Yes, folks, it’s that time of the year again. Billboard recently released its’ year-end charts, and some of the results will surprise you. Chris Brown ranks as the year’s top artist, thanks to three huge hit singles and a double-platinum album. He’s also (obviously) the top male artist on the year-end survey, while to no one’s surprise, his girlfriend Rihanna ranks as the top female artist. In their breakout year, The Jonas Brothers rank as the top band/duo/group.
This week, we turn our attention to the year’s top albums. Now, when doing their year end survey, Billboard does not use hard sales figures, nor do they use the strict calendar year. Their year end charts are based on a calculation of chart positions from week-to-week, while the time period they tally is from the first week of December 2007 to the last week of November 2008. Which should explain why the biggest-selling album of 2008 isn’t actually the Number One album of 2008. Let’s move on to the chart, shall we? Oh, and as always, all chart positions are courtesy of the good folks at Billboard communications.
1) “As I Am” Alicia Keys
Keys snared the #1 spot by spending all 52 weeks of the chart year on the Top 200. During that period, “As I Am” has sold 3.7 million copies. It’s the first time Keys has had a #1 album of the year. And here’s a sign at how flat record sales have become: “As I Am” is the worst selling studio album of Keys’ career.
2) “Noel” Josh Groban
“Noel” was actually the biggest selling album of the time period captured in the year-end chart, but as it was a holiday release, it’s time on the chart was limited. By the way, in terms of actual album sales, “Noel” wound up being 2007’s #1 album.
3) “Tha Carter III” Lil Wayne
2008’s #1-selling album by a healthy margin, Weezy joins Alicia Keys as the only artists in the Top 5 Artists, Albums and Singles of 2008. It’s also (obviously) the highest-ranking hip-hop title on the year end chart and the only one in the Top 20. The rest of the top 5, in order, T.I. (#23 on the overall chart), Rick Ross (#50), Jay-Z (#57) and Young Jeezy (#62)
4. “Long Road Out of Eden” The Eagles
5. “Fearless” Taylor Swift
Swift had two hit albums this year (“Fearless” ranks at #66), and is the highest-ranking country artist on the chart, assuming we’re not counting The Eagles as a country band. Take that, Joe Jonas!
6. “Rock ‘n Roll Jesus” Kid Rock
Kid’s album, which came out in October ’07, is the oldest album in the year-end Top Ten. His hit single “All Summer Long” was a hit on both pop and country radio and gave him one of the biggest songs of his career. Who’d have thought that the hick rapper with the midget sidekick would still be on top of the charts ten years later?
7. “Viva La Vida or Death & All His Friends” Coldplay
Coldplay’s album, conversely, is the newest album to appear in the year-end Top 10, as well as the highest ranking album by a U.K. artist. Leona Lewis is the only other Brit import in the Top 25. The rest of the Top 5 as far as Brits go: Led Zeppelin (#31), Robert Plant (with Alison Krauss, #39) and Amy Winehouse (#43).
8. “Now That’s What I Call Music Vol. 26” Various Artists
This series has proven to be quite durable over the years, proving that some Americans are just too damn lazy to make their own mix tapes. “Now 28” is #37 and “Now 27” is #41.
9. “Carnival Ride” Carrie Underwood
Carrie’s one of four “American Idol” alumni in the year-end Top 100. The others? Daughtry (#33), Jordin Sparks (#35) and Jennifer Hudson (#93)
10. “The Ultimate Hits” Garth Brooks
11. “Hannah Montana Soundtrack 3/Meet Miley Cyrus” Miley Cyrus
12. “Growing Pains” Mary J. Blige
13. “Exclusive” Chris Brown
Chris and Rihanna handily beat out R&B/hip-hop’s other power couple. Jay-Z, as previously mentioned, landed at #37 for the year with “American Gangster” and Beyonce’s “B-Day” ended the year at #170. “I Am…Sasha Fierce” came out too late to qualify, but it should figure mightily on next year’s chart.
