Tag: Charts (81-90 of 300)

Sep 28 2011 01:14 PM ET

Tony Bennett's 'Duets II' tops Billboard 200 albums chart, beating out Lady Antebellum and Demi Lovato

by
Tags: ,
tony-b

Image Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Eighty-five-year-old Tony Bennett certainly isn’t letting his age get the best of him. After breaking a few records last week by becoming oldest living person to ever appear on the Billboard hot 100 singles chart with his stellar Amy Winehouse duet “Body and Soul,” he’s scored another success for the books the Albums chart today.

Bennett’s newly released Duets II, which featurs collabs with the likes of Lady Gaga, John Mayer, Aretha Franklin and Carrie Underwood, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums charts selling 179,000 copies in its first week.

The achievement makes the 14-time Grammy Award winner the oldest living artist ever to make it to the top spot. Prior to Bennett, Bob Dylan held the crown; his Together Through Life debuted at No. 1 in 2009 when he was a relatively sprightly 67.

Elsewhere on the chart, Lady Antebellum’s Own the Night comes in at No. 2, moving 125,000 units. While Adele’s 21 continues to power on at No. 3 with 117,000 sets purchased.

Check out the top to albums on the chart after the jump.

READ FULL STORY »

Sep 23 2011 12:23 PM ET

Tony Bennett becomes oldest person to chart on the Hot 100, buries other records in the process

by
Tags: , , , ,
tony-b

Image Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Fresh off his epic 85th birthday celebration, which featured guest appearances by Aretha Franklin, Elton John, and Bill Clinton, recent Tony Bennett has taken a wrecking ball to a handful of chart records thanks to the release of Duets II and his historic single with Amy Winehouse (which was tragically the late Winehouse’s final recording).

“Body and Soul,” the duet with Winehouse, entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 87, making Bennett the oldest living person to ever appear on that chart. He replaced George Burns, who charted with “I Wish I Was 18 Again” back in 1980 at the sprightly age of 84.

Bennett’s appearance on the Hot 100 also created a number of other new precedents for performers and longevity. The nearly 44 years between his last chart appearance and this one is the longest gap for a solo artist in history. The previous record holder was Otis Redding, who saw 42 years elapse between appearances on the chart — he just showed up on the chart again as a guest on Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “Otis” (though you can freely debate whether or not that should even count). Bennett also has the longest career-length chart span, having appeared on the very first Hot 100 way back in 1958.

He may not be done, as Billboard is projecting that Duets II could sell as many as 170,000 copies in its first week of release and may be strong enough to debut at the top of the albums chart. Bennett has never had a number-one album, though the first entry in the Duets series got as high as number three back in 2006. Not too shabby for an 85-year-old guy, eh?

Read more on EW.com:
Alec Baldwin skipped the Emmys to go to Tony Bennett’s birthday party
Tony Bennett says President Bush confided Iraq War ‘a mistake’
Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse’s ‘Body and Soul’ video: Watch it here

Sep 14 2011 04:19 PM ET

On the Billboard charts: George Strait, Lil Wayne, The Beatles post big numbers

by
Tags: , , , , , , ,
george_strait_l.jpg

Image Credit: Vanessa Gavalya

The fall release schedule has only just begun, with plenty more massive albums coming over the next few months.

And label folks and artists alike must be breathing a sigh of relief, because the chart numbers suggest that people are interested in buying music.

Lil Wayne leads this week’s Billboard sales numbers. After notching the second-biggest opening week of the year (Lady Gaga’s Born This Way still holds tight to the top spot), Weezy moved another 219,000 copies of Tha Carter IV to keep the number one spot. Adele checked in at number two, likely buoyed by the success of the Hot 100-conquering single “Someone Like You.”

The two biggest stories on the chart come in at spots three and four. In the third-place position, George Strait sold 91,000 copies of Here For a Good Time, making it the week’s top debut. Strait’s numbers are sort of absurd: This is his 39th album, his 17th debut in the Billboard top 10, and the 24th time he has topped the Billboard Country Albums list. He’s had a pretty staggering career, though it should be noted that his opening week numbers are down a bit from his previous album Twang, which debuted on top of the albums chart with 155,000 copies sold.

