Idol Sales News – Week Ending 08/17/08

I saw last night that Disturbia eclipsed Crush for the number one spot on I-tunes…..just saw it this morning, Crush is down to number 3…..

Congrats to Carrie, Cook, Jordin, Jennfier and Leona who all saw sales increases on their current singles. Congrats too to Archie for a huge debut. I don’t recall another album single going to number 1 on the download chart on it’s first week.

Airplay stats (before recurrents are removed):
No. 29 – David Cook ( 1.7 million)
No. 30 – Jordin Sparks ( 2.7 million)
No. 42 – Leona Lewis ( 6.4 million)
No. 51 – Jennifer Hudson ( 3.8 million)
No. 107 – Daughtry ( 3.2 million)
No. 150 – David Archuleta ( 2.8 million)

I’m disappointed. I thought Archie was going to sell more, especially with all the promotion on Z100 and all of his fans. Have to wait and see what it does over the next few weeks.
Carrie got a really nice bump, 121%. 35% more Magic Rainbows!

Yay for Archie! That’s an incredible debut!!

Freaking 35% increase to Magic Rainbow?! Whoa. Cookie now has the 4th highest selling coronation single, and next week he’ll pass Carrie for 3rd.

Go Magic Rainbow go!

Congrats to Archie for selling so well out of the gate!

Yay Archie!

What promotion? He got little to nada promotion.

Crush is #3 in all music and #2 in pop.

Congrats to Archuleta! WTG!

I thought Archie was going to sell more

His numbers are nothing to sneeze at. I’m impressed with how well he’s doing.

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m disappointed. I thought Archie was going to sell more, especially with all the promotion on Z100 and all of his fans. Have to wait and see what it does over the next few weeks.

He had a premiere on Z100 and nice airplay in the east. But his radio impact date isn’t until September 2nd, so lots of stations won’t play the song yet, and he’s got virtually no airplay in the west. He isn’t promoting the single yet, there’s no video, no TV appearances, and it’s only been on the radio for 2 and a half weeks.

I think the kid deserves some mad props.

Yeah, he fell to #3 on iTunes, and he’ll probably fall some more. He still doesn’t have widespread radio play and won’t for another two weeks or so. There was a sales surge, but more than just his fanbase bought the single. He stayed on top exactly a week, and he couldn’t have done that simply by his core fanbase alone–not when fending back the sales monster that is Disturbia (I just don’t get why so many people like that song). The #2 spot is taken up by a hip hop/rap single and those usually climb quickly and fall quickly as well. M.I.A. and a lame Kid Rock cover band are also threats (why are people buying that Kid Rock cover–it’s terrible). But when it gets wider radio play, the video comes out and he’s able to promote, it’ll climb back up.

:clap_tb: Great job Archie!!

Way to go COOK..hanging tough!! :thumbup_tb:

I thought Archie was going to sell more

This is a song that hasn’t even officially went to adds yet! Soon, he’ll have a video too! It’s all good!

Wow the idols are really doing well with their singles.

Heh. Well done, Archie. Seriously, those are awesome numbers.

Hmmmm…. The power of the Magic Rainbow lives on. Geez, is it possible that this single could go platinum? It’s actually starting to look like a real possibility. :blink_tb:

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m disappointed. I thought Archie was going to sell more, especially with all the promotion on Z100 and all of his fans. Have to wait and see what it does over the next few weeks.

I’m sorry, but I think that your expectations were set too high. Idol CD album singles do not do as well as this out of the gate when they are only getting airplay in one major market and no press/radio/tv tours. If that was a coronation single that had been sung in front of 30 million people and all his non-internet fans would know about it, it would be the second best selling runner-up coronation single AI history (and would even beat a couple of the winner’s coronation singles…it’s more than twice what “This is My Now” sold)

1 Clay Aiken à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“This is the Nightà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ : 393,000
2 Bo Bice: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Inside Your Heavenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ : 121,423
3 Katharine McPhee à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Somewhere Over the Rainbowà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ : 74,965
4 Diana Degarmo à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Dreamsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ : 65,000
5 Blake Lewis à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“You Give Love a Bad Nameà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  70,133

Congrats to Carrie wow a huge jump!, What a difference the music video made. and also to Jordin, Cook and J Hud, a good week for the idols generally.

So proud and happy for Archie! That is huge considering his airplay is only 2.8 million. I thought he would sell the most 50k the first week, so I am not at all disappointed. Would be interesting to see where he lands on the hot 100 now.

Geez, is it possible that this single could go platinum. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s actually starting to look like a real possibility.

I don’t know. There was a bump these last few weeks, prior to that it sold around 25,000 per week. I’m curious to see how it settles in the coming weeks. It does need over 200,000 more copies sold, which is no easy feat.

But yeah, it’s possible.

If it goes that far, it’ll be the first coronation single to go platinum and the highest selling of them all. Little rainbow that could indeed.
As it is, TOML has far surpassed all of my expectations and predictions. Going platinum would be icing on the cake.

