BB Grooves: Paul Simon Debuts at No. 3 on Billboard 200

No need to belabor the biggest story of the chart this week – Drake has indeed spent another week at no. 1 (six to be precise).  Views couldn’t be caught.  But, we should give some props to singer/songwriter extraordinaire Paul Simon who debuts respectably with his latest LP, Stranger to Stranger, securing third place on the big chart. The chart isn’t merely about Drake and Paul though – there are other notable stories from the chart dated June 25, 2016!

1) You know how many hip-hop artists talk about “putting their name on it” – actually that sounds totally inappropriate, if you catch my drift.  Let’s just leave it at the fact that no. 1 has had Drake’s name written all over it for six weeks now.  Nothing controversial about that!

2) Beyoncé seems to be getting underrated with all the fanfare about Drake and whoever has the highest debut that can’t unseat him from his throne.  Don’t feel bad for Queen Bey as Lemonade were recently certified platinum, giving her a sixth million-selling album.  This week, she rises one spot from no. 3 to no. 2.

3) Paul Simon may not have been able to beat that juggernaut hogging the “number one” spot, but Stranger to Stranger debuted respectably at no. 3.  No shame in that Paul!

4) It’s not all about Paul Simon, even if he was the crème de la crème as far as newbies within the top 10.  Volbeat debuts right behind him at no. 4 with Seal the Deal & Let’s Boogie, while country’s Maren Morris is ‘heroic’ at no. 5 with Hero.  “Can I get a hallelujah?”

5) Dan + Shay score the last debut within the top 10, landing at no. 8 with Obsessed.  Too bad more people weren’t “obsessed” with the duo to purchase more of their albums and increase their chart position.

6) Adele finds herself outside of the top 10 once more as 25 slips from no. 9 to no. 11.  Don’t cry for Adele – to be no. 11 in your 29^th week on the chart is awesome.

7) You might wish to cry some for Dierks Bentley and Fifth Harmony, who have so-so sophomore weeks after both debuting in the top 10.  Bentley’s Black slips from no. 2 to no. 12.  As for Fifth Harmony’s 7/27, the set slides from no. 4 to no. 17.

8) Hamilton: An American Musical continues to perform soundly, and should see a bump next week after winning 11 Tony awards.  This week, the cast album rises from no. 18 to no. 13 in its 37^th week on the chart.

9) Two more albums debut within the top 20.  Tegan And Sara’s Love You To Death debuts modestly at no. 16, while HellYeah’s Unden!able joins the party at no. 18.

10) For the first time since his death, Prince doesn’t have an album in the top 20.  The Very Best of Prince slips just outside of the top 20 at no. 21 (it fell five spots).

11) The top 30 sees two more debuts – Beartooth’s Aggressive at no. 25 and Juicy J/Wiz Khalifa compilation, TGOD Mafia: Rude Awakening at no. 26.

12) Rebellution’s Falling Into Place enters the Billboard 200 at no. 32.

13) Flume’s Skin now has the distinction of being a ‘former’ top 10.  The album slips from no. 8 to no. 36 in its sophomore week.

14) It’s a good week to be a Soulrocker…or not.  Michael Franti & Spearhead probably would’ve been happier had their latest album started slightly higher than no. 38.

15) The Kills’ Ash & Ice debuts at no. 45, the final new album to grace the top 50.

16) Zayn’s Mind of Mine spends its 11^th week on the Billboard 200.  Just where does it land? It fell 11 spots to no. 55 this week.

17) Perhaps the Coloring Book has been completely “colored” up to this point as it continues to wane.  This week, Chance The Rapper’s historic album slips 24 spots from no. 32 to no. 56 after four weeks in.

18) X Ambassadors see VHS improve 21 spots from no. 81 to no. 60 in week 50 on the charts.

19) The Lonely Island’s Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping debuts tepidly at no. 69.  Sure, it is a soundtrack album but the comedy trio have performed much better on the charts in the past.

20) Train’s Does Led Zeppelin II debuts modestly at no. 71.  It’s not surprising though – it’s a covers album not highly promoted.

21) The Monkees’ Good Times! Didn’t last so long – the album fell 63 spots from no. 14 to no. 77.

22) Kygo’s Cloud Nine continues slipping down the charts, falling from no. 70 to no. 93 in its fourth week.

23) Kendrick Lamar sees untitled unmastered slip down the charts once more.  The set falls from no. 64 to no. 100.

24) Lil Uzi sees his set Lil Uzi Vert Vs. The World improve 12 spots from no. 122 to no. 110.

25) Lacuna Coil’s Delirium plummets 114 spots from no. 33 to no. 147.  Phew!  

BB Grooves is a column examining the biggest stories on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart weekly. 

Photo Credit: Concord