Decision 2009: Susan Boyle Loses, Narrowly, to Taylor Swift in Sales Race

By Laura Ferreiro Posted Jan 6th 2010 08:40PM

Susan Boyle maintained her No. 1 spot on the US charts for the sixth week in a row, but despite this impressive feat, she couldn't quite muster enough steam to overtake Taylor Swift as the top-selling artist of 2009. According to Nielsen SoundScan data released today, Boyle sold 3,104,000 copies of her debut album 'I Dreamed a Dream' in 2009, only slightly less than Swift's 'Fearless,' which sold 3,217,000 copies last year.

Although Swift has claimed the 2009 crown, it's worth considering that the 20-year-old country-pop chanteuse's album was released in late 2008, which essentially gave it 52 weeks to sell the three million copies, whereas Boyle's debuted just six weeks ago and sold nearly the same amount. It's also worth noting that the two stars are the only artists to sell more than three million copies of their albums in the US last year.

This is quite an accomplishment for an unassuming 47-year-old Scottish singer who began her career on 'Britain's Got Talent.' According to experts, it's likely that Boyle's "underdog" status and her relatable, "every woman" qualities juxtaposed with her uniquely striking voice that has us rushing out to buy her albums.

"She's ordinary. She's like us. People can relate to her," says San Francisco Chronicle's Pop Music Critic Aidin Vaziri. "When she got onstage to face Simon Cowell she brought a million office workers' daydreams to life. I think everyone who saw the ('Britain's Got Talent') video felt moved by it wanted to be part of the story and make sure it had a happy ending."

Although Boyle lost the best-selling artist of 2009 title, she stands poised to deliver some serious blows to 2010's strongest contenders.

Tags: susan boyle, SusanBoyle, taylor swift, TaylorSwift

Comments

(14)

Wednesday 06 January

By leroy

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one cd`s been out for a month the other has been out for a year..Susan should get the prize cuz like me she`s ..UH UH UH FIRST AGAIN..# 1 !!! YEAHHHHH..DON`T HATE CUZ YOU`RE ALL BELOW ME..WHAT ?? WHAT ??

Thursday 07 January

By layla

LEROY,GO SUCK ON AN OXTAIL

By MeanJean

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Leroy - don't break your arm patting yourself on the back. Susan Boyle is awesome, and she's just getting started...

By jaguar6cy

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On a full year basis Susan Boyle would sell 26,911,680 CDs. That total would place her high in the top selling albums of all time. First place is held by Thriller (Jackson), and that only sold 110,000,000 in total.

Currently, the RIAA certification criteria for albums are:

* 500,000 units: Gold album.
* 1,000,000 units: Platinum album.
* 2,000,000 or more units: Multi-Platinum album.
* 10,000,000 units: Diamond album.

By laricee

on a scale of musical talent from 1 to 1000, taylor swift is a 41, susan boyle is a 1,000,000. swift should be honored just to be mentioned in the same breath as the great susan boyle.

also, my sources in nashville tell me that taylor swift bought over 1 million of her own cd's. that would make susan the winner.

By gobluespartyon

Laricee is jealous of J-LO Miley as well and she is judgemental as well. You lied that Taylor bought 1 Million of her albums Laricee and I doubt you have insiders in Nashville either just deal with the fact that Taylor Swift sold the most albums this year.

By Shirley M. Kerman

I absolutely love Susan Boyle's CD. I never thought it would be as good as it is--but it is! It is awesome--her voice, her selection of songs! She is wonderful. Thank you.

By Daphiny

Susan Boyles CD is fantstic, everyone I know, old AND young bought her CD...Its wonderful, she did a great selection.. I would love to hear her pay homage to BROADWAY especially PHANTOM OF THE OPEE , do a CD of Judy Garland, Patty Labelle, Lena Horne...
,

By Jackie

Swift is sooooooooooooo over rated. I wouldn't waste time on her.
Susan is far superior!

By Mary Jo

I don't think you have to put down one singer to promote another. Susan Boyle is my favorite, hands down, but Taylor has a wide appeal to fans who like the songs (lyrics) she writes, and look more at the songwriting than the voice. They're not as fond of covers as Susan's fans, who have dozens of favorites we want her to sing, along with new material. We could care less who writes the songs--its her delivery that counts. I'm happy for Taylor's awards--Susan has broken so many sales records, and will continue to do so, that it's nice for someone else to have a chance, too.

Friday 08 January

By Virginia

Susan is a beautiful, Susans cd is fantastic. I think Susan should been no1, in 6 weeks over 3 million cd been sold. Taylor Swifts Went from 2008 to sell 3 million. Well done Susan you the BEST

Sunday 24 January

By Diana

Susan is the best, no matter who sold more than the other. I have always thought Swift was a little bit over rated. She can sing, but Susan is so much better to me. Susan sure went far last year, from the farm to national tv. Now selling her voice as she sure should. I wish her all the very best, Susan deserves it.

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