Susan Boyle Dethrones Taylor Swift on Billboard 200 Chart

By Tracey Harrington McCoy Posted Nov 17th 2010 07:00AM

Kate Middleton isn't the only lady in the U.K. with something to smile about this week -- Billboard just announced that Susan Boyle's holiday album, 'The Gift,' has bumped Taylor Swift from the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart. Swift has dominated the charts for the past two weeks, but her 'Speak Now' album was no match for Boyle, who moved 317,600 units.

"Singing is the best job in the world, it really is fantastic. I'm just an ordinary woman who showed a bit of determination and this is what has happened. To have a second No.1 album is wonderful and something I never expected," the singer exclusively told PopEater upon hearing the news.

For those keeping track at home, Boyle's album is the highest-selling holiday album in recent years, breaking the record previously set by Josh Groban's 'Noel.' This is after Boyle's debut album, 'Dream a Little Dream,' sold 701,000 copies in the U.S. last December, giving her the best first week sales of 2009 and the bestselling debut album by any woman since SoundScan began tracking in 1991.

The holiday album features seasonal songs and Christmas classics like 'The First Noel' and 'O Holy Night.' The 'Britain's Got Talent' star says the music is meant to "touch hearts."

"Music has always been a companion to me, particularly on special occasions," Boyle explains. "I wanted there to be a mix of songs that would flow with all our moods this holiday season. As much as the season is a time for reflection, it is also a time for fun and enjoyment with those closest to us."

The British songbird's current reign at No. 1 is no fluke. Industry sources reveal that Boyle's album is presently running neck-and-neck with Rihanna's highly-anticipated new album 'Loud,' which was released Tuesday. While the race for next week's No. 1 is reportedly air tight, Boyle is projected to surpass the pop star and top the charts again.

Boyle also does a cover of rocker Lou Reed's 1972 classic 'Perfect Day.' Watch the video, directed by Reed himself, below.

What Susan Boyle's 'Perfect Day' Video

Listen to Full 'The Gift' Album for Free Buy 'The Gift' CD

Tags: susan boyle

Comments

(73)

Wednesday 17 November

By Todd

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Not sure about her singing, but she ain't too attractive! In guy terms, BUTT UGLY, haha.

By chris

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I was pulling for her or Reba! both these ladies deserve to be #1! What the hell are people thinking buying taylor's albums? All you need is one............once you buy one, you've heard them all! Reba and Susan Boyle are two of the most talented vocalists EVER!

By Gerrie Payne

VERY,VERY HAPPY FOR YOU SUSAN. YOU DESERVE IT.YOU REALLY ARE A GREAT SINGER. WHO'S TAYLOR SWIFT?

By Fresh

Vote down Vote up Report this

I'm pretty sure she can sing. All of you hicks just beg to differ because she you think she isn't country enough. The only fool is Miley Cyrus, and the only reason I say that is because she is a bad influence. If you're a bad influence, then you lose respect in my eyes.

By Mike

Substance over style - is the music biz growing up?

By Al

Taylor is from Pennsylvania, I am from Pennsylvania which means I should pull for Taylor over Susan,, I could not pull for Taylor if she was my sister,,, she is a over acting too soon too fast wanna be Grand Ol Opry singer,,, way to go Susan Boyle,,,

By mariettadude

to set the record straight:

Taylor may not be a great singer, but she writes all her songs and music and plays the guitar. She is also a great performer as far as showmanship. Susan has a great voice but has no contribution to the writing of any songs. Taylor is not an amazing vocalist, but to say Taylor is not talented is not true. Has anyone heard Bob Dylan sing???? Also, people act like Susan beat Taylor in sales. She technically did, in Taylor's THIRD week out. Taylor sold over 1 million copies of her album in her first week, and it took 3 weeks to dip below 300,000 copies per week, allowing Susan, with her respectable 317,000 copies (really good for a holiday album), to gain the top spot.

I like Susan fine, but I think the article doesn't really portray this in the appropriate fashion. They make it sound like Susan beat Taylor in popularity and is somehow vindicating the underdog everywhere, but it's not really the way it happened.

By Christianna

CONGRATULATIONS SUSAN! THIS NEWS MADE ME TEAR UP. I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU. YOU DESERVE THIS!!!

By Bob R.

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

WHAT WE HAVE ARE TWO DIFFFERENT TYPE OF SINGERS
TAYLOR IS FINE FOR HER MUSIC BUT SUSAN IS GREAT FOR HER TYPE OF MUSIC. WE NEED BOTH TYPES.

By kya

If you call that singing, then you need to have your ears checked! Susan makes my skin crawl and my eyes want to throw up!

By di41dlz

oh my i thought i was the only one that cant stand taylor swift. you are right she sucks. its just those little teeny boppers that like her. she sure wasnt deserving of entertainer of the year. i love susan boyle.

By Audrey, CA

Way to go Susan! This reaffirms my faith in the taste of the USA!
We really do admire talent and beautiful music after all! Thank you Lord! That Rap stuff has murdered our ears long enough and that twang of Country music, which is fine if you live in the South or Texas. I'm going right out and buy her Christmas album and also any others I can find.

By Braigno

so I guess Lou redd had a change of
heart as i understood it
At first he turned down the right for Susan to sing his song for he said she was just a fluke or something inthat nature.
and now he directed the video?

By robertahob

Susan Boyle Rules. It is about time someone with a dream finally gets there. Susan had her humble beginning and was discovered when she went for it. Congrats!!!

By allyndp

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

S.Boyle is a singer but she is hardly a performer.

By TKO

Way to go Susan! What a rags-to-riches story with a deserving recipient. As for Tayor Swift, she is part of the current genre of folksy, semi-hip, slightly off-key montonic female singers who also may strum a guitar to look beat-chic. Yeah, she's not even in the same league singing-wise as Susan Boyle, but at least she writes her own songs unlike most female 'pop stars'.

By clarissa49

Please put the "hot" back in the pot! Susan Boyle has an amazing voice! Also, Jackie Evancho is a young girl with an amazing voice; she always seems so humble in spite of her talent.

By mark

voice of an angel face of a cow. just goes too show people are stupid. i wouldent spend my hard earned money non this cow she can have no 1 but she wont last she can stay in england they deserve her

By Escalonz

Susan Boyle does in deed have a wonderful voice but I have never been so moved when I heard little ten year old Jackie Evancho sing on "America's Got Talent" show. This kid's voice borders on the supernatural and I'd love to hear her and Susan sing together as Jackie and Sarah Brightman recently did. What is even more edifying is that Americans appreciate real singing.........

people who think this cow can sing are deaf dumb and blind so maybe thats why she appeals to so many

Page 3 of 4