14. “Sleep Through the Static” Jack Johnson
15. “Black Ice” AC/DC
16. “Death Magnetic” Metallica
AC/DC, Metallica, The Eagles and Garth Brooks (who sneaks in by virtue of debuting in 1989) are the only artists on the year-end Top 25 whose careers predate 1990. Mariah Carey and Kid Rock narrowly missed, as both issued their freshman efforts in 1990. So, basically, if you want a long career? Record metal or country.
17. “Jonas Brothers” Jonas Brothers
The Jonases are the only artists with two albums in the Top 25. Touche, Taylor Swift.
18. “Coco” Colbie Caillat
19. “Spirit” Leona Lewis
Leona’s the only artist in the Top 25 to debut in 2008, although Colbie Caillat narrowly tops her with the highest-ranking debut album on the chart. As far as debut albums go, those two are followed by Daughtry, Jordin Sparks and Amy Winehouse (“Back to Black” counts because it was her U.S. debut).
20. “High School Musical 2 Soundtrack” Various Artists
21. “Good Girl Gone Bad” Rihanna
If “Rehab” ascends just a few more positions in the next couple weeks, Rihanna will follow Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson and Bruce Springsteen as the only artists to pull seven Top 20 songs from one album. Not too shabby.
22. “E=MC2” Mariah Carey
23. “Paper Trail” T.I.
T.IÂ not only found himself beat by Lil Wayne on the charts this year, I’m pretty sure Weezy got arrested more times in the past year as well. However, T.I.’s the one looking at a stretch upstate, so he wins something after all.
24. “Mamma Mia Soundtrack” Various Artists
25. “A Little Bit Longer” Jonas Brothers
I would love to make another Jonas/Taylor Swift joke here…but I can’t think of one. Shit.
The American Music Awards are the “fun” awards. They’re the show that honors the boy bands and the less critically-acclaimed artists. Why? Because the fans vote, and that’s why Milli Vanilli (or at least the one who’s still alive) and C&C Music Factory have shelves filled with AMAs, while U2 has like2 or 3 of ’em. This show has a lengthy performance lineup. It’ll be interesting to see if they can actually squeeze some award giving into this show. It’ll be even more interesting if someone does a face plant like one of the Jonas Brothers did last year.
8:00: Christina Aguilera opens the show. She’s singing live, unlike her lame VMA performance. She’s also pale as a sheet. Get thee to a tanning salon, Christina.
8:02: “Sometimes I’m a super bitch!” They would’ve bleeped that back in the day on the AMAs…anyone remember when Slash and Duff dropped F bombs on live TV?
8:03: Xtina has gone from “Beautiful” to “Keeps Getting Better” to “Genie in a Bottle” to “Dirrty”. Apparently she’s gonna perform her entire Greatest Hits album.
Hey, where’s Redman? He couldn’t have possibly had anything else to do.
8:07: Two brothers up front ain’t even clapping. Come on, fellas, give Christina some dap.
8:08: Jimmy Kimmel is hosting, which I’m cool with as long as he doesn’t bring out his lame-ass girlfriend. He immediately drags out a Jay-Z/Beyonce joke, a Clay Aiken joke, and a Kanye-throwing-a-tantrum joke.
8:10: Dave Archuleta is in the crowd. His dad is next to him. Belt and switch not shown.
8:12: Jamie Foxx is presenting the award for Favorite Soul/R&B female. He cracks a circa-1999 independent women joke and then plugs his own album. Yawn. Nominees are Alicia Keys, Mary J. and Rihanna. My money is on A. Keys.
8:13: Ri-Ri wins, and she’s wearing a tablecloth. Whassup with that Rihanna?
8:15: NKOTB are on, and they’re getting the biggest screams of the night…20 years later!
8:18: The New Kids bust out with the crotch grab. 20 years ago, that would have been a national outrage if anyone other than Michael Jackson had done that.
Hey, I had to work an MJ reference in there somewhere.
8:23: Incongruous pairing of the night: Paris Hilton and T-Pain. They’re presenting Favorite Pop Male. Nominees are Chris Brown, Kid Rock and Usher. I say the Kid takes this one.
8:25: Chris Breezy wins this one. My prognosticating skills aren’t on point this year. I’ve still got time to change my luck.
8:26: Scott Weiland is HIIIIIIIIIIIIGH….soooooo HIIIIIIIIGGGHHHHHHHH!!! He’s introducing Pink, performing “Sober”. Irony much?
