NEW (THE ALBUM) AND THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BEATLES
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With the excitement of New (the album) arriving in Mid-October, it got me thinking about the 50th Anniversary of the Beatles coming to America and the remarkable career of one, Paul McCartney. It was late 1963 and I was a very shy Sophmore in High School. The Beatles' music and subsequent arrival in America (Ed Sullivan Show in Feb. 1964) had such a profound effect on me that it has obviously lasted to this day. I can clearly remember how exciting, happy and energized their music sounded over the radio. The early singles sounded so different and far better than anything else at the time. I became an immediate, lifetime fan. Like most of you, I am hoping that "New" becomes a Top 10 Album next month. I'm also thinking that the Beatles had to be charting in Album and Singles' Sales 50 years earlier (October 1963). My question is: Was the Album "Meet the Beatles" out in October 1963 and was it a Top 10 Seller in America at that time. If yes, then Paul McCartney would have a Top 10 Album 50 years apart. If this is true, it is a phenominal and remarkable achievement. I'm not sure that anyone else has this distinction. Help me out all you Beatles' Historians?
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B J Conlee:
With the excitement of New (the album) arriving in Mid-October, it got me thinking about the 50th Anniversary of the Beatles coming to America and the remarkable career of one, Paul McCartney. It was late 1963 and I was a very shy Sophmore in High School. The Beatles' music and subsequent arrival in America (Ed Sullivan Show in Feb. 1964) had such a profound effect on me that it has obviously lasted to this day. I can clearly remember how exciting, happy and energized their music sounded over the radio. The early singles sounded so different and far better than anything else at the time. I became an immediate, lifetime fan. Like most of you, I am hoping that "New" becomes a Top 10 Album next month. I'm also thinking that the Beatles had to be charting in Album and Singles' Sales 50 years earlier (October 1963). My question is: Was the Album "Meet the Beatles" out in October 1963 and was it a Top 10 Seller in America at that time. If yes, then Paul McCartney would have a Top 10 Album 50 years apart. If this is true, it is a phenominal and remarkable achievement. I'm not sure that anyone else has this distinction. Help me out all you Beatles' Historians?
Tony Bennett had a top ten album in 1962 and another in 2012 in the US, but Cliff Richard had a number 1 album here in the UK in 1959 and another in 2010 so Paul wont be the first here either.
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B J Conlee:
With the excitement of New (the album) arriving in Mid-October, it got me thinking about the 50th Anniversary of the Beatles coming to America and the remarkable career of one, Paul McCartney. It was late 1963 and I was a very shy Sophmore in High School. The Beatles' music and subsequent arrival in America (Ed Sullivan Show in Feb. 1964) had such a profound effect on me that it has obviously lasted to this day. I can clearly remember how exciting, happy and energized their music sounded over the radio. The early singles sounded so different and far better than anything else at the time. I became an immediate, lifetime fan. Like most of you, I am hoping that "New" becomes a Top 10 Album next month. I'm also thinking that the Beatles had to be charting in Album and Singles' Sales 50 years earlier (October 1963). My question is: Was the Album "Meet the Beatles" out in October 1963 and was it a Top 10 Seller in America at that time. If yes, then Paul McCartney would have a Top 10 Album 50 years apart. If this is true, it is a phenominal and remarkable achievement. I'm not sure that anyone else has this distinction. Help me out all you Beatles' Historians?
Not quite, but close. "I Want To Hold Your Hand" came out at the end of December and hit #1 by the end of January 1964, but "Meet The Beatles!" didn't even come out until January, and then hit #1 in February. But, of course, if "New" is still #1 in February 2014, that would count.
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The 50th Anniversary will be for With The Beatles and for Beatlemania in the U.K... Meet The Beatles came out in 1964 in the U.S. The "Floodgates" opened.
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B J Conlee:
Like most of you, I am hoping that "New" becomes a Top 10 Album next month. I'm also thinking that the Beatles had to be charting in Album and Singles' Sales 50 years earlier (October 1963).
I think The Beatles will achieve this distinction with the BBC Vol II release next month. Top 10 or maybe even Number One albums 50 years apart...Maybe Paul will also with New.
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beatlesfanrandy:
B J Conlee:
Like most of you, I am hoping that "New" becomes a Top 10 Album next month. I'm also thinking that the Beatles had to be charting in Album and Singles' Sales 50 years earlier (October 1963).
I think The Beatles will achieve this distinction with the BBC Vol II release next month. Top 10 or maybe even Number One albums 50 years apart...Maybe Paul will also with New.
