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On the Charts: “I Look To You” Earns Whitney Houston Her Best Ever Debut

9/9/09, 11:29 am EST

Photo: Mazur/WireImage

The Big News: As expected, Whitney Houston reclaimed the crown of Queen of the Charts as her comeback album I Look To You cruised to Number One with 304,000 copies sold, almost double the amount sold by the week’s Number Two record, Miley Cyrus’ Time of Our Lives EP. I Look to You was Houston’s first album to debut atop the Top 200 since 1987’s Whitney, and the 304,000 copies represent the best-selling debut week of Houston’s career, surpassing the 205,000 copies Just Whitney sold in 2002 (that album only peaked at Number Nine).

Trey Songz also had a strong week as Ready debuted at Number Three with 130,000 copies sold. Luckily for Songz, 80,000 copies separated Ready from the week’s Number Four album, Insane Clown Posse’s Bang! Pow! Boom!. Last week’s champ Colbie Caillat and her Breakthrough rounded out the Top Five. Over on the Comprehensive Albums chart, where Michael Jackson sales are counted, the King of Pop’s Number Ones placed fourth, ahead of ICP, with 56,000 copies sold.

Debuts: A handful of debuts stormed into the Top 10 as the music industry shakes itself out of the summer sales doldrums and creeps towards autumn’s big releases. Other newbies in the Top 10 include Chevelle’s Sci-Fi Crimes at Six, Pitbull’s Rebelution at Eight and the Used’s Artwork at 10. All three albums sold in the 35K-45K range. Other notable debuts include the Black Crowes’ Before the Frost… Until the Freeze at 12 and John Fogerty’s The Blue Ridge Rangers Ride Again at 24.

Last Week’s Heroes: In an age where most releases encounter second-week sales drops in the 50 percent range, Miley Cyrus somehow managed to more than double the first week sales of the Time of Our Lives EP, moving an additional 153,000 copies to stick at Number Two for a second consecutive week. Caillat was not as fortunate as sales of Breakthrough fell 54 percent since its debut at Number One last week. But the biggest plunge was reserved for the Arctic Monkeys, who watched Humbug fall from 15 to 50 thanks to a 63 percent dip.

Next week on the charts, we’ll have the full report on the epic sales battle of Jigga versus Fab Four and The Blueprint 3 versus The White Album as Jay-Z and the Beatles both issued a pair of the most-anticipated releases in 2009.


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Comments

mary | 9/9/2009, 12:48 pm EST

Oh I am so pleased to see success for Whitney! Comebacks are so great especially when someone has been through such turmoil in their life… Only the best Whitney!!!
And way to go for MJ for staying on the charts for so long!

bobby brown | 9/9/2009, 12:50 pm EST

hey man, where mah bitch these days? she still no way on her own without mah third leg to hold her up.
i want to…to…like, wow, i cant remember…ok…ah all be back soon

Troof | 9/9/2009, 1:18 pm EST

Her face and voice are falling apart.

Anonymous | 9/9/2009, 1:28 pm EST

She will soon be able to afford even more crack rock.

kelly | 9/9/2009, 1:34 pm EST

We love you Whitney and I am so proud at your word to improve yourself. I love your song I look to you and million dollar bill- cant wait to see you on oprah

Anonymous | 9/9/2009, 1:49 pm EST

“WITHOUT TEST THERE IS NO TESTIMONEY”
Love you Whitney,welcome back !

MARVIN | 9/9/2009, 1:56 pm EST

I AM SO PLEASED WITH HER NEW CD. WELCOME BACK TO THE TOP, DON;T STAY AWAY SO LONG THE NEXT TIME

Trigger | 9/9/2009, 1:57 pm EST

Welcome back Whitney to your throne of Queen of Music. We’re glad your back doing what you do best. I wish you the best and sing baby sing…keep bringing us great music.

Amazed | 9/9/2009, 1:57 pm EST

I am so happy for Whitney Houston and all of her fans that have waited and prayed for this moment. It seemed like it would never happen, but it did and she’s on top of the charts where she belongs.

Haha | 9/9/2009, 2:32 pm EST

William Hung could go 5 yrs between records and still crank out a hundred thou.