Great news for Cook with the sales bump! Magic Rainbow that could indeed.

Congratulations to Archie too! I’m sure the numbers are going to increase even more with the continued airplay as well as the video. I’ve also heard about it doing well here in the Philippines too. I don’t have much info about it but AFAIK, it’s on several Top 40 stations countdowns already.

Congrats Archie! WTG! I imagine once 9/2 rolls around and his song begins getting widespread radio play (and then his video gets released) I think Archie’s going to have the time of his life with his first hit on his hands.

And look at Magic Rainbows go! :lol_wp: Is an AI coronation song normally still bouncing around the charts 3 months after the season’s end?! Go Cookie, maybe there’s a pot of gold at the end of that particular rainbow, lol.

If that was a coronation single that had been sung in front of 30 million people and all his non-internet fans would know about it, it would be the second best selling runner-up coronation single AI history (and would even beat a couple of the winnerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s coronation singlesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s more than twice what à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“This is My Nowà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  sold)

I am sorry. This is not runner-up coronation single. This is three months after the finale. A real leading single of his album. If we are going to see some numbers, we should see the numbers of tattoo, break anotha, and other leading single of an idol album.

I too am impressed with TOML. It could well go platinum. Don’t underestimate the power of the magic rainbows LOL

I am sorry. This is not runner-up coronation single. This is three months after the finale. A real leading single of his album. If we are going to see some numbers, we should see the numbers of tattoo, break anotha, and other leading single of an idol album.

That was her point–even if it was a coronation single (which its easier to chart high with) it would still be doing very well. The fact that it’s not makes it all the more special.

So proud and happy for Archie! That is huge considering his airplay is only 2.8 million.

Sorry, those are relative numbers. His AI is up 2.8 million from last week.

Mediabase is being cranky this morning, but if we use last weeks Mediabase’s numbers merged with this week’s BDS differential (then we are abusing statistics like there is no tomorrow, but…), here is an estimate:

(lw Mediabase) /- (tw BDS) (tw sales)
#1 RIHANNA Disturbia 44.004 6.8 140.248= 191.052
#2 CHRIS BROWN 94.619 2.3 77.057=173.976
#3 KATY PERRY 77.033 0.9 82.345=160.278
#4 COLDPLAY 63.289 2.0 84.616=149.905
#5 MIA 15.783 4.5 121.342=141.625
#6 RIHANNA Take a Bow 100.683-1.5 40.870=140.053
(imagine plus signs between those numbers….the blog does not like plus signs)

So, if we say that Crush got about 10 in airplay, that means he’s about 174. Good enough for second or third place.

The problem with this is that it’s not including “play on demand stats”, the mix between airplay and sales is not 50/50 and BDS numbers are different than Mediabase numbers. So, this is just for fun. He looks to be in the top 5 for sure, but we won’t know until later this afternoon.

Somebody posted last week that the highest debut single previously was number 4 on the Hot 100 (Clay did that), so Archuletta may tie or set a new standard today.

ah thanks Kirsten. Very new at this, and my head’s already spinning with all the numbers.

Wow, great numbers for the Idols all around. I never expected Archie to have typical so-so runner-up numbers, so I’m not surprised that he sold so well. I think there’s some advantage to releasing during the tour, since a lot of fans haven’t completely forgotten about the season yet.

The iTunes banner and enormous devoted fanbase, and a segment of the fanbase buying multiple copies, and the fact that the song is ear candy, couldn’t hurt, either. I think the single will probably reach #1 on the download chart again once its airplay really kicks in and many, many new fans are made – he may even have a #1 on the Hot 100 on his hands a month or two down the road. WTG Archie!

And what’s up with the Magic Rainbow? I hope RCA doesn’t make him put it on the album, but I guess David will take the sales.

TOML has far surpassed all of my expectations and predictions.

Mine as well.

I can’t believe ANYONE would be disappointed in “Crush’s” sales numbers. Archie kicked some major bootie.

I’ve you want a comparison to another Idol’s first week sales of a single – I’m pretty sure Jordin’s first week sales of “Tattoo” were around 33,000. And that went on to go platinum.

That was her pointà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’even if it was a coronation single (which its easier to chart high with) it would still be doing very well. The fact that ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not makes it all the more special.

Thank you. That is what I meant.

If it goes that far, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll be the first coronation single to go platinum and the highest selling of them all.

I don’t think that’s true. I know that Clay’s was certified platinum. Clay moved 960K in physical singles and 52K in downloads (the download market didn’t really exist back then) for a total over 1.01 million. Because of the difficulty in tracking physical sales (not all vendors are on the system), they cert on shipments. In any event, his combined sales are over the platinum mark (and I personally think that it isn’t fair to split the two. A sale is a sale).

Cookie is doing extremely well (I’m just a nitpicker).

I must say a big congrats to Archie! What Crush was able to do in a week considering the number of stations playing the song at the moment is a great accomplishment! He should be very proud of himself. I know I am.

