Billboard 200 - 11/10/2012 Taylor 1.21 million

[josh]

I'm curious as to how much Starbucks actually sells...

[vantiboy3]

Go Taylor! Can't deny the girl is a beast!
But now the real test begins: Will the album hold up and sell consistantly, or will its only shining glory be the frontloaded 1.2mil it sold.

[Spidey]

Very impressive first week sales for Taylor!

[Joe1240]

Great sales for Taylor!!

[ga68153]

Oct 30, 2012 22:50:02 GMT -5 fridayteenage said:

Oops had 9%.

I'm not even trying to be rude but why does this matter? Clearly albums sold better in 2000 so of course it will be a lower percentage.

[Enigma.]

The release date doesn't matter concerning the first week sales but plays a significant role further.

[neverduplicated]

No one seems to have mentioned this yet, but Taylor's sales this week are all the more impressive when you consider that she had already sold over 4 million digital singles from Red before the album release and she may have sold over 1 million digital tracks during album release week. If we go by the standard of converting 10 digital singles into an album sale - which makes sense, given that would be $12.90 of revenue, a typical album price - then after the first week of release, the album has already sold 1.5-1.7 album and track-equivalent-albums combined! I gave a big range because some of these sales will be taken away by Itunes' "Complete My Album" feature, but millions of those tracks will have been purchased separately.

For those worrying about this album's sales in the long, consider that it could very well sell 300-400k this week, putting it at 1.5 million in two weeks. Even if holiday sales for the album don't match Speak Now's success, I could definitely see another million being sold before the year is over. I'd say 3 million+ in the long run is a near certainty, and this album should easily sell more digital singles than Speak Now, possibly even more than Fearless.

[Enigma.]

But I think most of Red's sales were physical cd's?

[Enigma.]

PG: "Lady Antebellum's On This Winter's Night is expected to debut at #9. It's the trio's third top 10 album, following Lady Antebellum (#3 in 2008) and Need You Now (#1 in 2010). The trio released a holiday EP in 2010, Merry Little Christmas, which reached #12. It has sold 392K copies."

*cough* Own the Night *cough*

Why did he hurry with this article so much

[Janhova's Witness]

Oct 30, 2012 20:26:27 GMT -5 @2m said:

They are meaning the calendar year which ends on December 31

Are you sure?

[Deleted]

So what non-traditional outlets besides Papa John's did Taylor use? Because Hits had that small 1.9% update that boosted Taylor by over 215k while no one else moved. I know, I know, completely trivial, but now it's bugging me lol. Maybe the 215k was Starbucks (I don't know if they are carrying any other albums that were in the top 50 this week).

I'm kind of bummed the 215k wasn't Papa John's, the idea of so many US citizens being that fat and lazy amused me Still, 8000 is fairly impressive considering how unusual that arrangement was.

Also, with all the records and achievements that people are eager to list for Taylor I'm a bit surprised no one has mentioned she's now bested Garth Brooks for the highest opening week for a country artist. I do understand that with the pop songs on the album calling Red country is a contentious point for some, but for official purposes it's still classified as country and Taylor is still considered a primarily country artist.

[spooky21]

Most impressive about Swift's debut is that the album was sold at every outlet at pretty much full retail price.

I'm not making a jab at discounting, just really impressed that she moved that many units with 9.99 being the price floor. Seems like the bulf of her units sold in the 11 - 15 range. Very impressive.

I know one album doesn't prove it but is it safe to say that piracy doesn't have a significant impact on sales anymore? That the overall malaise that continues to affect the industry is just really economic noise that their inability to adapt quicker to the digital age?

[Ferrero]

if the fans bought the singles individually and then COMPLETE THE ALBUM, will the singles sales drop while album sales increase?

[Deleted]

yes

[Deleted]

Oct 30, 2012 21:53:23 GMT -5 Push The Button said:

Oct 30, 2012 20:56:40 GMT -5 👑 Eloquent ™ said:

I love that there are those who are gloating about an album released twelve years ago during perhaps one of the most lucrative times in the music industry maintaining its record against an album released during the most disastrous point for the music industry by a mere 100,000 copies. I love both girls, but do people not realize how silly that looks? lol

Especially since this release sold more in one week than Britney's latest sold in total worldwide.

That has nothing to do with Oops I Did it Again.

I wonder how much Red sold worldwide. Speak Now only sold an extra 100k on its opening week, so it'll be interesting to see how much her international fanbase has expanded.

I know one album doesn't prove it but is it safe to say that piracy doesn't have a significant impact on sales anymore? That the overall malaise that continues to affect the industry is just really economic noise that their inability to adapt quicker to the digital age?

Not really. It proves that it's easier to buy music first week, but I wonder if it'll even pass 5 million, like all the pre-piracy 1m+ debuts.

[neverduplicated]

Oct 31, 2012 8:20:00 GMT -5 Codex said:

I wonder how much Red sold worldwide. Speak Now only sold an extra 100k on its opening week, so it'll be interesting to see how much her international fanbase has expanded.

