Celine-related question on Billboard's "Ask Billboard" Column

[LuisMa]

Keith Caulfield, Billboard editor and columnist has his weekly column "Ask Billboard" on Billboard.com, and this week, a lady from Canada asked a question regarding her current sales. This is the question and what the expert replied:

 

WHEN A MILLION'S JUST A MILLION

 

Hi Keith,

 

One of my friends and I are having an argument about Celine Dion's latest album, "Taking Chances."

 

Billboard just reported that it has now shipped one million copies in 16 weeks. I must admit that selling a million albums is quite an achievement but I nevertheless believe that, with her standards (which are quite high, I concede), this latest album constitutes a disappointment.

 

No artist who once sold 10 million copies of their earlier albums hope to sell a (mere) million copies. My friend keeps telling me she's still on top of her art and cites as an example her incredible concert ticket sales in South Africa.

 

Would you agree with me that Dion's career likely peaked a few years ago and that she's coasting on the fumes of her past successes? Do you see "Taking Chances" coming back strongly in the next few weeks?

 

Thanks a lot for your comments!

 

Natalia Mendes

Montreal, Quebec

 

 

Hi Natalia,

 

First, it's hard for any artist, much less Celine Dion, to sell a million albums these days.

 

It's likely that you read a story about how "Taking Chances" was certified platinum in the U.S. by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipping one million copies to retailers.

 

It's actually just shy of selling a million in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan. It has shifted 926,000 so far.

 

(The RIAA, a completely separate entity from Billboard and Nielsen SoundScan, bases their gold and platinum awards on units shipped to U.S. retail. For further information on the RIAA, visit its official Web site.)

 

It is unfair to compare "Taking Chances," in terms of sales, to Dion's earlier albums like "Falling Into You." The latter set, which has sold 10.8 million in the U.S., is one of those once-in-a-lifetime albums. It'd be like comparing Madonna's new album's sales to how well "Like a Virgin" or "True Blue" sold. Or, bashing Alanis Morissette because her last album didn't sell as well as the phenomenon that was "Jagged Little Pill."

 

Certain albums simply capture the attention of what seems like the entire country. For a time in the '90s, Dion was everywhere (and in everyone's stereo).

 

Considering that "Taking Chances" is her first pop album since 2003, and that's she's been basically off the pop radar for years (working in Las Vegas), it's doing fairly well.

 

Dion's extensive world tour has dates lined up through January 2009. In the next week, she visits South Korea while she'll hit Australia at the end of the month. In April, she heads to Malaysia and China, followed by a tour of Europe in May through July. Her North American tour begins on Aug. 12 in Boston.

 

 

Source: http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/ask_bb/index.jsp

[Bellamy]

You see, even Billboard think she's doing fairly well.

[celinecolombian]

Not bad ah?

[Edwin]

That's because She is doing well. Celine's latest album, Taking Chances is quickly becoming one of my favorite albums because she chooses her projects well. How Sony decides to promote her, and the album is another story. She has yet to disappoint!

[angeluk2]

Just a quick question,was that 10.8 million sales of FIY within the same period of time as we are looking at for TCH?(i.e approx 4 months) or are they saying 10.8 over the following years since?

I know it sounds like im picking but just wanted clarification

[dj4celine]

WHEN A MILLION'S JUST A MILLION

First, it's hard for any artist, much less Celine Dion, to sell a million albums these days.

 

I hope RLAAMJR reads this when he wakes up

 

It is unfair to compare "Taking Chances," in terms of sales, to Dion's earlier albums like "Falling Into You." The latter set, which has sold 10.8 million in the U.S., is one of those once-in-a-lifetime albums. It'd be like comparing Madonna's new album's sales to how well "Like a Virgin" or "True Blue" sold. Or, bashing Alanis Morissette because her last album didn't sell as well as the phenomenon that was "Jagged Little Pill."

 

Considering that "Taking Chances" is her first pop album since 2003, and that's she's been basically off the pop radar for years (working in Las Vegas), it's doing fairly well.