As far TOML, all I can say is a big WHOA to that increase! Behold the power of Magic Rainbow! LOL

Thanks Kirsten :smile1_tb:

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve you want a comparison to another Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s first week sales of a single – Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m pretty sure Jordinà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s first week sales of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Tattooà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  were around 33,000. And that went on to go platinum.

22 Jordin Sparks à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Tattooà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  33,764 (NEW) Total: 33,780 (NEW)

That’s probably the closest comparison we have. Idol debut singles are typically released in the fall as part of the CD promotional campaign. Jordin’s song was released during the tour and got airplay from Z100 right from the start. It did have several more weeks to gain traction though (released to radio in mid-August, but not released for sale until the last week of September).

Here was it’s airplay for the same week:
à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Tattooà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ : 35 Pop (43), 48 AC (62), 119 Rhy (102), 138 HAC (315)

It also doesn’t hurt that he’s a good looking (cute) TEENAGE guy who has no doubt caught the eye of a ton of teen/tween fangirls who frequent the teen websites and read teen mags and who watched Teen Choice Awards, etc., etc.

A little sales perspective on Archie. Demi Levato released a single on the same day as Archie, with the full force of the Disney Channel promotion machine behind her, and she’s sitting at #49 on iTunes.

Out of the box, Archie is crushing it.

I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s true. I know that Clayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s was certified platinum. Clay moved 960K in physical singles and 52K in downloads (the download market didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t really exist back then) for a total over 1.01 million.

Well, all I had to go on was Ken Barnes’ list of coronation singles, which he published a little while ago.
He did a combined chart for physical sales and downloads, but maybe the figures weren’t correct? I remember there was some problem with Clay’s numbers.

You know what? I’m happy for TOML as is, I don’t even care so much how it does compared to other coronation songs. Considering the fact that it was only sold as downloads, unlike most other coronation singles, makes the sales even more impressive. In the end it’s apples and oranges anyway.

Well, all I had to go on was Ken Barnesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ list of coronation singles, which he published a little while ago.
He did a combined chart for physical sales and downloads, but maybe the figures werenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t correct? I remember there was some problem with Clayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s numbers.

Initially, he published the numbers for Clay’s first album single, Solitaire. Then, he didn’t count the download sales for the commercial single because Bridge over Trouble Water was declared the A-side (he was only crediting sales to “This is the Night”, but it had no download numbers because it was bundled with and under the name of BOTW). It depends on how you define things (whether all sales counts or whether you filter out some of the sales for various reasons). I was quoting the 2006 numbers he posted.

Suffice to say, Clay’s post-AI commercial single was certified platinum. If Cook sales 1M copies of TOML, he will be the first Idol to sell 1 million downloads of his coronation single. There are achievements for everybody!

Considering the fact that it was only sold as downloads, unlike most other coronation singles, makes the sales even more impressive.

For me, it’s a toss up. Downloads seem to sell much better than physical singles. Just look at the number of downloads in this week’s top 50 that have sold at least a million (10). But, coronation singles usually suck so badly that they are only purchased as souveniers so maybe physical singles sell better (well, not now. Nobody seems to carry them anymore). But, on the other hand, ToML seems to be the rare coronation single that seems to be popular (getting airplay and used as an Olympic song), so does it count as a coronation single or can it compete with the real singles? It’s probably a rare beast in between. In any event, it’s selling well so everybody involved (Cook, Hamm, the label,fans) deserve credit for doing a great job.

Big congrats to Archie for a great debut! “Crush” is a very catchy song so I’m not surprised it’s off to a great start. It’s been on Z100′s 9 @ 9 countdown almost every night so it’s getting a pretty large audience on there.

Anyone else wondering what Kristy Lee sold? I have to admit I’m going to feel bad if her numbers are poor because she seems like a sweet girl.

Magic rainbow I’m thrilled with it’s numbers and if it never sells a million copies it won’t stop me from being very proud at how well it’s done. There was so much snark early on (and still is) over that one line I wondered at first if Top 40 radio would even touch it so the kind of progress it’s made is impressive. I think it eventually it can go platinum even if its by the end of the year. The thing is it got these unexpected boosts from things we had no clue were going to happen (SYTYCD twice, the Olympics) so who knows if it may get used somewhere else and get another spike. Even before those two things it was still selling in the 20k range so it’s done well regardless.

Wow, both Davids are kicking arse, aren’t they? The staff at 19 must be passing out with the realization of how damn lucky they got this year. Congrats to both!

Thanks Soundscene and Kristen for the clarification. I hope they are giving him some promotion now that seeing he has so much potential.

I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t recall another album single going to number 1 on the download chart on ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s first week.

I think he is the first one. I do remember “never again” hovering on the top 5 in itunes when it was released.