CiCi | 9/9/2009, 2:39 pm EST

I am so happy for Whitney. I hope The Beatles sweep the floor in sales with Jay Z’s over sized ego.

jason | 9/9/2009, 5:26 pm EST

I’m so proud of WHITNEY for staying strong and overcoming the obstacles which plagued her personal life the past few years. Her fans have remained faithful and we’re blessed to have an opportunity to hear her music once again. Love you Whitney!

Reality Check | 9/9/2009, 5:52 pm EST

You people who are praising Whitney Houston’s new album should get your hearing checked. It’s absolutely horrible, and yes, I’ve listened to the whole thing, start to finish.

Face it, if this album was by some new anonymous random singer, you’d think it was garbage. You only like it, because of who she is, and are living in the past.

Anyone who’s seen her on television lately knows her comeback is a sham. And her album must have been painstakingly put together with lots of advanced technological wizardry. Her voice in real life, is shot.

Also, crack is wack.

Richard | 9/9/2009, 6:42 pm EST

People who are criticizing Whitney Are all wrong Whitney is doing her thing and now that we have No MJ she is now one of the few greatest artist we have left. So give her a break

Cj | 9/9/2009, 7:52 pm EST

You’re an idiot.

Volrath | 9/9/2009, 10:12 pm EST

I like Whinny, glad she’s back n all..but the album doesnt cut it! sorry to say..the truth- reality check above said it!

I believe her voice suffered alot goin thru drugs/emotional breakdown…the producers had to bring some big names for help…to get back her up…

I believe the number will plunge next week after multiple reviews from fans- i will give it 2*stars out of 5- sorry Whinny…

perhaps mayb on the next album

djandy | 9/9/2009, 10:48 pm EST

I like Whitneys new album but only stand out tracks for me are “One million dollar” and “I Didn’t know my own strength”. I loved Whitneys last album “Just Whitney”which was so underated. Whitney is back in the game just hope she can stay there.

Anonymous | 9/9/2009, 11:32 pm EST

tall

Janelle | 9/10/2009, 12:18 am EST

Whitney girl, I am proud of you. God bless you and just look ahead. Whitney will always be Whitney!!! Welcome back.

Lauren | 9/10/2009, 2:12 am EST

I agree with Reality Check. The CD is just awful. She has really lost her voice sad to say. I’m glad she is trying to put her life back together but the truth is, the new music is just horrible. I wish her well but I’m not going to pretend that the CD is awesome just because of who she was. I wish her the best but lets be real, the voice is gone. :(

Oliver Senne | 9/10/2009, 2:13 am EST

I am so happy it is not funny,the album has cruised to the number 1 spot and it should remain there for another month.It is indeed tue that her last album was underated.Welcome back miss Houston.cannot wait to see you talking to the most powerful figure in the world, Miss Winfrey.I look to you miss whitney and indeed we did not know your own strength but i want you to know that we always loved you.I mean the fans all over the world.

Oliver Senne | 9/10/2009, 2:26 am EST

I will want to tell Lauren who says Whitney’s album is awful that she must go to the nearest doctor to check her ears.You are having hearing problems luvvie!other than that i wonder how old are you, maybe you need to follow the masses and listen to Beyonce and The montana girl.One thing for sure whitney houston;s music is classic and timeless like Michael Jackson.Their music will be listened to by generations to come because of the authenticity and the mastery behind the sound.Beyonce on the other hand sings beautifully too, but her music is bubblegum.It is not the kind of music you will listen to after years to come.If you listen to her latest album, i mean whitney you realise indeed that her voice has changed a bit, but the quality of the material still sound the same.She is unique and that is a fact.I am a South African and so priviledged to listen to Miss Houston’s music. resonance

jay | 9/10/2009, 3:38 am EST

how come its so hard 4 people to be encouraging. She gives me strength watching her come back! I’m proud and this album reflects whats she’s been through. From the writing and even the vocals. We should all respect someone who’s been through somethings and still gets out there and puts herself out there. I’m very sure she is aware of her voice. But, she hasn’t ran away and has performed with dignity. All haterz really need to sit down on this one. Brava whitney!

Cynthia | 9/10/2009, 3:47 am EST

Welcome back baby girl. Your beauty and voice will flow again. There are four songs that stand out. I love the song, “This is for you”. This should have been the first single. “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength,” Absolutely beautiful along with “This is for You.” We welcome you back and love you – Sing sister Sing!!!!!

