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

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.

Singles:

1. "I Gotta Feeling," Black Eyed Peas
2. "Man In the Mirror," Michael Jackson
3. "Boom Boom Pow," Black Eyed Peas
4. "Fire Burning," Sean Kingston
5. "Fallin' for You," Colbie Caillat
6. "Billie Jean," Michael Jackson
7. "Thriller," Michael Jackson
8. "The Way You Make Me Feel," Michael Jackson
9. "New Divide," Linkin Park
10. "Beat It," Michael Jackson

I have a hunch Wilco's self-titled record would have done better were it not for two Michael Jackson compilations holding on to their spots in the Top 5.  As it is, a Top 5 debut is nice for this sextet that has never really enjoyed any sort of broad, commercial exposure or support.  Brad Paisley's latest album has gotten at least one enthusiastic review.  Killswitch Engage debuts in the Top 10 with their self-titled album and Moby stays in the Top 10 for a second consecutive week.

Albums:

1. The Essential Michael Jackson – Michael Jackson
2. Cradlesong – Rob Thomas
3. Number Ones – Michael Jackson
4. American Saturday Night – Brad Paisley
5. Wilco – Wilco
6. Thriller – Michael Jackson|
7. The E.N.D. (The Energy Never Dies) – Black Eyed Peas
8. Killswitch Engage – Killswitch Engage
9. Off the Wall – Michael Jackson
10. Wait for Me – Moby