Archie’s numbers are phenomenal, especially considering many people don’t know about it, yet. The only reason I even knew about it is because of my internet AI obsession and the only way I could buy it is because I have itunes. Not everyone is into checking info. on the internet and many people don’t have itunes. Hard to believe, but true. LOL

I’m of a mixed mind on Archie’s results. Yes, 166,000 is a fantastic start. However, his fanbase may have manufactured the most organized mass buying campaign in Idol history. Other fanbases may have even bought thirty copies apiece of the products released by their favorites. But, Paypal account contributions and gifting campaigns?

The other problem is that if his numbers are mostly the result of fanbase buying, both his sales and his chart position may plummet next week if he hasn’t gotten significantly more station adds.

On the bright side, since he will debut with a high chart position next week or whenever the rankings are released that should lead to more adds, which will lessen the potential drops in both sales and on the charts the following week.

But, learning about the mass-buying campaign last week, and thinking about others that have been conducted in the past, made me realize that Idol critics are wrong, sort of. The common charge levelled against Idol is that it “manufactures” stars.

However, the critics are partially off-base. Idol itself doesn’t manufacture stars. Idol FANS do (or, rather, fans of individual Idols). Because I guarantee you that Rihanna’s fans aren’t buying thirty copies apiece of her songs. That is an Idol-only phenomenon.

Since it has been brought up about the station adds, here is the list of 21 stations with their market rankings that added Crush yesterday from All Access:

WSTR-FM Atlanta (#8)
KDWB-FM Minneapolis (#16)
WPRO-FM Providence (#39)
KHFI-FM Austin (#42)
WDKF-FM Dayton (#60)
WXKB-FM Ft. Myers (#62)
WFLY-FM Albany, NY (#63)
KQMQ-FM Honolulu (#64)
WHTS-FM Grand Rapids (#67)
WAEB-FM Allentown (#68)
KKOB-FM Albuquerque (#69)
WBHT-FM Wilkes-Barre (#70)
WVYB-FM Daytona Beach (#85)
WSSX-FM Charleston, SC (#87)
KSMB-FM Lafayette, LA (#104)
KHOP-FM Modesto, CA (#108)
WHHD-FM Augusta, GA (#110)
KWNZ-FM Reno, NV (#124)
KRCK-FM Palm Springs, CA (#133)
WPIA-FM Peoria, IL (#150)
X020-FM >XM Radio *

I’m almost certain there’s a limit of copies you can buy on iTunes until SoundScan actually discards some numbers. I think it might be 8 or 10 that’s the limit.

Some of those station has been playing Crush for days, if not for weeks.

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m of a mixed mind on Archieà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s results. Yes, 166,000 is a fantastic start. However, his fanbase may have manufactured the most organized mass buying campaign in Idol history. Other fanbases may have even bought thirty copies apiece of the products released by their favorites. But, Paypal account contributions and gifting campaigns?

There is nothing new in the Idol world, IMO. Gifting campaings and paypal contributions have been around for years (since year 1). Every Idol has had a small sub-section of fans that have attempted buying campaigns. I refuse to believe that there are that many crazy people out there. I’ve never seen a buying campaign that could be proven to be successful. I’ve seen lots of noise, but very few results. All sorts of strategies, and when the song wasn’t popular with the general public, no effect. And we are talking small numbers like less than 1K in total sales the week during buying campaigns (how many people can be involved if only 600 copies sell?). And these are from some of the biggest and most organized fan bases Idol has ever seen.

I hate these rumours because I feel that it encourages some (unstable) people to waste their money bulk buying thinking that they will have an effect. I don’t think the buying campaigns work. I think most people are smart enough to realize that bulk buying doesn’t work and that they are not invested enough in a person who is already richer than them to waste all their money. Please read my posts from the same thread least week. Please don’t encourage this behaviour by spreading the rumours that it works unless you have solid proof that it did work.

BTW, Fred from Billboard has confirmed that purchasing 30 copies of a single for download will result in the sales not being counted at all. Soundscan detects bulk buying (Fred seemed to imply that the max number was around 8 or 10) before it considers it an attempt to manipulate the numbers. So, if people did waste their money buying 30 copies, they totally wasted their money. If there were huge bunches of people doing it (and I don’t think they were), their purchases are not reflected in these numbers. And that’s a fact.

However, the critics are partially off-base. Idol itself doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t manufacture stars. Idol FANS do (or, rather, fans of individual Idols). Because I guarantee you that Rihannaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s fans arenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t buying thirty copies apiece of her songs. That is an Idol-only phenomenon.

LOL. Try reading fan boards or music related boards like Pulse. Sadly, crazy fans are not limited to the AI world. Bulk buying has been going on for years. You think that during the hey days of the Backstreet Boys vs New Kids on the Block that there weren’t a few extra copies being purchased? There are quite a few stories about that Bulk buying over-competitive fans exist all over the place. . And so do fanwars (Beyonce fans vs Mariah vans. Britney fans vs Christina fans. I could go on and on and on). Billboard has had it’s bulk buying rules in place long before American Idol was even dreamed about.

