They don’t call him the King of Country for nothing. George Strait’s 26th(!) studio album, Twang, debuts atop this week’s Billboard 200 album sales chart after selling 155,000 copies according to Nielsen SoundScan. While not exactly a blockbuster number, that’s nothing to be ashamed of in these slow-selling dog days. Especially not when Strait managed to outperform Michael Jackson’s Number Ones, the greatest-hits set that’s been outselling the Billboard 200′s No. 1 for six non-consecutive weeks now. (It’s ineligible for the flagship Billboard 200 chart due to its age.) No one save Daughtry has been able to topple Number Ones since Jackson’s death in June. And considering that Number Ones moved only 80,000 units in this sales frame — a 19 percent drop from the previous week — its incredible run might be coming to a definitive close.
Just below Strait, Neil Diamond’s Walmart-exclusive Hot August Night/NYC CD/DVD combo landed at No. 2 with 57,000 sold. Cobra Starship’s Hot Mess, which is apparently not quite as hot as that Neil Diamond live record, took No. 4 with 42,000. And country newcomer Justin Moore’s self-titled debut made it to No. 10 with 34,000. Hey, maybe after he records another 25 albums, Moore can hope to be in Strait’s sales league.
What do you think of this week’s albums chart? Are you looking forward to any big fall releases making things a little more exciting in the coming weeks?
More from EW’s Music Mix:
Sugarland, outsold by Michael Jackson, tops the albums chart
Jason Castro talks about his new single and his upcoming debut album
Taylor Momsen from Gossip Girl has a band, and it’s not half-bad!
Guilty pleasures bracket revealed!
I’m waiting for my bootleg of Exile On Main Street out takes. what’s on the charts is lamer than a fruit fly with one wing.
Of course, because George Strait is the best! Go King George!
that’s alright Michael Jackson fans, in the end Michael remains the greatest entertainer the world has ever seen according to the whole world (still outsells everyone in the current chart globally)..so let all them inbred southern Hicks enjoy their little moment. George ain’t actually a global icon, he’s limited fame is only celebrate within the middle American white community, yeehaw
IAM WITH LINDSAY, KING GEORGE IS THE GREATEST EVER! I’VE BEE A FAN SINCE 1982.
I’m waiting for the New Moon soundtrack…along with EW’s Forthcoming Release of Top Guilty Pleasure Hits
YEAH RIGHT!!! It’s funny that Michael had to be gone from the world for George to be able to do anything…George Strait will NEVER OUT PERFORM THE INCOMPARABLE MICHAEL JACKSON!!!MICHAEL IS THE GREATEST ENTERTAINER TO EVER LIVE and when George Strait can spell the word “entertainer” let alone compete with Michael..he might get my respect. How can someone in country music doing a “twang” compare to someone who is the KING of POP, ROCK, and SOUL???? Get a grip!
Watching Michael Jacson of recent vintage was embarrasing at best….a 40 something accused child molester grabbing his crotch in a not so cute way…that’s entertainment? At best Michael has some respect for his singing ability. George Strait has massive respect for both his singing ability AND the way he lives his life.
Cause he has no crotch to grab
lottahope sure has a lotta BS, you guys could only wish your Inbred idol has half the talent Michael Jackson did. And Dob, hey MJ might have suffered from Vitiligo but he’s still genetically black. I’m sure he’s got a bigger manhood than you
MJ hadn’t put out an album in how many years? Too busy being doped up and running up his debt to record I guess.
@Tweet Bawwww! My dead child molesting, drug and plastic surgery hero’s rushed Greatest hits CD isn’t NO# 1! BAWWW!!!
George Strait deserves the top of the chart because he’s just that awesome, and so HOT.
WOW!george strait your the best. NOT! you happy overselling 1 of MJ’s cd. AND he is not hot
Bawwwww! why such a bitter soul? or do you even have one for that matter? You and your Southern croonies are happy because Strait sold a few more copies than MJ this weeek? Baaaaww, MJ fans are never bitter, we’re just laughing at your pathetic a s s e s everytime you put someone up there who can never compete with Michael Jackson’s megaLegacy. Enjoy now because 10 from now, no one will give a f*** about George Strait
Whatever…Isn’t it sad that MJ had to die to be back on top??????
the man the biggest selling album of all time and hasn’t released an album in almost a decade but still manages to outsell just about everyone on the face of the earth, that’s legacy for you VaginaM
Hey Tweet
So you assume that George Strait can’t spell. Whats your reason?
