Beyonce New CD is Number 1, But Not Like Last Time

Beyonce‘s “4” album debuts at Number 1 this week with around 300,000 copies sold. It’s a good but not great debut for “4” considering its predecessor sold 480,000 copies in 2008. The lower number is surely an indication of how the record biz has dwindled over the same period of time. It’s also about Beyonce not having a great single from this album. On the last one, “I Am…Sasha Fierce,” she had a breakout hit with “Single Ladies.” Even the video was parodied. “4” doesn’t have that single so far, although does have a few misses. I have to think that Beyonce’s forceful appearance on “Good Morning America” last Friday helped her a lot. She sang live, looked like a million bucks, and really went for it. All current performers should take notes. When Beyonce is on, she is worth her weight in gold bullion. It’s instructive to note that at same time Beyonce was roaring across the “GMA” set in Central Park, rapper Pitbull was featured on the “Today” show. He wasn’t very good, and his sales actuall went down. He’s dropped from number 7 to 15. This was a rare “Today” misstep. This Friday, country singer Blake Shelton comes to “Today,” which should be a hit. The following Friday is Chris Brown--yikes, what are they thinking? Meanwhile, Adele gets kicked to Number 2 this week; she’s still rolling deep in green. Lady Gaga drifts out of the top 10 and into oblivion.