 

Exactly!! So calm down, bashers and...

 

SONY - TIME FOR A DIFFERENT PLAN NOW

[celinefanonline]

but i believe the album will sell more when she starts to perform in USA

[LuisMa]

Just a quick question,was that 10.8 million sales of FIY within the same period of time as we are looking at for TCH?(i.e approx 4 months) or are they saying 10.8 over the following years since?

I know it sounds like im picking but just wanted clarification

 

According to Nielsen Soundscan, FIY has sold a little over 10.8 million to date.

 

but i believe the album will sell more when she starts to perform in USA

 

I also believe in that.

[Jeffieboi]

One of my friends and I are having an argument about Celine Dion's latest album, "Taking Chances."

 

Billboard just reported that it has now shipped one million copies in 16 weeks. I must admit that selling a million albums is quite an achievement but I nevertheless believe that, with her standards (which are quite high, I concede), this latest album constitutes a disappointment.

 

I get so angry when people compare TC to FIY. No album will ever sell X Million copes like FIY ever again. People don't buy albums anymore. Most people download music illegally or occasionally on Itunes. You can't compare new albums to albums that were relaeased 12 years ago. The times are different. People don't buy albums like they used to. I mean, would you also consider TC a success if it sells like 10 or 15 million copies? Because that will probably never happen for any singer ever again unless the pirating stops...which I don't think it will.

 

Oh and BTW, FIY has sold I believe around 31-35 million copies worldwide. Not 10 million. Maybe that was just for the U.S. though.

Edited March 14, 2008 at 08:49 PM by Jeffieboi

[Angel, You thrill me]

I agree with jeffieboi's comment the music industry will never be as it was a in the days of FIY. having said that i knew i wasn't the only one who believed the album was doing well, these days selling a million certainly is no flop. Being that celine is a mega star the album could have done a little better but it certainly wasn't a disappointment

 

 

[Ronny83]

WHEN A MILLION'S JUST A MILLION

First, it's hard for any artist, much less Celine Dion, to sell a million albums these days.

 

I hope RLAAMJR reads this when he wakes up

 

It is unfair to compare "Taking Chances," in terms of sales, to Dion's earlier albums like "Falling Into You." The latter set, which has sold 10.8 million in the U.S., is one of those once-in-a-lifetime albums. It'd be like comparing Madonna's new album's sales to how well "Like a Virgin" or "True Blue" sold. Or, bashing Alanis Morissette because her last album didn't sell as well as the phenomenon that was "Jagged Little Pill."

 

Considering that "Taking Chances" is her first pop album since 2003, and that's she's been basically off the pop radar for years (working in Las Vegas), it's doing fairly well.

 

Exactly!! So calm down, bashers and...

 

SONY - TIME FOR A DIFFERENT PLAN NOW

dj4celine, "fairly well" means "reasonably well". It's positive.

[dj4celine]

Ronny, I know

 

But I still feel that with a little push, which Sony is certainly lacking in promoting this album more, this album could do better

[Jeffieboi]

I totally agree with DJ4Celine's comment about the lack of promotion...and yes I totally want to ALMOST kill someone for it....but still...a million copies is a lot in 2008. As far as I know...the best recent album released was Carrie Underwood's "Some Hearts" album which has sold 7 million copies in the U.S. alone. Of course the album is pretty much as good as FIY, so anyone who hasn't bought it or downloaded it...I suggest you do so. But yeah, as far as promotion....TC is SUCH an amazing album and it totally deserves 100% of Sony;s priorities...maybe it's just that Celine doesn't need to rely on promotion anymore. Considering it's 1008, TC has sold well. Very well actuallY. And for as little publicity as Sony has given Celine rently...that's an amazing feat that neither Britney, nor Christina could accomplish without promotion.

[Black Kitten]

dj and jeffieboi are so right. rlaamjr should read this and don't compare her sales during her peak to TC. everything has gone a lot. no one, and again, NO ONE can ever outsell themselves again at this point, (alanis morissette, madonna, michael jackson, eagles, whitney houston etc..).

