PSB in "ask billboard" column - US sales numbers

[boyjohn]

http://billboard.com/bbcom/ask_bb/index.jsp

Ask Billboard
Experts answer your questions. For May 23, 2006,

PET SHOP SHOPPING

Hey Keith,

Thanks for bringing enjoyment every week with your column and awesome statistics.

Now, speaking of which, I'm a big Pet Shop Boys fan and I'm really jazzed that Billboard finally announced the details for the U.S. release of their new album, "Fundamental." Can you tell me the sales figures for all of their studio albums?

Thanks so much!

Robbie Daw
Los Angeles

Hi Robbie,

Indeed, Pet Shop Boys' new album, "Fundamental," is due out June 27 through Rhino. First single, "I'm With Stupid," gave the pop duo its 21st top 10 U.K. single when it entered the Official U.K. Singles chart at No. 8 two weeks ago.

The group's last studio album that was issued in the United States, "Release," has sold 73,000 since it bowed in 2003, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Here is a list of Pet Shop Boys' U.S. albums released since SoundScan began tracking sales data in 1991.

"Title" (Year of Release; Units Sold Since 1991)

"Disco 3" (2003; 42,000)
"Release" (2002; 73,000)
"Nightlife" (1999; 139,000)
"Essential" (1998; 39,000)
"Bilingual" (1996; 149,000)
"Alternative" (1995; 68,000)
"Disco 2" (1994; 131,000)
"Very" (1993; 418,000)
"Discography: Complete Singles Collection" (1991; 719,000)

[Sjòn]

and where is popart? ._.

[boyjohn]

and where is popart?

wasn't released in the US

[Dreamcatcher2003]

Popart was not released in USA so it does not count, me thinks.


Thank you Boyjohn...I love sales, chart positions, statistical facts etc...

If only someone told me how many copies Actually shifted, my all-time favourite album in the universe...

[Sjòn]

Oh! What a shame!

I'm amazed that very sold almost half a million copies. I guess those were the times...

[Dreamcatcher2003]

And the Boys appear to have lost two-third of their US fans until/ when Bilingual was released...what happened in-between? it is almost a landslide...too bad...

[Tomas]

And the Boys appear to have lost two-third of their US fans until/ when Bilingual was released...what happened in-between? it is almost a landslide...too bad...

But wasn't Very heavily bought - given Can you forgive her?? and especially Go West were relatively huge hits -also by occasional "I buy whatever they play on TV - what's that band in those funny wigs?" listeners, who hardly can be labeled as "fans"?

[boyjohn]

But wasn't Very heavily bought - given Can you forgive her?? and especially Go West were relatively huge hits -also by occasional "I buy whatever they play on TV - what's that band in those funny wigs?" listeners, who hardly can be labeled as "fans"?

I think the reason it sold relatively well in the US was that it got excellent reviews (the one in rolling stone in particular), received a lot of "word of mouth", and was very popular in the dance clubs. There was virtually no airplay, and the videos were not shown here.

[Tomas]

it got excellent reviews (the one in rolling stone in particular)

Any chance you could quote / paraphrase some of it please? Thanks.

As for radio- and videoplay, what was then the last PSB song that was well broadcast in the US (if Go West was not)? I believe I read New York city boy was on playlist of some local stations, and so I'd expect at least the same for Very-era songs.

[boyjohn]

Any chance you could quote / paraphrase some of it please? Thanks.

As for radio- and videoplay, what was then the last PSB song that was well broadcast in the US (if Go West was not)? I believe I read New York city boy was on playlist of some local stations, and so I'd expect at least the same for Very-era songs.

here is the RS review http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/pet ... ew/5943307

Yes, there was scattered airplay for Can you forgive her? and Go West (not so much New York city boy), but not enought to make the Billboard Hot 100.

The last PSB song to receive much airplay at all was Where the streets have no name #72 in 1991

Although I did hear "Home and Dry" on KBIG in Los Angeles in 2002 .....I almost drove off the road i was so surprised.

[patrick]

As for radio- and videoplay, what was then the last PSB song that was well broadcast in the US (if Go West was not)? I believe I read New York city boy was on playlist of some local stations, and so I'd expect at least the same for Very-era songs.

Domino Dancing was the last single to get significant US airplay; the PSB are mainly known here for West End Girls, Opportunities, What have I done to deserve this? and Always on My Mind. Airplay and video broadcasts essentially end during the Introspective era and was simply non-existent in any meaningful sense from Very onward.

Basically all sales from the '90s through today come from word of mouth, the remaining fanbase and 12" plays in gay clubs. What absolutely kills the PSB is the ridiculous length between albums. Three years is an eternity in pop music and even the thousands of non-fans who packed the Montage tour probably forgot they existed by 2002.

[Dreamcatcher2003]

But wasn't Very heavily bought - given Can you forgive her?? and especially Go West were relatively huge hits -also by occasional "I buy whatever they play on TV - what's that band in those funny wigs?" listeners, who hardly can be labeled as "fans"?

I think the reason it sold relatively well in the US was that it got excellent reviews (the one in rolling stone in particular), received a lot of "word of mouth", and was very popular in the dance clubs. There was virtually no airplay, and the videos were not shown here.

Rolling Stone seems to have praised all PSB albums except for INTROSPECTIVE Staff members change, it seems...

[ArseSpanker]

"Disco 2" (1994; 131,000)

This is a phenominal statistic. I notice a sharp decline after this point. Coincidence? Maybe people just weren't ready.

[VinnyM27]

Oh! What a shame!

I'm amazed that very sold almost half a million copies. I guess those were the times...

Even though by that time they stopped being played on the radio, they were still popular enough, I guess. I remember that album being everywhere and I just kept thinking, what is this. The novelty of the CD case intersted me At that time, I might not have known who they were but I did know of their songs. I just got a CD player that year (1993)...Too bad I didn't buy it back then but I was only into stuff like Pearl Jam and..."The Beavis and Butthead Experience".

[VinnyM27]

As for radio- and videoplay, what was then the last PSB song that was well broadcast in the US (if Go West was not)? I believe I read New York city boy was on playlist of some local stations, and so I'd expect at least the same for Very-era songs.

Domino Dancing was the last single to get significant US airplay; the PSB are mainly known here for West End Girls, Opportunities, What have I done to deserve this? and Always on My Mind. Airplay and video broadcasts essentially end during the Introspective era and was simply non-existent in any meaningful sense from Very onward.

Basically all sales from the '90s through today come from word of mouth, the remaining fanbase and 12" plays in gay clubs. What absolutely kills the PSB is the ridiculous length between albums. Three years is an eternity in pop music and even the thousands of non-fans who packed the Montage tour probably forgot they existed by 2002.

I would add "It's A Sin" to that list. I heard it the other day playing in a store and I hear it every so often on the radio.