Mariah Carey's album sales
After she joined the judges panel on Fox's "American Idol" this season, Carey's "Greatest Hits" last month reappeared on the Billboard 200 for the first time in 11 years. And, her current single, "Almost Home", which I really like, enters Adult Contemporary this week at No. 25, marking her first non-holiday title to make the tally in three years. (Unfortunately, the song's placement deep into the end credits of "Oz the Great and Powerful" may not be helping its profile too much; when I saw the film, almost everyone had left the theater by the time the song rolled.)
Quick Carey tangent: As not only a fan of hers but a regular "Idol" viewer, too, I wish that she'd interact more with the rest of the panel. Has she chatted up Keith Urban or Nicki Minaj at all in recent weeks? Is the reported rift between her and Minaj (onetime songmates) true and deep? I hate to say it, but I'm not sure it would be in the best interests of Carey or "Idol" for her to return next season. The panel seems disjointed. It was evident recently when Minaj was late for an episode; Carey clearly seemed more outgoing and comfortable. When Minaj took her seat, Carey appeared to recede. Minaj is fun - and insightful. Perhaps a panel of Urban (also well-spoken as a judge), Minaj and Jackson would be enough. (Or, as my girlfriend, Michelle, put it, regarding what Fox is paying for Carey's services, "Bye, $18 million!") Hopefully, the cast will gel, making for a more traditional spirited "Idol" presentation after all. Conversely, new judges Usher and Shakira already seem ensconced on NBC's "The Voice" after their first week. Maybe that helped "The Voice" handily beat "Idol" in this week's ratings for the first time ever.
Oh right... your question. Carey's day job! Here's a look at the U.S. album sales, according to SoundScan for Carey, the solo artist with the most Hot 100 No. 1s (18) in the chart's history:
7,605,000, "Daydream" (1995)
7,271,000, "Music Box" (1993)
5,980,000, "The Emancipation of Mimi" (2005)
5,298,000, "Merry Christmas" (1994)
4,878,000, "Mariah Carey" (1990)
3,807,000, "Butterfly" (1997)
3,798,000, "#1's" (1998)
3,595,000, 'Emotions" (1991)
2,968,000, "Rainbow" (1999)
2,774,000, "MTV Unplugged" (EP) (1992)
1,289,000, "E=MC2" (2008)
1,167,000, "Greatest Hits" (2001)
1,166,000, "Charmbracelet" (2002)
652,000, "Glitter" (soundtrack) (2001)
545,000, "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel" (2009)
523,000, "Merry Christmas II You" (2010)
280,000, "The Remixes" (2003)
160,000, "The Ballads" (2009)
At 54 million, Carey is the third-best-selling artist since the advent of SoundScan (a year after she arrived with her self-titled first album and first No. 1 single, "Vision of Love"). Garth Brooks leads with 68.6 million, followed by the Beatles (64.3 million). Below Carey, Metallica (53.7 million) and Celine Dion (51.8 million) round out a very diversified top five. (Ask Billboard)
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