I saw this article on Billboard at http://www.billboard.com/.../bonus.jsp

PATTI AND PRINCE: This week, two veteran R&B stars return to Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart after long absences. Patti LaBelle and Prince both have their first chart entries of the 21st century, as LaBelle's "New Day" (Def Soul Classics) and Prince's "Musicology" (NPG/Columbia) enter the list at No. 77 and No. 62, respectively.

Philadelphia-born LaBelle first appeared on Billboard's R&B singles chart the week of Aug. 31, 1963, with "Down the Aisle (Wedding Song)." The arrival of "New Day" gives her a chart span of 40 years, seven months and two weeks. "New Day" is Labelle's first R&B chart entry since "When You Talk About Love" peaked at No. 12 in August 1997.

"Musicology" launches Prince's second quarter-century on the R&B chart. He made his first appearance the week of July 29, 1978, with "Soft and Wet." That gives him a chart span of 25 years, eight months and two weeks. Prince was last on the chart with "The Greatest Romance Ever Sold," which peaked at No. 23 in November 1999

...

This just goes to show you that it is publicity and marketing that make any song get to the charts. The quality of the song is almost irrelevant. Musicology is a great record but Prince has released as good or better records after the split with the record industry that have gone without recognition. These songs were hits that no one heard. Songs as The One, The Holy River, and Everlasting Now was sadly missed by most of the music listeners and radio.

The difference is that he is has some greatly publicity going for this new record: the Hall of Fame and Grammy perfromances let everyone know who was STILL the king. THis tour is kicking ass and it is getting out to bigger venues where more people can see him and again recognize real music by a real genius.

While I enjoyed having him almost back underground like the early days where only the hardcore devoted fans like myaself could get to him, I am happy to see the respect that is long over due and yet a new chapter added to the book of Prince.

Superchick said:

If I remember correct "Holy River" was one of the best-selling singles of the year 1997. It didn't get played on the radio, but it sold considerably well.

Novabreaker said:

Holy River was not one of the top-sellers of 1997, that's for sure.

Superchick said:

I keep hearing over and over how Prince has released better songs than Musicology but I just don't see (or hear) it. Musicology is a GREAT single! I have liked this song more and more with each listen. As have many other people I know. That's the sign of a great single. It has to get in your head and stay there. This song does that better than any single he's released since "The Most Beautiful Girl In The World". Everyone that says he should have released another song off this album first is just dead wrong. The only thing that could come close to being a hit is "Call My Name" and I firmly believe that WILL be the next single. Prince seems to be good good advice and actually taking it! I would be surprised if Musicology breaks into the hot 100 pop chart but it should be able to make it to the top 20 R&B and might even slip into the lower half of the top 10 before all is said and done. That should pave the way for "Call My Name" to be Prince's first #1 R&B hit in years. That's right, I'm calling it now. "Call My Name" will go #1!

Novabreaker said:

We are talking charts - not sales. Sure, The Holy River sold well. Emanciaption was a commercial success since it did go double platinum but it has been out of print for at least 2 years. It fell off the charts with a quickness and no one heard of it after the first single was done.

intha916 said:

Nice call but I would say Prince has a better chance at number one with Cinnamon Girl

#77? "All 7 and watch them fall..."

"Shy", "Shh" and "When Eye Lay My Hands On U", should have been top 10.. I still think he should promote WELMHOY sometime soon.

Superchick said:

not a chance. CG is a song with an awful hook and bridge. I haven't found one non-Prince fan who thinks it's even ok.

intha916 said:

CG won't make it, that's for sure. Although I make all of my dates sing along with me during the chorus, try it, it's a cool ice breaker. Now, Somebody's Somebody should have charted Prince a top 10 hit. Sleep Around should have been a top ten hit. A Million Days WILLL be a top 10 hit, if ( and I hedge here) it is released with a solid video. All my none Prince fans who hear it once end up singing it or asking me about it later.

Aerogram said:

MAYBE IT TOP SELLER ON BILOARD

WHATEVER THAT IS

CherrieMoonKisses said:

#62. #77 was Patti's album.

Is a debut at #62 good?

I dont follow the charts. Is that a good debut or a mediocre one?

Can't wait to see what # he'll debut in the pop charts!!

>>Is a debut at #62 good?

I dont follow the charts. Is that a good debut or a mediocre one?<<


For a song that was released to radio only 1 week earlier , its very good.

newpower99 said:

newpower99 said:

Hey... it's better than nothin!

renapisces3372 said:

You mean Patti's single, right? When is her new album coming out?

so actually Prince isn't back on the Billboard Hot 100. not yet anyway. the Hot 100 is what the title suggests, though the actual article is speaking of the R&B/hip-hop chart.

I agree with Cinnamon Girl being a R&B hit.
Although I have REALLY been diggen on Pimp & Circumstance. . I don't think it is exactly radio play material.

I am listening to Call My Name right now and have re-evaluated. . .it could work.




Nice call but I would say Prince has a better chance at number one with Cinnamon Girl[/quote]

I can actually see this song going as high as top 30. The video will get airplay from Bet video countdown & maybe VH1.

If "Musicology" makes the top ten on the R&B charts, then it will automatically make the hot 100, maybe even the top 40. R&B radio dominates the pop charts now. Take a look at the Hot 100; Maroon 5 have the only "pop" song in the top ten this week.

And #62 is a very strong debut. With no sales and only one week of airplay, hitting almost half-way up the chart is great!

And finally I think he's stopped chasing the youth market with his 'comeback' efforts. Artists like Sting, Norah Jones, and Josh Groban have little to no appeal to kids but they've embraced an older audience and seen the financial and chart rewards. Prince is riding some amazingly positive buzz right now. And older audiences will be attracted to that. Which will ironically bring him a younger audience too.

It's not going to be "Smooth" or anything, but "Musicology" will be Prince's biggest hit in a decade. Sweet!

All chart info can be found at allmusic.com(click on billboard charts,after pulling up prince cd's)

Superchick said:

I agree with u totally! Letitgo,SHY,SSH,BillyJBitch,Loose,etc.etc. would have been hits with a big promotional boost from 1 of the big record labels! People just seem 2 forget about that very important point/fact.

...and he shall RISE.

LET THEM KNOW PRINCE!!!

Superchick said:

Thats bcuz EMI folded and a lot of artist on the label including D'angelo and others suffered in limbo that year. Prince just changed directions instead of waiting it out and did the crystal ball thing.

ELBOOGY said:

Prince i don't think will chart #1 bcuz of all of the cd's that r givin away at the concerts. I believe that he will sale around 120 to 160,000 copies the first week out(4/20/04) and probably end up selling over 1million outside of the concert cd's, but only if he does a second video that has more sexappeal!

ELBOOGY said:

Prince! Show them how it's done!
You are the great Artist YES! We
love you .