Billboard 200: 1/4/14: Beyonce #1: 374,000

[areyoureadytojump]

Top Catalog Albums

1 1 20 Christmas Michael Buble
2 2 5 PTXmas (EP) Pentatonix
3 3 137 A Charlie Brown Christmas (Soundtrack) Vince Guaraldi Trio
4 4 56 Noel Josh Groban
5 6 104 It's Christmas Time Elvis Presley
6 5 7 Cheers, It's Christmas Blake Shelton
7 11 9 How Great Is Our God: The Essential Collection Chris Tomlin
8 8 74 The Lost Christmas Eve Trans-Siberian Orchestra
9 7 7 On This Winter's Night Lady Antebellum
10 17 28 The Essential NOW That's What I Call Christmas Various Artists
11 10 129 Merry Christmas Mariah Carey
12 12 7 Dreams Of Fireflies (On A Christmas Night) (EP) Trans-Siberian Orchestra
13 9 7 Merry Christmas, Baby Rod Stewart
14 13 121 Christmas Eve And Other Stories Trans-Siberian Orchestra
15 20 3 21 Adele
16 15 34 My Christmas Andrea Bocelli
17 19 12 Up All Night One Direction
18 33 6 The Lumineers The Lumineers
19 18 5 Christmas Francesca Battistelli
20 29 8 Blown Away Carrie Underwood
21 21 89 The Christmas Attic Trans-Siberian Orchestra
22 42 69 The Legend Of Johnny Cash Johnny Cash
23 23 8 The Best Of The Temptations Christmas The Temptations
24 34 5 Tailgates & Tanlines Luke Bryan
25 Re-Entry 2 The Bach Guild: Big Christmas Box Various Artists

26 28 9 51 Songs Kids Really Love To Sing Kids Choir
27 14 34 Glory In The Highest: Christmas Songs Of Worship Chris Tomlin
28 16 2 What Christmas Means Kem
29 Re-Entry 9 Sigh No More Mumford & Sons
30 22 126 White Christmas Bing Crosby
31 25 5 Home For Christmas Celtic Woman
32 37 13 Under The Mistletoe Justin Bieber
33 24 11 Christmas Symphony Mannheim Steamroller With Members Of The Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
34 26 39 Elf Soundtrack
35 35 2 The Classic Christmas Album Luther Vandross
36 31 7 Christmas With Scotty McCreery Scotty McCreery
37 27 87 Christmas Portrait Carpenters
38 Re-Entry 53 You Get What You Give Zac Brown Band
39 Re-Entry 78 Doo-Wops & Hooligans Bruno Mars
40 Re-Entry 32 Teenage Dream Katy Perry
41 47 3 The Classic Christmas Album Kenny G
42 36 12 Christmas Songs By Sinatra Frank Sinatra
43 44 22 Once Upon A Christmas Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton
44 Re-Entry 58 Loaded: The Best Of Blake Shelton Blake Shelton
45 45 24 Christmas Celebration Mannheim Steamroller
46 Re-Entry 38 Red River Blue Blake Shelton
47 40 34 Holiday Collection Kenny G
48 30 6 Gold: A 50th Anniversary Christmas Celebration Johnny Mathis
49 50 21 Come To The Well Casting Crowns
50 New 1 + Ed Sheeran


All these albums are on the BB200 this week.

[areyoureadytojump]

Holiday Albums

1 2 8 Duck The Halls: A Robertson Family Christmas The Robertsons
2 1 8 Wrapped In Red Kelly Clarkson
3 4 34 Christmas Michael Buble
4 3 10 A Mary Christmas Mary J. Blige
5 5 8 Home For Christmas Susan Boyle
6 7 8 PTXmas (EP) Pentatonix
7 6 9 A Family Christmas The Piano Guys
8 8 10 Christmas Symphony II Mannheim Steamroller/Czech Phiharmonic Orchestra
9 9 211 A Charlie Brown Christmas (Soundtrack) Vince Guaraldi Trio
10 10 91 Noel Josh Groban
11 14 9 Buon Natale: The Christmas Album Il Volo
12 13 116 It's Christmas Time Elvis Presley
13 11 19 Cheers, It's Christmas Blake Shelton
14 15 112 The Lost Christmas Eve Trans-Siberian Orchestra
15 27 54 The Essential NOW That's What I Call Christmas Various Artists
16 12 11 NOW Christmas Various Artists
17 17 206 Merry Christmas Mariah Carey
18 22 19 Dreams Of Fireflies (On A Christmas Night) (EP) Trans-Siberian Orchestra
19 16 17 Merry Christmas, Baby Rod Stewart
20 23 166 Christmas Eve And Other Stories Trans-Siberian Orchestra
21 20 8 The Best Man Holiday Soundtrack
22 18 11 WOW Christmas (Blue) Various Artists
23 25 52 My Christmas Andrea Bocelli
24 19 8 Sending You A Little Christmas Johnny Mathis
25 28 13 Christmas Francesca Battistelli

