What a fun thread!!
I feel jack-o-lantern spirit in the air!! And flying pigs!!!
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On the discussion of Kelly and international sales -- her 2009 album was Top 10 in at least 14 countries -- including #3 in the UK and #4 in Germany. She is in a very different position than Adam will be in. This album is not likely to match AIEW 2009 in sales but maybe well get a surprise.
Adam needs one or two strong singles to really break into the UK and EU overall. Yes, WWFM was a big hit in several countries but FYE Album peaked at #36 in the UK and #16 in Germany.
Regarding BBC Radio 1 -- their playlist has many US artists on it,
www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/playlist/I would be pleased if Adam made the Radio 1 B List like Kelly did,
Interesting info. Thanks.
In fact, I did not know how well Kelly had done in Germany and so your info made me go look it up. Was not easy to find so far back, so I am relying on the German Wikipedia page, but I thought this is interesting, if only for comparison's sake. If you don't care, please scroll right now.
Yup, I know I am comparing two idols and I know KC started 8 years earlier. But I am looking only at ranks, so the overall drop in sales # affects everybody on the charts equally. And that I compare Adam to an idol, well, perhaps I will be forgiven, perhaps not, but I decided to post these numbers for those who are interested. Others please scroll.
According to wiki (DE):
1. album: Thankful (2002-2004)
1. single in DE: Miss Independent ==> flop in DE
2. single in DE: The Trouble with Love ==> better but still no success (in spite of second place at world idol)
Album sales successes are not mentioned in article, given the single track record I presume that means there were none.
So, Adam who managed to land WWFM high on top 5 of the charts, IIHY at least a medium success and album at # 16 is looking mighty strong in comparison.
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2. Album: Breakaway (2004-2006)
1. single: Since you been gone: First top 10 for Kelly in DE
2. single: ?? (no info on Wikipedia): ??Because of you?? no info for DE, but video success is mentioned....
3. single: Because of you: First single in top 5 in DE
This success and a performance on 'Wetten dass' (20 mill viewers) pushed the album up to # 5 in the album charts. Album went Gold and later even Platinum.
4. single: Breakaway, landed on # 1 in airplay charts, but no mention on any charting in top20 in Germany.
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3. Album: My December (2007 - 2008)
Two singles (1. Never again and 2. Don't waste your time) released, but nothing made it to top 100 on the charts in DE.
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4. Album: All I ever wanted (2009 - 2010)
1. single: My live would suck without you (no DE info provided)
2. single: I do not hook up (DE chart: # 55)
3. single: Already gone (DE chart: # 23) (Ryan Tedder controversy mentioned)
No album success is mentioned in article, but with the single numbers posted here, I have a tough time seeing an album rank of #4? Are you sure about this number, Q3?
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Bottom-line: Adam is ahead of Kelly based on album 1 comparison, but obviously Kelly is ahead of him in overall market success in Germany.
It looks to me like a chart rank of # 16 for Adam's album is darn good and Kelly's second album is the only album he has to beat to be the best American Idol on German charts.
He can do it!
And based on what I learned tonight, I'd say, Kelly's chances for 'Mr Know it All' are still only about 50/50 in DE and for album 'Stronger' even lower, imo.....
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Please let me know, in case there is any other thread where you would like to collect such international comparison numbers for future references.
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Also, one question for UK: Does playlist A, B, C in UK purely mean recommended rotation, so a B playlist is a medium rotation? Sorry, I am not familiar enough with Radio 1 and how that works, gotta ask.
CARDINALS ROCK!!! Yay! 
<< Adam says, "Don't worry! It is going to explode!"