Lady Antebellum Leads Banner Week For EMI February 03, 2010 Lady Antebellum's second album, "Need You Now," crashes in at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, selling 481,000, according to Nielsen SoundScan—the biggest sales week of 2010 and the best opening for a country set since 2008 . . . It's also the biggest debut week for a January release since 2005 . . . Lady A's arrival at No. 1 also helps EMI Music claim four out of the top 10 titles on the Billboard 200 this week, the first time the company has done so in nearly 12 years. » Full Story
'Hope For Haiti Now' Debuts At No. 1 On Billboard 200 January 27, 2010 The "Hope for Haiti Now" charity album debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 171,000 sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan, becoming the first digital-exclusive set to top the tally in its nearly 54-year history . . . The set is one of three new entries in the top 10 of the chart, where Spoon's new "Transference" bows at No. 4 and the "2010 Grammy Nominees" album starts right behind it at No. 5. » Full Story
Vampire Weekend Lands First No. 1 Album January 20, 2010 New York band Vampire Weekend sees its sophomore set, "Contra," debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 124,000 copies sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan . . . The set is only the 12th independently distributed album to top the Billboard 200 since SoundScan began powering the list in May 1991 . . . "Contra" is the only debut in the top 10 this week, as the second-highest entry comes from Omarion's "Ollusion" at No. 19 with 19,000 copies . . . The Greatest Gainer on the tally, in terms of the biggest unit gain, is Lady Gaga's "The Fame Monster," which rallies from No. 10 to No. 6 with 36,000 (up by more than 4,000 copies), likely thanks to her performance and chat on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" last Friday (Jan. 15). » Full Story
Ke$ha's 'Animal' Bites At No. 1 With Big Digital Debut January 13, 2010 Newcomer Ke$ha opens at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with her debut album, "Animal," shifting 152,000 copies . . . Of that figure, an eye-popping 76% was made up of digital downloads . . . After a six-week run at No. 1, Susan Boyle's "I Dreamed a Dream" drifts to No. 2 with 93,000 (down 32%) . . . Next week, Ke$ha may step aside for Vampire Weekend's second album, "Contra," which has a chance of starting at No. 1 with perhaps 75,000. » Full Story
Boyle's Still On Top, But Swift Finishes As Year's Biggest January 06, 2010 Susan Boyle's "I Dreamed a Dream" holds onto the Billboard 200 crown for a sixth week, but can't topple Taylor Swift's "Fearless" as the top-selling album of 2009 . . . The '09 sales total for "Dream" climbs to 3,104,000—a bit short of the 3,217,000 copies that "Fearless" sold . . . Still, "Dream" was the best-selling new album of the year and the biggest physical release . . . In Chart Alert this week we also run down the top 10 best-selling albums of 2009 and preview next week's chart, where Ke$ha's "Animal" is aiming for the Hot Shot Debut. » Full Story
Boyle Spends Fifth Week At No. 1 On Billboard 200 Chart December 30, 2009 Susan Boyle's "I Dreamed a Dream" holds at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart for a fifth consecutive week, selling another 510,000 copies according to Nielsen SoundScan ... So far, the set has shifted 2,982,000 copies in America. With just one more tracking week left in the year, "Dream" may overtake Taylor Swift's "Fearless" as the year's top selling album in the U.S. ... Meanwhile, Mary J. Blige's new "Stronger With Each Tear" settles for a No. 2 debut on the Billboard 200 with a still handsome 330,000 copies sold. » Full Story
Susan Boyle Blocks Alicia Keys From No. 1 December 23, 2009 Susan Boyle's "I Dreamed a Dream" continues to rule the Billboard 200 chart for a fourth straight week as it sells another 661,000 copies. The "Britain's Got Talent" contestant's reign blocks Alicia Keys' from gaining her fifth No. 1 album, as her "The Element of Freedom" starts at No. 2 with 417,000 ... As for next week, industry prognosticators indicate Boyle will probably continue to sit pretty at No. 1 with possibly another 500,000 in sales. Meanwhile, Mary J. Blige's "Stronger With Each Tear" will be the chart's top arrival, perhaps starting with around 350,000 copies. » Full Story
