'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
Jackson And Sugarland Top Tallies August 12, 2009 For the sixth week, Michael Jackson's "Number Ones" is the best-selling album in the United States, shifting 98,000. Can he make it a seventh week? . . . Sugarland's new Wal-Mart-exclusive CD/DVD combo "Live on the Inside" takes a bow with 76,000 . . . This week's album charts are ultra-sleepy but should perk up next week with entries from George Strait, Cobra Starship and Neil Diamond (with another Wal-Mart exclusive) . . . In Progress Reports, we've got updates on Black Eyed Peas, Taylor Swift, Muse, Linkin Park and Madonna. [PLEASE NOTE: Chart Alert was revised at 11:21 AM PST on Aug. 12.] » Full Story
Michael Jackson: Still King August 05, 2009 The King of Pop is still the king of the Billboard charts. The Top Comprehensive Albums chart that is, where his "Number Ones" set reigns yet again (114,000). The set has now become the second-biggest-selling album of the year and has Taylor Swift's "Fearless" in its sights . . . Over on the currents-based Billboard 200, rapper Fabolous nets his first No. 1 album, "Loso's Way." He previously topped out at No. 2 with his last album, 2007's "From Nothin' to Somethin' " . . . Meanwhile, "High School Musical" star Ashley Tisdale's sophomore album, "Guilty Pleasure," starts at No. 12 with 25,000 . . . In Progress Reports, we've got updates on Darius Rucker, Mariah Carey and Wilco. » Full Story
Demi Lovato's No. 1 On The Billboard 200 . . . But Jackson's Still Tops July 29, 2009 Disney Music Group notches its fourth No. 1 album of the year on the Billboard 200 as Demi Lovato's sophomore set, "Here We Go Again," tops the tally . . . But, the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, had the top-selling overall album last week, as his 2003 hits set "Number Ones" is ahead of Lovato on the all-encompassing Top Comprehensive Albums chart . . . Jordin Sparks grabs her second top 10 album on the Billboard 200 as "Battlefield" fights its way to a No. 7 entry . . . In Progress Reports we've got updates on Pearl Jam's new single, Whitney Houston's return to the charts, another No. 1 for Katy Perry and rising new artist Livvi Franc. [Chart Alert was revised at 10:44 AM PST on July 29, 2009 after Nielsen SoundScan retransmitted their sales charts.] » Full Story
Daughtry Returns, Nets Second No. 1 Album July 22, 2009 Daughtry leads the way this week as the band's second album, "Leave This Town," tops the Billboard 200 with 269,000 . . . And, after three weeks where the top-selling set in the United States came from Michael Jackson, the late King of Pop steps aside as Daughtry reigns . . . Jackson's still very much all over the charts, and his best seller last week, "Number Ones," shifted 192,000 . . . We've also got big album debuts from Joe, rock super group the Dead Weather and rapper Twista . . . In Progress Reports, we've got updates on Shakira, Wisin & Yandel, the Black Eyed Peas and Pet Shop Boys. » Full Story
Fans Snap Up 1.1 Million Jackson Albums In One Week July 15, 2009 Michael Jackson continues to rule the chart this week as his overall catalog of solo albums moved 1.1 million copies last week (up a whopping 37% compared with the previous week) . . . He also claims the top-selling album in the United States for a third week in a row with "Number Ones" (349,000; up 3%) . . . Big bows also greet new albums from Maxwell and rock band All Time Low while the latest "Hannah Montana" TV soundtrack starts strong . . . In Progress Reports we've got updates on Lady GaGa and Britney Spears on the Mainstream Top 40 radio airplay chart, Kings of Leon's latest top 10 single and the Jonas Brothers' unlikely dance hit. » Full Story
Michael Jackson Continues To Shake Up Charts July 08, 2009 In the first full week following Michael Jackson's death on June 25, his catalog of solo albums shifted 800,000, according to Nielsen SoundScan. That's up a whopping 90% compared with the previous week, when his solo sets moved 422,000 . . . His "Number Ones" greatest-hits album is the top-selling set in the United States this week, with 339,000 sold. His classic "Thriller" album is the second-biggest seller, with 187,000 . . . We also have news about the latest albums from Brad Paisley, Rob Thomas, Wilco, Jeremih and Killswitch Engage, and updates on Halestorm, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith and Miley Cyrus. » Full Story
