Understanding: Music Clubs #2 – The Eagles, Mariah Carey

Music Box

Album – Certification – Date – Soundscan – Unsold units – Gap
Music Box – 4xP – 12/15/1993 –  2,900,000 – 1,200,000 – 0
Music Box – 5xP – 01/19/1994 –  3,600,000 – 800,000 – 600,000
Music Box – 8xP – 01/19/1995 –  6,050,000 – 150,000 – 1,800,000
Music Box – 9xP – 01/29/1996 –  6,500,000 – Irrelevant – 2,500,000
Music Box – 10xP – 11/05/1997 –  6,850,000 – Irrelevant – 3,150,000

Analysing Music Box in details, we can once again notice the rules change jump as it went from 4 to 5xP in January despite very few shipments happening at this period, even for a #1 album. The album was available on Clubs from the very end of 1993, obviously moving copies there at a fast pace. Until the release of #1’s, it never stopped. Reminding the album sold 735,000 units at BMG Music Club, this lets a massive 2,5 million copies for Columbia House.

An additional 450,000 units have been sold since at Soundscan end. There is no doubt the album gained a few more sales at Clubs. How much? Please refer to Daydream below.

As a reminder, Merry Christmas wasn’t available at Clubs. Up to 4,3 million when certified to 5xPlatinum, there is still a 700,000 units gap. The specific nature of the album impacted the accuracy of its Soundscan tally – we will see every limits of Soundscan tracking system on an upcoming Understanding article.