Another release comfortable with the upper echelons of chart success came in at number four: the Beatles 1, the compilation of their 27 chart-topping songs originally released in 2000, moved 60,000 copies of its newly-remastered version. That’s sort of a drop in a bucket, as 1 has sold more than 31 million copies worldwide and was the top-selling album of the first decade of the 21st century. 1 also spent a total of eight weeks at the top of the albums chart at the end of 2000 and the beginning of 2001.

The only other big headline this week belongs to Maroon 5, whose 2010 album Hands All Over got a shot in the arm thanks to the success of “Moves Like Jagger,” which is on the just-released deluxe edition of the album. It came in at number seven this week, a jump from position 23 last week. Rounding out the top 10, Foster the People’s Torches returned to the first tier thanks to the continued love for “Pumped Up Kicks” (look for some more info on that song coming in this week’s episode of Entertainment Weekly).

This week’s new albums includes a number of excellent releases, though only the new album by Staind seems to have a shot at dethroning Lil Wayne. Who do you think will topple tha Carter himself in the coming weeks? Let us know in the comments.

Read more on EW.com: 
Review: Lil Wayne, Tha Carter IV
Fall Albums We Can’t Wait to Hear
Adele’s ‘Someone Like You’ is the first ballad in three years to top the Hot 100 — or is it?

Sep 14 2011 12:15 PM ET

Adele's 'Someone Like You' is the first ballad in three years to top the Hot 100 -- or is it?

by
Tags: , , , , , , Let's Argue!
Adele

Adele’s success is certainly refreshing, and she continues to rack up accolades and records — in fact, she has a handful of new entries in the latest Guinness Book of World Records).

And some people, apparently, are even making up arbitrary turns of events in order to keep her awards flowing.

This morning, Billboard reported that Adele’s “Someone Like You,” which is currently the number one song on the Hot 100, is the first ballad to sit atop that list in over three years. They cite Rihanna’s “Take a Bow” as the last ballad to inhabit the top position.

The article is a pretty interesting read, because it gets into the psychology of radio programmers and how they approach playing songs based on tempo, as well as the way that trends dictate what the top song in the country is (thanks to the likes of Ke$ha, Britney Spears, and Katy Perry, uptempo pop tends to rule radio). There are more machinations in choosing radio playlists than you probably thought.

While that conversation is well and good, it’s built on a fundamental untruth: “Someone Like You” is not the first ballad to top the Billboard Hot 100 since “Take a Bow.” Since “Take a Bow” abdicated the position to Lil Wayne’s “Lollipop” back in 2008, at least three songs that could be described as ballads have taken the number one position.

The most obvious one is “Love the Way You Lie,” Eminem and Rihanna’s juggernaut from the summer of 2010. Though it prominently features angry rapping and a video about domestic violence, it certainly is as slow-burning as “Someone Like You.” Let’s put it another way: You certainly can’t dance to it.

There are other chart-toppers from the hip-hop world that could probably slide into the “ballad” category, including T.I.’s “Whatever You Like” and Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind.” Are these not ballads? Is it possible to craft a hip-hop ballad? And what is a ballad, anyway? Is there a certain set of criteria it must satisfy, or is it like the Supreme Court’s take on pornography and you simply know it when you see it?

Let us know your thoughts on balladry in the comments below. (And seriously, “Love the Way You Lie” is totally a ballad.)

Read more on EW.com: 
Song of Summer ’11? YOU Say…
VMAs 2011: The Winners, the Losers, and Lady Gaga
Adele pays tribute to Amy Winehouse: ‘I don’t think she ever realised just how brilliant she was’

Sep 1 2011 01:31 PM ET

'Moves Like Jagger' hits number one on Billboard, continues tradition of singles you can only get on deluxe albums

by
Tags: , , ,
Christina-Aguilera

Image Credit: Damian Dovarganes/AP Images

Adam Levine don’t need no stinkin’ MTV to score a chart-topping hit.

When “Moves Like Jagger,” Maroon 5′s collaboration with Christina Aguilera, surfaced a few weeks ago, it seemed like the perfect way to capitalize on the success of The Voice, bringing together two of the hit singing competition’s coaches and giving them a sharp groove produced by Shellback (Britney Spears’ “If U Seek Amy”) and Benny Blanco (Katy Perry’s “California Gurls”).

The combination paid off: After four weeks on the chart, “Moves Like Jagger” has ascended to the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100. The single has also provided a boost for Hands All Over, the under-performing Maroon album that dropped last year but has been reissued with a handful of extra tracks (including “Moves Like Jagger”). After falling into the lower echelons of the album chart, it’s back up in the top 30 this week and promises to continue climbing on the back of the chart-topper.

