Singing sensation Adele yesterday racked up yet another record; her album named 21 remained at the top of the UK music charts for the 10th week running, this now the longest ever UK album by a female artist to top the charts. Madonna previously held the record; she achieved it 21 years ago.
Despite being released over 10 weeks ago, Adele’s album 21 sold more than 257,000 copies in the UK last week, this presents a week on week increase of 65% in sales. This is also a record which Adele now has to her name as this is the strongest seven day sales figures ever.
The artist, just 22 years old released the album in January and since then it has become a number 1 selling album in 17 European countries and the US. The artists previous and debut album named 19 is also featuring in the UK charts at number 2, second to her own album. The competition which Adele has beaten off in order to remain at number 1 and number 2 includes Ronan Keating’s collaboration with Burt Bacharach.
The substantial sales for Adele are believed to have been helped by the purchase of the album as a Mother’s Day present. Although a spokesperson for her record company stated that this time of year is notorious for being one of the quietest times for CD sales. Consequently the record achieved by Adele looks all the greater.
Previously the last act which spent 10 straight weeks at number one was Dire Straits in 1986. Bob Marley also holds a record for one of his albums for having 12 weeks at number one in 1984.
Within the music industry there was little doubt that Adele would remain at number 1, bookmakers were offering very short odds at 1/6 to remain there for another week.
The record company for Adele are understandably very happy with her performance as she has substantially boosted their revenue. The company, an independent producer XL, has a 9% share of the UK market. This is considerably smaller than larger labels such as EMI.
Other albums featured within the charts on Sunday included a new entry from the X Factor singer Mary Byrne, a new release by Radiohead, The Kings of Leon and also a comeback album from Britney Spears.