8:27: Pink is wearing a ball gown. She cleans up pretty good! Have I mentioned that I’m madly in love with Pink?
Have I also mentioned that I have seen every act that’s performed at this show so far live in concert? Yes, I’m bragging.
8:34: David Cook is presenting Taylor Swift. I’ve actually never heard this chick sing before. Could be interesting. Especially if she walks down and bitch slaps the Jonas kid who broke up with her in 27 seconds. I wonder if David is mad that Donnie Wahlberg stole his hairstyle.
8:35: Her performance set looks like the lobby of the hotel I stayed in 2 weeks ago in Portland, ME. Does the AMA show have furnishings by Marriott?
Taylor is very clearly looking at someone in the audience. Wonder who it is??? Wait, is she sobbing? Damn you, Jonas!!!
8:38: Lance Bass is presenting the Award for country group: Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts and SugarLand are the nominees. I go with SugarLand and this is going way too fast for me to make a Lance Bass joke, damn it.
8:39: Rascal Flatts wins the award. The fat dude from Rascal Flatts kinda looks like Lance, if he ate Justin, JC, Joey and Chris.
8:41: Ne-Yo pops up with a tux and a horn section. He’s taking this Rat Pack thing and running with it, no?
Ne-Yo gets the second standing O of the night, although I’d have given the claps to the dancing chick who stretched her leg behind her head. Wait, that didn’t come out right.
8:48: Wait. Didn’t Jimmy Kimmel used to be funny?
8:49: Nickelback is presenting the Best Rap Album award. The three guys not Chad Kroeger are very happy to have face time. Jay-Z, Kanye and Lil’ Wayne are nominated. I go with Kanye. I was right!!!
Have I mentioned that I FUCKING LOVE KANYE??? That was an excellent speech. Shut everybody the hell up, Kanye.
8:52: Jesse McCartney (no relation to the Beatle) introduces Leona Lewis. I guess in this case, calling her “beige” has multiple meanings, eh?
Shes pretty boring, but she’s performing from what looks like the old “Solid Gold” set. Looks like she dug up the Solid Gold dancers, too!
8:55: This performance isn’t exactly gonna differentiate her from Mariah Carey. Just saying.
9:01: The de-mulleted and soul patched Billy Ray Cyrus, introducing Miley on her 16th birthday. 2 more years and he can start legally whoring her out.
9:02: All jokes aside, Miley’s singing live, and she’s not so bad. More than I can say for Britney, who I’ve seen sing live…never.
I’m almost ashamed to say…I enjoyed that.
9:04: Some random chick and David Archuleta are presenting Favorite Country Male: Garth Brooks, Brad Paisley and Kenny Chesney. Paisley’s in the audience, I say he wins. Ding! Got it right again.
Either random chick is REALLY tall or Archuleta is like 3 foot 9.
Have I mentioned Brad Paisley is smokin’ hot? He can play the fuck out of his guitar too.
9:06: Miley Cyrus is blowing…out the candles on her birthday cake.
9:11: Why is Chris Martin performing with a 25-year old Magnavox TV next to him?
9:12: Confetti pours from the ceiling-always a crowd pleaser. Doesn’t take away from the fact that Chris is not only in very poor voice but he’s prancing around like a wanna-be Bono.
Wait a second…
9:15: Richie Sambora and Colbie Caillat are presenting Favorite Pop/Rock Album. Nominees are Alicia Keys, Coldplay and The Eagles. My money’s on The Eagles. Holy shit, A. Keys wins it. I’m wondering who’s gonna clean up all that confetti. Like clockwork, some guy with a broom sneaks out of the shadows.
9:17: Alicia, what’s up with the bindi? Also, don’t act surprised. The long-standing rumor has been that the AMAs notify winners in advance so they’ll show up at the ceremony.
9:23: After a fairly funny skit with Kimmel, RZA and Raekwon, Terrence Howard comes out to introduce Mariah Carey and give her a special award. Did we have to remind anyone that Terrence put a record out? Jamie Foxx he ain’t.
