On the Charts: "High School Musical 2" Continues Dominance, Talib Kweli Grabs Career-Best Debut

The Big News: Get used to seeing the High School Musical 2 soundtrack near the top of the charts for a while: In its second week of release, the tween juggernaut sold 367,055 copies -- more than six times the tally of the number-two album, Talib Kweli's Eardrum, which sold 60,479 in its first week of release. The Hannah Montana 2 soundtrack continued to benefit from the influx of kids in a record-buying mood, finishing at number three, while the Hairspray soundtrack and Now! 25 hits collection rounded out the top five.

Debuts: Besides Kweli, who had the biggest debut of his career, Swizz Beatz made an impressive entry, selling 45,163 to finish at number seven, and metal heroes As I Lay Dying moved 39,490 units to land at number eight. M.I.A.'s sophomore LP Kala opened at number eighteen, Rilo Kiley hit the charts at twenty-two and New Pornographers came in at thirty-four.

Last Week's Sales Heroes?: Fergie remains a top-ten fixture, finishing at number six this week, as does number-nine Nickelback, who have been on the charts for ninety-nine weeks with All the Right Reasons. Texas hip-hop duo UGK hold on at number ten in their third week of release.

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Song Stories

“Youth Knows No Pain”

Lykke Li | 2011

“Like on 'Youth Knows No Pain' — we are the ones that should demonstrate, because we can take it,” Likke Li said. “We can pierce ourselves, take Ecstasy, dance all night and still go to work at our McDonald's jobs.” Despite the hedonistic sentiment in the song, the Swedish singer also admitted in hindsight her youth had repercussions. “I remember when I was 18-19 and feeling that I know it all,” Li said. “I always feel that I know it all. But that song is about realizing you don’t, and reflecting, ‘Boy, if I only knew what would follow.’”

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