Idol Sales News – Week Ending 10/12/08

Please note that the above numbers are the Top 50 song from the download charts plus a few extra songs that have made à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“interestingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  gains in the top 200. Later today, Ken Barnes at Idol Chatter (USA Today) will come out with the full list of Idols in the top 200. We get data as it dribbles out.

Here is some of the airplay chart (this is a differential from last week so the numbers in brackets are gains or losses in millions of audience impressions since last week). Before recurrents are removed:

No. 14 – Jennifer Hudson ( 3.5 million) lw 16
No. 15 – Jordin Sparks ( 0.7 million)
No. 32 – Daughtry ( 3.6 million) lw 36
No. 41 – David Archuleta ( 4.1 million) lw 46

Jennifer is number 1 on the R&B airplay chart.

Congrats David Archuleta….

Wow, major slide for LO in its second week. If my theory that the fans buy it the first week and maybe a little of the second is right, I’ll say that LO probably hasn’t connected as well with the fans as RCA hoped. It’s too early to say if it’ll connect with the new ones. But it’s off to a disappointing start.

also, congrats to J-HUD…

#1 on UAC.
#1 R&B single and 1# R&B airplay in the US.
#1 airplay in the UK.
#4 on billboard 200 albums.
#5 on mainstream urban.

CRUSH is steadily marching toward platinum… it’s remained remarkably consistent in sales since its release…. keep on trucking David! And congrats to the other Idols representing on the charts…. most especially JHud… this girl is truly amazing…. make a spot on the mantle Jen, you just may have Mr. Grammy keeping Mr. Oscar company! :cool1_tb:

I bought Jennifer Hudson’s album and like it alot. I see a Grammy on the mantle as well.

Wow, major slide for LO in its second week. If my theory that the fans buy it the first week and maybe a little of the second is right, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll say that LO probably hasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t connected as well with the fans as RCA hoped. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s too early to say if ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll connect with the new ones. But ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s off to a disappointing start.

You know, I’ve been wondering about that. It is so hard to get a sense of what is reasonable to expect or not. You may be right though. Are there any industry professionals around? I mean who really work at record labels or distributors and know something about marketing? I’ve seen these numbers spun so many ways I am thoroughly confused.
:ponder_tb: :blink_tb:

It is so hard to get a sense of what is reasonable to expect or not.

Indeed. It’s really difficult to gauge, considering that the song has only been out for two weeks. I wouldn’t grow any gray hairs over it. I seriously don’t think it was fully intended for AI fans.

lmao @ Gwen. No eyeore from me, I’m just curious. I was just wondering if it really would be considered reasonable to be disappointed in label land. To me, it seems a little nuts to worry so early, but I don’t do this for a living.

I seriously donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think it was fully intended for AI fans.

Neither do I. Let’s see what happens after SNL, more radio play and the record.

Not fretting here at all.

After the SNL gig, I have full faith in RCA.

You know, my feeling on LO falling, is that it sold based on initial online fanbase.
It had no airplay at the time of it’s release and then that started increasing over the last couple weeks. I think it did very well with what it had.
It was up against alot of well established heavy hitters on iTunes.
So got knocked down.
The official release to radio stations was Oct 13. Chicago, where I am, didn’t play it until around the 9th of October and another station, the MIX which plays TOML, finally played it on the 13th.
It’s spins on radio stations across the country is rapidly increasing.
I think you will see a resurgence in sales.
And it will slowly snoball like Time Of My Life did.
I believe it needs new fans being built as we speak.
Also David is filming his video this week from what I have heard, so that should boost it, when it is released.
It also is still doing nicely at Amazon mp3 downloads in position 8.
And is #2 on aol new songs.
#19 on iTunes Pop. His pic is still on the pop page there.
But was taken off the front music page last week or so which also may have effected it.
What I observe to be true.
Keep the faith.
Very Loyal Fan,
Vicki

I know nothing about sales or anything like that. I only know what I like. I know that when I didn’t hear Time of my life on the radio anywhere, I said to myself they are never gonna play this song! But, 2 months later, i started hearing it everywhere, now they wont quit playing it. LOL… I didn’t hear crush till just last week, so Im not gonna start worrying now. I called my station and requested it, and he said they didnt have it yet..(but maybe that meant its not on their playlist) He said they were gonna start playing it though!

