John Mayer Controls The Chart, Much To Kris Allen’s Dismay

Robbie Daw | November 25, 2009 9:50 am

The suspense surrounding the John Mayer/50 Cent/Kris Allen/Norah Jones/Justin Bieber/Leona Lewis battle ended today, as Billboard has reported the Top 200 Albums chart positions for the new entries.

It’s probably no surprise that John Mayer landed at #1 after selling 286,000 copies of Battle Studies. However, Kris Allen’s chart debut might make a few of the American Idol winner’s fans live like they’re dying—or just drop dead in general.

Allen’s self-titled LP sold around 80,000 copies–the lowest opening week yet for any Idol winner’s first album—and comes in at #11 on the new Billboard Top 200. Below him, at #13, is Leona Lewis’ Echo, which sold 67,000. That’s quite a far cry from the 205,000 Spirit sold when it debuted at #1 in April 2008.

Let’s think about this for a second: Justin Bieber (at #6 with My World) beat the American Idol winner, as did a month-old Michael Jackson compilation consisting of 99% old material.

But, hey, it’s another week with all new contenders. In fact, Susan Boyle’s I Dreamed A Dream is already being projected to bump John Mayer off the top spot on next week’s chart, and could sell well over 600,000 copies.

And while Adam Lambert’s For Your Entertainment could wind up selling 225,000 units and Lady Gaga’s The Fame Monster is on track to move around 200,000, Rihanna’s Rated-R “is said to be underperforming expectations so far in its debut week,” says Billboard.

Oh, RiRi. Nobody should ever play Russian roulette.

The Top 10 of Billboard‘s Top 200 Albums:

1. John Mayer, Battle Studies *new* 2. Andrea Bocelli, My Christmas 3. Norah Jones, The Fall *new* 4. Casting Crowns, Until The Whole World Hears *new* 5. 50 Cent, Before I Self Destruct *new* 6. Justin Bieber, My World *new* 7. Michael Jackson, This Is It 8. Various, The Twilight Saga: New Moon 9. Carrie Underwood, Play On 10. Taylor Swift, Fearless