Power Rankings have been rating sports teams throughout their seasons for years based on statistical analysis, momentum and gut feelings. Those folks shouldn't have all the fun.
Using our, er, proprietary technology -- based on sales and airplay charts, magazine covers, twitter trends, and, of course, gut feelings -- we bring you HuffPost's Pop Power Rankings, our weekly roundup of who's on top (and who has fallen off) in the pop game.
1. One Direction (Last Rank: -)
Pop power may not be measured in Mick Jagger mentions, but it doesn't hurt. Jagger recently said 1D remind him of the early Rolling Stones with their awkward stage presence. After watching them on the telly he remarked that they looked "really distinctively uncomfortable." That may not sound like raw pop power, but their second album made history on the Billboard charts this week, debuting at number one -- the first time in history that a British artist's first two albums topped the chart -- with 540,000 in sales, the second highest of the year and, more importantly, besting Bieber. Oh, and One Direction are the ONLY musical act that will appear in Barbara Walters' Most Fascinating People of 2012 special on Dec 12. Which one's on cry duty? We're betting Harry "maybe-possibly-dating-Taylor-Swift" Styles.
2. Justin Bieber (Last Rank: 2)
Justin was Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards this week, where he made sure to thank the haters (and where he was mauled by aged Playmate Jenny McCarthy). The recent photos of him in drop-crotch pants begging Selena to let him into her house? Not helping. But, he took on his hit single "As Long As You Love Me" at the AMAs in acoustic form with much success, including rap-singing (and kinda outdoing) Big Sean's verse and. Artist of the year proves his musical talents yet again, then he goes through a humbling experience with an ex and appears human (despite the pants). This is the Justin Timberlake blueprint, people! Oh, and remember when he fought that paparazzi photographer? He gets to keep the street-cred but the assault charges were dropped.
3. Rihanna (Last Rank: 1)
How's Rihanna's week for power plays -- RiRi trapped reporters and fans on a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/19/rihanna-777-tour-unapologetic-star_n_2148554.html?utm_hp_ref=canada-music&ir=Canada%20Music">week-long plane tour</a> "with" her (RiRi's most noteworthy appearance was at the end to apologize for not being around). This created a week of blog updates from major news outlets... complaining about never seeing Rihanna. Dick move? Maybe. Incredible amount of publicity without putting Rihanna in front of reporters where she might act out? Genius.
4. Psy (Last Rank: -)
Psy closed out the AMAs by bringing out MC Hammer, and they traded off their signature dances. Bravo, Psy, for pre-emptively turning potential one-hit-wonder criticism into more campy entertainment. Meanwhile, "Gangnam Style" is somehow still on its way UP the charts, and there are rumours of an MC Hammer duet to go with earlier reports of a Bieber duet. Ladies and gentlemen, Psy is not horsey-riding away anytime soon.
5. Ke$ha (Last Rank: -)
Ke$ha's new single "Die Young" has been working for her at radio for a while now, but this week her tribal-drumming, confetti-cannon of a live show hit television in a big way with the AMAs, Aussie <em>X-Factor</em> and the Today Show. This is proof that Kay-Ee-Dollar-Sign-Ay can throw her weight around in the pop world. And as for being an original, she also revealed this week that she<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/29/keshas-ghost-sex-claim-_n_1924336.html"> slept with a ghost</a>, did not <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/05/kesha-justin-bieber-singer-not-have-sex-justin-bieber_n_2078570.html">sleep with Justin Bieber</a> and made a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/21/kesha-bra-from-fans-teeth_n_2170202.html">bra from her fans' teeth</a>. Something tells me her label's "fan engagement specialist" didn't come up with that.
