Music

Weekly Music Sales Report

It’s freakin’ hot.  But not too hot to go out an buy CDs, apparently.

After three weeks of declining sales, things rebounded 4% over last week but still down 9% from the same period last year.  Annual sales are now just 1% ahead of 2010–and that was a miserable year. 

Low-margin digital sales continue to grow, up 37% from last year. 

And here’s a new term for you”  “track-equivalent sales.”  That means “ten tracks equals one album.”  That’s higher by 8.4% over last year.

Adele’s 21 remains unstoppable, remaining at #1 for the fourth week in a row and 13th week overall.  Sales softened by just 2% to 14,000 units.  Theory of a Deadman’s The Truth Is debuted at #2 with 8,500.

In the US, country star Blake Shelton debuts at #1 with about 116, 000 copies.  He’s followed by Incubus’ If Not Now When? with just under 80,000 copies (compare that to the #11 Canadian debut with just 3,200 copies).  Adele is at #3 with another 76,000 units.  If you’re counting, that nearly 2.7 million copies so far.

Finally, if you’re following Lady Gaga’s fortunes in the US, Born This Way has fallen to 25,000 copies, good for #13 and a total of just under 1.6 million copies in eight weeks.

Contrary to what some people think, I am NOT gleeful at the difficulties she’s having with this album.  I’m just fascinated by how quickly the fortunes of the biggest pop star in America have turned.  Compare her year to what Adele is having.  That says something.  I’m just not sure what.

For what new releases to watch this week, check out The Tuesday Guide.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 37948 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

One thought on “Weekly Music Sales Report

  • What is the likelihood that one could lose all their CD's in a fire or theft? not very. What is the likelihood that ones ipod could get wiped out by faulty electronics, viruses or you drop it down the sewer? better technology? I think not. The artwork is a bonus.

    Reply

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