Idol Chartwatch, June 30: Idols Slippin’ and Slidin’ on the Charts

It’s all about Coldplay this week as their new release, Viva La Vida Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends topped the major charts, selling 722,000 copies its first week. So much for the argument that people aren’t buying new CDs. Other new releases further pushed existing Idol albums down the Billboard 200, with only Carrie Underwood’s Carnival Ride holding firm, remaining at No. 33.

All this is not unexpected, however, as these Idol albums reach a buyer saturation point. Daughtry has been on the charts for 83 weeks, after all, and Carrie’s Some Hearts, which slipped from 92 to 97, has charted for a remarkable 136 weeks.

There is some news from Season 6 third place finisher, Melinda Doolittle, however. Last week, Melinda appeared on the Today show as the surprise soloist for this year’s Today Throws a Wedding winning couple (Melinda is the bride’s cousin). In an interview following her performance, Melinda said that she has finished recording the vocal tracks for her CD. All that’s left now is mastering, mixing, and a photo shoot. Melinda expects her first single to drop later this summer and the album should be released in the fall.

Idol Singles

This week, David Cook’s “Time of My Life” broke into the Hot 100 Airplay chart at #67. This is huge, considering the reluctance of radio stations to play Idol-related singles, and along with the Pop 100 Airplay chart, this placement shows solid airplay across the board. “Time of My Life” remains on all the major charts, including the Hot 100 (51), the Pop 100 (45), Pop 100 Airplay (50), Hot Digital Tracks (37), Hot Digital Songs (39), Hot Adult Contemporary (11), and the Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks (16).

Jennifer Hudson’s “Spotlight” moved up from #49 to #42 on both the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay lists, and from #35 to #31 on the Hot Adult R&B Airplay listing. The video for the song debuted on last week’s BET Music Awards broadcast. Her first album is set for release September 30th.

Blake Lewis’ “How Many Words” moved up ten spots to #29 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart. Last week, we reported that Blake had been dropped by Arista. Blake has since clarified this, explaining that the label chose not to renew his one-year option. He remains with 19 Recordings, however, which means that while he doesn’t have an official label, he can’t record anything without the blessing of 19R.

Here’s how the rest of the Idol-related singles charted this week:

• “No Air” (Jordin Sparks’ with Chris Brown): Hot 100 (12), Hot 100 Airplay (6), Pop 100 (13), Pop 100 Airplay (8), Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (16), Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (16), Hot Adult R&B Airplay (31), Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks (19), Hot Digital Tracks (18), Hot Digital Songs (20), and Hot Adult Top 40 (12), Rhythmic Top 40 (195), and Hot Dance Club Play (44).
• “Tattoo” (Jordin Sparks): Hot Singles Recurrents (13), Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks (8), Hot 100 Recurrent Airplay (12)
• “One Step at a Time” (Jordin Sparks): Bubbling Under (the Hot 100) (21), Pop 100 (54), Pop 100 Airplay (45)
• “Feels Like Tonight” (Daughtry): Hot Singles Recurrents (8), Hot 100 Recurrent Airplay, Pop 100 Airplay (38), Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks (12), Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks (2)
• “Home” (Daughtry): Hot Singles Recurrents (21), Hot 100 Recurrent Airplay (15), Hot Adult Contemporary Recurrents (1), Hot Adult Top 40 Recurrents (15)
• “Over You” (Daughtry): Hot Adult Top 40 Recurrents (8)
• “On My Way Here” (Clay Aiken): Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks (30)
• “Last Name” (Carrie Underwood): Hot 100 (35), Hot 100 Airplay (32), Pop 100 (60), Hot Country Songs (4), and Hot Digital Songs (32), Hot Digital Tracks (42).
• “All-American Girl” (Carrie Underwood): Hot Singles Recurrents (14), Hot Country Recurrents (7), Hot Digital Songs (68)
• “Before He Cheats (Carrie Underwood): Hot Singles Recurrents (15), Hot 100 Recurrent Airplay (13), Hot Adult Contemporary Recurrents (10)
• “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful” (Kellie Pickler): Hot Country Songs (42)
• “We Weren’t Crazy” (Josh Gracin): Hot Country Songs (15), Hot 100 (99)
• “I’ll Walk” (Bucky Covington): Hot Country Songs (40)
• “Spotlight” (Jennifer Hudson): Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart (51), Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (51), Hot Adult R&B Airplay (24)
• “When I See U” (Fantasia): Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Recurrents (10), Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Recurrent Airplay (10)
• “Fall” (Kimberley Locke): Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks (17), Hot Dance Club Play (11)
• “How Many Words” (Blake Lewis): Hot Dance Club Play (29)
• “Because of You” (Kelly Clarkson): Hot Adult Contemporary Recurrents (13)
• “Wait For You” (Elliott Yamin): Hot Adult Contemporary Recurrents (11)
• “Empty Me” (Chris Sligh): Hot Christian Adult Contemporary (14), Hot Christian Songs (11)
• “Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow (Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson): Hot Dance Club Play (15).

Idol Albums

Nothing much to report this week, other than chart placement. Here’s the rundown:

• Carnival Ride (Carrie Underwood): Billboard 200 (33), Top Country Albums (5)
• Jordin Sparks: Billboard 200 (68)
• Daughtry: Billboard 200 (71), Top Rock Albums (22), Top Modern Rock/Alternative Albums (15), Top Hard Rock Albums (6)
• Some Hearts (Carrie Underwood): Billboard 200 (97), Top Country Albums (21)
• Running Back to You (Chris Sligh): Top Christian Albums (26), Top Christian and Gospel Albums (33)
• We Weren’t Crazy (Josh Gracin): Top Country Albums (44)
• Bucky Covington: Top Country Albums (57)
• Phil Stacey: Top Country Albums (68)
• True Beauty (Mandisa): Top Christian and Gospel Albums (65)
• Small Town Girl (Kellie Pickler): Top Country Catalog Albums (20)

Upcoming Idol Releases

Season 5's Ace Young's self-titled debut will be released July 15. The album is produced by music giant Desmond Child and Ace wrote or co-wrote 11 of the tracks. There is also a Diane Warren song on the album.

Season 3's Jon Peter Lewis’ second album, Break the Silence, is set for release on July 22.

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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