No Stopping The 'Dream' December 16, 2009 Susan Boyle's "I Dreamed a Dream" retains the No. 1 position on the Billboard 200 for a third straight week, shifting 582,000 copies. So far, the set has sold 1.8 million and is racing after Taylor Swift's "Fearless," currently the top-selling album of 2009, with 2.7 million. The highest debut on the chart is the second volume of the soundtrack from Fox TV's "Glee," bowing at No. 3 with 173,000. Next in line in terms of debuts is Chris Brown's "Graffiti," at No. 7 with 102,000. » Full Story
Boyle's 'Dream' Continues At No. 1 December 09, 2009 Susan Boyle's "I Dreamed a Dream" album maintains its hold on the No. 1 slot on the Billboard 200 as it sells 527,000 in its second week, bringing its two-week sales total to 1.2 million . . . Meanwhile, in the runner-up slot on the chart, Andrea Bocelli's "My Christmas" continues to surge in sales as it moves 428,000 in its fifth week on the list (up 97%) . . . The tally's best debut this week—and the only one in the top 10—is R. Kelly's "Untitled," which begins at No. 4 with 114,000 . . . Next week's Billboard 200 will welcome new albums from Chris Brown, Timbaland and 30 Seconds to Mars, in addition to the second installment of the "Glee" TV soundtrack. » Full Story
Susan Boyle Bows Big With Year's Best Sales Week December 02, 2009 From "Britain's Got Talent" and global YouTube phenomenon to breaking records on the Billboard 200, Susan Boyle's "I Dreamed a Dream" arrives with a stunning 701,000 copies sold in its first week—the best sales frame for an album in 2009. It also marks the best opening week for a female artist's debut album since SoundScan began tracking sales in 1991 . . . Her set was just one of a number of high-profile releases that reached retailers last week, including offerings from Adam Lambert, Rihanna and Lady Gaga . . . All told, the top 12 albums on the Billboard 200 this week each sell more than 100,000 copies. » Full Story
John Mayer 'Battles' To Top With Second No. 1 Album November 25, 2009 John Mayer brings home his second No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 as "Battle Studies" bows with 286,000 copies sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan . . . Mayer leads a busy chart as another eight albums debut in the top 20 from such luminaries as Norah Jones, Casting Crowns, 50 Cent, Justin Bieber, Kris Allen, Them Crooked Vultures, Leona Lewis and Paul McCartney . . . Mayer will most certainly step aside next week, as "Britain's Got Talent" winner Susan Boyle is on course to notch a historic debut atop the list with her debut album, "I Dreamed a Dream" . . . Finally, old is new again on the Billboard 200 this week, as the tally has been modified to allow catalog album releases back onto the list. » Full Story
Bon Jovi Comes Full 'Circle' At No. 1 November 18, 2009 Bon Jovi collects its fourth No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 as the band's new "The Circle" swoops in with 163,000 copies. It's the follow-up to "Lost Highway," which also started atop the list back in 2007 . . . Just one other album bows in the top 10 this week: Flyleaf's "Memento Mori," which gives the rock act its highest-charting album and best sales week yet . . . We also have news on the Country Music Assn. (CMA) Awards and its big impact on the chart, with great gains going to winners Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum, Jamey Johnson, Sugarland and Darius Rucker. » Full Story
Carrie Underwood Claims Second No. 1 Album November 11, 2009 It's all about Carrie Underwood this week as the former "American Idol" champ earns the best sales week for an album by a woman in 2009 as her new "Play On" bows atop the Billboard 200 . . . Underwood's latest leads a total of five debuts in the top 10, including a handsome bow from Andrea Bocelli, the first "Glee" TV soundtrack, the latest "Now" compilation and Weezer's "Raditude" . . . In Progress Reports, we have more news about Underwood, along with Death Cab for Cutie. » Full Story
