Evidence Proves That Soundscan Data Can’t Help Bad Music Writers
Nothing personal, Jake Coyle, AP Entertainment Writer, but next time a copy of the weekly Soundscan numbers (you know, the data that requires a very expensive subscription to obtain?) crosses your desk, please try to come up with a better premise for an article than “Albums that have sold tremendously well in the past tend to sell better than albums that didn’t sell well in the first place.”
But that’s ok, Jake Coyle. What’s done is done. So now that your piece “Vintage AC/DC, Nirvana still big-sellers” has hit the wires, let’s take some lessons away from your work.
AC/DC’s “Back in Black” (1990) last year sold 440,000 copies and has thus far sold 156,000 this year, according to the Nielsen SoundScan catalog charts, which measure how well physical albums older than two years old are selling. (All figures for this article were provided by Nielsen SoundScan.)
Bon Jovi’s 1994 “Cross Road” last year sold 324,000 copies, while Guns ‘N Roses “Appetite for Destruction” (1990) sold 113,000. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Christmas Eve and Other Stories” (1996) continues to be a holiday favorite; it was bought 289,000 times last year.
U2, Bruce Springsteen, Prince, Celine Dion, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Dave Matthews Band and the ever-touring Jimmy Buffett also all continue to sell large amounts of old records.
U2, Dave Matthews Band, AC/DC? Big sellers? Surely, Jake Coyle, you must be pulling our collective legs? Who would have imagined that bands who are either currently touring large venues or those who created the sort of music that bombards you everywhere you go would sell well? If you say those numbers were provided by Nielsen Soundscan, I suppose we’ll have to believe you, but I’m still a little dubious with regards to this “Christmas music is popular” idea.
But wait, there’s more!
Current events can alter the charts. When Ray Charles died, his older albums spiked for months, says Mayfield…
Likewise, recent reunions of the Police and Genesis can be expected to increase sales of their catalogs. The Police’s 1986 compilation “Every Breath You Take” has already doubled its already strong 2006 sales by selling 107,000 copies so far this year.
Reunions help sell music? And the constant news coverage that accompanies a famous person’s death? This is all making my head hurt, Jake Coyle. Making my head hurt with straight knowledge courtesy of you and the Nielsen corporation. I know what you’re thinking. You enjoy music that isn’t quite as popular–you’re a My Bloody Valentine fan or obsessed with Joy Division-why even bother enjoying the sort of music that isn’t topping the catalog charts? Has your fandom been in vain? No need to flood your pillowcase with tears tonight, ladies and gentlemen. Jake Coyle has some good news.
Though bands like Sonic Youth, the Ramones and Public Enemy may never sell as much as other acts, their influence remains immeasurable.
“Impact is not strictly about sales,” says Fricke. “Otherwise everyone would be running around forming bands that sound exactly like Poison.”
Vintage AC/DC, Nirvana still big-sellers [Sky Valley Journal]