 

so sad people are still dreaming of a 15-20M for TC. it's soooooooooooooooooo impossible! and reading those comparison between TC and FIY's sales really bores me to death. stop the comparison and just go with the flow. 2008's album sales cannot be compared to the 90's. with piracy everywhere, illegal downloads, selling 1M in the US and more than 3M worldwide in just 3 months is an achievement every music artist could wish for.

[stevo]

At least the Billboard dude was very honest. I think all the album needs is a strong and well promoted single and there would be a surge of interest

[Davey84]

As far as I know...the best recent album released was Carrie Underwood's "Some Hearts" album which has sold 7 million copies in the U.S. alone.

well here is the problem actually.... she isn't known at all around here... she doesn't have an 'international' carreer, because of that, all of her promotion would be concentrated on the USA. PLUS she is the winner of American Idol, which of course makes you sell million, even if you stink! Céline only had like 2 weeks to promote TC in the USA, and of course, the special only contained old hits, so people aren't that aware of a new album! AND she mostly talked about the ending of AND during that time lol

 

And for as little publicity as Sony has given Celine rently...that's an amazing feat that neither Britney, nor Christina could accomplish without promotion.

 

eventhough britney has 3 singles, the album is still flopping!

 

BUT I do think that the world needs a strong single and Alone is already too old, even though I love it dearly! Alone should have been released in February and now Shadow of Love or Surprise Surprise as a single!!!

[dj4celine]

As far as I know...the best recent album released was Carrie Underwood's "Some Hearts" album which has sold 7 million copies in the U.S. alone.

well here is the problem actually.... she isn't known at all around here... she doesn't have an 'international' carreer, because of that, all of her promotion would be concentrated on the USA. PLUS she is the winner of American Idol, which of course makes you sell million, even if you stink! Céline only had like 2 weeks to promote TC in the USA, and of course, the special only contained old hits, so people aren't that aware of a new album! AND she mostly talked about the ending of AND during that time lol

 

Not exactly, hon!

 

Carrie sure has an 'international' career. IMO Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood (and to some extent Clay Aiken, as well) have careers around the world and also known.

 

And it isn't true that AI winners sell over a million. Taylor Hicks, Fantasia, Jordin have all struggled to get the million and some of them haven't reached it yet.

 

OK.. I could go on about this but this is going of-topic, so Davey, I'll talk to you on MSN

[stevo]

Off topic but I saw Kelly Clarkson last night in Manchester at The Apollo and she sang the s*** out of every song. She was amazing and I didn't want to go in the first place. The audience were so brilliant- she seemed overwhelmed.

[Jeffieboi]

As far as I know...the best recent album released was Carrie Underwood's "Some Hearts" album which has sold 7 million copies in the U.S. alone.

well here is the problem actually.... she isn't known at all around here... she doesn't have an 'international' carreer, because of that, all of her promotion would be concentrated on the USA. PLUS she is the winner of American Idol, which of course makes you sell million, even if you stink!

 

I agree with you to an extent. Carrie Underwood does have an international career, but not like Celine does, or many other singers. Some countries have never heard of her, and some have. I also think another reason it sold so well may be that country music fans are very loyal, and usually buy the albums instead of downloading them.

[Your_Su_Phu]

the 10.8 million sales for FIY doesnt include club sales does it? cos it's just soundscan

 

anyway pirating hit the whole world but not every single music market in the world fell as bad as the US one. i wonder why

[Black Kitten]

10.8M? but what's the 11.7M wikipedia stated?

[Your_Su_Phu]

10.8M? but what's the 11.7M wikipedia stated?

 

10.8 is only soundscan figures. it doesn't count the more than 987,000 copies sold through bmg music club

 

if i understand correctly, while soundscan doesn't count music club sales - RIAA does, so really falling into you is very close to a 12 x platinum certification?

Edited March 16, 2008 at 02:23 AM by Your_Su_Phu