#1 SUSAN BOYLE
669,843 (Debut)
'I DREAMED A DREAM'
This record is better than people are giving it credit for, I’m partial to her Patti Griffin cover of “Up To the Mountain”, but it should be noted, this isn’t really about the music, it’s about the dread we feel in our own lives. Boyle came from nowhere, doesn’t have the looks of a pop princess and yet when she opened her mouth, the world was flabbergasted. Her worldwide online views of her initial performance have been watched by more people than there are in the US. But the real story here is how people see Boyle and it gives them hope for their own lives. It’s a feel good story where with the world at its knees, we see hope, that ray of light…something to hold onto. That’s the real story.
#2 ANDREA BOCELLI
215,002 +12%
'MY CHRISTMAS'
Never underestimate a holiday record. It may only sell eight weeks out of the year, but in this day and age, it's proving to outsell most records with ease.
#1 ADAM LAMBERT
195,974 (Debut)
'FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT'
Not to be jaded or cynical, but this isn't a good number. He was *the* American Idol we all followed last year and he can't muster 200,000 copies in the busiest shopping week in the US? American Idol averages 25-million viewers for every show and its finale has upwards of 50-million. And these records barely make it past the platinum mark? This isn't a good hit ratio, hence why I always stand by my argument of AI; it's more about the show than it is about the music. My advice to Adam- start thinking about the second record. Take your time, hire the people YOU want and go from there. Debut records from AI winners are always rush jobs and often don't show their true colors.
#4 LADY GAGA
181,279 (Debut)
'FAME MONSTER' (EP)
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#7 LADY GAGA
144,622 +398%
'FAME'
Instead of ripping your fans off, Gaga got smart. She released an 8-song EP to be bought individually...and if you haven't bought the album yet, you can get both together. It should be noted that her combined sales are only second next to Boyle and are more than the previous 3 number-one records.
#10 MICHAEL JACKSON
106,050 +8%
'THIS IS IT'
This album has one new song...and how many times can people buy these other songs? This was a poorly put together compilation, done in haste and yet, it's selling like hotcakes. Never underestimate what death can do for someone's career. Don't know what you got till it's gone.
#12 'TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON' SOUNDTRACK
102,374 -4%
Never underestimate the female demographic.
#14 JOHN MAYER
84,990 -72%
'BATTLE STUDIES'
Mayer's decline from #1 is almost as bad as Bon Jovi's last week. A startling 72% drop. Fortunately for him, his first week numbers were much higher. However, his combined sales are near 400,000 and he should easily be past gold in a few weeks. Mayer is also young enough to pull in people on his tour next year.
#15 SHAKIRA
83,360 (Debut)
'SHE WOLF'
She did too much pre-promotion. The SNL show was too early and she's lacking a really killer lead single. I like Shakira and all, but I don't think she is as big as people make her out to be.
#22 BON JOVI
57,562 +15%
'THE CIRCLE'
Bon Jovi rebounds after a huge decline. They drop three spots, but their overall sales are up 15%. This is largely due to their Today show performance and being on Conan once again. However, the biggest factor was probably the fact that Best Buy had the record for $6.99 last Friday and Saturday at all of their stores. The real test will be to see how this record does next week with virtually no promotion and no discounts.
#31
KRIS ALLEN
34,920 -59%
This is a disaster. This will be the lowest selling album from an AI winner ever. I never quite understood the fascination with Allen. I wish him well and maybe he can win some new fans on the road. But again, considering 50-million people voted for him and less than 100,000 have bought his record to date, that's telling that once again, it's all about the show and not about the music.
#50 WEEZER
20,885 +48%
'RATITUDE'
Holding steady at #50. They have a long road ahead of them, but fortunately for them, the album is shock full of potential singles. My vote for the next single would be "Put Me Back Together", produced by Butch Walker and co-written with some of the guys from All-American Rejects.
*All chart info courtesy of Hits Daily Double.
