Heavy Metal Rules Top Spots, With More to Come

As predicted, Guns N’ Roses reclaimed the No. 1 position on the Billboard magazine pop album chart. Those L.A. guys, among rock’s foremost rascals, replaced Def Leppard--pop-metal kingpins for the past three weeks with “Hysteria.” This see-saw battle for No. 1 may tip in favor of Def Leppard again next week. Soulful Bobby Brown’s “Don’t Be Cruel” album (No. 19) is one of the surprise hits of year. But not as big a surprise as the success of Bobby McFerrin’s single, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” which is the new No. 1 pop single. It’s featured on the “Cocktail” sound track, which has climbed five places to No. 7--and has definite No. 1 potential. Joan Jett’s fast-rising “Up Your Alley” is up six notches to No. 28.

* It’s no surprise that fans love Metallica, but many critics, even those who loathe heavy metal, also like this band--arguably the class in this noisy genre. Metallica’s new album, “ . . . and Justice for All,” debuted at No. 35 and, most likely, will quickly power its way into the pop Top 10.

POP LP CHART

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Title (Label) Last Week Weeks Ago on Chart 1. “Appetite for Destruction” 2 2 57 Guns N’ Roses (Geffen) 2. “Hysteria” 1 1 58 Def Leppard (PolyGram) 3. “Tracy Chapman” 3 3 22 Tracy Chapman (Elektra) 4. “He’s the D.J., I’m the Rapper” 5 5 23 DJ Jazzy Jeff/Fresh Prince (Jive/RCA) 5. “Roll With It” 4 4 12 Steve Winwood (Virgin) * “ ... And Justice for All” -- -- 1 Metallica (Elektra)