26 29 8 Under The Influence: Holiday Edition (EP) Straight No Chaser
27 31 9 The Best Of The Temptations Christmas The Temptations
28 ReEntry 3 The Bach Guild: Big Christmas Box Various Artists
29 32 11 Merry Christmas... Love, Elvis Elvis Presley
30 New 1 51 Songs Kids Really Love To Sing Kids Choir
31 24 64 Glory In The Highest: Christmas Songs Of Worship Chris Tomlin
32 26 12 What Christmas Means Kem
33 40 6 'Tis The Season Various Artists
34 30 221 White Christmas Bing Crosby
35 35 19 Home For Christmas Celtic Woman
36 43 26 Under The Mistletoe Justin Bieber
37 34 24 Christmas Symphony Mannheim Steamroller With Members Of The Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
38 36 74 Elf Soundtrack
39 41 3 The Classic Christmas Album Luther Vandross
40 37 177 Christmas Portrait Carpenters
41 33 10 Classic Christmas Album Barbra Streisand
42 ReEntry 7 The Classic Christmas Album Kenny G
43 42 25 Christmas Songs By Sinatra Frank Sinatra
44 49 48 Christmas Celebration Mannheim Steamroller
45 46 64 Holiday Collection Kenny G
46 ReEntry 1 The Classic Christmas Album Martina McBride
47 38 15 Gold: A 50th Anniversary Christmas Celebration Johnny Mathis
48 ReEntry 65 James Taylor At Christmas James Taylor
49 ReEntry 3 Classic Christmas Album Andy Williams
50 50 8 The King's Gift: A Celtic Christmas Collection Trace Adkins

All these albums are on the BB200 this week.

[areyoureadytojump]

Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums

1 1 2 Beyonce Beyonce
2 4 8 The Marshall Mathers LP 2 Eminem
3 5 10 A Mary Christmas Mary J. Blige
4 2 2 Black Panties R. Kelly
5 7 12 The 20/20 Experience (2 Of 2) Justin Timberlake
6 6 14 Nothing Was The Same Drake
7 New 1 Underground Luxury B.o.B
8 3 2 Because The Internet Childish Gambino
9 13 41 The 20/20 Experience Justin Timberlake
10 9 63 The Heist Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
11 11 22 Blurred Lines Robin Thicke
12 12 16 Love And War Tamar Braxton
13 8 8 The Best Man Holiday Soundtrack
14 14 16 Love In The Future John Legend
15 10 5 I Am Yo Gotti
16 17 6 Ellen's I'm Gonna Make You Dance Jams Various Artists
17 New 1 The Trinity (EP) The Lox
18 23 27 Yeezus Kanye West
19 15 15 B.O.A.T.S. II #METIME 2 Chainz
20 22 24 Magna Carta... Holy Grail Jay Z
21 25 61 good kid, m.A.A.d city Kendrick Lamar

^The above albums are on the BB200

22 16 6 Sail Out (EP) Jhene Aiko
23 New 1 Live From Space Mac Miller
24 24 6 Winter Loversland Tamar Braxton
25 30 57 Unapologetic Rihanna

