The American Idol phenomenon marches on. According to the Nielsen SoundScan singles charts, which are based on actual record sales in the U.S., three singles from Idol were in the top 20 for the week ending June 12. In first place, as it had been for at least the previous two weeks, was "God Bless the U.S.A." by the Idol second-season finalists. In sixth place was the Idol finalists' other single, "What the World Needs Now Is Love." Both of these singles appear on All-Time Classic American Love Songs, the compilation album featuring all the Idol finalists.
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More impressively, in only three days of release (beginning Tuesday, June 10), Idol finalist Clay Aiken cracked the Top 20 with his rendition of "This Is the Night", which checked in at number 19. And, unlike the Dixie Chicks, who ranked right above him with their revived hit "Landslide", he didn't have to take his clothes off to achieve his success.
This week's chart will include a full week of sales for Clay's single, as well as for Ruben Studdard's "Flying Without Wings" b/w "Superstar" and Justin Guarini's debut album. Neither Ruben nor Justin could equal Clay's success in three days, but this week they'll have a full opportunity to take aim at him. We'll see if they're firing blanks.
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