Sam Smith and his debut album, In The Lonely Hour, kept Coldplay from earning two straight weeks at the top of the U.K. album chart. The album has been fueled by three hit singles and critical acclaim for the British singer.
“It's amazing!” Smith said in a statement released by the Official Charts Company, which tracks U.K. album sales. "I was a bit scared a few days ago because I knew that Coldplay’s album had come out.”
According to The Guardian, the 22-year-old didn’t have much to worry about though. Coldplay’s Ghost Stories sold just 75,000 copies in its second week, while In The Lonely Hour sold 109,000 copies.
The Telegraph notes that In The Lonely Hour is now the fastest selling debut album of the year in the U.K., so far.
Smith, who performed on NBC’s Saturday Night Live in the U.S. in April, was not able to secure double No. 1s this week. “I Wanna Feel” by dance artist SecondCity topped the singles chart with 82,000 copies sold.
“I can't believe my single, ‘I Wanna Feel,’ has gone to Number 1,” SecondCity said in a statement to the Official Charts Company. “Thanks to everyone for buying it and supporting it from the start. I'm amazed to see an underground record end up where it has.”
Smith’s “Stay With Me” came in at No. 2 after topping the singles chart last week. It is one of In The Lonely Hour’s three No. 1 singles.
As for international artists, Mariah Carey’s Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse only hit No. 14 in its first week on the album chart. Neil Young’s A Letter Home came in at No. 17.
image corutesy of INFphoto.com