I have some disappointing news, which I seemed to remember, but only after looking at some stat books did this get confirmed.

3121 is not Prince's first #1 Debut - Around the World In A Day is! 3121 may be the first #1 debut since Soundscan, but otherwise, so sorry.

Around The World In A Day is Prince & The Revolution. 3121 is Prince only and that's why it's his first #1.

Okay, if we're splitting hairs...oi.

I like ATWIAD

1999n3121 said:

Nope. I don't know what "stat books" you're looking at but ATWIAD entered the Billboard 200 at #14. It was released before the single/video for "Raspberry Beret," so (as would be a pattern in his career) Prince squashed his chances for a number one debut (which was very rare in those days). With absolutely no promotion, and Purple Rain being only 9 months old, ATWIAD entered lower than it should have. Once "Raspberry Beret" hit the following week the album picked up steam and quickly shot to number one.

3121 is still his first album to enter the Billboad chart at #1.

NUMBERTWOFANATIC said:

what about BATMAN?

Yeah there's batman too but What debuted at one when PR came out. Wasn't it at #1 for 14 weeks. What was at one when it came out??!?!?!?

b4 soundscan it was impposible for albums to debut at #1

so only since early 90s it became possible have a album enter at #1


purple rain is the only album is chart history to have spent 24 consecutive weeks at #1


and no album since purple rain has managed to spend 24 non-consecutive weeks at #1

This is from Joel Whiburn's Billboard Top Pop Albums 1955-2001:

Before SoundScan, these are the only albums to debut at #1:

Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy - ELTON JOHN (June 7, 1975) 7 weeks at #1

Rock Of The Westies - ELTON JOHN (November 8, 1975) 3 weeks at #1

Songs In The Key Of Life - STEVIE WONDER (October 16, 1976) 14 weeks at #1

Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band Live/1975-85 - BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN (November 29, 1986) 7 weeks at #1

Whitney - WHITNEY HOUSTON (June 27, 1987) 11 weeks at #1

Bad - MICHAEL JACKSON (September 26, 1987) 6 weeks at #1


And these are the actual facts.

if i do recall correctly though ..although purple rain and batman didnt debut at #1 the did have 1st week sales of over a million.