John Hlavaty ([email protected])
Fri, 20 Nov 1998 14:38:54 -0500
R.E.M.:
R.E.M.'s new album, "Up", sold 117,000 copies its first week in
the U.S. This was good enough for a #3 debut on BillBoard.
"Up" debuted at #2 in Canada and the U.K. In its second week,
"Up dropped to #11 in the U.K., #12 in Canada and to #16 in the
U.S. This week, "Up" is #33 in the U.S. and Canada
and #25 in the U.K.
Based on known sales information and estimates,
"Up" may just now be clearing the 200,000-250,000 mark
in U.S. sales.
R.E.M.'s "Daysleeper" had floated near the bottom
of the top 20 on the U.S. Modern Rock charts. This
week, the song did not chart.
Alanis Morissette:
Alanis Morissette's new album, "Supposed Former
Infatuation Junkie" sold 71,235 copies in
Canada its first week for a #2 debut. The album
debuted at #3 in the U.K. In the U.S., Alanis sold 469,00
copies for a #1 ranking. In its second week,
"Supposed...Junkie" dropped to #10 in the U.K.
In Canada, Morisette sold 30,173 copies
and remained at #2. Morissette held on to the
top spot in the U.S. with sales of 268,112 copies.
Her song "Thank U" had reached #12 on the
U.S. Modern Rock charts. This week, it did
not chart in the top 20.
U2:
U2's chart progress may be more confusing as
their "Best Of + B-Sides" is selling along with the
"Best Of" without the b-side disk. In some countries
the sales of the two versions are combined,
whereas in others, the two versions chart separately.
So read carefully.
U2's "Best Of + B-Sides" sold 237,400 copies
in the U.S. its first week for a #2 debut. The "Best Of +
B-Sides" debuted at #1 in the U.K., Ireland, Australia
and Italy and at #2 in Germany. In Ireland, the album had
over 100,000 advance orders. U2's "Best Of" sold 86,210
copies in Canada its first week, also debuting at #1.
The U.S. sales of "Best Of + B-Sides" in it's
first week (237,400 copies) is not far from the first week
sales of "Achtung Baby" which sold 295,000 (and
ultimately went on to sell 8 million copies in the U.S.)
"Zooropa" sold 377,000 copies and "POP" sold 350,000
copies in their respective first weeks in the U.S.
It should be noted though that this will probably be
the first U2 album since "The Unforgettable Fire"
that did not hit #1 in the U.S.
In the second week, U2's "Best Of + B-Sides" sold 136,000 units
in the U.S. This was enough for a #5 ranking. The "Best Of" minus
the b-side disk sold 29,000 copies in the U.S. which was enough
for a #57 debut. Had the sales been combined, U2's "Best Of"
would have sold a total of 165,000 copies which would have been
enough for a #3 ranking its second week in the U.S. - ahead of Celine
Dion's Christmas album (which debuted this week). All told
U2's combined "Best of" U.S. sales is 402,400 copies. U2
need to sell 500,000 copies in the U.S. to reach Gold status
and 1,000,000 copies for Platinum status.
The "Best Of + B-Sides" dropped from #1 to
#2 in the U.K. in its second week. The new #1 album is
the "Best Of" from George Michael (entitled,
"Ladies and Gentlemen... Best Of"). U2's "Best Of" without
the b-side CD debuted at #8 on the U.K. charts. Interesting
to see not only 2 U2 CDs in the U.K. top 10, but that both
are older material and variations of each other. One wonders
if the U.K. charts combined the sales of the two versions of U2's
"Best Of" would they be greater than the #1 album (George
Michael's "Best Of" album).
U2 slipped to #4 in Canada in the second week with
sales of 24,241 copies for the "Best Of + B-sides". However, if one
combines the sales of the single-CD version of "Best Of", which
sold 20,650 copies in its first week, U2 would still be at the top
of the Canadian charts. All told, both versions of U2's "Best Of"
have sold 131,101 copies in Canada, more than enough for Platinum status.
U2's "Best Of" is #1 for the second week in Ireland,
Australia and Italy where it appears that the sales of
both versions are combined.
"The Sweetest Thing" debuted at #3 in the U.K., holding
steady at #4 the following week before dropping to #10
and then to #18. Its 3 weeks in the top 10 and it's #3
ranking are higher than U2's last three singles from
"POP". "Last Night on Earth" and "Please" debuted
at #10 and #7, respectively, on the U.K. charts.
Each spent just one week in the U.K. top 10.
"If God Will Send His Angels" debuted at #12
on the U.K. charts (temporarily ending U2's string
of top 10 hits) and fell from the top 40 the
following week.
In Canada, the two versions of "The Sweetest Thing"
single charted separately. "Part I" debuted at #1,
giving U2 their second #1 single in that country
("Discotheque" was the first). "Part II" debuted at
#3. In the second week, the singles dropped slightly, but
held strong at positions 3 ("Part I") and 4 ("Part II")
on the charts. In week 3, "Part II" jumped *up* to
#2 while "Part I" held steady at #3. This gives U2
two top 5 singles in Canada for 3 consecutive
weeks. Even more interesting is that the singles
are variations of each other. Also of note, "POPHeart"
has re-entered the Canadian top 40, reaching #38
this week. "POPHeart" is the live CD version of
"Please". It spent months in the Canadian top 10
and still has not fallen out of the Canadian top 100.
In Australia, "The Sweetest Thing" debuted at #6.
It dropped to #10 the following week and held
steadyat #10 for week 3.
In Ireland, "The Sweetest Thing" debuted at #1, dropped
to #2 its second week and slipped just a few notches
to #4 in the third week.
"The Sweetest Thing" was not release as a CD
single in the U.S.; however, it has charted on the U.S.
Modern Rock charts. Two weeks ago "The
Sweetest Thing" reached #17. This was higher
than R.E.M.'s "Daysleeper" and just a few notches
below Alanis's "Thank U".
Last week, "The Sweetest Thing" jumped up to #13
and is now #11 (its highest position) on the
U.S. Modern Rock Charts. The song has spent
7 week on the U.S. Modern Rock charts. Interesting to
note that Alanis' song "Thank U" has fallen out of the
Modern Rock top 20 despite the success of her album.
Until next week...
Ciao,
John
John J. Hlavaty, Ph.D. Tel: 978-927-5054, ext. 360
New England BioLabs, Inc. Fax: 978-921-1350
32 Tozer Road e-mail: [email protected]
Beverly, Ma 01915
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