Viva La Download Or Death And All His CDs

by JeffHuang | July 3, 2008 at 04:55 pm | 605 views | 6 comments

I think we can begin the farewells to CDs as music downloading is continuing to grow. In just two weeks, Coldplay broke the record of most downloaded album beating John Mayer's old record. This accounts to "SOLD" downloaded album and not illegal downloading I presume. 354,000 in just two weeks is quite impressive. I know with mp3s and illegal downloading, the music industry took a major hit, but with breaking numbers by Coldplay, the future looks bright for the music industry once again.

Coldplay holds at #1 on Billboard's album chart for the second week with Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends. But the big news is that, in just two weeks, Viva La Vida has sold more downloads than any album in digital history. The old record was held by John Mayer's Continuum. Viva La Vida sold 66,000 downloads this week, bringing its two-week total to 354,000. Continuum has sold 353,000 downloads since its release in September 2006. The rest of the all-time top five albums with the most paid digital downloads consists of Amy Winehouse's Back To Black (329,000), Daughtry's Daughtry (323,000) and Justin Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveSounds (301,000).

Continuing my point of digital downloading, these figures provides some statistics to the growth.

The paid digital download medium scarcely existed five years ago and now it's the biggest growth area in the music business. (It may be the only growth area in the music business.) Billboard reports that album sales in the first half of 2008 totaled 204.6 million, down slightly from 229.8 million in the first half of 2007. Digital track sales for the same period totaled 542.7 million, up substantially from 417.3 million.

I am persoanly all for digital downloading. It can also act as a platform for talented bands and individuals that would have never received a contract from labels in the past. Also I much rather put millions of songs on my iPod than carrying millions of cds with my huge discman. Love to hear your thoughts on this subject.

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crazyJason

at 01:54 on July 4th, 2008

crazyJason has contributed a photo to this story.

Heiky

at 04:08 on July 4th, 2008

I still love your title.

karelcortes

at 08:12 on July 4th, 2008

Great CD!

karelcortes has contributed a photo to this story.

Sophie Teunissen

at 11:01 on July 4th, 2008

I took this photo after the secret gig in Paradiso (Amsterdam), 5th of july (2008). I won tickets for this concert, just like 150 other people. It was great, and after the gig we waited at the exit for the band.

PS: I looooove the CD! I bought it the first morning it was released here in the Netherlands. :)

Sophie Teunissen has contributed a photo to this story.