Chinese Democracy (Album) - Charting

[audjon]

Return of the king 

[gilee7]

One of my friends is home from college for the holidays, and as we were hanging out the other day he says to me, "So, I guess you're pretty excited--- Chinese Democracy is coming out pretty soon." I was like, "Dude, it came out a month ago." My friend had no idea it was already out, and it's not like he lives under a rock or anything. He watches T.V.; he's on the internet every day; he listens to the radio ... He isn't really a fan--- He owns the Greatest Hits and that's it--- But still, it just proves to me that a large majority of the general public really have no idea that this album has finally been released. My friend had heard "Chinese Democracy" on the radio; that's the only "promotion" he'd seen or heard.

I don't think the lack of sales have much to do with a declining interest or relevance in GNR, but moreso with lack of promotion. You guys would be surprised at just how many people don't know that the album is out. And I bet there's probably been a lot of people who heard the album was out, then went to Wal-Mart or their local record store, only to learn that it's a Best Buy exclusive.

As time goes on, as more people learn about the album, and especially once the exclusive with Best Buy lifts, allowing much more popular chains like Wal-Mart to sell the album, Chinese Democracy will sell plenty. It's definitely a gradual thing.

[otgm]

These lyrics come to mind: "Don't you try to stop us now.........I just refuse!"
And: "No one ever told me when I was alone. They just thought I'd know better"

It's funny when you look back now. Most of us thought that Chinese Democracy would never be released. That it was an inside joke. Axl didn't even have to bother with another cd. He has made enough money to survive for the rest of his natural life. Yet because he has a certain admiration towards his fans he released a cd for us.

It's not like Axl is the only one who hasn't got a financial need to release anything... it doesn't tell anything of how he treats his fans. I think in that respect Axl has been pretty fucking shitty towards his fans, most (even older) bands who don't have a financial need to do anything anymore have given their fans a lot more during this past 15 year old period than Axl.

[jarmo]

It's not like Axl is the only one who hasn't got a financial need to release anything... it doesn't tell anything of how he treats his fans. I think in that respect Axl has been pretty fucking shitty towards his fans, most (even older) bands who don't have a financial need to do anything anymore have given their fans a lot more during this past 15 year old period than Axl.

Another one who feels he's "owed".... 

It's interesting how few nice things you have to say.




/jarmo

[italysfinest1985]

Anyone have the official US Sales Figures as of right now?

[pilferk]

Another one who feels he's "owed".... 

It's interesting how few nice things you have to say.

/jarmo

Yeah, I just don't get that sentiment.  Neither, apparently, does Axl....at least he doesn't if the quote from Sorry is to be taken in that context (see below signature quote).

And, I gotta be honest....I don't get the obsession with album sales, either.  I mean, sure...it's an interesting conversation, but I don't get the absoluteness of the conversations.

I LOVE the album.  Whether it sells 500,000 copies or 50 million copies, I still enjoy it.  To me, that's enough.  The rest is just sort of interesting pass times.  I know the rest of the world will likely measure the success of this album by how many copies it sells.  I won't.  It's not that I don't think it's a fair measuring stick...it likely is on some level..but for the FANS, I just don't think it should be all THAT important. 

Just MHO.

[Tyson]

One of my friends is home from college for the holidays, and as we were hanging out the other day he says to me, "So, I guess you're pretty excited--- Chinese Democracy is coming out pretty soon." I was like, "Dude, it came out a month ago." My friend had no idea it was already out, and it's not like he lives under a rock or anything. He watches T.V.; he's on the internet every day; he listens to the radio ... He isn't really a fan--- He owns the Greatest Hits and that's it--- But still, it just proves to me that a large majority of the general public really have no idea that this album has finally been released. My friend had heard "Chinese Democracy" on the radio; that's the only "promotion" he'd seen or heard.

I don't think the lack of sales have much to do with a declining interest or relevance in GNR, but moreso with lack of promotion. You guys would be surprised at just how many people don't know that the album is out. And I bet there's probably been a lot of people who heard the album was out, then went to Wal-Mart or their local record store, only to learn that it's a Best Buy exclusive.

As time goes on, as more people learn about the album, and especially once the exclusive with Best Buy lifts, allowing much more popular chains like Wal-Mart to sell the album, Chinese Democracy will sell plenty. It's definitely a gradual thing.

Very well said.  So many people aren't even aware that it is out and without promotion, the entire perception of it is skewed.  This will be a consistent gradual thing.  I really feel that in the long run, this album will be a very strong seller and if they eventually release 'This I Love' as a single, it will really take off. 

[ppbebe]

charting.....no it don't really matter. you'll find out for yourself.

[italysfinest1985]

charting.....no it don't really matter. you'll find out for yourself.

Genius. 

