iTunes Chart Watch: Michael Jackson's Sales Surge Lasts a Second Week

Part of: iTunes Chart Watch

I suspect Michael Jackson's ride at the top of the charts is about to come to an end, just as his family, loved ones, and fans (finally) lay him to rest.  I know it hasn't impacted him in any discernible way but I'm kind of creeped out by the long gap between his sad passing and his burial.  It disturbs me and I'm glad it's over.  As for his resurgence on the charts, I don't care how long it lasts.  I suspect we're about to see it slowly fade.

What isn't fading is the force that is the music download.  Even before the economy went in the terlet, we were hearing about how the music industry was about as healthy as the buggy whip market.  While the industry won't be doing cartwheels over this news, it's not nothing.  Music downloads were up in the first half of 2009 compared to the first half of 2008.  The catch, if there is one, is that while single tracks are doing well, albums are not.  I don't know what the industry perspective on that is, but I'm not happy about it.  I'm thrilled that music fans have the choice, but I still love the album as an artform and I hate to see anything that erodes it.

The Black Eyed Peas continue to sell those singles, but "I Gotta Feeling" has eclipsed "Boom Boom Pow."  They hold the one and three slots this week with Jackson's "Man In The Mirror" sandwiched between.  Sean Kingston continues to hold on to his spot in the Top 5.

Outside of Michael and the Black Eyed Peas, we have new/recent entries from Linkin Park and Colbie Caillat.  LP entered the charts last week with their song from the Transformers 2 soundtrack.  At least they aren't announcing a new record yet and it's the first new song in two years.  Two years wasn't long enough for me.  I've gotten as much of a break as I can reasonably hope for.  Colbie Caillat's music is reasonably insipid but it's tuneful, pleasant, and inoffensive.  If this first single is already Top 10, it's a good bet her album Breakthrough is going to do well when it's released August 25.

Continued on the next page Page 1 — Page 2

Article tags

Spread the word
Bookmark and Share
Profile image for josh-hathaway

Article Author: Josh Hathaway

Josh Hathaway began with Blogcritics in August 2004 and served as writer, and editor and founded the music web site BlindedBySound.com. Follow me on Twitter (http://twitter.com/blindbysound).

Visit Josh Hathaway's author pageJosh Hathaway's Blog

Read comments on this article, and add some feedback of your own
  • No image found
  • No image found
  • No image found
  • No image found

Article comments

  • 1 - El Bicho

    Jul 08, 2009 at 3:11 pm

    for a few weeks MJ connected me to these lists. see you later, pop music

  • 2 - Josh Hathaway

    Jul 08, 2009 at 7:59 pm

    MJ's singles are as close as I came to connecting. I know the feeling.

Add your comment, speak your mind

Personal attacks are NOT allowed.
Please read our comment policy.
Please preview your comment.

blogcritics lists for May 18, 2013

fresh articles Most recent articles site-wide

fresh comments Most recent comments site-wide

most comments Most comments in 24hrs

top writers Most prolific Blogcritics for April

top commenters Most prolific Commenters in 24 hrs