26 33 15 The Electric Lady Janelle Monae
27 35 17 Stay Trippy Juicy J
28 18 3 Call Me Crazy, But... (EP) Sevyn Streeter
29 32 11 My Name Is My Name Pusha T
30 34 27 Born Sinner J. Cole
31 29 19 Rebellious Soul K. Michelle
32 31 18 Three Kings TGT
33 38 10 20 TLC
34 40 15 Kiss Land The Weeknd
35 37 16 Appreciation Day Jaheim
36 42 49 Long.Live.A$AP A$AP Rocky
37 39 38 I Am Not A Human Being II Lil Wayne
38 Re-Entry 24 The Gifted Wale
39 19 2 The Block Brochure: Welcome To The Soil 4 E-40
40 41 13 Ray Charles Forever Ray Charles
41 20 2 The Block Brochure: Welcome To The Soil 5 E-40
42 46 81 Our Version Of Events Emeli Sande
43 21 2 The Block Brochure: Welcome To The Soil 6 E-40
44 36 5 Knock Madness Hopsin
45 47 58 Trilogy The Weeknd
46 Re-Entry 54 I Will Always Love You: The Best Of Whitney Houston Whitney Houston
47 27 2 7 Days Of Funk 7 Days Of Funk
48 Re-Entry 30 Indicud Kid Cudi
49 New 1 The Parlay The Specktators
50 28 2 Art Of War: WW III Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

[areyoureadytojump]

Top Country Albums

1 1 4 Blame It All On My Roots: Five Decades Of Influences Garth Brooks
2 2 8 Duck The Halls: A Robertson Family Christmas The Robertsons
3 3 20 Crash My Party Luke Bryan
4 4 55 Here's To The Good Times Florida Georgia Line
5 6 39 Based On A True Story ... Blake Shelton
6 8 61 Red Taylor Swift
7 12 33 Golden Lady Antebellum
8 9 4 Danielle Bradbery Danielle Bradbery
9 13 10 See You Tonight Scotty McCreery
10 7 2 Nashville: The Music Of Nashville: Season 2 / Volume 1 Soundtrack
11 14 62 Night Train Jason Aldean
12 18 15 Fuse Keith Urban
13 11 3 Days Of Gold Jake Owen
14 17 31 True Believers Darius Rucker
15 15 11 Frame By Frame Cassadee Pope
16 16 16 The Classic Christmas Album Elvis Presley
17 19 115 Hunter Hayes Hunter Hayes
18 22 76 Uncaged Zac Brown Band
19 21 38 Pioneer The Band Perry
20 23 8 Drinks After Work Toby Keith
21 10 2 Feels Like Carolina Parmalee
22 25 14 Off The Beaten Path Justin Moore
23 20 10 Merry Christmas... Love, Elvis Elvis Presley
24 24 8 It Goes Like This Thomas Rhett
25 31 32 Love Is Everything George Strait

26 26 40 Same Trailer Different Park Kacey Musgraves
27 30 67 Tornado Little Big Town
28 28 13 The Bluegrass Album Alan Jackson
29 33 28 NOW That's What I Call Country Volume 6 Various Artists
30 29 7 The Classic Christmas Album Martina McBride
31 27 8 The King's Gift: A Celtic Christmas Collection Trace Adkins

^The above albums are on the BB200 this week.

32 32 10 To All The Girls... Willie Nelson
33 36 14 A.M. Chris Young
34 34 46 Two Lanes Of Freedom Tim McGraw
35 5 2 The Grohl Sessions: Vol. I (EP) Zac Brown Band
36 37 12 Redneck Crazy Tyler Farr
37 41 41 Spring Break... Here To Party Luke Bryan
38 35 6 The Woman I Am Kellie Pickler
39 39 39 Precious Memories: Volume II Alan Jackson
40 44 33 Life On A Rock Kenny Chesney
41 43 2 You Should Dream The Texas Tenors
42 38 5 4 Album Collection Luke Bryan
43 40 32 Nashville: The Music Of Nashville: Season 1: Volume 2 Soundtrack
44 46 37 Caught In The Act: Live Eric Church
45 45 87 Hard 2 Love Lee Brice
46 50 52 Nashville: Season 1: Volume 1 Soundtrack
47 47 46 Set You Free Gary Allan
48 Re-Entry 16 Alabama & Friends Various Artists
49 Re-Entry 14 Feels Like Home Sheryl Crow
50 Re-Entry 12 We Are Tonight Billy Currington

[ListenToItTwice]

Dec 26, 2013 22:52:01 GMT -5 @2m said:

Beyonce Album Pirated 240,000 Times (Report)

I know a few people who pirated the album and then paid for the CD/DVD to get the videos.

