American Songwriter Reads the Charts: Chickenfoot was Robbed

It could have all gone so differently for Chickenfoot.

The rock supergroup, comprised of Joe Satriani, Van Halen’s Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony, and Chili Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith, should, by rights, be ruling the roost right now.

Instead their self-titled album took sixth place in the great Chart race, even though it doesn’t get much better than a band naming themselves Chickenfoot, rocking with their cocks out (get it?), and existing to snub two bands at once (the current incarnation of Van Halen, and Coldplay, who Satriaini is suing for melody-infringement. Who’s the has-been now?).

So who can we blame here? You can start with Dave Matthews — who’s famous Band reached no. 1 on the Billboard 200 with their first album in four years, Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King. It’s the jam band’s fifth consecutive studio album to debut in the top spot. Maybe the 90s are back, as former chart toppers 311 reached No. 3 with their latest album, Uplifter. According to Billboard.com, It’s simultaneously the highest chart position the band’s achieved, and their lowest opening sales week for a debut album. You win some, you lose some.

Speaking of the 90s, Rancid debuted at #11 with their first album in six years, Dominoes. Elvis Costello wasn’t far behind; his new T Bone Burnett produced album, Secret, Profane & Sugarcane, came in at #13, actually his highest chart position for a debut album since 1980’s Get Happy!!! (which came in at #11.) Congratulations, Elvis.

The skinny:

Album sales reached 6.38 million units this week, up 10.9% compared to last week’s total (5.75 million) and down 15.6% compared to the same week in 2008 (7.56 million). Year to date album sales hit 155.1 million, down 14% from last year (179.3 million).

The top ten albums in the country this week:

1. Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King – Dave Matthews Band
2. The Relapse – Eminem
3. Uplifter – 311
4. 21st Century Breakdown – Green Day
5. Hannah Montana: The Movie – Soundtrack
6. Chickenfoot – Chickenfoot
7. New Again – Taking Back Sunday
8. The Fame – Lady GaGa
9. Greatest Hits II – Kenny Chesney
10. Fearless – Taylor Swift