Yes, great point about BBC Vol II! I think Paul is a good bet for #3 at least, with an outside chance at #1. I think his biggest threats are Miley Cyrus (whose album could possibly hang on at #1 from the week before) and Pearl Jam.
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favoritething:
beatlesfanrandy:
B J Conlee:
Like most of you, I am hoping that "New" becomes a Top 10 Album next month. I'm also thinking that the Beatles had to be charting in Album and Singles' Sales 50 years earlier (October 1963).
I think The Beatles will achieve this distinction with the BBC Vol II release next month. Top 10 or maybe even Number One albums 50 years apart...Maybe Paul will also with New.
Yes, great point about BBC Vol II! I think Paul is a good bet for #3 at least, with an outside chance at #1. I think his biggest threats are Miley Cyrus (whose album could possibly hang on at #1 from the week before) and Pearl Jam.
Favorite Thing, It would be great if it hit Top 3 (for someone 71). Heck, I would be thrilled if it hit in the Top 5. You're right...I don't think Macca will beat Miley. She just has too much publicity and air play going on. Just shows you the status of best selling music today.
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B J Conlee:
favoritething:
beatlesfanrandy:
B J Conlee:
Like most of you, I am hoping that "New" becomes a Top 10 Album next month. I'm also thinking that the Beatles had to be charting in Album and Singles' Sales 50 years earlier (October 1963).
I think The Beatles will achieve this distinction with the BBC Vol II release next month. Top 10 or maybe even Number One albums 50 years apart...Maybe Paul will also with New.
Yes, great point about BBC Vol II! I think Paul is a good bet for #3 at least, with an outside chance at #1. I think his biggest threats are Miley Cyrus (whose album could possibly hang on at #1 from the week before) and Pearl Jam.
Favorite Thing, It would be great if it hit Top 3 (for someone 71). Heck, I would be thrilled if it hit in the Top 5. You're right...I don't think Macca will beat Miley. She just has too much publicity and air play going on. Just shows you the status of best selling music today.
My personal prognostication, for what it's worth (not much!) is that Top 5 is pretty likely, much higher than that is less so but not impossible. Cross fingers and toes.
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Bruce M.:
B J Conlee:
favoritething:
beatlesfanrandy:
B J Conlee:
Like most of you, I am hoping that "New" becomes a Top 10 Album next month. I'm also thinking that the Beatles had to be charting in Album and Singles' Sales 50 years earlier (October 1963).
I think The Beatles will achieve this distinction with the BBC Vol II release next month. Top 10 or maybe even Number One albums 50 years apart...Maybe Paul will also with New.
Yes, great point about BBC Vol II! I think Paul is a good bet for #3 at least, with an outside chance at #1. I think his biggest threats are Miley Cyrus (whose album could possibly hang on at #1 from the week before) and Pearl Jam.
Favorite Thing, It would be great if it hit Top 3 (for someone 71). Heck, I would be thrilled if it hit in the Top 5. You're right...I don't think Macca will beat Miley. She just has too much publicity and air play going on. Just shows you the status of best selling music today.
My personal prognostication, for what it's worth (not much!) is that Top 5 is pretty likely, much higher than that is less so but not impossible. Cross fingers and toes.
Yes, I'm trying to stay positive. I would just hate to think that Scotty McCreery (of American Idol fame) could end up charting above Paul, but it is possible. I'm banking on the buildup of goodwill for Paul over the past several years to lift him up. I know it's not really important, but it would be a vindication for the fans, in a way.
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favoritething:
beatlesfanrandy:
B J Conlee:
Like most of you, I am hoping that "New" becomes a Top 10 Album next month. I'm also thinking that the Beatles had to be charting in Album and Singles' Sales 50 years earlier (October 1963).
I think The Beatles will achieve this distinction with the BBC Vol II release next month. Top 10 or maybe even Number One albums 50 years apart...Maybe Paul will also with New.
Yes, great point about BBC Vol II! I think Paul is a good bet for #3 at least, with an outside chance at #1. I think his biggest threats are Miley Cyrus (whose album could possibly hang on at #1 from the week before) and Pearl Jam.