[areyoureadytojump]

keelyskorner.com/category/soundscan/

SOUNDSCAN (WEEK ENDING 12/22/13)

1) Beyonce – Beyonce
2) Garth Brooks – Blame It All On My Roots
3) One Direction – Midnight Memories

Other Debuts

21) B.O.B. – Underground Luxury
38) We The Kings – Somewhere Somehow

[areyoureadytojump]

www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/5855023/chart-moves-justin-timberlakes-snl-sales-surge-beatles-bootleg-release-to

Chart Moves: Justin Timberlake's 'SNL' Sales Surge, Beatles' 'Bootleg' Release To Extend Copyright Debuts

This week on the Billboard 200 albums chart, Beyonce's new self-titled album ruled at No. 1 for a second week, as it sold 374,000 copies according to Nielsen SoundScan. That's down 39% from its debut frame, when it arrived on the chart with 617,000 -- from just three days of sales (in the week ending Dec. 15).

As usual, there were a number of movers and shakers outside the top 10 on the Billboard 200 this week. Let's take a look at some of them:

-- Justin Timberlake, "The 20/20 Experience (2 of 2)" - No. 19 - The album sports an 89% sales gain this week, vaulting from No. 27 to No. 19, following his guest turn on "Saturday Night Live" (Dec. 21). (The album owns the largest percentage gain in the top 20 this week.) On the show -- which also featured surprise guests Madonna and Paul McCartney -- Timberlake performed twice and appeared in numerous sketches. His first "20/20 Experience" album also sees a gain, as it flies 94-49 with 17,000 (up 94%).

-- Celine Dion, "Loved Me Back To Life" - No. 26 - The diva's latest album jumps 38-26 with a 72% sales gain thanks to a busy week of promotion. The set sold 28,000 copies in the wake of a performance on the season finale of NBC's "The Voice" (Dec. 17) and her hosting (and singing) duties on CBS' "A Home for the Holidays" special (Dec. 18).

-- Lady Gaga, "ARTPOP" - No. 18 - Another performer that sees a gain thanks to "The Voice" (see Celine Dion, above) is Lady Gaga, who sees her "ARTPOP" set earn a 45% sales gain. On the show, Gaga sang her current single "Do What U Want" with "Voice" coach Christina Aguilera. "ARTPOP" sold 50,000 for the week -- its second-largest sales week in its six weeks of release. Only its debut frame (258,000) has been larger.

Other "Voice" finale performers that see big gains this week: OneRepublic, Blake Shelton and Paramore. OneRepublic's "Native" rises 50-23 (28,000; up 107%), Shelton's "Based On a True Story" climbs 32-30 (25,000; up 39%) and Paramore's self-titled album re-enters at No. 139 (8,000; up 108%).

-- The Beatles, "The Beatles Bootleg Recordings 1963" - No. 172 - A few weeks after the Beatles and Capitol Records debuted its well-publicized album "On Air: Live at the BBC Volume 2," an under-the-radar box set arrives at No. 172.

"On Air" debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 six weeks ago, and was ushered in with the traditional fan fare of a new Beatles release. Capitol's 59-track "Bootleg" box, however, isn't even mentioned on the Beatles' official web site. Nor has the Fab Four's Twitter account and Facebook page made mention of the set. That said, it debuts with 7,000 sold -- exclusively as a digital download.

Both releases are generally considered a way for the band to prevent the songs' copyright protection from lapsing in the European Union.

U.K. Extends Recording Copyright Term from 50 to 70 Years, Adds Artist-Friendly Rules

Previously unreleased recordings made in 1963 were due to see their protection expire on Jan. 1, 2014. Thus, if these songs hadn't been published by the end of 2013, they would have been effectively up for grabs in the public domain for anyone to sell.

On Nov. 1, the European Union implemented new rules regarding the copyright of sound recordings. Essentially, songs can now be protected by copyright for 70 years after they were first recorded, but only if they've been released. If something has not been released, then the copyright lasts for 50 years from its recording. (In the United States, the copyright term is 95 years.)

Thus, the Beatles -- and some other acts, like the Beach Boys and Bob Dylan -- have been issuing under-publicized compilations of previously unreleased material, in order to establish a publication date for 1963 recordings that were about to fall into the public domain.

Now, the songs on "On Air: Live at the BBC Volume 2" and "The Beatles Bootleg Recordings 1963" are protected by the EU's copyright law through 2033.