Cynthia | 9/10/2009, 3:53 am EST

The Fourth Song that I love on Whitney’s CD is “Nothing But Love.” This is her national anthem. Sing it loud and sing it proud Whitney….You know your own strength! You are a national treasure in the music world. Love you baby girl…now Sing!!!!!!!!!!

johnathan | 9/10/2009, 5:37 am EST

whitneys voice has matured and her songs are very beautiful with alot of meaning. Whitney is back to regain her throne as the Queen of Pop…

bambola286 | 9/10/2009, 7:38 am EST

hello MS HOUSTON+++ you are forever de besst,,in the past and in the present…and sure in the long long future++++no one like you+++never+++

isaiah | 9/10/2009, 9:02 am EST

This for the haters! It wasn’t just Whitney’s vioce that made us love her. It was what she represented then and certainly what she represents now. She has beenthrough the good the bad and the ugly and has survived. I love Whitney for fighting and for getting it right. Eventhough her voice isn’t what it was, it’s remarkably above most of what you hear these days. Her music is soulful, positive and true and is worth the admiration of the millions who do admire her voice and her artistry. So, just stop the hating!!!! Support her like you would like to be supported if it were you. Encourage her instead of trying to destroy her. This is the time for love. Not hate!!!!!!!

michael g | 9/10/2009, 11:02 am EST

Her voice, deflated of soaring power, still floats beautifully above current middling singers like beyonce knowles and shakira’s who know nothing about vocal skills except do kalisthenic sound wails (awoo a awoo awoo awu huahawwwoooooawawawawa ayiiiii!!)

kELLY | 9/10/2009, 12:01 pm EST

WHITNEY HOUSTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!! SHE’s THE QUEEN OF POP AND R&B!!!! all the other divas are also GREAT! BUT I BELIEVE THE QUEEN OF ALL DIVAS IS BACK. GOD BLESS WHITNEY!!!!

brian jones | 9/10/2009, 1:39 pm EST

what cd have all you wankers been listening to?
i listened several times (did not buy…burned, thankfully) to her new cd and it is a giant piece of CRAP!
first of all it is typical hackney houston, ie, it is cold, (so cold, so cold, so very cold), no emotion. it sounds like it is being sung by the same iceberg that sank the titanic!
this bozo lives in cloud cuckoo land and has spent whatever mechanical talent she ever possessed or was trained to emulate like a monkey see monkey do.
folks…save your money money and instead of buying this ice cube of a cd, by a long island ice tea…the latter is much more warm, inviting, and refreshing.

sseettaa | 9/12/2009, 12:31 pm EST

thank god I didn´t buy this cd.. I just heard it and is really really bad. Her voice is gone and the songs selection are baaaaaaaad!
Also I just heard the new Mariah cd.. and sounds awesome!!

tsims | 9/12/2009, 8:37 pm EST

Stop hating on whitney, she ain’t got nunn but love for ya! I’m so proud of da new album #1 baby

jeff | 9/12/2009, 9:03 pm EST

Lousy album. Her voice sounds like that of a person with a 3-pack a day cigarette habit. She deserves no sympathy. Her crack habit drove her 16 year old daughter to a suicide attempt.

jeff | 9/12/2009, 9:03 pm EST

Lousy album. Her voice sounds like that of a person with a 3-pack a day cigarette habit. She deserves no sympathy. Her crack habit drove her 16 year old daughter to a suicide attempt.

Alex j. | 9/12/2009, 9:06 pm EST

Her voice is a joke now. And what kind of artist would make her first public appearance on Good Morning America after 9 years and have to apologise to her fans that her voice is hoarse because she had talked too much to Oprah. This diva is finished. I won’t be wasting a dollar on her dimished vocals anymore, nor should u.

Bryan | 9/12/2009, 9:34 pm EST

Great album Whitney, from start to finish!!……….Nothin but Love

Whitney is not on my radar | 9/12/2009, 10:29 pm EST

I have a problem supporting drug addicted acts that includes lil wayne and all others regardless of their race. They’ll just burn up my hard eared cash on oxxicotton, promethizine syurp and crack cocaine. Give it to a childrens program that is actually helping kids of drug addicted parents. It’s all I can do for them.