9:24: Why are Mariah and Nick suddenly reminding me of Whitney and Bobby? Up next, Nick is gonna make a reality show and talk about how he pulled a doody bubble out of Mariah’s ass and Mariah’s gonna go “THAT’S LOVE! BLACK LOVE!!!”
9:27: This is like watching paint dry. Is Mariah done singing yet? Whoa. She brings back some ancient Mariah screamin’ and hollerin’ to at least make the end interesting.
9:28: Nick Lachey and Elliott from “Scrubs” are introducing the accountants and presenting the award for Favorite Country Female. Nominees are Reba McEntire, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood. I go with Carrie on this one. Nope, I’m changing my pick to Taylor Swift. Right on time, too! She wins!
All the confetti has yet to be cleaned up from Coldplay’s performance.
9:31: Here’s Daughtry presenting the award for Favorite Pop/Rock Female. The other 4 guys in Daughtry are grateful to hahve some face time. Mariah, Alicia and Rihanna are nominated. I go with Ri-Ri again…and I’m correct. See, after a slow start, I’ve figured it all out.
9:38: I was totally not paying attention, but this chick is introducing The Fray, whom I love love love.
What’s up with all the rock guys in poor voice tonight? At least Isaac Slade is cute. Chris Martin? Meh.
9:42: Big Girl Jordin Sparks and mole-less Enrique are announcing Favorite Rap Male: Weezy, Yeezy and…Flo-Rida?? Kanye should win again. And he does.
He gets a standing O. I’m down with that. And he gives his award to Lil’ Wayne. Selfless Kanye? Say it ain’t so.
9:44: Ashley Tisdale is presenting Best New Artist. Nominees are Colbie Caillat, Flo_Rida, Jonas Brothers (who are gonna win), Paramore and The-Dream. The Jonases win. More beigeness ensues.
9:47: The-Dream cracks a jook about wanting to strangle the Jonas Brothers (I don’t blame ya, bro) and introduces Beyonce, who’s performing “Single Ladies”.
Someone gave that girl a lot of chicken and pancakes when she was growing up. God damn. Someone gave a double helping to that sista dancing with her, though. Now that’s some ass. Jonny Ice would definitely appreciate that one.
9:50: Beyonce asks the single ladies to put their hands up. Queen Latifah, you lie! I bet your wife ain’t gonna give you none when you get home.
Some white lady in the audience is trying to dance like Beyonce. Lawd lawd lawd. She gon’ break something.
Beyonce gets a standing O. Any woman who can do that deserves more than a standing O.
9:56: Akon and Julianne Hough are presenting Favorite R&B Album. Akon is plugging his album. Class. Alicia, Mariah and Mary J. are nominated. Alicia will win this…and she does. Damn, I’m good. Akon plugs his album again. Sigh.
9:57: Alicia breaks out with the Flavor Flav “WOOOOOOOOOOOWWWW”.
9:58: Demi Lovato comes out to introduce The Jonas Brothers. Face-plant, face-plant!!
OK, it was more like a knee-plant. Whatever, shit was still funny.
10:02: The Pussycat Dolls are now performing. Guess what I learned a little earlier? I learned how to pronounce Scherzinger!!!
Speaking of Nicole, why is she wearing the boots from Michael’s “Rock with You” video? Two hours in and only two Michael Jackson references. I’m getting better!
10:05: Are they saying “boobies” or “groupies”?
10:12: It’s Justin Timberlake, y’all! And I was just singing “It’s Gonna Be Me” to myself!!
10:15: Annie Lennox is receiving the Award of Merit. Best female blue-eyed soul singer of all time.
…and “Why” is one of the best songs of the Nineties. Justin was right. Watch and learn.
10:19: Annie just took everyone to school. Amazing. Standing O very well deserved.
10:28: The personality-free Natasha Bedingfield is performing. I guess it’s time to take a piss.
10:29: Wait, is she singing “Unwritten”? How OLD is that song?
10:31: There is STILL confetti on the ground.
10:32: Rihanna comes out to sing “Rehab” and I swear she looks more like Prince than ever before. Complete with studded eyepatch.
10:34: Someone OD’ed on the smoke machine. Maybe they’re using it to cover up the confetti.