-- Soundtrack, "Austin & Ally: Turn It Up" - No. 89 - The second soundtrack from the hit Disney TV show "Austin & Ally" arrives with 13,000. The 13-track album features nine songs by Ross Lynch (who plays "Austin"), four tunes by Laura Marano ("Ally") and a track by pop duo Chloe & Halle. The first "Austin & Ally" soundtrack was released in September of 2012 and has sold 173,000 copies.

[cartman2002]

Here's this weeks awards for the BB200

13.A Mary Christmas-Mary J. Blige (Gold)
40.Lightning Bolt-Pearl Jam (Gold)
47.See You Tonight-Scott McCreey (Gold)
60.New-Paul McCartney (Gold)
199.Bones Of What You Believe-Chvrches (Gold)

[HolidayGuy]

That Billboard article had the position wrong for Artpop, as well as saying it was the second-largest sales week- it's the third, as Thanksgiving-week sales topped 100K.

[areyoureadytojump]

music.yahoo.com/blogs/music-news/chart-watch-controversy-doesn-t-hurt-robertsons-album-193627263.html

Chart Watch: Controversy Doesn’t Hurt Robertsons’ Album
By Paul Grein Yahoo Music

Phil Robertson's controversial comments to GQ about homosexuality and African Americans haven't hurt sales of The Robertsons' "Duck The Halls: A Robertson Family Christmas"—and may even have given it a little boost. The album rebounds from #6 to #4 on The Billboard 200, while Kelly Clarkson's "Wrapped In Red" drops from #3 to #5. Sales of the Robertsons' album jumped by 22% this week (compared to last week). Sales of Clarkson's album dropped by 9%.

The two albums are locked in a fierce battle to become this year's top-selling Christmas album. With one week to go in the chart year, "Wrapped" has a razor-thin lead. "Wrapped" has sold 702K copies, compared to 700K for "Duck."

Both albums are in a position to make history should they come out on top. Clarkson is vying to become the first American female artist to have the year's #1 holiday album since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking music sales in 1991. Four American females had the year's #2 holiday album: Amy Grant (1992), Mariah Carey (1994), Christina Aguilera (2000) and Jackie Evancho (2010).

The Robertsons' album would be the first country album to emerge as the year's top holiday album since Garth Brooks' "Beyond The Season" in 1992.

Which of these albums will come out on top for 2013? Check back next Thursday and see.

Beyonce's "Beyonce" holds at #1 for the second week. The album sold 991K copies in its first 10 days of release. In so doing, it has become the best-selling album by a female artist in 2013. The old record was held by P!nk's "The Truth About Love," which has sold 920K copies in 2013 (on top of 945K copies it sold in 2012).

"Beyonce" sold 374K copies in its second week, which was its first full week of release. It sold 617K copies last week, even though it was available for only three days in that tracking week.

I have much more on Beyonce's album in a separate Chart Watch posting that went up today. Here's a link.

Garth Brooks' "Blame it All On My Roots: Five Decades Of Influences" holds at #2 for the second week. It's #1 on Top Country Albums for the fourth week. The eight-disk set (six CDs, two DVDs) is the second box set to spend four weeks at #1 on the country chart. The first was Brooks' six-CD "The Limited Series" in 1998. "Blame It All On My Roots" has sold a robust 681K copies.

The "Frozen" soundtrack jumps from #10 to #8. It's #1 on Top Soundtracks for the fourth week. Animated Disney features have a rich tradition, dating back to the first, 1937's "Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs." What was the first animated Disney feature to spawn a top 10 soundtrack? An album with music from the Donald Duck movie "The Three Caballeros" was in the top 10 on the very first album chart in March 1945, but the album (by Charles Wolcott and his Orchestra) isn't considered an official movie soundtrack. The best answer is "Cinderella." A storybook album which was adapted from the movie reached #1 in May 1950.

Michael Buble's Christmas rebounds from #13 to #9 in the wake of NBC's airing of his third Christmas special. The 2011 album logs its 14th week at #1 on Top Catalog Albums. It's the first Christmas album to spend 14 weeks at #1 on the catalog chart since "Now! That's What I Call Christmas" logged 14 weeks on top from 2002 to 2005.

"Say Something" by A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera logs its third week at #1 on Hot Digital Songs (238K). Will it jump from #4 to #1 on the Hot 100? You'll find out later today when we post my Songs blog.