Magic Rainbow is slipping fast down iTunes again, so it’s probably going to need some unexpected boosts–like the tv shows–to make numbers like these again. I’d expect next week’s numbers to be good, then maybe back to the 20,000 range?, which is still darned good after all this time. And it’s still really strong in AC and HotAC airplay, even with a teensy bit of slippage in AC today, so it’s not going away any time soon.

One odd note–TOML is still high on Amazon MP3 downloads, while Crush has slipped there. (This is NOT intended to fan war!, so please don’t take it that way.) I can’t figure that out unless maybe TOML has more older fans who are used to Amazon, but not to iTunes? And, yeah, I know Amazon barely registers as a blip compared to iTunes.

I canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t figure that out unless maybe TOML has more older fans who are used to Amazon, but not to iTunes?

Amazon is known to skew old. You can see that when their HDD numbers come in (same with Barnes and Nobles). They tend to come in early and it makes a lot of classical/older-skewing music look really popular (usually to quickly corrected when the monster that is Walmart reports with its country and pop skewing numbers making it look like R&B/rap isn’t popular until those guys report the second day)

Amazon is stupid. They have two same versions of Crush up for sale, totally blocking Crush going to no. 1 on the day of its release.

Talk about stupid rumors, there is one that Cook fans are buying Disturbia in bulks just so that Crush will not get Billboard No.1. LoL. Probably one of the saddest thing I’ve read in a long time and I frequent idol related forums. Would anyone actually believe it, or believe it will work?

The paranoiac in me has this fear that TOML’s incomprehensible resiliency will make it go on to be Cook’s biggest single and it will become his signature song. And then a few years from now, when he’s touring nostalgically, he’ll be forced to close his show with it. In fact, it will be his encore.

* “Wait, why is Cook doing Always Be My Baby already? I thought that would be his encore.”

“Nope, it’s Time Of My Life”

“The rainbow song?”

“Yeah, his audiences go crazy for it. He still burns up adult contemporary with that tune….” *

Sooo, on that fretful note, DC, can we please have some DEFINITIVE info about a single and album release. Please?

RE: The whole gifting campaign issue…

From what I’ve been able to gather in reading the various forums, these types of campaigns are focused mainly on those people who aren’t able to download the song either due to cost (in the case of younger fans) or availability (in the case of international fans) and those who receive the song are people who actually want the song. Sure there will be a handful of those who will by 100 copies of the song believing it will manipulate the numbers, but they are few and far between. Personally, I don’t see the problem with a gifting campaign if it encourages people to obtain a song legally. Otherwise they’ll find other means (i.e. download it illegally).

Why shouldn’t the artist benefit from a legitimate fan receiving a song they would choose to buy if they could do so? It’s sort of a win-win situation for both the artist and the fan. I don’t see how it’s somehow manipulating the numbers since someone already pointed out that these types of campaigns usually aren’t done on a large enough scale to even really make that big of a difference anyway.

Amazon is odd sometimes. Here’s something interesting I noted a few weeks ago. Archuleta’s CD used to be available for preorder on Amazon with a price and a ranking. However, the very day they put up his picture up, it was no longer available for preorder. For whatever reason, technical or otherwise, you can no longer preorder Archuleta’s CD. It is now in the “Sign up to be notified when this item becomes available” area.

Now. Here’s what gets me. David Cook and Kristy Lee Cook’s CD’s are both available for preorder. Archeleta’s CD is not. It was available for presale and even went to #20 on their best sellers list. I think it is a technical glitch of some sort, but Archie’s ranking is now way down at around 10,000. Go figure on that one! Like I said, Amazon is just weird sometimes. Just wanted to give an example

Oh, and btw, Amazon’s customer service can’t rectify it. I called them. They can only handle basic order problems. Verrrrrrry interesting, very interesting indeed!

Amazon is stupid. They have two same versions of Crush up for sale, totally blocking Crush going to no. 1 on the day of its release.

It will make it more difficult for either version to go to number 1, but sales of both versions will be counted together by SS.

Talk about stupid rumors, there is one that Cook fans are buying Disturbia in bulks just so that Crush will not get Billboard No.1. LoL. Probably one of the saddest thing Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve read in a long time and I frequent idol related forums. Would anyone actually believe it, or believe it will work?

Yep. Sadly, buying campaigns by fans of other Idols trying to block other Idols from getting to number 1 are also common. I don’t think they work either. And for the record, I think hiding other Idols CDs doesn’t work either (and just creates work for the staff who come to hate all Idols and their fans. LOL). The number of psycho plans and conspiracy theories generated on Idol fansites is really kind of amusing (in a sad sort of way). LOL.

David ´s TOML has passed Carrie ´s coronation looking at the numbers. He has sold 792,000 and is in third place after nearly 4 months.