Pop Power Fail - Aerosmith
Sources close to Aerosmith's chillingly received Global Warming comeback tour have leaked that band members are barely speaking to each other. The band has denied the rumours, but they can't dispute that none of the shows are sold-out, and their first album in a decade debuted at number five behind <em>Now That's What I Call Music 44</em> and Rod Stewart's Christmas album. Not-so-sweet emotion, guys.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Cameron Diaz and Leonardo DiCaprio attended the Tag Heuer Yacht Party in Monte Carlo, Monaco on May 25.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Hayden Panettiere was spotted departing on a flight at LAX airport in Los Angeles, Calif., on May 24.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Jessica Alba promotes 'The Honest Life: Living Naturally and True To You' at Redwood Restaurant and Bar on May 24.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Heidi Klum attended the "Nebraska" premiere during The 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals on May 23.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Khloè Kardashian Odom celebrated the launch of HPNOTIQ liqueur`s Glam Louder Program at the Mr. C Beverly Hills hotel in Los Angeles, Calif., on May 22.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Jennifer Lopez joined Verizon Wireless COO Marni Walden to announce the launch of Viva Movil by Jennifer Lopez at the Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., on May 22.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Carey Mulligan posed on the red carpet for the Sydney premiere of "The Great Gatsby" at The Entertainment Quarter on May 22 in Australia.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Heather Graham looked incredible as she attended "The Hangover III" premiere at the Empire Cinema in London on May 22.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Andrew Garfield was spotted out and about with his pal Tom Sturridge in New York City on May 22.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Jessica Chastain walked the red carpet at the "Behind The Candelabra" screening at Palais des Festivals et des Congres as part of the 66th Cannes film Festival in Cannes on May 21.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Kim Kardashian and her mother Kris Jenner enjoyed a day in Paris, France on May 21.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Michael Douglas and Matt Damon attended the "Behind The Candelabra" photo call at the Palais Des Festivals in Cannes, France on May 21.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Anne Hathaway and a friend were spotted out shopping at Haute Hippie in New York City on May 20.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Halle Berry and fiance Olivier Martinez were seen leaving Whole Foods after buying a cart full of groceries in West Hollywood, Calif., on May 20.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Marion Cotillard posed on the red carpet for the screening of the film "Blood Ties" at the 66th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France on May 20.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Jennifer Lopez looked amazing at the Billboard Music Awards held at The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on May 19.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Miley Cyrus wowed at the Billboard Music Awards held at The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on May 19.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis were spotted holding hands in London on May 19.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Garrett Hedlund, Justin Timberlake and Carey Mulligan attended the "Inside Llewyn Davis" photocall at the 66th Cannes Film Festival, in Cannes, France on May 19.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Camila Alves-McConaughey and Ramshackle Glam's Jordan Reid co-hosted INC's Macy's Fashion Show in Las Vegas, Nev., on May 18.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Keith Urban strolled through LAX Airport with his daughter Sunday Rose in Los Angeles, Calif., on May 17.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Liv Tyler enjoyed some ice cream at the MAGNUM Cannes Lounge in Cannes, France on May 17.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Dianna Agron and a female friend were seen out and about in SoHo, New York City on May 17.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Isla Fisher attended the Opening Ceremony and premiere of "The Great Gatsby" during the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 15 in Cannes, France.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Emma Stone stepped out in New York City on May 15 looking adorable as always.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and Baz Luhrmann posed together at "The Great Gatsby" photocall at the 66th Cannes Film Festival on May 15.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
A very pregnant Penelope Cruz and her brother Eduardo visited their sister Monica at the hospital after she gave birth to a baby girl on May 14 in Madrid, Spain.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Zoe Saldana looked incredible at the "Star Trek Into Darkness" premiere held at The Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., on May 14.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Nicole Kidman arrived at the Martinez Hotel in Cannes, France to attend a photocall of the Jury on the eve of the 66th edition of the Cannes Film Festival on May 14.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Katie Holmes was spotted on the set of "Mania Days" in New York City on May 14.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Emma Watson arrived on a flight at the Nice Airport on May 14 to attend the upcoming 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival in France.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Lea Michele attended the FOX 2013 Programming Presentation Post-Party at Wollman Rink Central Park in New York City on May 13.
Celebrity News: May 2013
Angelina Jolie revealed that <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/14/angelina-jolie-double-mastectomy_n_3271514.html?utm_hp_ref=celebrity" target="_blank">she had a double mastectomy</a> after discovering she carried a cancer gene on May 14.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Owl City's Adam Young took a snack break while helping launch the new OREO cookie "Wonderfilled" campaign in NYC on May 14.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Alyson Hannigan was spotted leaving the AOL office after visiting The Huffington Post in New York City on May 13.
Celebrity News: May 2013
Angie Everhart <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/13/angie-everhart-cancer-diagnosis_n_3267500.html" target="_blank">confirmed that she's been diagnosed</a> with thyroid cancer.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Selma Blair was seen enjoying her Mother's Day with her son, Arthur Bleick at the beach in Malibu, Calif., on May 12.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux took a stroll after shopping at Barney's and dining at Fred's Restraunt in New York City on May 12.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Sienna Miller attended the Arqiva British Academy Television Awards at the Royal Festival Hall on May 12 in London.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Reese Witherspoon flaunted her legs in short shorts while watching her son's football game in Brentwood, Calif., on May 11.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Selena Gomez was spotted spending some time at the pool in Miami, Fla., on May 11.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Halle Berry flaunted her baby bump at the 20th Annual EIF Revlon Run/Walk For Women held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Calif., on May 11.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Liv Tyler took a walk with a male friend around West Village in New York City on May 10.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Stephen Amell hosted the F*ck Cancer event on May 9 at Bootsy Bellows in Los Angeles, Calif.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Pregnant actress Jenna Dewan headed out of her home in London on May 9.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Kerry Washington stopped by "Extra" at The Grove in Los Angeles, Calif., on May 8.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Bradley Cooper went incognito as he headed to the set of "American Hustle" on May 8 in Boston.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Ryan Reynolds was spotted walking his dog Baxter while sporting the new Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity Wristband in Bedford, NY on May 7.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Olivia Wilde was spotted rocking Carrera shades at Carrera Ignition Night in New York City on May 7.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Jennifer Lopez and Casper Smart held hands while leaving their hotel in New York City on May 7. Check out J.Lo's tight leather pants!
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Blake Lively rocked thigh-high boots and a little black dress for a photo shoot in New York CIty on May 7.
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The Huffington Post Canada | By Johnny Hockin Posted: 11/22/2012 11:40 am EST Updated: 11/22/2012 1:13 pm EST