David Bowie Lands First U.K. No. 1 Album in 20 Years
David Bowie achieved both his first U.K. No. 1 album for 20 years and the market’s fastest-selling artist album of 2013 as “The Next Day” debuted at the top yesterday (Sunday). Justin Timberlake’s “Mirrors” made it a double victory for the RCA label by starting a third week atop the singles chart.
The Bowie album sold 94,000 copies last week, according to the Official Charts Company, easily outstripping the 71,000 total for Biffy Clyro’s “Opposites” in January. It’s Bowie’s ninth No. 1 on the U.K. album chart, a run started in 1973 by “Aladdin Sane.” His last bestseller was “Black Tie White Noise” in 1993.
Bon Jovi’s “What About Now” debuted at No. 2 with 37,000 sales on the new survey, which also had a 57-31 climb for their “Greatest Hits” set, also on Mercury. That meant a 2-3 dip for Emeli Sandé’s “Our Version of Events,” with labelmate Bastille’s No. 1 debut of last week, “Bad Blood,” down to No. 4.
Bowie and Bon Jovi are also duking it out for the crown on this week’s Billboard 200. In Australia, however, Bon Jovi has grabbed the new No. 1 album (9,910 units) ahead of Bowie at No. 2 (8,245). Still, it’s Bowie’s best result in Australia since “Let’s Dance” hit No. 1 back in 1983 - nearly 30 years ago.