed “Keep on Movin’ ” just keeps on movin’ up the pop album chart, reaching No. 29 in five weeks--an impressive climb for a debut album.

POP LP CHART

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Title (Label) Last Week Weeks Ago on Chart 1. “Batman” 1 1 5 Prince’s sound track (Warner) 2. “The Raw and the Cooked” 2 2 22 Young Cannibals (I.R.S./MCA) 3. “Hangin’ Tough” 3 4 50 New Kids on the Block (Columbia) 4. “Repeat Offender” 8 9 12 Richard Marx (EMI) 5. “Full Moon Fever” 6 5 13 Tom Petty (MCA) * “Keep on Movin’ ” 38 52 5 Soul II Soul (Virgin)