I would really love to hear the opinion of someone who really knows about all this stuff to tell us when maybe we should worry about cooks song.

I didn’t mean it was designed for AI fans. That’s just the audience for the first week sales of people from the show. I actually agree that it wasn’t designed for the AI fanbase. RCA is giving the song great promotion but if a song doesn’t connect, that isn’t enough. But increased radio play should reverse the downward trend on iTunes fairly quickly.

No eyeore from me, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m just curious.

:wink_wp: I know….

RCA is giving the song great promotion but if a song doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t connect, that isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t enough.

So….can we give it, like, one month, at least? Even six weeks?

Phew! I have very little context or insight to offer, but just personally speaking, I was oddly relieved with 31K. When I saw LO down in the high 50s on iTunes, I was bracing myself for the worst. I guess I’m not disappointed because this is in line with what I expected.

I’ve been on such a high with hearing the DC radio interviews, dissecting the track listing and cover, and gearing up for heavy promo starting with F-ing SNL in November, that I can’t bring myself to be bummed by the fact that the single’s taking its time to grow on radio, which (IMO) is a very normal thing for a new artist. I fully expect the album to do ridiculously well, but I’ve decided to just wait for 11/18 to enjoy the record, and not make any judgments on David’s success based on sales figures until early 2009 when I gain more perspective. Won’t keep me from monitoring sales and charts til then, of course because that’s fun! Speaking of TOML– we get those figures this afternoon?

Let’s see what happens with increased airplay, the SNL appearance, and whatever else RCA/Cook has up their sleeves. Also, it may be that there are fans who like the song just fine but don’t want to buy the single—they’re waiting for the record. So, I’m feeling fine about things.

I’m thinking that Magic Rainbow is going to pull around 13,000 this week, based on some of the numbers posted for other songs on Pulse that were in the 70s and 80s for sale.

Good job idols. I have to agree with Folkfan about LO. It’s early yet. I doubt I’ll buy the single or the album but there are plenty of people who will eventually. I wish DC well. Steady as she goes.

Does anyone know if these figures are US only? Does it include Canada?

Definitely the first week of sales are those loyal fanatic fans from AI. Crush fell off sharply after the first week as well. Getting things going takes time, and Cook is starting to do promotion, so he should be getting out there.

DA still has not sung Crush live, other than for Ford Day, which was a local thing. The video definitely helped the song. It just takes time.

Good job Archie! His sale is very sold and steady. Crush will be a platinum soon. Whoo hoo!!
Congrats Jennifer! Her airplay is very impressive.
I hope Light on goes up after the music video and airplay. Go David Cook!!

I believe that these numbers are only US purchases—no Canadian sales.

I’m still impressed with Crush’s consistency. Almost 700K! It’ll probably drop off a little next week in sales, but good news is that it moved up 2 spots to #12 on the rolling pop chart today. Go Archie!

Go J.Hud! She’s doing very, very well. I must admit that I didn’t think she would do this well, but she’s owning the R&B charts.

I wouldn’t worry about Light On yet. It seems to be picking up steam in Hot AC. The SNL appearance may help it take off even more, and even on pop, which is the format it’s lagging a little on. It was released in a very crowded month. The good thing about releasing it now, though, is that Cook will be starting promotion soon. 19M is certainly planning on promoting the heck out of him, the song and the album, so he’ll get every opportunity to succeed. It just may take a little while (especially since the holidays are upon us soon and radio goes weird around that time).

Hurray for Crush! And it hasn’t even played in most CA markets yet and some others around the country. Platinum for sure.

None of my work friends even know that Light On has been released since they only go by what is on radio. They now hear Crush and like it but had no idea it was available for purchase before hearing it on radio.

I think the “normal” idol viewer forgets all about these guys until they hear them on the radio. If they then like the song, they download it or at least pay attention to who sings it.