'This Is It' Becomes Michael Jackson's Sixth No. 1 Album November 04, 2009 Michael Jackson's "This Is It" claims the fifth-biggest sales week for an album this year as it debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200—the King of Pop's sixth chart-topping album . . . Additionally, it's Jackson's own best sales week for an album since 1995's "HIStory" started atop the Billboard 200 with 391,000 copies . . . Jackson's new release is one of five debuts in the top 10 this week, joined by efforts from Creed, Rod Stewart, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Sting . . . In Progress Reports, we have updates on rock super group Them Crooked Vultures, Rob Thomas, Jason DeRulo and Janet Jackson. » Full Story
'New Moon' Rises At No. 1 On Billboard 200 October 28, 2009 "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" soundtrack climbs to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 153,000 copies sold (up 33%) in its first full week of release while Tim McGraw's "Southern Voice" settles for a debut at No. 2 with 137,000 . . . The lone other debut in the top 10 is Joss Stone's "Colour Me Free," which arrives at No. 10 . . . We've also got updates on the continuing rise of Owl City, Michael Jackson's likely No. 1 album next week and the latest chart feats from Miley Cyrus, Rihanna, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. » Full Story
Buble Holds For Second Week With Big Gain October 21, 2009 The penthouse of the Billboard 200 is still a bit "Crazy," as Michael Buble's "Crazy Love" retains the No. 1 slot for a second week with 203,000 (up 55%) . . . Meanwhile, "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" soundtrack makes an early arrival at No. 2 after three days of sales, thanks to an early release on Friday, Oct. 16 . . . The Flaming Lips secure their first top 10 album while Mario's fourth set also arrives in the top 10 . . . In Progress Reports, we have tidbits on Keith Urban, Michael Jackson, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. » Full Story
Michael Buble Earns Second No. 1 Album October 14, 2009 Michael Buble's "Crazy Love" gives the pop singer his second No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 with an opening frame of 132,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan . . . Buble's "Crazy" start was based on just three days of sales, as the set was pushed up to an off-cycle release on Friday, Oct. 9—the same day he appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" . . . Meanwhile, rock legend Kiss claims its highest-charting album as its Wal-Mart-exclusive "Sonic Boom" blasts in at No. 2 with 108,000 . . . In Progress Reports, we've got updates on Chris Young and 30 Seconds to Mars. » Full Story
Streisand Surprises With Ninth No. 1 Album October 07, 2009 While many were focused on what started as a battle for the No. 1 slot on the Billboard 200 between Paramore's "Brand New Eyes" and Mariah Carey's "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel," diva supreme Barbra Streisand trumps them both and debuts atop the tally with "Love Is the Answer" . . . Those titles are just three of the record-breaking eight entries in the top 10 this week, which also includes new efforts from Breaking Benjamin, Alice in Chains, Madonna, Miranda Lambert and Selena Gomez and the Scene . . . In Progress Reports, we've got bits and bites about Britney Spears, Carrie Underwood, Dave Matthews, Kenny Chesney and Foo Fighters. » Full Story
Pearl Jam Scores First No. 1 Album In 13 Years September 30, 2009 Pearl Jam returns to the top of the Billboard 200 albums chart with its first No. 1 in 13 years while another four new albums also enter the top 10 ... They include the latest efforts from Three Days Grace, Brand New, Five Finger Death Punch and Harry Connick, Jr. ... In Progress Reports we've got updates on the continued chart domination of Kings of Leon and a new "American"-made No. 1 for Toby Keith as well as news on Maxwell and Alice in Chains. » Full Story