Robin | 9/13/2009, 12:22 pm EST

I Look to You is a great album. If you were expecting the soaring vocals from the past then you will be disappointed. I think that it’s a great R & B album from a diva who can actually interpret lyrics and emote their content competently. It’s a miracle that she can sing at all given the history. Why don’t the hyper-judgmental basterds cut the lady some slack.

jay | 9/13/2009, 11:02 pm EST

haters get a life …. no matter what whitney does we all know she is the real diva she owns the crown
so whatever she does is ok for the entire world got that!!! her albun hit # 1 hahaahaha bow down haters

Bat | 9/15/2009, 12:10 pm EST

Whitney’s album is great and her comeback is inspiring.I am not surprised by the judgemental attitude of many these so called self righteous pharisaical conservatives, who condemn Whitney for her past.

No Mariah | 9/15/2009, 3:42 pm EST

Ummh excuse me have some of you really listen to Mariah Carey Live lately she sounds amess Whitney still has some voice and she sounded good on Oprah but MC make you wonder what Drug was she taking. I think Mary J Bliges influnce on music has taken over lol now she sounds better than them all guess whos laughing there way to the Bank???

N Evans | 9/15/2009, 5:36 pm EST

Great to see her back…stay clean!!

donna | 9/15/2009, 8:15 pm EST

Welcome back Ms. Whitney… Your story is inspiring and parallel to my own — you’ve got more money & fame though!!! Recovery is sweet & serene my friend. Your faith will empower & guide you…

Toni | 9/16/2009, 5:20 am EST

Those of you in this forum making derogatory or disparaging comments about Whitney Houston’s efforts must be high on the drugs that she left behind when she did the right thing and got clean. What you really should be doing is pray really hard that YOU don’t suffer the same fate she pulled through with such courage … because by the sound of it, you could not do what she did to turn her life aroundd …You most certainly would have instead ended up a [drug-addicted] statistic!

TonyTellsTheTruth | 9/17/2009, 12:40 pm EST

Nothing, and I mean nothing, should stand in the way of truth. Whitney was one of the best singers ever in the past. Whitney, today doesn’t have a good voice at all. Her CD is unlistenable. She sounds bad. All the songs sound like someone with a voice disorder, tyrying to pretend they can still song. C’mon, the story was out there. Whitney’s sister-in-law, the newspapers, the blogs–they all said Whitney is flat broke, has mortgaged all her property, stole her father’s life insurance payout form her mother-in-law, and Clive Davis paid for her drug treatment. This comeback story is not about a beloved singer returning for the fans; it’s about a bank account trying to regain its past glory.

Real Reality Check | 9/19/2009, 4:49 am EST

Those who can will and those who can’t will criticize

BJ | 9/19/2009, 6:18 pm EST

GOD IS THE ONLY JUDGE. WHITNEY HAS ENDURED ALOT BUT THROUGH IT ALL GOD KEPT HER. IT IS SO EASY TO BE CRITICAL WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE THE SAME ISSUES. IF GOD FOR SOME REASON DECIDED ALLOW SATAN TO ATTACK ANY OF US WITH A DRUG ADDITION WHEN WE ARE TRYING TO TURN OUR LIVES AROUND WE WOULD GIVE ANYTHING TO HAVE SOMEONE BELIEVE IN US. THAT’S ALL WHITNEY IS ASKING BY COMING CLEAN. ARE WE EACH OTHER’S KEEPER? YES WE ARE. LET HIM WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE. MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO WHITNEY FOR HER COURAGE AND HER STRENGTH.

msdldavies | 9/19/2009, 7:01 pm EST

Much success to you, Whitney. He (Jesus) will always love you! Love the song I look to you. Keep the faith!

msdldavies | 9/19/2009, 7:04 pm EST

TonyTellsTheTruth and all of the other nay-sayers, stop raining on Whitney’s parade. What have you overcome? What success have you achieved? My hat’s off to Whitney.

msdldavies | 9/19/2009, 7:04 pm EST

TonyTellsTheTruth and all of the other nay-sayers, stop raining on Whitney’s parade. What have you overcome? What success have you achieved? My hat’s off to Whitney.