Out of sight – out of mind – for most people. LOL

My sis who doesn’t watch idol only knows about Carrie, Kellie and Bucky from country radio, CMT and GAC.

So…. getting played on radio is of upmost importance to grow fanbases.

Thank you FolkFan.. Indeed you are right..Ken Barnes confirmed it is for US only.

well someone saw these posters up at her school. Obviously a jive thing lol as wel dont even have these pics.

Here are the #’s for TOML from Ken Barnes at Idol Chatter:

The Time of My Life is also down, 71-86, selling 13,000, off 27%, for a total of 946,000.

TOML…just 54,000 more til platimnum…think it will do it…ahhhh the little rainbow that could.

Here are the #à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s for TOML from Ken Barnes at Idol Chatter:

The Top 200 leaked this week:

86 David Cook à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Time of My Lifeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  13,195 (-27%; lw 17,971) Total: 946,374 (71)

Go Bucky! First time I’ve seen SS numbers for one of his singles (Ken has posted some on request). Looks like he has a bit of a hit (Country doesn’t sell a lot of downloads and his song is doing very well on the Country airplay charts).

By no means have we reached the point at which to panic with regards to LO. But, there are worrying signs. Radio play IS picking up, especially in HAC where the song should kill, but sales are still falling. It is still quite early in the period of increasing add rates, but the song found itself lodged in the top fifties earlier this week and it’s now loitering in the top sixties. If next week after even more spincrease, we’re into the seventies, then there may very well be trouble on the horizon for at least this first single.

Of course, two weeks from now, the SNL gig is monumentally important. David and the boys need to knock it out of the park. And the video is key too. If I were 19/ RCA I would get it on VH1 stat. My understanding is that the VH1 audience skews older, so LO’s throwback elements could have a significant appeal with this crowd.

I still unabashedly maintain that LO is an artistically superior song to most Idols’ tracks– any of them– and it is actually of higher artistic quality than many popular songs today, period. But, I’m wondering if that may be what is holding it back. Maybe the song simply just has too much going on in it for a general audience to take to it.

I said it before, but it would be a simple task to Daughtrify LO. Just remove, or change, the bridge. Lose the bridge and the song loses its somewhat unusual structure (for a pop-rock single). Lose the bridge and you lose the effect of the boom-boom-boom transitions at the end of the song from 80s style chorus to the drop-off to piano-only chorus to the wailing final chorus. Lose the bridge and you lose the distinctly retro-aspect of the song that perhaps many listeners aren’t finding nostalgically appealing, but simply cheesy and trite.

I have to balance my angst about the progress of the single and what it portends for the results of the album with the news that is coming out of Camp Cook which is simply awesome– SNL and other mulitple appearances and song collaboration detail, plus plenty of positive press. But, this time next week, it would be very nice to see LO sitting much prettier– at least clawing its way back into the top 50 or so.

Frogcooke- I heard about those posters. I wonder where they are putting them out? Has anyone ever seen posters for a pop artist at school?

Noctum- it seems like doing something drastic to the song at this point might seem desperate. Cook is doing tons of promotion in the next few weeks and his album will be out soon, so he will be getting out there.

Da’s fanbase went to all measures, including petitions, etc. to try to get his “liberace suit” changed during tour. In the end, DA decided he didn’t want to rock the boat, and other than one article in the beginning that mentioned the suit, no one even mentioned it. It didn’t seem to have any effect on reviews. I know this has nothing to do with LO, but we had to learn patience and decided DA could make his own decisions. I expect Cook had a big part of his song choice and the structure of it, so I am sure he will be fine.

LK Im not sure where the original came from…. *shrugs*

Yeah I wouldnt worry to much about Cookie, he should do fine.

Hot 100:

LW TW Artist Title
21 19 JORDIN SPARKS ONE STEP AT A TIME
25 22 DAVID ARCHULETA CRUSH
29 27 HUDSON*JENNIFER SPOTLIGHT-REMIXES
56 48 DAUGHTRY WHAT ABOUT NOW
17 66 DAVID COOK LIGHT ON

R&B 100

LW TW Artist Title
2 1 HUDSON*JENNIFER SPOTLIGHT-REMIXES

WOW, David A’s album photos are great!

well someone saw these posters up at her school.