Here's a recap of this week's top 10.

The Top Five: Beyonce's "Beyonce" logs its second week at #1 (374K)…Garth Brooks' "Blame it All On My Roots: Five Decades Of Influences" holds at #2 for the second week in its fourth week (199K). It has been in the top five the entire time… One Direction's "Midnight Memories" rebounds from #5 to #3 in its fourth week (166K). It has been in the top five the entire time… The Robertsons' "Duck The Halls: A Robertson Family Christmas" rebounds from #6 to #4 in its eighth week (132K). It has been in the top 10 the entire time…Kelly Clarkson's "Wrapped In Red" drops from #3 to #5 in its eighth week (124K). It has been in the top 10 the entire time.

The Second Five: Eminem's "The Marshall Mathers LP 2" rebounds from #8 to #6 in its seventh week (115K). It has been in the top 10 the entire time… Katy Perry's "Prism" rebounds from #9 to #7 in its ninth week (99K). This is its eighth week in the top 10… The "Frozen" soundtrack jumps from #10 to #8 in its fourth week (81K). This is its second week in the top 10…Michael Buble's "Christmas" rebounds from #13 to #9 in its 28th chart week (68K). This is its 15th week in the top 10… Luke Bryan's "Crash My Party" rebounds from #14 to #10 in its 19th week (68K). This is its 12th week in the top 10.

Two albums drop out of the top 10 this week. R. Kelly's "Black Panties" drops from #4 to #15. Childish Gambino's "Because The Internet" drops from #7 to #25.

Lady Gaga's "ARTPOP" holds at #18 for the second week. The album tops the 500K mark in sales in this, its sixth week. Good for most artists, not so hot for Gaga.

B.o.B's third album, "Underground Luxury," is the week's top new entry at #22. This is a rather disappointing debut: The rapper's first two albums both debuted in the top five. The new album sold 35K copies in its first week, which is less than half of the first-week tallies of his first two albums…We The Kings' fourth studio album, "Somewhere Somehow" is the week's second-highest new entry at #44. That's the highest chart ranking to date for the Florida rock group.

"The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug" soundtrack drops from #39 to #71 in its second week. The movie has been #1 at the box-office for the past two weekends.

Andrea Bocelli's 2009 album "My Christmas" drops from #72 to #97 in its 41st chart week. The album tops the 3 million mark in sales this week. It's the 13th holiday album to reach that plateau since 1991.

Toby Keith tops the 30M mark in career album sales this week. He's the fifth male country solo artist to reach that plateau since 1991, following Garth Brooks (69,333,000), George Strait (44,757,000), Tim McGraw (41,829,000) and Alan Jackson (40,343,000).

Bon Jovi's 1994 greatest hits album, "Cross Road," tops the 5 million mark in sales this week.

Eric Clapton's "Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013" is #1 for the second week on Top Music Videos.

[Deleted]

Chart Watch: Beyoncé Takes Female Record

.


By Paul Grein
6 hours ago

Yahoo Music

.Beyoncé's "Beyoncé" sold 991K copies in its first 10 days of release. In so doing, it has become the best-selling album by a female artist in 2013.The old record was held by P!nk's "The Truth About Love," which has sold 920K copies in 2013 (on top of 945K copies it sold in 2012).

"Beyoncé" sold 374K copies in its second week, which was its first full week of release. It sold 617K copies last week, even though it was available for only three days in that tracking week.

Beyoncé's album ranks #1 on The Billboard 200 for the second week. Beyoncé's previous album, "4," also spent its first two weeks at #1, but its sales tally after two weeks was a much more modest 426K.

"Beyoncé" sold 235K digital copies this week, which puts it at #1 on the Top Digital Albums chart for the second week.

"Beyoncé" is a cinch to top the 1 million mark in U.S. sales next week. It will become Beyoncé's first album to sell 1 million copies in just three weeks. Her previous fastest album to reach 1M was "I Am…Sasha Fierce," which took four weeks. Here's the number of weeks her other previous solo albums took to reach the 1 million mark: "Dangerously In Love" (seven), "B'Day" (eight) and "4" (an uncharacteristically slow 26).

