This week's top-selling Idol-related album actually isn't even an Idol album at all. It's the soundtrack from the third season of Hannah Montana, which features a duet with David Archuleta called I Wanna Know You.
Elsewhere. according to Nielsen SoundScan, the Rock of Ages cast recording (featuring Constantine Maroulis) returns to the chart with its physical CD release. Sales of Jennifer Hudson's album pick up after her performance during the Michael Jackson tribute. And I've managed to get hold of some of the catalog numbers several of you have been requesting. Lots of stats this week (which is why I'm posting so late in the day), so enjoy!
Albums:
Soundtrack, Hannah Montana 3 (incl. I Wanna Know You feat. David Archuleta) (137,000, debut, 137,000 total/15,000 digital)
Various, American Idol Season 8 (11,000, -19 percent, 25,000)
Kelly Clarkson, All I Ever Wanted (8,000, +8 percent, 643,000/1,000 digital, -14 percent, 137,000 digital total)
Carrie Underwood, Carnival Ride (6,000, +2 percent, 2.924 million)
Kellie Pickler, Kellie Pickler (6,000, -4 percent, 267,000)
David Cook, David Cook (5,000, -12 percent, 1.200 million/147,000 digital total)
Daughtry, Daughtry (5,000, +5 percent, 4.487 million/1,000 digital, +31, 373,000 digital total)
Various, Rock of Ages (Original Broadway Cast Recording) (4,000, re-entry, 9,000)
Carrie Underwood, Some Hearts (4,000, -9 percent, 6.812 million)
Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Hudson (3,000, +26 percent, 753,000)
David Archuleta, David Archuleta (2,000, 720,000)
Kelly Clarkson, Breakaway (2,000, 6.084 million)
Ruben Studdard, Love IS (1,000, 32,000)
Adam Lambert, Season 8 Favorite Performances (less than 1,000, -38 percent, 34,000 total)
Kelly Clarkson, Thankful (2.7 million total)
Kelly Clarkson, My December (796,000)
Taylor Hicks, Taylor Hicks (704,000)
Taylor Hicks, The Distance (37,000)
LaKisha Jones, So Glad I'm Me (4,000)
Katharine McPhee, Katharine McPhee (378,000)
Ruben Studdard, Souful (1.8 million)
Ruben Studdard, I Need an Angel (462,000)
Ruben Studdard, The Return (238,000)
Digital Tracks:
Jordin Sparks, Battlefield (Main Version) (50,000, +6 percent, 388,000 total)
Daughtry, No Surprise (36,000, +5 percent, 446,000)
Kellie Pickler, Best Days of Your Life (30,000, -6 percent, 610,000)
Kelly Clarkson, I Do Not Hook Up (25,000, -18 percent, 531,000)
Kelly Clarkson, My Life Would Suck Without You (13,000, -20 percent, 2.007 million)
David Cook, Come Back to Me (13,000 -16 percent, 260,000)
Rascal Flatts, Here Comes Goodbye (8,000, -10 percent, 522,000)
David Archuleta, Crush (5,000, 1.78 million)
Jordin Sparks w/Chris Brown, No Air (4,000, 2.95 million)
Jordin Sparks, One Step (3,000, 1.28 million)
Jordin Sparks, Tattoo (3,000, 1.96 million)
Nashville-based Brian Mansfield began writing about music for USA TODAY in 1997 and took over Idol Chatter just before the start of Season 8. He co-authored Make Me a Star: Industry Insiders Reveal How to Make It in Music, and while he has never auditioned for American Idol, he did sing Boot Scootin' Boogie at Disney World's American Idol Experience the day the attraction opened (he lost). More about Brian | E-mail Brian