1. Clay/TITN/BOTW 1.01 million

2. Kelly/AMLT/BYL 814,000

3. Ruben/S/FWW 759,000

4. Carrie/IYH/ID 741,000

5. Taylor/DIMYP/TI2TS 600,000

6. * Fantasia/IB/S/CoF 501,000

7. Bo/IYH/V 426,000

8. * Diana/D/DCOL/IB 237,000

9. Katharine/MD/SOTR 231,000

Jordin and Blakeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s numbers for their à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“coronationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  singles as of 7/28/07

Blake: You Give Love a Bad Name: 192,000
Jordin: This is My Now: 177,000

Personally, I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t see the problem with a gifting campaign if it encourages people to obtain a song legally. Otherwise theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll find other means (i.e. download it illegally).

I don’t see a problem with those either. I know people here have helped international fans purchase songs/CDs that were not available for purchase yet in their home country. That’s just fans helping other fans and I see nothing wrong with being helpful to each other in a legal manner.

JudyO, I’ve been curioius about that, too. I wonder if it could be some kind of smart marketing strategy by Jive to make sure that Archie comes on with a huge blast on his first real day of album sales. ::sheer uninformed conjecture::

I don’t see anything wrong with the fans-helping-fans-and-thereby-also-helping-their-artist, either. To me it seems both smart and generous. With internet/communications options expanding as they are, we’ll probably be seeing lots of neat new ways for ingenious sales-interactions, for lack of a better term.

I doubt that ‘gifting’ campaigns will work (for anybody) with itunes sales any better than the ‘door to door’ vote-begging campaign worked during this past AI season.

Noctem: Ugh, that’s a nightmare scenario. I hope whatever he does from now forward will wipe out the memory of Magic Rainbows’ sales or influence.
My fantasy would be a few years from now, the new fans he’s still acquiring will be astonished to have someone clue them in that the graduation theme song they hear all the time was originally recorded by the epic (!) rocker Dave Cook.

I am very proud of David. His numbers are phenomenal. I know he must be overjoyed. Kirsten, thanks again for the clear,informative info. Especially the gifting info. Lots of fanbases do it, but it doesn’t work the way they think it will.

I must say I like the way that one of Archie’s fansites are doing it. Gifting it by request…..it insures that you are not just randomly giving it to someone for the hell of it, or just to rid yourself of it, but to someone who can’t get it for some reason or other. I think David would like that.

Kirten, do you have this chart but for Top 40 instead of AC?

http://www.mediabase.com/mmrweb/insideradio/charts.asp?format=4&showyear=y&dpt=n

JudyO, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve been curious about that, too. I wonder if it could be some kind of smart marketing strategy by Jive to make sure that Archie comes on with a huge blast on his first real day of album sales. ::sheer uninformed conjecture::

Nope, I think it’s just Amazon’s wonky website.

I hope whatever he does from now forward will wipe out the memory of Magic Rainbowsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ sales or influence.

I have a feeling TOML won’t just disappear like it never happened regardless of what happens with DC’s career. AC radio alone it’s become a huge, huge hit and so many AC stations play the same songs for years to come. Hell the #1 AC station in NY still plays Carrie’s Inside Your Heaven and Bo’s The Real Thing so I can easily imagine hearing TOML 5 years from now.

Obviously it’s not the kind of song that will be an indicator of the kind of album he’s going to put out, but I don’t know. I guess I’m of the mind that any kind of success be it radio or sales can’t damage someone.

That said, I really think this song holds special place in his heart and I’m doubting David will want to forget all about it years from now. It’s his first hit regardless. The joy on his face and how he tears up at the crowd knowing the words IMO speaks volumes.

Not that Im particularly a fan or anything but does anyone know Kristy lee’s sales numbers? Just curious……

IMHO, No matter how much TOML sells, it is so far away from David’s style that it could never be his signature song. Of course I’d like to believe that everything he does from now on will be a major hit and TOML will just be the first of many (and not the biggest one, either), but regardless – all David has to do is stay true to himself and make the music he wants to make, and he’ll have the crowd who’ll listen. His fans know what TOML is and what it isn’t.

About stupid rumors – anyone who knows anything about DC’s fanbase would know how ridiculous that latest one is. Seriously, only a very paranoid Archie fan would believe it, IMHO. As far as Idol fandoms go – we’re as disorganized as they come. I’d be surprised if when DC has his first single out you’d see such extensive gifting campaigns as those going around right now.
Also I honestly believe most of us wish Archie nothing but success. I’ve seen many Cook fans who purchased the single out of sheer support for DA.
YMMV, as always.

I have a feeling TOML wonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t just disappear like it never happened regardless of what happens with DCà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s career.

I concur. It’s just one of those cheesy songs that fits so well into certain situations – the Olympics, weddings, anniversaries, graduations, etc. There’s a story from one of the tour stops of an engaged couple telling DC that TOML would be their wedding song. I personally bought the song to support DC, but outside of the finale performance, hearing on the radio, seeing him perform at a specific event, or on television appearances, I have never personally listened to it of my own free will.

Syrupy, sweet, icky rainbows…but it works. Kind of like that song “Butterfly Kisses”….

That’s why I can see it hanging around.

