Music

The 2003 compilation album outsells 'Now 31' in terms of number although ineligible to be the No. 1 at Billboard Hot 200 chart.

• Jul 9, 2009

AceShowbiz - "Now That's What I Call Music!" Vol. 31 compilation may come out as the champion of Billboard Hot 200 this week but the true winner is actually Michael Jackson. The late singer's catalog hits all time high when his 2003 compilation "Number Ones" scores 339,000 sold copies. "Now 31", meanwhile, rakes in 169,000 copies.

However, "Number Ones" is not eligible to be in the Hot 200 chart because it has been released for more than 18 months and does not have a current single on radio. But it qualifies as #1 on the Top Albums chart, followed by his other album "Thriller" which sells 169,000 units.

Within Hot 200 chart itself, there are 6 debuts in the top 10 including the "Now 31". At number 2 is Brad Paisley's "American Saturday Night" which sells 130,000 copies. Rob Thomas' solo album "Cradlesong" enters at number 3 with 122,000 in sale. Other debuts come from Wilco's "Wilco (The Album)" which sells 99,000 copies and is placed at #4, Jeremih's self-titled album which sells 59,000 copies and is placed at #6 and Killswitch Engage's self-titled album which sells 58,000 and is placed at #7.

A decline in sales is experienced by Black Eyed Peas' "The E.N.D." which goes from #1 to #5 after closing a sale of 70,000 copies. But a sharper plunge is coming from Regina Spektor's "Far". The album debuted impressively at #3 but takes a tumble this week to #26 after a 63|percent| decline to mere 18,000 copies.

Billboard Hot 200 Top 10

1. "Now That's What I Call Music!" - Various Artists
2. "American Saturday Night" - Brad Paisley
3. "Cradlesong" - Rob Thomas
4. "Wilco (The Album)" - Wilco
5. "The E.N.D." - Black Eyed Peas
6. "Jeremih" - Jeremih
7. "Killswitch Engage" - Killswitch Engage
8. "Lines, Vines and Trying Times" - Jonas Brothers
9. "Relapse" - Eminem
10. "The Fame" - Lady GaGa