Week Ending Aug. 19, 2012. Songs: Swift Makes Digital History

First-week sales for Taylor Swift's "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" were as unambiguous as its title. The song sold 623K copies, which is the second-highest one-week total in digital history. It trails only Flo Rida's "Right Round," which sold 636K in its first week in February 2009.

This enables Swift to set new records for the largest one-week digital sales tally by a female artist (eclipsing Ke$ha's "TiK ToK," which sold 610K in December 2009); by a country artist (eclipsing Swift's own "Love Story," which sold 360K in December 2008); and by any artist in 2012 (eclipsing "Somebody That I Used To Know" by Gotye featuring Kimbra, which sold 542K in the week ending April 15).

"We Are Never Ever…" is the first single from Swift's fourth studio album, Red, which is due Oct. 22. Swift's last studio album, Speak Now, sold 1,047,000 copies in its first week of release in October 2010.

Swift's song vaults from #72 to #1 on this week's Hot 100. It's her first #1. "You Belong With Me" and "Today Was A Fairytale" both peaked at #2. This makes Swift the first female country artist to top the Hot 100 since Carrie Underwood debuted in the top spot in July 2005 with "Inside Your Heaven." (Surprisingly, Underwood's song stalled at #52 on the Hot Country Songs chart. The country format didn't fully embrace the American Idol champ until her next single, "Jesus, Take The Wheel.")

"We Are Never Ever…" enters Hot Country Songs at #13. That ties "Feel Like A Rock Star" by Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw for the year's highest debut on that chart. (Despite that potent debut, "…Rock Star" peaked at #11 on the country chart.) If Swift's smash reaches #1 on Hot Country Songs, it would be the first song to top both the pop and country charts since Lonestar's "Amazed" in 2000.

Swift's jump from #72 to #1 is the largest leap to #1 since "Crack A Bottle" by Eminem, Dr.Dre & 50 Cent vaulted from #78 to #1 in February 2009. (Six singles since then have debuted at #1, but that's different.)

In addition to breaking several one-week sales records, "We Are Never Ever…" breaks several first-week sales records. It sets new records for the largest first-week digital sales by a female artist (eclipsing Lady Gaga's "Born This Way," which sold 448K in February 2011); by a country artist (eclipsing her own "Today Was A Fairytale," which sold 325K in January 2010); and by any artist in 2012 (eclipsing Justin Bieber's "Boyfriend," which sold 521K in the week ending April 1).

"We Are Never Ever…" is Swift's 11th top 10 hit on the Hot 100. This enables her to tie Kenny Rogers' long-standing record for the most top 10 hits by a core country artist in chart history. Rogers' tally includes two hits with the First Edition plus collaborations with Kim Carnes, Sheena Easton and Dolly Parton. (Note: The First Edition was strictly a pop/rock outfit at the time of its first top 10 hit, 1967's "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)." Country radio started to come on board for its second top 10 hit, 1969's "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town.")

One difference between Swift, 22, and Rogers, who turns 74 on Tuesday: Swift wrote or co-wrote all 11 of these hits. Rogers didn't have a hand in writing any of his top 10 hits on the Hot 100 (though he did write or co-write some of his lesser hits). Swift co-wrote "We Are Never Ever…" with pop hit-makers Max Martin and Shellback.

"We Are Never Ever…" is Swift's fourth #1 on Hot Digital Songs, following "Today Was A Fairytale," "Mine" and "Back To December," all from 2010.

Maroon 5

has two songs in the top 10 simultaneously for the first time in its career. "Payphone" (featuring Wiz Khalifa) drops from #5 to #7. "One More Night" jumps from #15 to #9. "Payphone" spent its first 17 weeks in the top five, which ties the all-time record. Billboard's Gary Trust notes that the Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling" and "One Sweet Day" by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men likewise spent their first 17 weeks in the top five. The big difference between those earlier smashes and "Payphone"? "One Sweet Day" and "I Gotta Feeling" spent a combined total of 30 weeks at #1. "Payphone" was never able to climb above #2.