“Moves Like Jagger” is part of an interesting trend of late-blooming singles that have breathed new life into dormant albums. Though she didn’t necessarily need the boost,  Beyoncé tapped Lady Gaga to augment the I Am … Sasha Fierce track “Video Phone” for the release of the deluxe edition of that album, which gave it an extra few months (and also that awesome video).

And remember when Shakira scored a hit with “Hips Don’t Lie” and you had to buy the rerelease of Oral Fixation Vol. 2—because the song wasn’t immediately available as a standalone single—to get it? That was a true comeback; that album ended up going nearly double platinum after “Hips Don’t Lie” became a runaway smash.

Album buyers may cry foul because they invested in the album in the beginning and don’t get automatic access to a hit, but it’s a pretty good gamble for bands looking to keep the heat on albums that otherwise might be fading.

Can you think of other instances where this occurred? Does it seem like fair play to you? Sound off in the comments below!

Read more on EW.com
Maroon 5, Christina Aguilera pay homage to Mick’s dancing, longevity in ‘Moves Like Jagger’ video: Watch it here
Adam Levine lashes out at the VMAs on Twitter
Adam Levine sues ‘Band Hero’ for exploiting his likeness, making him sing like a lady

Aug 25 2011 12:22 PM ET

Amy Winehouse's 'Back to Black' becomes best-selling of 21st century in the U.K.

by
Tags: , , , ,
Amy-Winehouse-Back

She may be gone, but Amy Winehouse’s music is thriving.

Britain’s Official Charts Company announced that the late singer’s Grammy-sweeping sophomore set, Back to Black, has just become the best-selling album of the 21st century in the U.K., beating out James Blunt’s 2004 album Back to Bedlam’s 3.25 million albums sold with her 3.26 million.

Dido’s 2001 effort No Angel rests at third with 3.07 million purchased.

Black is currently No. 3 on the UK top 100 albums chart. It’s been on the list for 167 weeks total.

Posthumous sales, of course, are nothing new; similar surges happened when Michael Jackson passed in 2009, and earlier with the likes of Aaliyah, Biggie, Jeff Buckley, and others.

Have you bought Winehouse’s Black or her debut, Frank, since her passing? Let us know.

Read more:
Amy Winehouse found dead
Amy Winehouse mourned on Twitter
Amy Winehouse falls apart on stage in Belgrade: Watch the video here
Amy Winehouse, gifted Grammy-winning vocalist, frequent tabloid subject, passes away

Aug 17 2011 03:18 PM ET

Kanye West and Jay-Z's 'Watch the Throne' breaks Coldplay's first week sales record, debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 chart

by
Tags: , , , ,
kanye-jay-z

Image Credit: Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images

Our critic may not have felt the vibes on Jay-Z and Kanye West’s Watch the Throne album. But with a record breaking iTunes debut and the top spot on the Billboard 200 albums chart, it appears many did.

The twosome’s collection, one that West refers to as “luxury rap,” broke Coldplay’s iTunes first-week sales record, moving almost 290,000 digital copies. Coldplay’s Viva La Vida Or Death and All His Friends sold 282,000 in 2008.

Within 24 hours of Throne dropping on Aug. 8, it was No. 1 on iTunes worldwide in 23 countries. And today, Billboard reports that Throne‘s complete opening sales (meaning both the digital and physical version, which bowed Aug. 12) is a kingly 436,078 units, making it no. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.

It’s a huge victory for the two, who didn’t promote the album in traditional fashion. Really, they hardly promoted it at all. Outside of two press listening sessions (I attended one) and one New York radio interview, Jay and Kanye kept quiet. There wasn’t magazine cover or even a music video released before the album.

Still, the buzz behind the project was huge. And apparently, fans have not been disappointed.

Did you buy Watch the Throne? Glad it opened with these numbers? Let us know.

More on EW.com:
Jay-Z and Kanye West release ‘Watch the Throne’ ‘Otis’ video — Everybody’s all-American! Watch it here
Independent record stores protest Jay-Z and Kanye’s album-release shutout


Aug 3 2011 09:02 AM ET

Katy Perry racks up fifth Pop No. 1 from 'Teenage Dream,' is poised to match record set by Michael Jackson

by
Tags: , ,
katy-perry

Image Credit: Lauren Dukoff

Is anybody having more fun this summer than Katy Perry?