The Client | 9/21/2009, 4:39 am EST

She cant be doin too bad ya’ll haters on here making comments which means you listened to the cd and u read the ad if you didnt like her why go thru those measures?!?!?! EXACTLY as I thought a bunch of lifeless folks wit wat too much time on ya hands get a job better yet get a life maybe now its time for us to pray for u hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

The Client | 9/21/2009, 4:41 am EST

and also those of you braging about burning the cd’s loudly promoting that you stole something IS NOT CUTE but um gonna pray for u anyway…OUT DEMONS OUT!!!!

bernard mwiche zambia | 9/22/2009, 7:17 am EST

my oh my my lady is back. go whitney go whitney. you inspire me

DJ Duggy Day | 9/22/2009, 8:26 am EST

We had to wait a while, and for a time it looked like she wouldnt make it back….but Whitney’s now a survivor and her song ‘I Look To You’ is really kinda nice.

Sure her performance on the song is really quite shaky but I have to say i’d rather hear a shaky performance to nothing at all, it’s soooo good to see her back, and doing well! Go GIRL!

Anonymous | 9/24/2009, 10:10 am EST

my girl Whitney Houston has done it!!! number 1… eat that suckers and haters

whitneyfan22 | 9/28/2009, 10:52 am EST

I purchased Ms. Houston’s comeback album the day it was released. I have to say, although her voice is not the same as it was, say, at the peak of her career, you can hear her on the radio and still know that it’s Whitney singing. There honestly is-if you listen to any artist, new from Jennifer Hudson or Christina Aguilera, or old from Lena Horne or Dinah Washington,-no other Whitney Houston, no matter how many new fresh-faced artists(Leona Lewis, etc.)are being compared to her or penning them as, “The next…”.
Aside from that, I listened to the album over and over again, and honestly, I enjoyed it. One of my absolute thing I love about Whitney ever since “My Love is Your Love”, is that she is able to be “street” without sounding “ghetto”. She can still sing something hip that young people can listen to (such as myself-I’m 22) and still be classy and even seductive without being raunchy (if you have the album, listen to “Call You Tonight”.) The album is an excellent comeback for her, and I have to say, I have “Nothin’ But Love” for Whitney.

whitneyfan22 | 9/28/2009, 11:28 am EST

…On people still “brewing” from her temporary decline from music stardom (yes, I did say “temporary”…smile), I honestly think this anger is from disappointment-you know, thinking why someone who possesses such an abundance of talent could let it go to waste. I believe, as one person on the comment board stated, you can’t have a “testimony” without a “test”. Although I don’t know what she went through and what she has done(honestly, do ANY of us know what she has done or gone through?!), I-NONE of us-cannot pass judgement on this remarkable woman. Whatever it is that she has gone through, she has claimed that although she still “has urges”, she is through with her past. I have to say that I have gained a greater deal of respect for this talented woman.
How dare those who slam Whitney, that even in the midst of this woman trying to better herself for her and her daughter, state that she will be able to “buy more crack” or say that “she is washed out”? How you can say something so ignorant is beyond me. I think if ANY of us where in any type of predicament for such a long period of time, we would not want people to be dragging our name through the mud or even when we are trying to get ourselves together, we would want others-whether it’s family, friends, or in this case, FANS…smile-to ENCOURAGE us, NOT DISCOURAGE us or continue to judge us. But as the good word says “No weapon formed against me shall prosper”. For those who don’t understand that scripture, put “insults”, “judgemental people”, “joy stealers” or “haters” in the place of “weapon”…smile…

Debra | 9/30/2009, 6:42 am EST

Whitney I love you and welcome back,and God love’s you too.

Debra

Arise | 10/21/2009, 4:49 pm EST

The SISTA IS BACK, them under 20s Or just over 20s who didn’t know Whit like REALITY and TTTT good for nothing twits don’t know what they’re talking about infact i command you to head to rehab that white stuff is messing ur ears man. God bless Whitney, he sure saved her, he never forsakes us so long as we look to him. Be blessed y’all.

bambola286 | 11/16/2009, 6:27 pm EST

hello all++++for me WHITNEY IS FOREVER THE BEST+++++ NOW, IN THE PAST AND IN THE FUTURE++++SHE HAVE INSIDE SOMETHING DIFFERENT++++++NO ONE LIKE HER , NEVER…NOT COMPARABLE, NO MEASURE OF RANGE….NOTHING++++SHE REMAIN FOREVER THE ONE AND ONLY++++I’M GLAD TO LIVE IN THIS TIME ..I SEE HER , I HEAR HER++++I WHISH HER A VERRY LONG , LONG AND HAPPY LIFE….

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