"As Long As You Love Me" by Justin Bieber featuring Big Sean jump from #12 to #8 in its ninth week. It's Bieber's fourth top 10 hit, following "Baby" (featuring Ludacris), "Never Say Never" (featuring Jaden Smith) and "Boyfriend." Moreover, this marks the first time that Bieber has had back-to-back top 10 hits. It's Big Sean's second top 10 hit, following his own "Dance (A$$)" (featuring Nicki Minaj).

Here's the low-down on this week's top 10 songs.

The Top Five: Taylor Swift's "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" vaults from #72 #1. It's her 11th top 10 hit; her first #1. Digital sales rank: #1 (623K)…Flo Rida's "Whistle" dips from #1 to #2 in its 14th week on the chart. This is its sixth week in the top 10. Digital sales rank: #2 (199K)… Ellie Goulding's "Lights" dips from #2 to #3 in its 35th week on the chart. This is its ninth week in the top 10. Digital sales rank: #14 (96K)…Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" dips from #3 to #4 in its 26th week on the chart. This is its 21st week in the top 10. Digital sales rank: #7 (136K)… … Katy Perry's "Wide Awake" dips from #4 to #5 in its 13th week on the chart. This is its 11th week in the top 10. Digital sales rank: #13 (97K).

The Second Five: fun.'s "Some Nights" jumps from #8 to #6 in its 26th week. This is its second week in the top 10. Digital sales rank: #3 (180K)…"Payphone" by Maroon 5 featuring Wiz Khalifa drops from #5 to #7 its 18th week on the chart. It has been in the top 10 the entire time. Digital sales rank: #20 (82K)…"As Long As You Love Me" by Justin Bieber featuring Big Sean jumps from #12 to #8 in its ninth week. It's Bieber's fourth top 10 hit; Big Sean's second. Digital sales rank: #6 (145K)…Maroon 5's "One More Night" jumps from #15 to #9 in its ninth week. This is the group's sixth top10 hit. Digital sales rank: 4 (170K)…"Titanium" by David Guetta featuring Sia drops from #7 to #10 in its 19th week on the chart. This is its eighth week in the top 10. Digital sales rank: #19 (82K).

Three hits drop out of the top 10 this week. "Somebody That I Used To Know" by Gotye featuring Kimbra drops from #6 to #11, Phillip Phillips' "Home" drops from #9 to #17 and Rihanna's "Where Have You Been" drops from #10 to #15. "Home" remains in the top 10 on Hot Digital Songs. Digital sales rank: #5 (161K).

"Good Time" by Carly Rae Jepsen and Owl City holds at #13 in its eighth week. Digital sales rank: #8 (127K). Here's a fact that may surprise you (as it did me): Owl City's 2009 smash "Fireflies" sold more digital copies in its biggest sales week than Jepsen's monster hit "Call Me Maybe" did in its biggest week. It wasn't even close. "Fireflies" sold 440K in its biggest sales week in December 2009. "Call Me Maybe" sold 301K in its biggest sales week in May. (Sales traditionally swell in December when fans, armed with iTunes gift cards, are looking for songs to download.)

Neon Trees' sassy "Everybody Talks" jumps from #17 to #14 in its 23rd week. It's the group's second top 15 hit. "Animal" reached #13 in November 2010…Cher Lloyd's "Want U Back" drops from #14 to #16 its 10th week. Digital sales rank: #9 (125K). The song tops the 1 million mark in digital sales this week...Nicki Minaj's "Pound The Alarm" jumps from #29 to #22 in its fourth week.

"No Lie" by 2 Chainz featuring Drake drops from #26 to #28 in its 15th week. The song holds at #1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for the third week. Two other songs from 2 Chainz' debut album Based On A T.R.U. Story bow on the Hot 100 this week. "Yuck!" (featuring Lil Wayne) debuts at #80. "Birthday Song" (featuring Kanye West) re-enters the chart at #100. It has climbed as high as #91. The album enters The Billboard 200 at #1.