Why do they always use such weird pictures. That is such a strange pose, with his hand behind his head like that? It doesn’t seem like a very masculine pose for a guy. JMO.

I live in California and I have not heard LO on the radio yet. The station I listen to at least half of the time is still playing the heck out of TOML. I have no idea why.

I live in Iowa and the other day I had the pop radio on (not my usual station) and I heard LO first and later I heard TOML. I was really dumbfounded, but it made me very happy.

Crush is stable in sales, go David!

I think the wise thing for RCA to do is not to add big names and big promotions to the song LO, but to move on to the next single. Guess it is too late for them, or they never will consider this option.

More Crush numbers have come outà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

^15 Hot Digital Songs (lw 16)
^22 Hot 100 (lw 25)
15 Mainstream Top 40 (lw 15)
^16 Hot AC (lw 17)
^25 Hot Adult Top 40 (lw 26)

Way to go, Archie!!! :thumbup_tb:

Everytime crush makes me surprise. Crush is doing really really well :jittery_tb:

From Ken Barnes at Idol Chatter:

Bucky bucks the trend, selling 2,000, up from 1,800, to reach 372,000, just a whisker behind his season-mate Katharine.

Kristy Lee sold 1,700, down from 2,500, for a three-week total of 18,000.

Go Bucky!!!

Go Jen, go Davids, go Bucky! I lurve Bucky!

Go KLC! At least she’s selling something. but I really like her.

Light on is No. 67 in iTunes over all and No. 19 in Pop……….who is buying Disturbia………….

RV65 – ROFL! Sorry, but I wish I had a nickel for every time a DA fan has asked that question over the last several weeks…. haha!

^^No I guess every Archie fan is asking, who is buying Paper planes?????

NOW it’s Paper Planes…but it was Disturbia for a while there. lol

Noctum- it seems like doing something drastic to the song at this point might seem desperate. Cook is doing tons of promotion in the next few weeks and his album will be out soon, so he will be getting out there.

LK08, I wasn’t suggesting that LO could be changed now. That would be like a movie already in theaters being pullled, having scenes reshot, and then rereleased. It’s too late once it’s out!

What I mean is that eventually, David and RCA may wish they had released an altered version of the single. Or selected a different one. But, what is clear is that David knows he is coming out as a pop-rocker, but, the way I’ve put it before, is that he is trying to get away with being as non-pop as he can in certain places in the way he goes about it, whenever he can get away with it. I commend him for his boldness, but I do wonder how well his insistently sticking to this approach is going to work out.

And that is how I got into the discussion about how the single could have been modified to make it more mass-digestible. Drop the bridge, and LO is a standard Daughtryback song, for the reasons I outlined in my post above. And, in the end, it may have fared better if it were such a song.

as a canadian cook fan, i didnt buy lo, some ppl i know who r cook fans didnt ether, we simply dont like the song, he can do much beter then LO, the song has potemtial but needs some fixing, he seems to be forcing his voice to much, the whole song is at one level. i still think it will pick up and cd will be a hit but there beter be beter songs on it

Still more Crush numbers have been released. Notice that most of these numbers reflect a rise in the charts across the board. Particularly noteworthy is the considerable jump in the Hot 100 Airplay, from 45 to 39à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

^15 Hot Digital Tracks (lw 16)
^15 Hot Digital Songs (lw 16)
^22 Hot 100 (lw 25)
^39 Hot 100 Airplay (lw 45)
17 Pop 100 (lw 17)
^17 Pop 100 Airplay (lw 18)
15 Mainstream Top 40 (lw 15)
^16 Hot AC (lw 17)
^25 Hot Adult Top 40 (lw 26)
^22 Canadian Hot 100 (lw 29)
^25 Hot Canadian Digital Singles (lw 27)
31 Hot Ringmasters (30)

Attaboy, Archie!!! :clap_tb:

I have a question on sales… If you buy an album from Itunes and one from Walmart…do they BOTH count towards the gold or platinum status? Or do digital albums from Itunes not count for that?