About stupid rumors – anyone who knows anything about DCà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s fanbase would know how ridiculous that latest one is. Seriously, only a very paranoid Archie fan would believe it, IMHO.

It’s been mentioned, but I haven’t really seen any Archie fans who are actually believing the rumor.

Hell the #1 AC station in NY still plays Carrieà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Inside Your Heaven and Boà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s The Real Thing so I can easily imagine hearing TOML 5 years from now.

Granted I don’t know too much about about Carrie or Bo’s careers, but I don’t think these are seen as their “signature” songs are they?

As the winner’s careers go on and time passes, I think their coronation songs will pretty much be forgotten or at least not cared about one way or another. They will have made albums, toured, made guest appearances, had TMZ on their trail, etc., and that AI grand finale song will be a thing of the past. It seems to me that a “signature song” develops after some longevity in the business.

Kirten, do you have this chart but for Top 40 instead of AC?

http://www.mediabase.com/mmrweb/insideradio/charts.asp?format=4&showyear=y&dpt=n

Totally cool!!!!!

I have not seen it before, but I figured out the Top 40 chart by messing with format code. Here you go:

http://www.mediabase.com/mmrweb/insideradio/charts.asp?format=1&showyear=y&dpt=n

1=Top 40
2=Rhythmic
3=Hot AC
4=AC
And so on.

Thanks!!!!!!1!!!1111!ELEVENTY-ONE

Yay!! Thanks Kirsten.. :clap_tb: :thumbup_tb:

I can’t wait until Archie and Cookie both have videos out competing for the same VH1 Top 20 Countdown #1 placement. (insert eyeroll) Hooboy!! VH1 won’t know what hit them! Probably crash their server. LOL

Also I honestly believe most of us wish Archie nothing but success. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve seen many Cook fans who purchased the single out of sheer support for DA.

I think the VAST majority of all fan bases are like this. It’s only a few crazies that run amuck. Nobody should have to be associated with the crazies (man, some of the AI fan nonsense legends are amazing). That is why I try to think the best of all fan groups and hate all these crazy rumours of bulk buying for and against an artist (that is not to say I don’t think a few of the fans are batsh!t crazy and that I wouldn’t think ill of those specific fans)

The competition is over and I think most people accept that. It doesn’t hurt for AI to have more successes. I’m not saying you have to like all the Idols or buy their CDs.

I just wanted to jump in really quick and tell you that this large gifting campaign by Archuleta’s fans is NOT a bulk purchasing campaign. It is a program that is meant to gift the single to his young fans who cannot obtain it for whatever reason (no credit card, no parents to purchase it for them), fans who have limited finances, or international fans who don’t have itunes stores, and other fans in similar circustances. I’m not saying there aren’t fans who aren’t bulk purchasing, but I don’t really see that going on in the Archuleta fan base. But I am pleased that the gifting campaign IS doing very very well, and David does, indeed, have the best fans in the world!!! Only because of his fans is this gifting campaign going so well. Congrats to David.

Gift campaign is just another excuse used to giving David less credit for his great opening week. I remember last year seeing people offering to gift break anotha by itunes card. (Whatever happened to break anotha’s opening sale? 10k?) By the excitement and number of posts on break anotha I thought Blake will definitely outset Jordin who doesn’t seem to have many fans. People thought that song is so much more special and amazing than tattoo.

Congrats to Archie and to his fans. I don’t see anything wrong with gifting a song to someone who wants it but can’t buy it for himself/herself. Lots of people, especially students, don’t have extra money to buy music. This way they can have a legal copy instead of just downloading it illegally. Everyone wins with legal downloads.

I’m also curious about the download info for Kristy’s song. I thought it was released for purchase last week also. Was it?

Nothing and I mean nothing can negate how awesome David’s numbers are. He didn’t win, this isn’t a coronation cd, and he had limited promotion. This is HUGE for him. Great job kid.

Per Pulse Archie debuts at #2. Nice job!

Cookie jumps from #36 to #28.

^^^^^

Freaking incredible. Just incredible. Congratulations David Archuleta.

Per Pulse Archie debuts at #2. Nice job!

Highest debut this year so far!! Congrats Archie! Absolutely incredible!

Cookie jumps from #36 to #28.

Go Magic Rainbow!!

David breaks so many records. The highest position of all idol album songs ever (tie with Since U Been Gone). The highest debut of all idol album songs ever. He also has the highest debut this year. This is just the beginning.

\o/ for Archie the Crusher, hee!

I wonder if it could be some kind of smart marketing strategy by Jive to make sure that Archie comes on with a huge blast on his first real day of album sales.

spritely, this wouldn’t be the case, because Amazon pre-orders get reported on the first official day of sales. (At least, for books, and I assume albums behave the same way.)

So, that means that Archie:

1. Has the highest debut on the Hot 100 Chart this year

2. Has the highest debut of an Idol album single on the Hot 100

Right? Anything else?

yep yep yep

He and Kelly both hold the record of the highest position too. David has the upperhand here because Kelly’s song have a long time to build to that position.