If "Beyoncé" sells about 100K copies in the coming week, it will wind up as one of the top 10 albums of 2013. (Next week's chart, for the tracking week ending Sunday Dec. 29, will be the final one of the year. FYI, the album that is currently #10 for the year-to-date, Mumford & Sons' "Babel," has sold 1,083,000 copies in 2013.)

"Beyoncé" is vying to become the first album to wind up in the year-end top 10 based on just three weeks of sales availability since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking music sales in 1991. The current record-holder as the album that wound up in the year-end top 10 based on the fewest number of weeks in the marketplace is Garth Brooks' "Sevens," which ranked among the top 10 albums of 1997 even though it was available for just the last five weeks of that year.

Moreover, if "Beyoncé" winds up in the year-end top 10, this will be the sixth year that Beyoncé has achieved that feat (counting her work with Destiny's Child). This would put her in a tie with Garth Brooks, Mariah Carey and Eminem as the only artists to have made the year-end top 10 in six different years since 1991, when Nielsen SoundScan began tracking music sales.

"Beyoncé" is the singer's fifth studio album. It's rather unusual for an artist to release an eponymous album this deep into a career. There are only five other cases where an artist has reached #1 with an eponymous album this far along. Fleetwood Mac's "Fleetwood Mac" (1976) was that band's 10th studio album (but its first with the line-up that brought it to superstardom). The Beatles' "The Beatles" (1968, often called The White Album) was the Fab Four's ninth studio album in the U.S. (excluding soundtracks and compilations). Heart's hit-studded "Heart" (1985) was that group's eighth studio album. Metallica's "Metallica" (1991) was that band's fifth studio album. Janet Jackson's "janet." (1993) was her fifth studio album.

[HolidayGuy]

I guess Grein too doesn't remember to add up the weekly sales for albums with notable sales from Christian outlets.

[Deleted]

Or the folks in the Kelly threads are right and Billboard is "correcting" sales with each passing week ;)

[ListenToItTwice]

Dec 27, 2013 21:56:10 GMT -5 @2m said:

Or the folks in the Kelly threads are right and Billboard is "correcting" sales with each passing week ;)

I like that conspiracy theory, but if the Christian outlets thing is the case, then sales are at 745,000. A 43,000 lead over Kelly :(

[franklin]

Christian sales are not relevant I really don't know why we are still harping on it. Let those hippies have sex with their priests on a carpet of shitty DD albums in peace.

[Deleted]

Dec 28, 2013 18:05:06 GMT -5 franklin said:

Christian sales are not relevant I really don't know why we are still harping on it. Let those hippies have sex with their priests on a carpet of s**tty DD albums in peace.

Didn't you win best gospel poster or something tho?

[franklin]

Dec 28, 2013 18:09:18 GMT -5 @spiritanimal said:

Dec 28, 2013 18:05:06 GMT -5 franklin said:

Christian sales are not relevant I really don't know why we are still harping on it. Let those hippies have sex with their priests on a carpet of s**tty DD albums in peace.

Didn't you win best gospel poster or something tho?

Yes which means I'm closer to Jesus than all of you combined so my word is correct.

[seeyounexttuesday]

Dec 28, 2013 18:05:06 GMT -5 franklin said:

Christian sales are not relevant I really don't know why we are still harping on it. Let those hippies have sex with their priests on a carpet of s**tty DD albums in peace.

DD > Kelly

[HolidayGuy]

Robertson album sales actually stand at 749,000 through Dec. 22.

4 (69,000)
3 (72,000)
4 (66,000)
4 (60,000)
4 (137,000)
5 (105,000)
6 (108,000)
4 (132,000)

[CookyMonzta]

Dec 27, 2013 2:22:37 GMT -5 Enigma. said:

It's fun to look at figures but no point in living in the past. Everything has changed since 2000.

You're right...Everything has changed since 2000. How much in revenue are the record labels (major and indie, separately) getting today, compared to 2000? I surmise the future will be a scarier place for the industry fat cats, compared to the past. The artists of today and tomorrow, I hope, will do just fine without them.

[Ke$ha's Left Tittie]

Beyoncé's hefty album sales are reminiscent of 90's/early 00's.

I think it's pretty much assured that some other big name superstar artists will execute the same surprise release strategy in 2014 with an iTunes exclusive window before the physical release date.

The question is who those artists will be and if they'll also provide the videos upfront as well.