10:39: Motley Crue presents Favorite Pop Group: Nominees are Coldplay, Daughtry and The Eagles. I say Daughtry wins this one.
10:40: Mick Mars looks better than Scott Weiland. That’s sayin’ something.
As predicted, Daughtry wins. Chris, thanks for showing me a bald guy can rock the thick chops.
10:42: Is Kanye lip-synching? No, but he’s got a Daniel Boone coonskin thing hanging out o his jeans. Is that the new style or something?
10:44: You know, I hate to say it, but Kanye’s not a terrible singer.
10:46: Kanye is followed by…Sarah McLachlan? Now, THAT’s incongruous. Sarah is singing the 10-year old “Angel”. Why, exactly?
10:47: Pink is singing with her. This is a nice touch. I would listen to Pink sing the bloody phone book.
10:53: Steven Tyler and Joe Perry are presenting Artist of the Year. Alicia Keys, Chris Brown, Coldplay, The Eagles and Lil’ Wayne are nominated. I can’t call this one. Chris Breezy wins in a shocker! Teenage girls must’ve killed the voting. Do Chris and Rihanna have the same ugly neck tat?
10:56: Alicia Keys is closing out the show with “Superwoman” with two “special guests”. The mind wanders…
…can Alicia do ANY awards show performance without special guests?
10:57: I think it’s time for Latifah to make another rap record.
10:58: Kathleen Battle. Wow.
I’ve got to give this show props. Just about every genre of music has been represented and the performances were tight as hell. The Grammys have to step their game up next year. We are signing off. Seacrest out! (sorry GG)
18-year old country superstar Taylor Swift enjoys an impressive debut on this week’s album chart with her sophomore release, Fearless. Nearly 600,000 folks bought or downloaded Swift’s album, making it the biggest selling first week for a country album since The Eagles’ Wal-Mart exclusive last year, which scanned over 700,000 units in its’ first week. Swift was not only on last week’s CMA ceremony (after which just about every artist to perform sees an increase in scans this week), but she is the rare country artist to get love from MTV, a platform which certainly influenced a lot of folks who may not necessarily count country as their favorite genre.
The remainder of the Top 20 is filled with debuts, as the top six albums this week all scan over 100,000 units (indicating that the holiday season is right around the corner). American Idol runner up David Archuleta lands at #2 with his self titled debut, the latest edition of Now That’s What I Call Music! follows behind at #3, T-Pain enters at #4, a holiday album from Enya pops in at #8, Christina Aguilera’s greatest hits album is new at #9, and Seal’s new covers album pops in at #13.
Here’s what this week’s Top 20 looks like:
01-“Fearless” Taylor Swift
02-“David Archuleta” David Archuleta
(combined age of the Top 2 artists…35)
03-“Now That’s What I Call Music! Vol. 29” Various Artists
04-“Thr33 Ringz” T-Pain
05-“Twlight” Soundtrack
Expect this soundtrack to get a boost when the movie premieres this weekend.
06-“Black Ice” AC/DC
07-“High School Musical: Senior Year” Various Artists
08-“Winter Came” Enya
Already this year’s highest charting holiday album.
09-“Keeps Gettin’ Better: A Decade of Hits” Christina Aguilera
10-“Paper Trail” T.I.
11-“Funhouse” P!nk
12-“Evolver” John Legend
13-“Soul” Seal
14-“Incanto” Andrea Bocelli
15-“Greatest Hits Vol. 1” Rascal Flatts
16-“Take it to the Limit” Hinder
17-“Rock & Roll Jesus” Kid Rock
18-“Lucky Old Sun” Kenny Chesney
19-“Death Magnetic” Metallica
20-“Love on the Inside” SugarLand
Kid Rock, Chesney and SugarLand all get significant boosts from the CMA Awards
Yes, folks, it’s that time of the year again. Billboard recently released its’ year-end charts, and some of the results will surprise you. Chris Brown ranks as the year’s top artist, thanks to three huge hit singles and a double-platinum album. He’s also (obviously) the top male artist on the year-end survey, while to no one’s surprise, his girlfriend Rihanna ranks as the top female artist. In their breakout year, The Jonas Brothers rank as the top band/duo/group.