[bolton]

US SALES
255341+56230+47000+55809= 414380


WORLDWIDE

72000+640000+250000+194000= 1156000

[justincrowe]

US SALES
255341+56230+47000+55809= 414380


WORLDWIDE

72000+640000+250000+194000= 1156000

correct. it should go gold in the us in a matter of weeks. worldwide it's doing good also.

the album seems to be a slow burner like the latest Kid Rock and Lenny Kravitz albums, as well as Buckcherry's 15.

not that i care either way. the album is great.

[ecwfan]

US SALES
255341+56230+47000+55809= 414380


WORLDWIDE

72000+640000+250000+194000= 1156000

correct. it should go gold in the us in a matter of weeks. worldwide it's doing good also.

the album seems to be a slow burner like the latest Kid Rock and Lenny Kravitz albums, as well as Buckcherry's 15.

not that i care either way. the album is great.

                   Wasn't 1st week sales 261,000 ? So thats another 6,000 that should be there ....and isn't ITunes not counted on the chart ?

[Ali]

US SALES
255341+56230+47000+55809= 414380


WORLDWIDE

72000+640000+250000+194000= 1156000

correct. it should go gold in the us in a matter of weeks. worldwide it's doing good also.

the album seems to be a slow burner like the latest Kid Rock and Lenny Kravitz albums, as well as Buckcherry's 15.

not that i care either way. the album is great.

                   Wasn't 1st week sales 261,000 ? So thats another 6,000 that should be there ....and isn't ITunes not counted on the chart ?

Yes, first week sales were 261, 000, not 255K.

I have heard conflicting reports about iTunes.  I think it should be counted in the soundscan numbers, but I read that there were 25, 000 iTunes album downloads on Nov 23rd that did not get counted towards first sales.  That may or may not be correct.

Ali

[ecwfan]

             I'm gonna go along with Jarmo ....that there is basically more people that have the album than whats listed. With ability to rip the album off the Myspace , the ITunes not counting etc etc. I'd bet there is many who have it.

[otgm]

It's not like Axl is the only one who hasn't got a financial need to release anything... it doesn't tell anything of how he treats his fans. I think in that respect Axl has been pretty fucking shitty towards his fans, most (even older) bands who don't have a financial need to do anything anymore have given their fans a lot more during this past 15 year old period than Axl.

Another one who feels he's "owed".... 

It's interesting how few nice things you have to say.

/jarmo

Owed? Where did I say that? It's interesting how you're unable to read. I don't feel like Axl owes me anything, I just said that he treats his fans like dirt and has always done so. Why do you take everything negative about Axl so personally?

[jarmo]

Personally? Speaking of not being able to read....


I don't feel like I've been treated like shit.

Maybe it's because I don't go around thinking I'm owed all kinds of stuff by him? Maybe I'm just grateful for the amazing music he's put out for me to enjoy?

 


He did online chats with his fans not too long ago and just wished us all happy holidays.

I guess that's "treating his fans like shit"....




/jarmo

[Jdog0830]

Personally? Speaking of not being able to read....


I don't feel like I've been treated like shit.

Maybe it's because I don't go around thinking I'm owed all kinds of stuff by him? Maybe I'm just grateful for the amazing music he's put out for me to enjoy?

 


He did online chats with his fans not too long ago and just wished us all happy holidays.

I guess that's "treating his fans like shit"....




/jarmo

you tell him Jarmo i mean Axl even answered ?'s straight up from the true fans so people like that seriously got to think before they say shit like that man
Peace

[The Dog]

Sorry if this has been talked about already, but did Best Buy drop the bag on CD's release?  All I know is that when I went to my store a full week after CD had come out (I was in Europe when it dropped and the euro is kicking the dollars ass, hehe) they DID NOT even have it in the store and there was zero promotion!

Another week later I walked by and there was a gigantic poster in the storefront about CD and it being the most anticipated album of all time (meanwhile the poster had come up 2 weeks later and they didn't even have it in stock a week after it was released).

Does anyone know of other Best Buys sucking balls like this one or have any personal stories about it?  Definitely couldn't have helped sales for the first week.

[Skunk]

Sorry if this has been talked about already, but did Best Buy drop the bag on CD's release?  All I know is that when I went to my store a full week after CD had come out (I was in Europe when it dropped and the euro is kicking the dollars ass, hehe) they DID NOT even have it in the store and there was zero promotion!

Another week later I walked by and there was a gigantic poster in the storefront about CD and it being the most anticipated album of all time (meanwhile the poster had come up 2 weeks later and they didn't even have it in stock a week after it was released).

Does anyone know of other Best Buys sucking balls like this one or have any personal stories about it?  Definitely couldn't have helped sales for the first week.

Yeah it wasn't too bad at my local BB, but it definitely got better a week or two later. When it first came out i don't think i would have noticed it if i wasn't looking for it, but since then (and as recently as last week), it's everywhere in the front of the store.

[Alfie Bones]

Owed? Where did I say that? It's interesting how you're unable to read. I don't feel like Axl owes me anything, I just said that he treats his fans like dirt and has always done so. Why do you take everything negative about Axl so personally?

Yeah. Axl hates the fans. Have fun listening to Contrabland.