Phillip Phillips’ “Home” Scores High Hot 100 Debut

“Home” is definitely where the heart is for music buyers. Phillip Phillips‘ uplifting American Idol coronation song, which has been lodged in the upper reaches of the iTunes chart since last week’s Season 11 finale, makes an impressive debut at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100. This marks the first time an Idol champ has cracked the Top 10 on the chart since 2008, when David Cook‘s “The Time Of My Life” reached #3. (Previously, Scotty McCreery‘s “I Love You This Big” and Kris Allen‘s “No Boundaries” made it to #11, while Lee DeWyze‘s cover of U2‘s “Beautiful Day” limped to #24.)

Billboard notes that “Home”, which was co-written by Drew Pearson and Greg Holden, sold 278,000 downloads in its first week, putting it behind only Kelly Clarkson‘s “My Life Would Suck Without You” as far as best digital sales weeks for songs from Idol winners. The latter moved 280,000 downloads in its best sales week back in 2009.

Meanwhile, as noted last week, Phillips’ father, also named Phillip Phillips, revealed that the 21-year-old Georgian underwent a total of eight kidney surgeries during his tenure on the 11th season of Idol, and must go under the knife once more ahead of the annual Idols Live Tour this summer.

“I’m going to get some surgery done, so I’m going to get all better for the tour,” the singer told reporters following his Idol triumph last week. “It was very tough [getting through the season]. I had great doctors and great people surrounding me [who] really helped out, so it’s just a blessing to be here.”

Did you download “Home” following Phillip’s big win? Do you plan to purchase his upcoming debut album? Let us know below, or by hitting us up on Facebook and Twitter!