Idol Chartwatch, November 30: Jordin Sparks Hits the Charts

This week, there’s good news and bad news for Jordin Sparks. First, the bad news. Jordin Sparks, which hit the streets November 20, did not have a great first week – at least in terms of what has come to be expected for Idol debuts. The CD sold 119,000 units and enters the Billboard 200 at #10 (Hot Shot Debut). It came in at #13 on the Digital Album charts.

While some may say that selling over 100,000 copies of one’s first album and debuting in the top ten of the Billboard 200 is nothing to scoff at, Idols are measured to a different scale when it comes to sales. There are now five previous Idols who have released at least one album, and both Idol fans and the media tend to compare sales numbers as a means by which to measure success – whether that be perceived or implied. At 119K, Jordin sold less than half of Taylor Hicks’ 298K for his debut, which, up to this point, was the lowest-selling winner’s CD of the lot.

There are many theories as to why Jordin’s album did not do better its first week out. Certainly, she had the advantage of a release date that put her CD in stores for the start of the holiday shopping season. Her single is a hit (that’s the good news, by the way) and she even has an accompanying video. But the problem here may not be as much with Jordin herself, but with last season’s show in its entirety. For a number of reasons, fans simply did not get as invested in this group, and without that investment, there’s no sustained excitement. Six months later, a lot of people who may have enjoyed Jordin on the show have moved on, and all she is left with is a core group of fans.

Because of the writers’ strike, many of the shows that typically bring on Idols to promote their CDs the first week were in reruns. That extra promotion could have brought in some additional sales. It’s hard to say. On the flip side, however, all of the media coverage of Jordin’s “flop” could actually help her. At least people will know the CD is out there.

I said there was good news, and that involves Jordin’s single, “Tattoo.” She’s moved into the top ten on the Pop 100 (#8), the Pop 100 Airplay (#10), and both Hot Digital Tracks and Hot Digital Songs, where she is #8. “Tattoo” is #12 on the Hot 100, #27 on Hot 100 Airplay, and #24 on the Adult Contemporary chart. The song is a hit and there are certainly more good singles forthcoming from this album. And that really is good news, because with continued airplay, this album will experience sustained sales over time, eventually hitting its stride.

There were two new Idol-related album on the charts this week. The soundtrack for the movie Enchanted, featuring Carrie Underwood’s “Ever, Ever After,” bows at #48 on the Billboard 200, #4 on the Digital Album chart, and #5 on the Soundtrack list.

Sounds of the Season: The Elliott Yamin Collection debuts at #170 on the Billboard 200, #15 on the Indie Album chart, and #50 on the Holiday Albums list. This is significant in that the CD is only available at Target stores and on their Web site.

In other Idol-related album chart news, Aretha Franklin’s Jewels in the Crown: Duets with the Queen, featuring Fantasia on “Put You Up on Game,” is #100 on the Billboard 200 at #54 and #20 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

Now! That’s What I Call Music 26, featuring Daughtry’s “Over You,” is #3 on the Billboard 200, #1 on the Compilation chart, and #6 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Now Party Hits!, featuring Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone,” is #85 on the Billboard 200, #6 on the Compilation chart, and #59 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Note that this one is only available as a download, thus its rather inauspicious debut.

It appears that last week’s big shopping weekend had a positive impact on several Idol-related CDs. Carrie Underwood’s Carnival Ride is up two to #7 on the Billboard 200, and is #15 on the Digital Album Chart, #5 on Internet Album sales, and #3 on the Country chart. Some Hearts is also up, coming in at #68 on the Billboard 200 and #16 on the Country chart. Daughtry shot up 16 spots to #33 on the Billboard 200 and #6 on the Top Rock Album.

Here’s how the rest of the Idol-related CDs charted:

• Kellie Pickler’s Small Town Girl is #46 on the Country Chart.
• Elliott Yamin is #92 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop list and #27 on the Indie album chart.
• Bucky Covington is #65 on the Country Albums list.
• Fantasia is #78 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
• Reba Duets, featuring Kelly Clarkson on “Because of You,” is #23 on the Billboard 200, #21 on Internet Album sales, and #7 on the Country chart.
• Wow Gospel Christmas, featuring Mandisa’s “God Speaking,” is #152 on the Billboard 200, #13 on the Compilation chart, #40 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and #46 on the Holiday chart.
• Hear Something Country: Christmas, featuring Carrie Underwood (“Do You Hear What I Hear”) and Kellie Pickler (“Santa Baby”), is #142 on the Billboard 200, #28 on the Country chart, #42 on the Holiday chart, and #12 on the Compilation list.
• Now! That’s What I Call Music 25, which includes tracks from four Idol alums (Kelly’s “Never Again,” Carrie’s “Before He Cheats,” Elliott’s “Wait for You,” and Chris’ “Home”), is #101 on the Billboard 200, #8 on the Compilation chart, and #64 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart .

This Week’s Idols’ Singles Charts

There are two new Idol singles this week. Kellie Pickler’s “Santa Baby” from Hear Something Country: Christmas enters the Adult Contemporary chart at #49. Michael W. Smith’s “Christmas Day,” featuring Mandisa, enters the Hot Christian Adult Contemporary chart at #24.

Carrie Underwood’s “Do You Hear What I Hear” from Hear Something Country: Christmas is #53 on the Country chart and #13 (Air Power) on the Adult Contemporary chart. Kimberley Locke’s “Frosty the Snowman” is #10 (Air Power) on the Adult Contemporary.

Carrie’s “So Small” tops the country chart again this week and is #28 on the Hot 100, #22 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart, #55 on the Pop 100, #37 on Hot Digital Tracks, and #40 on Hot Digital Tracks. “Before He Cheats” is #8 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

Daughtry’s “Over You” is #18 on the Hot 100, #20 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart, #14 on the Pop 100, #14 on the Pop 100 Airplay list, #3 on the Adult Top 40, #18 on Hot Digital Tracks, and #23 on Hot Digital Songs charts.

Daughtry’s “Home” is #2 on the Adult Contemporary chart and reenters the Hot Digital Songs chart at #56. “Crashed” is #24 on the Mainstream Rock chart.

Elliott’s “Wait for You” is #5 on the Adult Contemporary chart and #41 on the Dance Club chart.

Bucky Covington’s “It’s Good to be Us” is #31 on the Hot Country Singles list, and Josh Gracin’s “We Weren’t Crazy” is #43. Kellie Pickler’s “Things That Never Cross a Man’s Mind” is #34 on the Country chart

Fantasia’s “When I See You” is #18 on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles chart and #10 on the R&B Adult airplay list. “Only One U” is #76 on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles chart and #32 on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Adult Airplay listing. Her duet with Aretha Franklin, “Put You Up on Game,” is #49 on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles chart and #12 on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Adult Airplay listing.

Mandisa’s single, “Only the World,” is #12 on this week’s Singles chart, and Kimberley Locke’s “Band of Gold” is #15 on the Adult Contemporary.

Finally, Blake Lewis’ Audio Day Dream drops next Tuesday.

And that’s it for Chartwatch this week!

Donna Reynolds is a freelance writer based in Syracuse, New York. While entertainment sustains her emotionally, she earns her daily bread by writing and editing web copy. Check out her new website at www.idolthoughts.net. Donna loves mail, so shoot her an email at foxydonna@earthlink.net.

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