Maybe I've lost it, but I actually think he's more than guaranteed #3 when you factor in presales. MAF went #3 and, from the looks of it, NEW is promising to be even better and more marketable to a wider, non-Paul audience. Plus if Paul's ordinary stuff is not very compatible with today's music scene, its worth mentioning that KOTB hit #5. All this in mind, I think three is practically a promise, but I agree that Pearl Jam and Cyrus are threats in the Rock and Pop genres respectively. I think with any luck he could muscle out Pearl Jam, but Miley's going to be tough. I really think he could make it to number 1 this time, but it might cost more money than its worth (well, depending in how much you value a #1 album for Paul :wink
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Mr. Spock:
favoritething:
beatlesfanrandy:
B J Conlee:
Like most of you, I am hoping that "New" becomes a Top 10 Album next month. I'm also thinking that the Beatles had to be charting in Album and Singles' Sales 50 years earlier (October 1963).
I think The Beatles will achieve this distinction with the BBC Vol II release next month. Top 10 or maybe even Number One albums 50 years apart...Maybe Paul will also with New.
Yes, great point about BBC Vol II! I think Paul is a good bet for #3 at least, with an outside chance at #1. I think his biggest threats are Miley Cyrus (whose album could possibly hang on at #1 from the week before) and Pearl Jam.
Maybe I've lost it, but I actually think he's more than guaranteed #3 when you factor in presales. MAF went #3 and, from the looks of it, NEW is promising to be even better and more marketable to a wider, non-Paul audience. Plus if Paul's ordinary stuff is not very compatible with today's music scene, its worth mentioning that KOTB hit #5. All this in mind, I think three is practically a promise, but I agree that Pearl Jam and Cyrus are threats in the Rock and Pop genres respectively. I think with any luck he could muscle out Pearl Jam, but Miley's going to be tough. I really think he could make it to number 1 this time, but it might cost more money than its worth (well, depending in how much you value a #1 album for Paul :wink
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Well, we're now into October...getting closer (no pun intended). This morning I just read a big review (USA Today) on Miley's new album...not very flattering and only 2 stars. While Miley's almost a guaranteed #1 on Billboard later this week, maybe by the time that Paul's album is out, her sales will diminish enough for Paul to overtake her. Also, Justin Timberlake's album (2nd half of 20/20) is not getting particularly good reviews. Maybe Pearl Jam will be Paul's biggest competitor for #1. Hitting 1 or 2 would be fantastic.
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There are 4 artists with new releases that week who might outsell Paul based on prior performance. Per HitsDailyDouble.com, they are (with first week sales of their last album): Mary J. Blige, 156K Pearl Jam, 189K Scotty McCreery, 197K TLC. 143K And Miley Cyrus, whose album will be in its 2nd week, is the wild card. She's getting piles of attention, not all of it positive, and what that means for sales is hard to say. So I'd say a debut at #6 is pretty much a lock, higher than that is hard to say. If I had to bet money (which I wouldn't without a gun pointed to my head), I'd predict #4, assuming a strong appearance on Jimmy Fallon's show and a bit more promotion that hasn't been announced yet. The debut spot is very much a function of the week the album comes out. Had "New" come out this week it would almost certainly have been #2. Here are the stats from HitsDailyDouble: LW TW artist / album label power index % change -- 1 DRAKE YM/CM/REPUBLIC 658,179 -- NOTHING WAS THE SAME -- 2 KINGS OF LEON RCA 115,088 -- MECHANICAL BULL -- 3 CHER WARNER BROS. 61,544 -- CLOSER TO THE TRUTH -- 4 ELTON JOHN CAPITOL 48,420 -- DIVING BOARD 6 5 LUKE BRYAN CAPITOL NASHVILLE 35,872 -23%
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Bruce M.:
There are 4 artists with new releases that week who might outsell Paul based on prior performance. Per HitsDailyDouble.com, they are (with first week sales of their last album): Mary J. Blige, 156K Pearl Jam, 189K Scotty McCreery, 197K TLC. 143K And Miley Cyrus, whose album will be in its 2nd week, is the wild card. She's getting piles of attention, not all of it positive, and what that means for sales is hard to say. So I'd say a debut at #6 is pretty much a lock, higher than that is hard to say. If I had to bet money (which I wouldn't without a gun pointed to my head), I'd predict #4, assuming a strong appearance on Jimmy Fallon's show and a bit more promotion that hasn't been announced yet. The debut spot is very much a function of the week the album comes out. Had "New" come out this week it would almost certainly have been #2. Here are the stats from HitsDailyDouble: LW TW artist / album label power index % change -- 1 DRAKE YM/CM/REPUBLIC 658,179 -- NOTHING WAS THE SAME -- 2 KINGS OF LEON RCA 115,088 -- MECHANICAL BULL -- 3 CHER WARNER BROS. 61,544 -- CLOSER TO THE TRUTH -- 4 ELTON JOHN CAPITOL 48,420 -- DIVING BOARD 6 5 LUKE BRYAN CAPITOL NASHVILLE 35,872 -23%
A couple of factors that may work in Paul's favor: the Mary J. Blige album is called "A Mary Christmas," which may not debut so well in October; and the TLC album is a hits collection with just four new songs (and "L" passed away in 2002). Scotty McCreery is not doing well on iTunes or Amazon with pre-orders (most American Idol alums fade over time), while on Amazon, Paul is now #10 (thank you, iHeart), ahead of Pearl Jam at #12. Pearl Jam is the clear winner on iTunes, but that only gets them #137 at the moment. The Avett Brothers are not to be counted out (#165 on iTunes, #27 on Amazon), as their last album debuted with 100k in 2012; however, there's a perception that the new album is kind of "leftovers" from the last one.