@ Tweet – I’m pretty sure George Strait’s last album debuted at number one too. Man, seriously stop hating. The article didn’t even compare George Strait to MJ. George Strait is the King of Country and MJ is the King of Pop.
WOW!george strait your the best. NOT! you happy overselling 1 of MJ’s cd.
On 9-9-09 The Beatles will become the hottest band in the world again..
THRICE – BEGGARS
screw u vampire weekly review it
People, people please … There is nothing wrong with liking both artists; different strokes, etc. (to reference a popular American programme). Michael Jackson has an unassailable place in popular music but this is not to deny George Jones his time in the sun. Any artist that makes people happy and makes them forget their troubles is certainly worthy of our respect. Kudos to all of them and grateful thanks for the gift of music that they bestow upon us. Best to all, Martin
Oh sorry, I had to look up this guy on google search. Never heard of him before. Same old boring american country music as anyone else can sing. Nothing new under the sun.
how many of these twangy hits did this guy actually write himself?
Of course, typical Americans. Thinking that the AMERICAN CHART is most important in measuring musical influence. Sorry to break it to you, but globally Michael Jackson is still outselling this guy. No disrespect towards him though. And only one of his albums in the US charts too. Not only that, some of you are so bitter and disrespectful that you taunt him with allegations and charges that have been already dropped. No matter what some sad individuals and rednecks say, MJ is a global superstar. Your stupid comments won’t take that away from him. Show some respect.
Thank you, Joana and BA. As an American, I am learning that the one thing that hurts our country the most is the combination of mean-spiritedness and absolute ignorance of the facts. Or shall we say, disregard of the facts. (Can we say birther?)
GEORGE STRAIT? I THOUGHT YOU SAID GEORGE MICHAEL!! WHO IS GEORGE STRAIT?
Hey, Lottahope and all you MJ haters out there, even though George Straits is a alright entertainer Michael Jackson was and forever will be a PHENOMENAL entertainer. There is absolutely no comparison between the two. With that said, Michael Jackson was accused but that is all he was accused. HE WAS NOT! NOT! NOT! GUILTY. How could I know this? If anyone asks that reads this blog. Here is my answer. A man that refers constantly to Psalms 37 is not a guilty man. I think everyone should read that passage so you could personally understand what I mean. Psalms 37 is about God protecting the righteous who are being falsely accused. Only someone who is being falsely accused is going to cling on to this portion of the Bible. So, for all you Christians and Non-Christians, who do not believe in Michael Jackson’s innocence think again. I personally am Christian and am so very familiar with the Book of Psalms; all you other Christians out there I know you are too, and the Book of Psalms is about King David being unfairly treated but being trained by God to become King, through these experiences. Well, I think you could get where I am going with this one. God, evidently, did not only have David go through the fire so that he could gain his rightful place as King but Michael, obviously, had to endure what he did in this world so he could gain his rightful place as the KING OF ALL ENTERTAINERS. So with that said, instead of unfairly judging the man Michael Jackson why don’t all of you people take the time to learn about who the man was, what he believed in, what the world dish out to him, and walk 1/8th of a mile in his shoes. While you are all at it, instead of reading what the media wants you to believe because they are so consumed by greed, the need to getting ratings, and make money (even at the expense of ruining someone’s reputation, integrity, and character, and even making someone endure needless and unbearable amounts of stress) read up on the facts about those that have accused Michael Jackson and then make your judgements. But remember what God says: “Do not judge least yea be judged” Matt 7:1 and “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone” John 8:7.
I for one never liked his crotch grabbing, even less so after all the controversy and accusations re children. (young boys to be specific) I actually enjoy his music and performing otherwise. Just because people afe”for” Michael jackson they are really out of line with the criticism of George Strait and country music. George really has tons more loved songs than MJ. Sorry to break that to yous.
Uh, sorry to break to you, but you need a reality check. Last time I heard, Michael Jackson was/is beloved all over the world. Can you say the same about George Strait? I’m an American and I don’t even really even know who the hell George Strait is, let alone any of his “music”. Your lies are blatant. Deny all you want because the rest of the world doesn’t agree with you