|
Thanks to "You," Ne-Yo's No. 1
05/09/2007 9:05 AM, E! Online
David Jenison
Because of you, and your album-buying buddies, Because of You is number one.
Master songsmith Ne-Yo landed his second straight chart-topper as a performer with Because of You selling 251,000 copies for the week ended Sunday, according to Nielsen SoundScan numbers released today.
The Grammy-nominated artist previously topped the chart with last year's In My Own Words, which featured the number one Hot 100 hit "So Sick." Because of You leads at radio with the title track and its follow-up, "Do You." Ne-Yo launches a national headlining tour in Norfolk at the end of the month.
Prior to his debut as an R&B crooner, Ne-Yo established himself as a hit songwriter, penning tracks for Mary J. Blige, Jamie Foxx and Ruben Studdard, among others. His biggest radio hits have been Mario's "Let Me Love You" and Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable."
Coming in at number two was Frank Sinatra wannabe Michael Bublé, who sold 212,000 copies of Call Me Irresponsible. The Canadian-born singer has been making the television rounds recently, even filling in for Tony Bennett on American Idol.
Ne-Yo and Buble were the week's only six-figure sellers. Prog-rock vets Rush had the next highest tally, slinging 93,000 copies of Snakes & Arrows to open at three, one slot ahead of Avril Lavigne's The Best Damn Thing (86,000), which had spent two consecutive weeks at number one.
There were three other Top 10 debuts: Tori Amos' American Doll Posse sold 54,000 copies at five, rowdy country babe Miranda Lambert sold 53,000 copies of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend at six and Blake Shelton's Pure BS moved 48,000 copies to finish at number eight.
Elsewhere, Canadian singer-songwriter Feist sold 31,000 copies of her third solo album, The Reminder, to open at 16. The singer, who recently returned to Canada after nearly four years in Paris, is also a member of Broken Social Scene and a former flatmate of Peaches.
After topping the 2006 year-end sales chart with the TV-movie soundtrack, High School Musical: The Concert sold 22,000 copies to debut at 28. This also provided a boost for HSM actor-singer Corbin Blue, who sold 18,000 copies of Another Side at 36. The TV film's sequel, High School Musical 2, is set to debut on the Disney Channel on Aug. 17.
Speaking of movies, the Spider-Man 3: Music from and Inspired By sold 21,000 copies to swing in at 33. Of course, the film itself broke every imaginable box-office record, moving $151 million worth of tickets in its opening weekend.
Other noteworthy debuts included the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's Baby 81 at 46, Angelique Kidjo's Djin Djin at 61, Dinosaur Jr.'s Beyond at 69, Manipulator's The Fall of Troy at 76, Jon McLaughlin's Indiana at 81 and former Idol finalist Kimberley Locke's Based on a True Story at 160.
In other chart news, the DVD release of Dreamgirls helped rocket the soundtrack 81 spots to 44. Meanwhile, Il Divo's recent TV appearances—including stops at Martha Stewart, The Early Show, The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet and American Idol (for the charity special)—boosted Siempre 40 spots to 48 and Ancora 60 spots to 124.
Speaking of American Idol, the "Idol Gives Back" episode helped make history as Carrie Underwood's cover of the Pretenders' "I'll Stand By You" sold over 100,000 downloads to debut at number six on Billboard's Hot 100. The song, released as an iTunes exclusive single with all proceeds going to charity, marks the highest Hot 100 debut for a song unavailable on CD or vinyl.
Overall, album sales were up 10 percent from last week but still down 16 percent compared to the same week last year. Year-to-date sales are still off 17 percent from 2006.
Here's a rundown of the Top 10 albums:
1. Because of You, Ne-Yo
2. Call Me Irresponsible, Michael Bublé
3. Snakes & Arrows, Rush
4. The Best Damn Thing, Avril Lavigne
5. American Doll Posse, Tori Amos
6. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Miranda Lambert
7. Daughtry, Daughtry
8. Pure BS, Blake Shelton
9. Now That's What I Call Music! Vol. 24, various
10. Some Hearts, Carrie Underwood
|