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Cher beat Elton? Shows the state of the music buying public. Maybe some people bought Cher's CD as the anti-Miley. I got a kick out of Cher's comments about Miley's infamous twerking. Cher was never at a loss for words even in her prime.
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Frank Sinatra's first album was a number 1 in 1946 on the billboard chart. 62 years later in 2008 he had a number 2 hit album!
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B J Conlee:
Cher beat Elton? Shows the state of the music buying public. Maybe some people bought Cher's CD as the anti-Miley. I got a kick out of Cher's comments about Miley's infamous twerking. Cher was never at a loss for words even in her prime.
Cher effing rocks!
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B J Conlee:
Cher beat Elton? Shows the state of the music buying public. Maybe some people bought Cher's CD as the anti-Miley. I got a kick out of Cher's comments about Miley's infamous twerking. Cher was never at a loss for words even in her prime.
What did Cher say?
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Mr. Spock:
favoritething:
beatlesfanrandy:
B J Conlee:
Like most of you, I am hoping that "New" becomes a Top 10 Album next month. I'm also thinking that the Beatles had to be charting in Album and Singles' Sales 50 years earlier (October 1963).
I think The Beatles will achieve this distinction with the BBC Vol II release next month. Top 10 or maybe even Number One albums 50 years apart...Maybe Paul will also with New.
Yes, great point about BBC Vol II! I think Paul is a good bet for #3 at least, with an outside chance at #1. I think his biggest threats are Miley Cyrus (whose album could possibly hang on at #1 from the week before) and Pearl Jam.
Maybe I've lost it, but I actually think he's more than guaranteed #3 when you factor in presales. MAF went #3 and, from the looks of it, NEW is promising to be even better and more marketable to a wider, non-Paul audience. Plus if Paul's ordinary stuff is not very compatible with today's music scene, its worth mentioning that KOTB hit #5. All this in mind, I think three is practically a promise, but I agree that Pearl Jam and Cyrus are threats in the Rock and Pop genres respectively. I think with any luck he could muscle out Pearl Jam, but Miley's going to be tough. I really think he could make it to number 1 this time, but it might cost more money than its worth (well, depending in how much you value a #1 album for Paul :wink
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Don't forget that Paul isn't the only one who's racking up presales. But it's very hard to know what the actual numbers are (though I just noticed that the "New" deluxe edition is #5 on Amazon and the regular edition is listed separately at #27). And there are 4 other acts with albums out the same week whose last releases had first-week sales nearly as good or better than Paul's last several albums -- before we even start speculating about whether Miley Cyrus will turn out to have legs (we know she has a tongue, but I digress). So I'll stay with my prediction of #4, though it could easily be a couple notches higher or lower. #1 isn't impossible, but it's a stretch
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MaccaBeatles:
Frank Sinatra's first album was a number 1 in 1946 on the billboard chart. 62 years later in 2008 he had a number 2 hit album!
Considering that he'd been dead for 10 years in 2008, this seems like a stretch, and in the Wikipedia article on his discography, there's no sign of any posthumous album (or even his later studio albums) charting nearly that high: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Sinatra_discography Is something missing here?
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Bruce M.:
MaccaBeatles:
Frank Sinatra's first album was a number 1 in 1946 on the billboard chart. 62 years later in 2008 he had a number 2 hit album!
Considering that he'd been dead for 10 years in 2008, this seems like a stretch, and in the Wikipedia article on his discography, there's no sign of any posthumous album (or even his later studio albums) charting nearly that high: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Sinatra_discography Is something missing here?
I believe this is a reference to the Nothing But The Best collection, which hit #3.