On Tuesday, July 5th, the HDD list of top selling albums was published. The list, which is published each week, is an important tool in the music field as it is the official list of top selling albums.
American Idol season seven winner David Cook’s sophomore album results were a part of the list. This Loud Morning debuted at #7.
This made me wonder where this album and results came on the list of other Idol’s 2nd albums. I did a bit of searching and came up with this list. As you can see, the sales numbers are rounded. I used many sources for the numbers, including Idol Chatter, RIAA search, allmusic, and Yahoo Chart Watch.
| 1 | Carrie Underwood | Carnival Ride | 10-23-07 | 527,000 |
| 2 | Clay Aiken | Merry Christmas With Love* | 11-16-04 | 270,000 |
| 3 | Chris Daughtry | Leave This Town | 7-14-09 | 269,000 |
| 4 | Kelly Clarkson | Breakaway | 11-30-04 | 250,000 |
| 5 | David Archuleta | Christmas From The Heartland* | 10-13-09 | 249,000 |
| 6 | Jennifer Hudson | I Remember Me | 3-22-11 | 165,000 |
| 7 | Fantasia | Fantasia | 12-12-06 | 133,000 |
| 8 | Ruben Studdard | I Need An Angel | 11-23-04 | 96,000 |
| 9 | Jordin Sparks | Battlefield | 7-21-09 | 48,000 |
| 10 | David Cook | This Loud Morning | 6-28-11 | 44,090 |
| 11 | Kellie Pickler | Kellie Pickler | 9-30-08 | 43,000 |
| 12 | Josh Gracin | We Weren’t Crazy | 4-01-08 | 18,000 |
*Holiday albums are sometimes not considered “sophomore” albums, however, in this list, they are the second albums for each artist and both charted.
The names in red are Idol winners from the different seasons.
When I see a list like this, I am always amazed at the numbers for Clay Aiken. His album, A Thousand Different Ways debuted at #2 and sold over 211,000 albums. It’s pretty exciting to see those numbers.
Do you own any of these albums? Have you heard any of the albums? Is there a “second” album from an Idol that you are looking forward to hearing?
Of course I have Merry Christmas With Love but I also have Leave This Town, Breakaway, Carousel and Christmas from the Heart. I'm always proud of all the talent that's come from AI with Clay being the Shing Star at the top. He is by far my favorite! 🙂
I have never bought any other Idol’s album – I only spend my time, money, and love on
Clay. The chart is very interesting to see who sold what. My daughter has bought Clay’s,
Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, and my youngest son, buys Clay’s, Kelly C’s, and Chris Daughtery’s.
I've always read that Clay's ATDW sold 560,000. Thats the first time I've seen 211,000. It sure went down.
Your comment made me check again and every place I read, the number is 270,010. As I said, I rounded all the numbers because that is what they do on most of the charts from others.
I love seeing these numbers and the amazing sales that Clay has had!
Cookie – that's first week numbers only, not total numbers – the 560K is the total counted sales for ATDW 🙂
Goodmorning! What wonderful stats to see musicfan! Thank you so much for the info! He STILL holds up after all these years doesn't he! Of course I have all his albums… and will be patiently waiting for the NEXT one no matter what he does. After all, it's all about The Voice isn't it!
I own Kelly Clarkson's Breakaway album and obivously Clay's A Thousand Different Ways album. Kelly was my only other favorite contestant of American Idol, I really loved when her and Clay toured 🙂
I find it interesting about the sales of these albums. What I find more fascinating, is the fact that Clay's numbers hold well…for someone who does not get radio play…That is amazing on its own. I can only imagine what the sales would be for Clay, if they were all on the same playing field, with the same spins… Merry Christmas With Love is the best Christmas CD out there..and it still holds it own today. The music and voice are timeless.
MCWL is my favorite holiday album ever!!
As far as Idol contestants go, I have only have purchased Clay's music. Whether you chose MCWL or ATDW, Clay's numbers still hold up quite well in the Idol machine.
My DH always says that in the music industry you're lucky to get one year, two years is a miracle and anything over two years is longevity.
I read on Billboard that part of the reason that David's numbers are so low is that he has yet to find a single to hit big on radio. The fact that radio play seems completely and utterly out of the question for Clay, his numbers are damn fine (and I include Tried and True in that)
Clay has had 5 albums that all debuted in the Billboard charts. That's some record, and hard to beat in today's fickle music business.
WOW and another WOW!!
Clay Aiken has amazing numbers for his album sales. AND…….this is a guy who radio has boycotted. Just imagine if they would play him on the radio…..I guess he is just too good!
Thanks for this post and al the numbers.
I love MCWL. I don't have any of the other Idols CDs. Those numbers are exciting to see,
Thank you for your research!
Thanks for another very informative blog! Clay's numbers are fantastic. Coming in at #2 to Carrie, who gets megaplay on radio and appears on TV shows all the time, is an amazing accomplishment. I agree with all those who can only imagine what Clay's numbers would have been had he gotten the same radio play as other idol artists. He'd probably be #1 on that list.
The only second album that I have is Clay's, as well as the rest of his albums. I don't have any other Idol's album, maybe 1 or 2 songs that I downloaded individually.
Loved this–you can't argue with numbers!!
I don't own any Idol albums excepts Clay's.
I am looking forward to Clay Aiken's next album (which may just be another Christmas album). So, that would be his second Christmas album. Guess that's the 'second' album I'm looking forward to.
I had forgetten Clay sold that many copies of MCWL. That's a huge amount for a Christmas CD. I hope he records another Christmas CD someday. I have Carrie's CD which was given to me as a gift.
I have every single one of Clay's Albums…and I can't wait for the next one. I don't buy any of the other Idols CD's. His numbers are excellent..considering he doesn't get any radio play.