Actually after Taylor’s coronation single, there is no song (idol or not) debut in No.1 anymore. David is the highest for several years.

The highest position of all idol album songs ever (tie with Since U Been Gone).

I think that is very impressive. This just goes to show that Idol album songs don’t have a lock on doing well. I guess no idol album single has ever gone to number 1 and only one other has gone to number 2. And it’s been over two years since even a coronation song went higher (and the Hot 100 mix has changed since then making it harder to chart with mainly just sales).

He also has the highest debut this year.

I did not realize that. I wonder if Fred will have something to say on the subject. He likes to report Idols going to number 1 (and “Crush” is number one on the Download charts).

spritely, this wouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t be the case, because Amazon pre-orders get reported on the first official day of sales. (At least, for books, and I assume albums behave the same way.)

Yes, the same is true of albums. They are considered sold and reported to SS the week the CD is released.

Ok, thanks for the info!

> 2. Has the highest debut of an Idol album single on the Hot 100

I think it’s tied for the highest Idol album single on the Hot 100 period. I don’t think any have gone to number 1 during any week. “Since U Been Gone” went to number 2. Daughtry’s biggest hit was “It’s Not Over” at number 4. Carrie’s “Before He Cheats” went number 8. Jordin’s best, “No Air” topped out at number 3.

Any clue why there’s no numbers for Kristy Lee? Even if she sold really low doesn’t Ken normally report those too?

OT but also about iTunes, am I being totally dense here but where did this “Whatever You Like” by T.I. come from? I looked earlier and I didn’t even see it in the Top 10 and now it’s #2..? Was this released today?

Kristen…but is Crush the highest “debut” song among the idols?

I thought the highest “debut” song before Archie was Clay at #4.

Yes, all time highest debut.

I think ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s tied for the highest Idol album single on the Hot 100 period. I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think any have gone to number 1 during any week. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Since U Been Goneà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  went to number 2. Daughtryà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s biggest hit was à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Not Overà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  at number 4. Carrieà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Before He Cheatsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  went number 8. Jordinà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s best, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“No Airà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  topped out at number 3.

These are great songs! To think that Crush is now one of them! I am so proud for him.

Sorry, I guess I’m getting confused between highest album and highest album single verses highest “debut” album and highest “debut” album single and highest album. Albums and singles can go higher and lower over time. Debut albums or debut album singles would be sales out of the gate right?…..ok, I am confused, lol……….
:dunce_tb:

Nevermind, lol…..I just saw the new thread out front which lays it out pretty well. Thanks MJ
:smile1_tb:

Any clue why thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s no numbers for Kristy Lee? Even if she sold really low doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t Ken normally report those too?

Ken typically only reports those in the top 200 unless specifically asked. Sometimes he misses songs or artists, though. If somebody posts a polite question on his blog, he usually responds.

Congrats to Archie on a fine debut. Congrats also to Jordin, Cookie, Carrie, Jennifer and Leona on their sales increases. And, just wow at Leona’s triple platinum single – well done, Mr. Cowell.
Just wanted to note, as well, that TOML has moved up in downloads and on the BB Hot 100 for three consecutive weeks (something no other coronation song has done – when the others fell, they didn’t get back up, LOL). Perhaps it is just my inner fangirl, but I am hoping that the fact that Cookie has been able to accomplish something with this cheesy song (and continues to do well with it three months later) means that there is indeed a place for him in the world of successful artists.

à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Since U Been Goneà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  went to number 2. Daughtryà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s biggest hit was à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Not Overà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  at number 4. Carrieà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Before He Cheatsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  went number 8. Jordinà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s best, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“No Airà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  topped out at number 3.

Am I the only one who sees the irony in this? Carrie, who is the top album seller, period, has the lowest charting single on this list.

OT but also about iTunes, am I being totally dense here but where did this à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Whatever You Likeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  by T.I. come from? I looked earlier and I didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t even see it in the Top 10 and now ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s #2..? Was this released today?

On the front page of itunes, there is a countdown to release for T.I.’s album (similar to what they did for the Jonas Brothers). I think a new single will be released every 1 to 2 weeks leading up to the album. Never underestimate front page itunes placement when it comes to first week sales.

Am I the only one who sees the irony in this? Carrie, who is the top album seller, period, has the lowest charting single on this list.

Not really. Country music fans like to buy albums. Huge country hits don’t tend to sell a lot of downloads. You either need massive cross-over airplay or massive downloads or a combination of the two to make the Hot 100. Carrie has had a lot of Country hits, but “Before He Cheats” is the only one that really crossed-over onto Pop (Country songs would rarely be cross-over hits on formats such as Urban or Rhythmic, in my opinion). Unfortunately for Carrie, “Before He Cheats” was already fading on Country when it crossed-over to Pop so she didn’t get that double whammy.

There are a lot of factors (and a bit of luck) required to get the high numbers on the Hot 100. Still, it is an achievement. Each week has it’s own pluses and minuses.