WEEK IN PREVIEW:
#1 STILL UP FOR GRABS
Kelly Clarkson, Amigo
Actually, it commemorates the victory of the Mexicans over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862 (thank you, mexonline.com). And, just as Mexican forces fought to overtake their more numerous and better-equipped foe, so too are certain albums vying for chart superiority on this week’s sales battleground.
If that isn’t the most awkward and inept analogy you’ve ever read, here’s a nickel—go buy some mayonnaise.
Welcome to Paragraph Four, in which we eventually get around to the actual business at hand. Who’ll be #1 this week? Well, if we knew, we would have told you by now, so let’s dive right into the guessing:
As the early reports are tallied, it looks like 50 Cent’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (Shady/Aftermath/ Interscope) will probably end up #1 for the week, with sales of about 100k and possibly as high as 125k. Kelly Clarkson’s Thankful (RCA) is battling with American Idol Season 2: All-Time Classic American Love Songs (RCA), Cher’s Very Best of Cher (WSM), Linkin Park's Meteora (WB) and Norah Jones' Come Away With Me for #2, with all titles threatening 100k. Note that AI 2’s debut puts two American Idol titles in the Top Five.
Behind those releases is Madonna’s American Life (WB) at around 80-90k. The biggest gainer of the week is Disney's Lizzie McGuire soundtrack, which is looking at about 75k sold, up 50% from last week due to the movie's opening.
Other top chart debuts will include Lil’ Mo’s Meet the Girl Next Door (Elektra), Kelly Price’s Priceless (Def Soul/IDJ) and Bone Crusher’s Attenchun (Arista), each looking like they’ll come in at over 50k
Meanwhile, on your radio dial, here are the tracks that will likely earn the most adds at your favorite formats this week:
Top 40: It’s a "clean-up week," with Sugar Ray’s ""Mr. Bartender (It’s So Easy)" (Atlantic) and Ashanti’s "Rock Wit U" (Murder Inc./IDJ) getting more love. Also look for early action on Madonna’s "Hollywood" (WB) and Thalia f/Fat Joe’s "I Want You" (Virgin).
Crossover: The aforementioned Thalia f/Fat Joe will likely be the winner, followed by Loon f/Kelis’ "How You Want That" (Bad Boy/Universal), Sarai’s "Ladies" (Epic) and Foxy Brown’s "I Need a Man" (Epic).
PoMo: Look for Good Charlotte’s "The Young & The Hopeless" (Daylight/Epic) to score enough early action to be Most Added this week, followed by Memento’s "Nothing Sacred" (Columbia), also on the early tip. Socialburn’s "Everyone" (Elektra) should also do well.
Now, since celebrating a French loss seems to fit in well with the intentions of the framers of the New American Century, get out there and swill a few gallons of margaritas. Consider it your patriotic duty.