We already know that Red sold just over 60k in the UK, just under 30k in Australia, and just over 30k in Japan, so that's 120k from those three markets. I really have no idea how much it will sell elsewhere though.

[strikeleo]

I did a little math and here's what I came up with:

Fearless sold 8,96% of its total during release week. Taylor Swift, on the other hand, sold 0,7% of its total during its release week. Speak Now, unlike her previous numbers, sold 24,97% of its total when it began its run in October of 2010.

With all that factored in, I find it hard to believe red will have a hard time reaching 4m sold, let alone 3m. Speak Now didn't have legs because it didn't produce any significant hits on pop radio, therefore, its main support came from Country radio. Unlike that, Red has promise of producing at least 3 strong pop hits and 3 strong country hits, so, I really see it reaching 5m+ when all is said and done.

if Red sold 25% of its total during this week, it would still sell 4.832.000 copies, and I dare predict it'll sell higher than that.

[Enigma.]

I think 1,5 million worldwide, which is great for any act. Gaga's Born This Way sold 2 million in its first week but she has a lot bigger following.

[spooky21]

Oct 31, 2012 9:20:40 GMT -5 Enigma. said:

I think 1,5 million worldwide, which is great for any act. Gaga's Born This Way sold 2 million in its first week but she has a lot bigger following.

Gaga's dance pop music just plays better to international audiences. Country and country leaning pop has never sold well outside the US, except maybe in Australia.

[Rose "Payola" Nylund]

Is there a possibility that Red won't sell as well as her past albums to country audiences if the pop songs on the album get released and become hits?

[fridayteenage]

Oct 31, 2012 2:31:12 GMT -5 @ga68153 said:

Oct 30, 2012 22:50:02 GMT -5 fridayteenage said:

Oops had 9%.

I'm not even trying to be rude but why does this matter? Clearly albums sold better in 2000 so of course it will be a lower percentage.

If some people argue that strict #s are a legitimate way to measure,
others can argue that looking directly at respective sales atmospheres are a legitimate way to measure.
One could say the same thing about the reverse, like, "but why does it matter that Britney sold 1.3 vs. Taylor's 1.2 when 3x as many albums were being sold in 2000? Apples to oranges, yo."

[Linnethia Monique]

Oct 31, 2012 9:31:36 GMT -5 spooky21 said:

Oct 31, 2012 9:20:40 GMT -5 Enigma. said:

I think 1,5 million worldwide, which is great for any act. Gaga's Born This Way sold 2 million in its first week but she has a lot bigger following.

Gaga's dance pop music just plays better to international audiences. Country and country leaning pop has never sold well outside the US.

Shania begs to differ. This could very well be Taylor's Come on Over.

[strikeleo]

Oct 31, 2012 9:51:44 GMT -5 Rose "Payola" Nylund said:

Is there a possibility that Red won't sell as well as her past albums to country audiences if the pop songs on the album get released and become hits?

There is always a possibility of anything happening, but I somehow don't see this one becoming true. With Fearless, Taylor went number #1 twice on pop radio, so if any country exclusive fan were to complain, they would have already done so.

Also, I don't think Taylor's country audience matters that much, especially if you look at Carrie's numbers, Miranda's numbers. Country has a very limited audience, and Swift has always done well because she is able to reach a way larger crowd (country, pop and teens).
This will probably do better than Speak Now, in my opinion.

[josh]

A big reason Speak Now sold a lot less is because there was no re-release, unlike Fearless and Taylor Swift. Sure the lack of pop support hurt it, but re-releases make a big difference as well.

[areyoureadytojump]

Can someone please go to Billboard.com and copy & paste the new album article here?

My shit.ty laptop and Billboard.com don't get along. lol

[musicrocks]

www.billboard.com/news/kendrick-lamar-debuts-at-no-2-as-taylor-1007994442.story?utm_source=most_recent#/news/kendrick-lamar-debuts-at-no-2-as-taylor-1007994442.story?utm_source=most_recent

Kendrick Lamar Debuts at No. 2 as Taylor Swift's 'Red' Tops Billboard 200

As earlier reported, Taylor Swift's "Red" album explodes at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, selling 1.208 million copies in its first week according to Nielsen SoundScan. It's the largest sales week for an album since 2002, when Eminem's "The Eminem Show" sold 1.322 million in its first full week at No. 1.

"Red" is only the 18th album to sell a million units in a single week since SoundScan started tracking sales in 1991.

Settling for a No. 2 debut on the chart this week is Kendrick Lamar's "Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City," starting with 241,000. The Top Dawg/Aftermath/Interscope set is Lamar's major label bow, after earlier charting with his Top Dawg indie release "Section.80." The last male artist to start with a bigger sales figure with his first major label full-length set was Drake, when "Thank Me Later" launched with 447,000 in June of 2010.

Lamar also hits No. 1 on both the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Rap Albums charts.