Michael Jackson: King Of Charts July 01, 2009 As anticipated, the passing of Michael Jackson rocks the Billboard charts, as consumers were moved to purchase the King of Pop's catalog of work. Jackson makes history on the Top Pop Catalog Albums chart where the top nine titles are all related to him. On the Hot Digital Songs chart, his hits take up a whopping 25 slots on the 75-position tally. This week also marks the first time a catalog album has outsold the current No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 . . . Speaking of the Billboard 200, Regina Spektor's "Far" is the list's highest debut, arriving at No. 3 with 50,000 . . . In Progress Reports, we also have updates on Daughtry, the Pussycat Dolls, Kings of Leon and Eric Hutchinson. » Full Story
Jonas Brothers Earn Second No. 1 Album In Less Than a Year June 24, 2009 Just about 10 months after they earned their last No. 1 album, Jonas Brothers return to the top of the Billboard 200 with "Lines, Vines and Trying Times," the trio's second chart-topper. It follows the No. 1 bow of "A Little Bit Longer" last August . . . Incubus' new greatest-hits set "Monuments and Melodies" arrives at No. 5 while last week's No. 1, the Black Eyed Peas' "The E.N.D.," slips to No. 2 with 148,000 . . . In Progress Reports we have updates on Elton John's latest radio hit, Franz Ferdinand's and Green Day's top 10 success on the Alternative radio tally and David Guetta/Kelly Rowland's track "When Love Takes Over" crossing over to the Mainstream Top 40 chart. » Full Story
Black Eyed Peas Score First No. 1 Album June 17, 2009 The Black Eyed Peas go "Boom Boom Pow!" on the Billboard 200 chart, netting its first No. 1 album as "The E.N.D." bows atop the list with 304,000 ... Aventura scores a record high week with its new set "The Last," starting at No. 5, Mos Def scores his second top 10 album and former Pretty Ricky member Pleasure P takes his solo debut album "The Introduction of Marcus Cooper" straight in at No. 10 ... In Progress Reports, we've got updates on Silversun Pickups historic feat on the Alternative radio airplay chart, the developing chart career of singer/songwriter Matt Wertz and the 25th top 10 Dance Club hit for Pet Shop Boys. » Full Story
Dave Matthews Band Is 'King' Of Charts June 10, 2009 Dave Matthews Band's "Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King" arrives at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 424,000, giving the band its fifth straight studio album to bow atop the list. "King" is one of a bevy of rock albums that enter the chart this week, with 311, super group Chickenfoot, Taking Back Sunday, Rancid and Elvis Costello also making high bows . . . In Progress Reports, we've got updates on Pink, David Guetta, Kelly Rowland, Linkin Park and the Fray. [PLEASE NOTE: This story was updated on June 10 at 2:05 PM PST to reflect new SoundScan data.] » Full Story
Eminem Leads For Second Week With 'Relapse' June 03, 2009 Eminem's "Relapse" easily holds for a second week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, shifting 211,000 in its sophomore frame. Last week it bounded in atop the list with 608,000 . . . The top 10 welcomes new albums from Marilyn Manson, Wisin and Yandel and Grizzly Bear . . . In Progress Reports we've got updates on the continued success of Taylor Swift on the Hot Country Songs chart, how seemingly every former "American Idol" contestant is flying up our radio charts and how country diva Wynonna is experiencing her first dancefloor club hit. » Full Story
Eminem's 'Relapse' Blasts In At No. 1 On The Billboard 200 May 27, 2009 Eminem's fifth straight No. 1 debut, "Relapse," roars at the top of the Billboard 200 with 608,000—the biggest sales week of the year for any album and the best since AC/DC's "Black Ice" began with 784,000 copies last October . . . The rapper was just one of many acts who had a new album arrive last week. Those that open high on the Billboard 200 include Kenny Chesney, Method Man and Redman, Dane Cook, Busta Rhymes, Tori Amos and Kate Voegele . . . The two-night finale of "American Idol" last week impacts this week's tallies, as both winner Kris Allen and runner-up Adam Lambert storm the charts. [PLEASE NOTE: This story was updated at 2:35 PST on May 27 to reflect new chart data.] » Full Story
Green Day's '21st Century Breakdown' Breaks In At No. 1 May 20, 2009 Green Day's "21st Century Breakdown" debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, giving the trio its second chart-topper . . . The album opens with 215,000 after just three days of release, as the set was issued Friday, May 15, but Nielsen SoundScan's tracking week ends on Sunday of each week . . . Also starting high on the chart this week: Cam'Ron, Paul Wall, Steve Earle and Parachute . . . In Progress Reports, the Offspring continues to find Modern Rock success with its "Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace" album, the Black Eyed Peas hit No. 1 on the Mainstream Top 40 chart and visit the Hot Latin Songs tally with "Boom Boom Pow," and Depeche Mode takes "Wrong" to No. 1 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart. » Full Story