Between Smurfing around with NPH, adopting Justin Bieber, and mopping the floor with the likes of Lady Gaga and Rihanna to nab nine MTV Video Music Awards nominations, we can’t imagine she’s got much down time. But Perry has somehow found a spare moment on her busy schedule to become the reigning Queen of Pop — officially.

It’s a victory for women who wear baked goods as couture: Perry’s infectious single “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)” climbed up this week from No. 2 to claim the No. 1 berth today on Billboard’s Pop Songs chart, making it the fifth single from her platinum-selling second album Teenage Dream to reach the top spot in the pop chart.

Additionally, Perry’s single is poised to take over the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100, which would make her the first female artist to ever post five Hot 100 number-ones from the same album, and only the second artist of either gender to do so after Michael Jackson had five chart-toppers off of his 1987 release Bad.

Michael Jackson’s achievement has remained unchallenged until the arrival of Perry’s party-crashing “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.).” After briefly stalling at the No. 4 position in mid-June, the single is set to eclipse LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” at the top of the Hot 100.

Perry’s other No. 1 hits from Teenage Dream include the title track, “Firework,” the sunny, Snoop Dogg-infused “California Gurls,” and “E.T.,” Perry’s collaboration with Kanye West.

UPDATE: According to Billboard, which has not yet posted its official Hot 100 update but will shortly today, “As Perry achieves a first with her quintet of No. 1s from one album on Pop Songs, she’s seeking to become just the second artist to earn the honor on the Billboard Hot 100. ‘California,’ the title track, ‘Firework’ and ‘E.T.’ all reigned on the Hot 100, while ‘Friday’ last week lifted 3-2 (with Airplay Gainer honors). Should ‘Friday’ reach the Hot 100 summit, ‘Dream’ would join Michael Jackson’s Bad as the only albums in the Hot 100′s 53-year history to produce five No. 1s apiece.

The article goes on to say that “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)” is Perry’s “seventh topper on the list overall. She scored two No. 1s from her prior album, One of the Boys: ‘Hot N Cold’ (2008) and ‘Waking Up in Vegas’ (2009). She ties Lady Gaga and P!nk for second-most No. 1s in the chart’s archives, one away from Rihanna’s record eight leaders.”

What do you think, Music Mixers? Is Katy due to experience a little of the “cold” side of “Hot N Cold” someday soon, or will her record-smashing summer continue?

Read more on EW.com:

Katy Perry, Adele, Kanye West lead 2011 MTV Video Music Awards nominations
Adele, Katy Perry help music sales go up for the first time in seven years
Katy Perry’s ‘Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)’ video welcomes Rebecca Black, Corey Feldman, Hanson to the party of the year

Jul 20 2011 02:13 PM ET

Blake Shelton's new album posts highest debut yet, tops Billboard 200 albums chart

by
Tags: , , , ,
blake_shelton

Image Credit: Jason LaVeris/FimMagic.com

Looks like Blake Shelton’s side gig as a coach on NBC singing competition The Voice is paying off in other lanes.

The country man leads the Billboard 200 album charts this week. His latest album, Red River Blue, sold 116,000 units, making it the highest debut of his career.

Surprisingly, following at No. 2 is Incubus’ If Not Now, When? with 80,000 copies bought. And again, Adele posts a strong week. Her 21 moved 77,000 albums. Check out the rest of the top 10 after the jump.

READ FULL STORY »

Jul 15 2011 12:11 PM ET

Adele takes over Eminem's spot as the artist with the best-selling album of 2011

by
Tags: , ,
Adele_240.jpg

Image Credit: Andy Sheppard/Getty Images

Adele’s 21 is the North America’s best-selling digital album of 2011, Billboard reports. The achievement makes her the first woman to sell one million digital copies in such a short period of time (21 was released Feb. 22).

Adele also stepped ahead of Eminem’s digital sales, passing his 1,005,000 copies with her 1,017,000 copies purchased. And let’s not forget to mention that 21 remains 2011′s best-selling album overall at 2.6 million records sold.

Impressive, yes? Have you bought 21 yet? If not, why? Let us know.

Read more on EW.com:
Adele, Katy Perry help music sales go up for the first time in seven years
Adele reschedules canceled tour dates, will be back on the road in August
Adele: Surprise Superstar

Advertisement

TV Recaps

Powered by WordPress.com VIP
Which show had the better finale this season?