This Week’s Chart News

This Week’s Chart News

In last week’s Chart News post, I said that Carrie Underwood was the 100th Idol to have a Billboard #1 hit when “Before He Cheats” hit #1 on last week’s country charts.

Actually, according to American Idol news Kelly Clarkson brought the number to 100 back in September,  when her “Breakaway” and “Walk Away”, topped the Adult Contemporary and Adult Top 40 recurrent charts, respectively.

Carrie Underwood brought the Idol #1 total to 103 last week when “Before He Cheats” made #1 on both the Hot Country Songs and Country Detections charts last week.

Now, with Kellie Pickler hitting #1 on the Country Album Chart, the total is 104. Check out the page for an interesting breakdown of Idol #1s.

This week, Katharine McPhee scoots ahead of Taylor Hicks on the Singles Sales Chart.  Her single, “Somewhere over the Rainbow” climbed from #6 to #3, while Taylor Hicks’ “Do I Make You Proud” stayed steady at #5.  Katharine sold 1000 singles this week, Taylor 900.

Could Katharine’s recent appearance at the Carousel of Hope ball, singing for Whitney Houston in the audience, and the subsequent publicity have resulted in a spike in sales?

Kellie Pickler is the big chart news this week.  Her new album, “Small Town Girl” debuted on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart at #1.  Carrie Underwood’s “Some Hearts” is right behind her at #2. Carrie also deserves some kudos–“Some Hearts” was recently certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA.  Good going Carrie!

Kellie’s “Small Town Girl” debuted on the Billboard 200 at #9.  She sold 79, 000 CDs her opening week.

For more sales numbers, check out USA Today’s Idol Chatter Blog. Ken Barnes has compiled some extensive stats this week.  He’s posted this week’s sales numbers, and a comprehensive list of Idol sales standings here.  Also, check out Donna Reynolds weekly Chart Watch on Foxesonidol.com for more on this weeks charts.

Billboard Update (Issue Date: November 18, 2006)

This Week|Last Week [peak position]

THE BILLBOARD 200
9 — Kellie Pickler, Small Town Girl [9]
19 22 Carrie Underwood, Some Hearts [2]
54 35 Ruben Studdard, The Return [8]
89 82 Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways [2]
195 184 Kelly Clarkson, Breakaway [3]

Top Country Albums
1 — Kellie Pickler, Small Town Girl [1]
2 4 Carrie Underwood, Some Hearts [1]

Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
11 10 Ruben Studdard, The Return [2]

THE BILLBOARD HOT 100
25 25 Carrie Underwood, Before He Cheats [24]
37 35 Mario Vazquez, Gallery [35]

HOT 100 AIRPLAY
26 29 Carrie Underwood, Before He Cheats [26]
30 39 Mario Vazquez, Gallery [30]
99  — Kellie Pickler, Red High Heels [99]

HOT 100 SINGLES SALES
3 6 Katharine McPhee, Over The Rainbow/My Destiny [2]
5 5 Taylor Hicks, Do I Make You Proud/Takin’ It To The Streets [1]

POP 100
15 15 Mario Vazquez, Gallery [15]
46 48 Carrie Underwood, Before He Cheats [45]
99  — Kellie Pickler, Red High Heels [99]

POP 100 AIRPLAY
9 8 Mario Vazquez, Gallery [8]

HOT R&B/HIP-HOP SINGLES & TRACKS
22 24 Ruben Studdard, Change Me [22]

HOT R&B/HIP-HOP Airplay
22 24 Ruben Studdard, Change Me [22]

HOT ADULT R&B AIRPLAY
2 2 Ruben Studdard, Change Me [2]

TOP 40 MAINSTREAM
8 8 Mario Vazquez, Gallery [6]

HOT ADULT CONTEMPORARY TRACKS
8 9 Kelly Clarkson, Because Of You [3]

HOT COUNTRY SINGLES & TRACKS
1 1 Carrie Underwood, Before He Cheats [1]
37 39 Kellie Pickler, Red High Heels [37]
54 58 Josh Gracin, I Keep Coming Back [54]

HOT DIGITAL TRACKS
23 28 Carrie Underwood, Before He Cheats [21]
45 48 Mario Vazquez, Gallery [35]

HOT DIGITAL SONGS
26 27 Carrie Underwood, Before He Cheats [22]
42 45 Mario Vazquez, Gallery [31]

thanks kirsten and nevadask2