Hunter Hayes' "Wanted" jumps from #34 to #29 in its 17th week. The song tops the 1 million mark in digital sales this week…Carrie Underwood's "Blown Away" jumps from #38 to #30 in its seventh week…Mumford & Sons' "I Will Wait" drops from #23 to #37 in its second week. Digital sales rank: #10 (102K).

Chris Brown's

"Don't Wake Me Up" jumps from #53 to #41 in its eighth week…Blake Shelton's "Over" jumps from #45 to #43 in its 10th week. The song jumps to #1 on Hot Country Songs. It's Shelton's 12th #1 country hit...matchbox twenty's "She's So Mean" jumps from #58 to #49 in its eighth week…"2 Reasons" by Trey Songz featuring T.I. jumps from #61 to #54 in its seventh week… "Pop That" by French Montana featuring Rick Ross, Drake, Lil Wayne jumps from #70 to #61 in its sixth week.

Miguel's "Adorn" jumps from #77 to #68 in its third week…Imagine Dragons' "It's Time" jumps from #79 to #69 in its 11th week…Rascal Flatts' "Come Wake Me Up" jumps from #84 to #72 in its fourth week…Miranda Lambert's "Fastest Girl In Town" jumps from #81 to #73 in its fourth week…Ed Sheeran's "The A Team" jumps from #85 to #75 in its sixth week…Future's "Turn On The Lights" jumps from #89 to #78 in its second week.

Ne-Yo's "Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself)" jumps from #97 to #88 in its third week. It's my current favorite single.

"I Can Only Imagine" by David Guetta featuring Chris Brown and Lil Wayne re-enters the chart at #90… Lupe Fiasco's "Lamborghini Angels" debuts at #92. It's from the hip-hopper's fourth studio album, Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album, Pt. 1, which is due Sept. 25… "Put It Down" by Brandy featuring Chris Brown debuts at #95. It's from her sixth studio album, Two Eleven, which is due Oct. 16…Florida Georgia Line's "Cruise" debuts at #99. It's from the country group's EP It'z Just What We Do, which came out in May.

"Empire State Of Mind" by Jay-Z & Alicia Keys tops the 5 million mark in digital sales this week. It's the biggest-selling hit for both artists. Jay-Z's second best-seller is Rihanna's "Umbrella," on which he was featured, which has sold 4,089,000 copies. Keys' second-best-seller is "No One," which has sold 3,705,000 copies. "California Gurls" by Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg, which was inspired by the success of "Empire," has sold 5,358,000 copies.

Ke$ha's "Blow" tops the 3 million mark this week. It's her fourth 3-million-seller, following "TiK ToK" (6,332,000), "We R Who We R" (3,804,000) and "Your Love Is My Drug" (3,110,000).

Calvin Harris'

"Feel So Close" tops the 2 million mark. It's Harris' second 2-million-seller. "We Found Love," which he wrote and produced for Rihanna (and on which he was featured) has sold 4,601,000 copies.

Two collabos top the 1 million mark: "Dance Again" by Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull and "Cinema" by Benny Benassi featuring Gary Go.

R.I.P. Scott McKenzie's "San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair)" cracked the Hot 100 in May 1967, three weeks before the start of the Monterey International Pop Festival. The gentle ballad was meant to welcome fans who were trekking to California for the three-day happening. The song was written by John Phillips of the Mamas & the Papas and produced by Lou Adler, who were among the key organizers of the festival. The song became a worldwide smash, spending four weeks at #4 on the Hot 100 and four weeks at #1 in the U.K. The song remains an anthem of the short-lived flower-power movement. Two decades later, McKenzie teamed with Phillips, Mike Love and Terry Melcher to co-write the Beach Boys' "Kokomo," which hit #1 in November 1988. McKenzie died on Aug. 18. He was 73.

To My Readers: I'll have more to add after I've seen the full chart later today.