On the Charts: Neil Diamond Rides Multi-Pronged Push to Number One

5/14/08, 11:30 am EST

The Big News: Perhaps thanks to a guest mentorship on American Idol, soundtracking Boston Red Sox victories, that Urge Overkill cover in Pulp Fiction or a last minute surge for Mother’s Day gifts, Neil Diamond’s Rick Rubin-produced Home Before Dark topped the charts this week with 145,840 copies sold. Last week’s champ Madonna’s Hard Candy was knocked down to the third spot, selling 94,177 copies in its second week. Former American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken also got a rub from his old show (and probably a Mother’s Day surge as well) as On My Way Here debuted at four, while Mariah Carey’s E=MC2 rounded out the top five.

Debuts: Country music dominated as Toby Keith’s 35 Biggest Hits entered at number two and Dierks Bentley’s Greatest Hits bowed at nine. Mom favorites Gavin DeGraw and Josh Groban came in at seven and eight. Tokio Hotel’s American debut Scream took the thirty-nine spot with 15,811 copies, while the compact disc version of Elvis Costello’s Momofuku debuted at fifty-nine. And in an unprecedented moment in charts history, Animal Collective’s Water Curses EP topped the Singles chart.

Last Week’s Heroes: Hard Candy took the biggest hit, dropping sixty-six-percent in sales in a week where only three of last week’s top ten held steady. Portishead’s Third fell from seven to twenty-four, the RootsRising Down rolled from six to twenty-eight and Tom Petty’s Mudcrutch plummeted from eight to fifty-three.


Comments

ted champion | 8/22/2008, 7:36 pm EST

Neil Diamond is probably the best singer & songwriter of the rock n roll era!

jackkie | 5/22/2008, 7:27 pm EST

idk

Kirk | 5/21/2008, 12:20 am EST

Neil Diamond belongs in the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame, he’s LONG over DO.

Willem | 5/18/2008, 3:07 am EST

Als je van goede muziek en goede teksten houdt, dan moet je de muziek en teksten van Neil Diamond maar eens rustig beluisteren. Dan weet je wat een rasartiest heet te zijn.

Zebra | 5/16/2008, 4:31 pm EST

I love Neil Diamond, he is soooooo awsome. What a heart he has. Honest and opens up in his music so that other’s can peek in his world. As he himself has said, “It’s lonely out there and I hated sleeping around”. Me too but with God’s grace I can make it. Pretty Amazing, for sure!

Shilo | 5/15/2008, 4:24 pm EST

Home Before Dark is a pretty good acoustic rock album.Glad it is #1.

JB | 5/15/2008, 1:37 pm EST

Cheesy ? Over the hill? Middle of the road?
Some people just don’t get him…
the new stuff is ok but, go back to the 70’s roots to really ‘get’ his music.

Huh | 5/15/2008, 7:58 am EST

What did you mean that Clay also got a rub from his old show? He didn’t appear on AI as a performer or a mentor, unlike Neil who got 2 whole nights worth of pimping.

Put Clay on AI and he would have sold through the roof. It was probably in Neil’s contract to make sure Clay didn’t get a chance to appear.

Marty J | 5/15/2008, 4:04 am EST

Yes. Everyone really does love The Diamond! This makes me even more excited to see him playing Southampton Rose Bowl in June. Baby loves me, yes she does!

JD | 5/15/2008, 12:56 am EST

It’s hard to believe that Neil has never had a #1 album until now. And it’s also hard to believe he isn’t in the rock and roll hall of fame. He has influenced so many.

Axl's ego | 5/14/2008, 9:47 pm EST

Neil rocks! My Pop’s fave singer and the voice of my childhood soundtrack. I’m glad good music is making a comeback.

Sarah | 5/14/2008, 7:37 pm EST

Wow, that is great to see Neil at #1!!

And Tokio Hotel entering at 39 is amazing!

solitary man | 5/14/2008, 7:34 pm EST

Neil Diamond has to be in the top ten of artists who are not in rock n roll hall of fame and should be. merit and true artistry is a secondary consideration in that shameful gimmick of personal preferences disguised as an honorary. if it is decided by you know who that Neil is worthy of such merit, he should tell them no thanks.

dee | 5/14/2008, 6:56 pm EST

Great album and worth waiting for.
Neil is the best

dee | 5/14/2008, 6:55 pm EST

Great album and worth waiting for.
Neil is the best

Madge | 5/14/2008, 2:52 pm EST

rules

Kelly | 5/14/2008, 1:16 pm EST

I was surprised at how good Clay Aiken’s new album sounds. Every song is good and there’s no “filler” whatsoever. My favorite is the one that he wrote, Lover All Alone.

Neil rocks | 5/14/2008, 12:33 pm EST

Kinda cheesy, but, Neil is an American music legend. Good to see his late date “comeback”.

Post A Comment

Caution: Off-topic comments will be deleted

Name:

Comments:



Advertisement

Advertisement