Last week's No. 1 on the Billboard 200, Jason Aldean's "Night Train," chugs down to No. 3 with 116,000 (down 72%). Another previous No. 1, Mumford & Sons' "Babel," dips 2-4 with 53,000 (down 27%).

Pop icon Tony Bennett steps into the top 10 with another duets album, this time pairing himself with an array of Latin music stars. His "Viva Duets" release starts at No. 5 with 36,000, following the top five success of "Duets: An American Classic" (No. 3, 2006) and "Duets II" (No. 1, 2011).

Guitarist/singer Gary Clark Jr. makes a smashing debut at No. 6 with his first major label studio album, "Blak & Blu," selling 35,000 copies. The Warner Bros. set also hits No. 1 on the Blues Albums chart and follows his EP "The Bright Lights," which has moved 82,000 to date. It reached No. 91 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on Blues Albums.

Rock band Stone Sour earns its third top 10 album on the Billboard 200 as "House of Gold & Bones - Part 1" starts at No. 7 with 31,000. It follows 2010's "Audio Secrecy," which debuted and peaked at No. 6 with 46,000.

P!nk's "The Truth About Love" slides 6-8 with 25,000 (down 19%) while Lady Antebellum collects its fourth top 10 set with the No. 9 arrival of "On This Winter's Night" (just under 25,000). The 12-song album contains the six tracks Lady A released on its 2010 Target-exclusive EP "A Merry Little Christmas." Unlike "Merry," the new set is widely available.

Rounding out the top 10 is Brandy's "Two Eleven," dropping from No. 3 to No. 10 in its second frame, moving 22,000 (down 65%).

Over on the Digital Songs chart, PSY's "Gangnam Style" reigns at No. 1 for another week, selling 255,000 downloads (up 11%). Far behind at No. 2 is Bruno Mars' "Locked Out of Heaven," climbing seven slots with 161,000 (up 52%).

Ke$ha's "Die Young" is steady at No. 3 (150,000; down 4%) while Maroon 5's "One More Night" rises a slot to No. 4 (142,000; down 6%). Rihanna's "Diamonds" is up two rungs to No. 5 (122,000; up 4%) and fun.'s "Some Nights" is a non-mover at No. 6 (111,000; down 11%).

The chart's highest debut comes from Taylor Swift, who arrives at No. 7 with "22" from her "Red" album, selling 108,000. She also climbs in at No. 10 with "I Almost Do" (76,000) from the same set.

Flo Rida's "I Cry" zips up four slots to No. 8 (up 21%) and Phillip Phillips' "Home" rallies 15-9 with 85,000 (up 5%).

Overall album sales in this past chart week (ending Oct. 28) totaled 6.28 million units, up 19% compared with the sum last week (5.27 million) and up 12% compared with the comparable sales week of 2011 (5.61 million). Year-to-date album sales stand at 240.43 million, down 4% compared with the same total at this point last year (249.29 million).

Digital track sales this past week totaled 21.08 million downloads, down 4% compared with last week (22.08 million) and up 5% stacked next to the comparable week of 2011 (20.10 million). Year-to-date track sales are at 1.098 billion, up 6% compared with the same total at this point last year (1.034 billion).

Next week's Billboard 200 competes with the same week in 2011 when: Justin Bieber's "Under the Mistletoe" rang in the season with a No. 1 debut, selling 210,000. Wale's "Ambition" started at No. 2 with 164,000 and Miranda Lambert's "Four the Record" launched at No. 3 with 133,000.

[areyoureadytojump]

Oct 31, 2012 9:16:54 GMT -5 strikeleo said:

I did a little math and here's what I came up with:

Fearless sold 8,96% of its total during release week. Taylor Swift, on the other hand, sold 0,7% of its total during its release week. Speak Now, unlike her previous numbers, sold 24,97% of its total when it began its run in October of 2010.

With all that factored in, I find it hard to believe red will have a hard time reaching 4m sold, let alone 3m. Speak Now didn't have legs because it didn't produce any significant hits on pop radio, therefore, its main support came from Country radio. Unlike that, Red has promise of producing at least 3 strong pop hits and 3 strong country hits, so, I really see it reaching 5m+ when all is said and done.

if Red sold 25% of its total during this week, it would still sell 4.832.000 copies, and I dare predict it'll sell higher than that.

4.8 million in today's market? I don't think so.

Let's not get waaaay ahead of ourselves.

[Deleted]

Omg Red is totally going to outsell 21. I'm calling it now!

[musicrocks]

Oct 31, 2012 10:25:51 GMT -5 areyoureadytojump said:

Can someone please go to Billboard.com and copy & paste the new album article here?

My s**t.ty laptop and Billboard.com don't get along. lol

Got it! :) Very happy and impressive with this week. The top 2 looks really good (wasn't expecting Kendrick Lamar's total to be that big but it makes sense with all the build-up he has had)

[areyoureadytojump]

^Yes, thank you!

YTD album sales still down 4%. I was hoping Red would knock it down to 3%.