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Sadly I no longer have access to SoundScan data. I haven't heard from my source in ages.
Fortunately, we have other places to get chart data. HitsDailyDouble and SoundScan usually differ in their exact amounts sold in a give week, but in lieu of SoundScan data, Hits figures are very close.
Here are the Hits' numbers for the Top 10 from this past week, where Eminem debuted on top.
TW/ LW / artist / album / sales / % change
Eminem's last album debuted with 1,328,000 copies sold, so this is a rather sharp decline for him, clearly reflecting the lack of strength of his lead of single, "Just Lose It". While that was a top 10 hit in the U.S. (peaking at #6), after just 8 weeks it is already falling down the charts, currently at #15. U2's "Vertigo" hasn't hit such lofty heights, but at least it is gaining in popularity. With the exception of "Discotheque", typically U2's songs slowly rise up the charts. This contrasts U2's albums, which tend to debut high and then drop.
One interesting observation is that all of top 10 releases had sales of nearly 100,000 copies or greater. Years ago, this was standard. Given that the holiday season is rapidly approaching, these types of sales will be observed through New Years. The week before Christmas, often the top 35 releases have sales of 100,000 copies or more! Still, the stronger sales in early November does suggest two things: (1) that the music industry is recovering and (2) holiday sales are starting.
U2 faces considerable competition next week. As we all may recall, ATYCLB sold 428,000 copies its first week in the U.S. This was the best first week sales for U2 in the SoundScan era. The album went on to sell 4.17 million copies and win a mind-boggling 7 Grammy awards.
Besides facing competition from the artists listed above, U2 also have to face not one, not two but three American Idols! These artists should not be dismissed lightly - especially given that an American Idol holiday show will be on TV next week, featuring all 3 winners to date. Clay Aiken will then have his own show shortly thereafter! Ruben Studdard, the season two winner, sold an amazing 417,000 copies of his first album the first week. It has gone on to sell 1.72 million copies to date (rapidly approaching the Double Platinum mark). Therefore, he is a threat against U2. Fantasia, the season three winner, releases her debut album next week. Clay Aiken's debut album (Clay was runner-up in season two), sold an amazing 617,000 copies its first week (2.58 million total). This new release from Aiken is a Christmas album. Given the time of year and the extra push from his TV special, this could mean big sales.
Other competition comes from Norah Jones, whose album sold over 1 million copies its first week earlier this year. Creed is also releasing an album, however, given the band has disbanded, they are no longer a real threat. Of course, let's not forget Destiny's Child. Their last album sold 663,000 copies its first week (4.14 million total). Fortunately, their album comes out a week before U2's.
Still, it'll be interesting to see if U2 can hold off the American Idol kids to debut at #1. They benefit from having Eminem's and Destiny's Child's albums already out, giving some breathing room for U2.
Watching the charts on the 29th and 30th will be interesting. Will the online leak hurt sales? Will the online or radio streams hurt sales? Or will all of this increase demand? Can U2 break their own SoundScan era record? Can U2 once again have a #1 album?
Fortunately, we have other places to get chart data. HitsDailyDouble and SoundScan usually differ in their exact amounts sold in a give week, but in lieu of SoundScan data, Hits figures are very close.
Here are the Hits' numbers for the Top 10 from this past week, where Eminem debuted on top.
TW/ LW / artist / album / sales / % change
- / -- / EMINEM / ENCORE / 737,250 / --
- / -- / SHANIA TWAIN / GREATEST HITS / 530,333 / --
- / -- / TOBY KEITH / GREATEST HITS 2 / 433,449 / --
- / -- / BRITNEY SPEARS / GREATEST HITS:MY PREROGATIVE / 252,381 / --
- / 1 / VARIOUS / NOW THAT WHAT I CALL MUSIC! VOL. 17 / 232,389 / -43%
- / -- / FABOLOUS ATLANTIC / REAL TALK / 187,471 / --
- / -- / JA RULE / R.U.L.E. / 169,215 / --
- / 4 / USHER / CONFESSIONS / 104,414 / -5%
- / 3 / NELLY / SUIT / 101,697 / -13%
- / 6 / GEORGE STRAIT / 50 #1'S / 98,599 / +6%
Eminem's last album debuted with 1,328,000 copies sold, so this is a rather sharp decline for him, clearly reflecting the lack of strength of his lead of single, "Just Lose It". While that was a top 10 hit in the U.S. (peaking at #6), after just 8 weeks it is already falling down the charts, currently at #15. U2's "Vertigo" hasn't hit such lofty heights, but at least it is gaining in popularity. With the exception of "Discotheque", typically U2's songs slowly rise up the charts. This contrasts U2's albums, which tend to debut high and then drop.
One interesting observation is that all of top 10 releases had sales of nearly 100,000 copies or greater. Years ago, this was standard. Given that the holiday season is rapidly approaching, these types of sales will be observed through New Years. The week before Christmas, often the top 35 releases have sales of 100,000 copies or more! Still, the stronger sales in early November does suggest two things: (1) that the music industry is recovering and (2) holiday sales are starting.
U2 faces considerable competition next week. As we all may recall, ATYCLB sold 428,000 copies its first week in the U.S. This was the best first week sales for U2 in the SoundScan era. The album went on to sell 4.17 million copies and win a mind-boggling 7 Grammy awards.
Besides facing competition from the artists listed above, U2 also have to face not one, not two but three American Idols! These artists should not be dismissed lightly - especially given that an American Idol holiday show will be on TV next week, featuring all 3 winners to date. Clay Aiken will then have his own show shortly thereafter! Ruben Studdard, the season two winner, sold an amazing 417,000 copies of his first album the first week. It has gone on to sell 1.72 million copies to date (rapidly approaching the Double Platinum mark). Therefore, he is a threat against U2. Fantasia, the season three winner, releases her debut album next week. Clay Aiken's debut album (Clay was runner-up in season two), sold an amazing 617,000 copies its first week (2.58 million total). This new release from Aiken is a Christmas album. Given the time of year and the extra push from his TV special, this could mean big sales.
Other competition comes from Norah Jones, whose album sold over 1 million copies its first week earlier this year. Creed is also releasing an album, however, given the band has disbanded, they are no longer a real threat. Of course, let's not forget Destiny's Child. Their last album sold 663,000 copies its first week (4.14 million total). Fortunately, their album comes out a week before U2's.
Still, it'll be interesting to see if U2 can hold off the American Idol kids to debut at #1. They benefit from having Eminem's and Destiny's Child's albums already out, giving some breathing room for U2.
Watching the charts on the 29th and 30th will be interesting. Will the online leak hurt sales? Will the online or radio streams hurt sales? Or will all of this increase demand? Can U2 break their own SoundScan era record? Can U2 once again have a #1 album?
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