One Direction Tops Billboard 200, First UK Group to Debut at No. 1

By On 03/20/2012 · 46 Comments · In Simon Cowell, X Factor UK

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It’s official.   Simon Cowell’s boy band, One Direction will bow on the Billboard 200 tomorrow at #1, selling 176k copies of their debut album, Up All Night, according to Nielsen Soundscan.

If that news isn’t sweet enough, the lads made Billboard history as the first U.K group to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.

Previously, the highest bow for a U.K. group’s first album came on Feb. 22, 1997, when Spice Girls’ “Spice” started at No. 6. The album eventually climbed to No. 1 in its 14th week on the list, spending five nonconsecutive frames in the penthouse.

So, there you go. Congratulations Simon and co. This should bode well for the Groups category when X Factor comes back to FOX in the fall. Do you think Simon will mentor the groups this year? Maybe he’ll try to see if he can make lightning strike twice!  One Direction were 3rd place finishers in the seventh series of X Factor UK.  (Via Billboard)

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  • Anonymous

    I hate 1D but I can’t help but be happy for them. I like that feeling of “I knew about those guys before they were cool”.

    Plus, if it means Bieber Fever is dying then YES. At least these guys can sing… individually at least. When they auditioned before they were put in a group, I liked Liam Payne.

    It really is a shame that this is what sells, though. But now that I look at it, it reminds me of when my sister was really into NSYNC, although as much as she loved them she wasn’t nearly as obnoxious as some Bieber fans I see.

  • http://twitter.com/elfstar89 Erika Fernandez

    Wohoo.
    Congrats boys.  I’m so happy for them.  I watched them on X-Factor and they’ve grown so much.  Very well deserved.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NDYOWBIIPZU6PBRHGOPT2ZZJXQ sweetmm

    Yep I’m over 40 and their songs are catchy enough to keep me awake while I’m driving; to make it worst I even have a favorite ;)  Listening and singing along to their cheesy songs somehow makes me feel rejuvenated and young :)

  • Mateja Praznik

    Press release:  http://www.hackfordjonespr.com/pages/posts/uk-pop-sensation-one-direction-become-first-british-group-in-history-to-debut-at-1-in-the-us-with-debut-album95.php

    Simon Cowell says: “I couldn’t be happier for One Direction, it is an
    incredible achievement. They deserve it. They have the best fans in the
    world.”

  • Chris

    It just means Bieber better start saving his money since his days are numbered. And the Jonas brothers? ??? Only for reunion tours.

  • fuzzywuzzy

    These guys are cute and I can see their appeal, even if I’m not a member of their major target demographic.  I don’t begrudge any of these teen pop stars their success and think that Justin Bieber is a pretty talented singer/composer and musician.  He may stick around for a while and be the exception to the “rule” of teen pop wonders having a short, but mega-popular career.  I’m not sure about 1D’s longevity, but I hope that they are getting a decent cut of the financial pie.

  • Mateja Praznik

    More from Music Week:
     

    One Direction’s instant number one on the countdown is unprecedented
    for a UK group as no other British band before them have debuted at the
    top with their first album. And just three other UK acts previously have
    topped the chart with debut efforts having climbed to the summit,
    beginning with Blind Faith’s self-titled debut in 1969, then Bad
    Company’s own eponymous effort in 1974 and Spice Girls’ Spice in 1997.
    Until now the Spice Girls had the best start for a British group on the
    countdown when their debut Spice entered at six in February 1997 on its
    way to number one.

    Two British
    solo acts have landed instant number ones on the chart with their debuts
    – Leona Lewis in 2008 with Spirit and Susan Boyle the following year
    with I Dreamed A Dream. Like One Direction, both acts are signed to
    Simon Cowell’s Syco label.

    One Direction have also made chart
    history in Canada, becoming the first international act to enter at
    number one on the chart with a debut release in the SoundScan era.

    http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=1048901&c=1

    #1 in the USA and Canada!

  • Tess

    I think it will be fun to watch the tweenie universe over the next few months when Bieber releases his new single and album…who will win the hearts and minds of all those screaming twelve year olds.

  • Anonymous

    I would LOVE for Deandre to cover What Makes You Beautiful!  Fingers crossed for that theme. “W-w-well come on! You got it wrong..” lol!

  • Anonymous

    Wow I really like Kelly’s demo of TMAL. I think that could be a big hit for her. Too bad she didn’t include it on her album.  I wonder if it’s a potential single for OD.

    Kelly is really on a roll these days. :0   Uncle Simon too.

  • itsalleternal

    Could some combination like Eben, Reed, Colton, Creighton and Chase or something be molded into a US boy band?

  • Wex

    Cue obnoxious Simon Gloating…Now lets see him have Melanie Amaro debut at #1.

  • Wex

    Great social media/internet campaign. 5 cute guys aged 18-20 appealing to tween girls doesnt hurt

  • hcpoirot

    After 7 years of X factor, they had 2 girls and 2 groups to brag about. Others were successful at first but already gone now.

    They are: Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke. Groups: JLS and of course One Direction.

    Again, time and time again prove that being a winner its not a guarantee of a success. Now we woaut if the winner of season 8 (a girl group) can be as successful as others.

    Season 2 of X factor US, from 4 groups, three of them will be made from soloist. 2 boy band and one girl band.

  • Mateja Praznik

    Let’s see, who is successful from seasons 1-7: Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke, JLS, Olly Murs, One Direction, Rebecca Ferguson. Oh and Jedward, in their own way.

    To be completely honest, until Leona (season 3) Syco didn’t put that much effort into post X Factor albums. I think Steve and Shayne released albums of mostly covers for Mother’s day first. Shayne survived that. With Leona, Simon got Clive Davis involved and she was the first to release in the fall. But Alexandra was the only other winner that was really successful with that tactic. Male solo winners like Leon and Joe flopped because there simply wasn’t much potential for a popstar career with them.

    But since season 5, I think Syco is ready to put a lot of effort and money behind acts with potential.

  • luvadamlambert

    What makes you beautiful is like the best song everrrr plus they’re so hot <3

  • Anonymous

    He’ll lose money on Melanie Amaro. Or rather L.A. Reid will, lol. Melanie is a fugly version of a dated concept. I wonder about Simon. Seems he’s losing it yet lucked out with One Direction. If he’s really going to have George Clooney’s latest beard host the show I may not tune in.  

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_AGWO435FL6UN2ICRVTFLWRJZSA Lexie

    Seeing these Billboard records being set made me wonder…how do the Billboard Music Awards work?  I’ve never watched before, but am intrigued now…

  • hayes

    I get e-mails from Live Nation about upcoming concerts, and today I received one promoting One Direction’s upcoming tour. Apparently they’re headlining their own tour this summer. They’re probably not going anywhere anytime soon…

    And I fully expect to see them perform come awards time. AMA, VMA, BMA, whatever other MA is out there.

  • Anonymous

    You think Bieber fans are obnoxious? Wait until you get a taste of One Direction’s fans.  To say they are rabid is an understatement. 

  • Wex

    I agree @ Keibler – I think she has no personality & if he gets here, he’s just trying to get some Clooney buzz – and he’ll probably dump her like he dumps all his girlfriends.  Id be curious to see what Melanie puts out.  I just watched something the other day talking about how most of the girl Idols are all trying to be the next Celine and thats not really whats current today…Idol needs a girl Lambert – a gaga/perry ish type contestant…but its hard when they keep having them sing songs that are decades old that the contestants don’t even know them…we forget these kids are mostly born in the 90s

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