The Chart Scoop | Katy Perry Takes ‘Witness’ to No. 1

Katy Perry scores a no. 1 album on the Billboard 200 with ‘Witness.’ Meanwhile, on the Hot 100, Justin Bieber is ‘the man’ racking up some serious hits. 

Unsurprisingly, Katy Perry tops the Billboard 200 with Witness.  Despite unkind reviews, Witness debuted respectably at no. 1, moving 180,000 units according to Billboard.  Of those 180,000 units, a healthy 90% were actual album sales.  Those numbers aren’t as robust as the numbers posted by Prism in 2013, but in a music climate with tempered expectations, Ms. Perry did work.

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In addition to the new Katy Perry album, the top 10 of the Billboard 200 welcomed a couple more newbies.  SZA landed at no. 3 with Ctrl, moving 60,000 units but selling just about 42% of that total.  Lady Antebellum have seen their popularity wane over the years, yet Heart Break still mustered up a no. 4 bow with 53,000 units with about 89% comprised of sales.  Rise Against also got into the top 10 action with Wolves moving 29,000 units, with a robust 93% being sales.

On the Billboard Hot 100, the news remains familiar. “Despacito” is the song to beat. Better yet, Justin Bieber is the artist to beat.  If I were Justin Bieber, might be a good time to be considering dropping a new album while the getting is hot… Anyways, here are the takeaways from the Billboard 200 and the Billboard Hot 100 dated July 1, 2017.

Billboard 200 Grooves 

1. Katy Perry takes Witness to no. 1 on the Billboard 200. “Swish, swish bish!”

2. SZA sees her proper debut album Ctrl start at no. 3, fueled mostly by streams.

3. Lady Antebellum aren’t nearly as popular as they were during their dominant run, but Heart Break is still good for a no. 4 bow.

4. Halsey sees Hopeless Fountain Kingdom slip from no. 1 to no. 7 in its second week.

5. Rise Against lands at no. 9 with Wolves.

6. Post Malone reenters the top-10 with Stoney, which ascends from no. 12 to no. 10.

7. Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie take their self-titled collaborative album to a no. 17 bow.

8. Hillsong UNITED debuts just outside of the top 20 with Wonder.

9. Rancid debuts at no. 23 with Trouble Maker.

10. Glenn Campbell’s final studio album, Adios, debuts at no. 40.

11. Phoenix quietly enters the Billboard 200 with Ti Amo starting at no. 42.

12. Posthumous Chuck Berry album Chuck debuts at no. 49.

13. Lil Yachty isn’t experiencing a good run with Teenage Emotions. This week, it slides from no. 29 to no. 54.

14. AJR debuts at no. 61 with The Click. “But I’m weak, and what’s wrong with that?”

15. Roger Waters sees Is This the Life We Really Want? slide from no. 11 to no. 68?

16. Sufjan Stevens, Nico Muhly, Bryce Dessner & James McAlister sees their collaborative effort Planetarium debuts at no. 104.

17. alt-J takes a big tumble. Relaxer slides from no. 14 to no. 128.

18. All Time Low exit the Billboard 200. Last Young Renegade free falls after debuting at no. 9. NOT GOOD.

Billboard Hot 100 Jewels

1. Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, and Justin Bieber remain no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Despacito.”

2. Speaking of Justin Bieber, he’s having an awesome year. He’s featured on the former no. 1 DJ Khaled hit, “I’m the One” (no. 2 this week) and David Guetta hit “2U” (debuts at no. 16).

3. Childish Gambino sees “Redbone” ascend from no. 16 to no. 14.

4. Halsey sees “Now or Never” break into the top 20 – it rises from no. 21 to no. 20.

5. Selena Gomez makes big gains on the Hot 100. “Big Liar” ascends from no. 45 to no. 23.

6. Charlie Puth continues to experience gains with “Attention,” which rises four spots from no. 31 to no. 27.

7. Playboi Carti sees “Magnolia” ascend from no. 40 to no. 33.

8. YFN Lucci ascends 25 spots (no. 62 to no. 37) with “Everyday We Lit” (featuring PnB Rock).

9. Katy Perry sees “Swish Swish” (featuring Nicki Minaj) rise 21 spots from no. 83 to no. 21.

10. SZA debuts at no. 70 “Love Galore” featuring Travis Scott.

11. AJR sees “Weak” ascend six spots from no. 79 to no. 73.

12. 2 Chainz sees his star-studded “It’s a Vibe” debut at no. 95 on the Hot 100.

Photo Credit: Capitol, RCA, Virgin