Jay-Z Still Reigns On Billboard 200; Muse And Kid Cudi Bow High September 23, 2009 Jay-Z's "The Blueprint 3" holds at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, shifting 298,000 in its second week on the list, down just 37% . . . Whitney Houston's "I Look to You" surges to No. 2 with an "Oprah Winfrey Show"-infused gain . . . Rock trio Muse celebrates with its best sales week ever and highest-charting album as "The Resistance" debuts at No. 3 with 128,000 while four more albums start in the top 10: Kid Cudi's "Man on the Moon," Drake's "So Far Gone" EP, Lil Boosie's "Superbad" and Megadeth's "Endgame" . . . Taylor Swift's "Fearless" takes a big jump in the top 10, likely owed to her MTV Video Music Awards performance and run-in with Kanye West. » Full Story
Jay-Z And The Beatles Dominate Album Charts September 16, 2009 It's all about Jay-Z and the Beatles this week on the Billboard charts. The former notches his amazing 11th No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with "The Blueprint 3" (476,000 copies) while the Fab Four's reissues take over the Comprehensive Albums chart and the Top Pop Catalog Albums tally . . . Jay-Z's No. 1 achievement pushes him ahead of Elvis Presley as the solo artist with the most No. 1 albums. Jay now has the second-most No. 1 albums among all acts. Fittingly, only the Beatles, with 19 No. 1s, has more . . . Speaking of the Beatles, their album catalog—including those titles not part of the reissue series—sold a combined 626,000 units in the United States, last week according to Nielsen SoundScan, with the biggest of the bunch being 1969's "Abbey Road," which moved 89,000 copies. » Full Story
Whitney Houston Debuts At No. 1 September 09, 2009 Houston: We don't have any problems. Whitney Houston debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with "I Look to You." With its opening of 305,000, it gives the diva her fourth chart-topper and her best opening sales week since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking data in 1991 . . . Also starting high are new sets from Insane Clown Posse, Pitbull and the Used . . . In Progress Reports we have updates on Kings of Leon, Green River Ordinance and Jordin Sparks. » Full Story
Colbie Caillat's No. 1, Miley's 'Time' Comes Early, Houston's On Deck September 02, 2009 Colbie Caillat's "Breakthrough" opens at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 as expected, but Miley Cyrus crashes the party at No. 3. The latter's Wal-Mart-exclusive EP "The Time of Our Lives" enters early, as the set's release date moved up by three days to Friday, Aug. 28 . . . After Caillat and Cyrus, three more albums bow in the top 10, including best-ever weeks for rock band Skillet and singer/songwriter Imogen Heap . . . In Progress Reports we have updates on AFI, Creed and Taylor Swift's latest hit singles. » Full Story
Reba McEntire Nets Second No. 1 On Billboard 200 August 26, 2009 George Strait hands off the Billboard 200's top spot to fellow country veteran Reba McEntire as the diva lands her second No. 1 on the chart. Her "Keep On Loving You" concurrently debuts at No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart—her 11th topper on that list . . . Third Eye Blind returns from out of the blue with its new "Ursa Major" set, its first studio album since 2003. "Ursa" also wows as the band's first top 10 album . . . And, Michael Jackson's "Number Ones" becomes the top-selling album of 2009 . . . In Progress Reports, we have updates on Daughtry, Madonna, Jason Aldean and Kristine W. » Full Story
George Strait . . . In At No. 1 August 19, 2009 George Strait proves once again why he's the King of Country as his new "Twang" album was the top-selling set in the United States last week with 155,000 copies sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan. All told, it's the legend's 23rd No. 1 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart, extending his lead as the artist with the most toppers on the list . . . Strait is also No. 1 on the Billboard 200, which additionally welcomes high entries from Neil Diamond's Wal-Mart-exclusive CD/DVD "Hot August Night/NYC," Cobra Starship's "Hot Mess" and Justin Moore's self-titled set . . . In Progress Reports we have news on Vanessa Williams, Jason Mraz and Toby Keith. » Full Story
