Taylor Swift”s “Red” will go into the Christmas holiday with a sure lead for the top spot on the Billboard 200 next week.
The album returned to the No. 1 spot last week for the first time since its October release and stayed there this week, despite a charge by Bruno Mars” “Unorthodox Jukebox.”
However, it looks like there”s no doubt that Swift will remain at No. 1 next week, as “Red” is tracking to sell up to 295,000 copies. That tally gives it more than a 100,000-edge over its nearest competitors. As of Friday, One Direction”s “Take Me Home,” Mars” “Jukebox” and “Trouble Man: Heavy is the Head,” the new album from T.I., are all too close to call for the No. 2-4 spots. They are all projected to sell between 150,000 and 175,000 copies.
The picture is a little clearer when we get to No. 5, which looks like it will be Michael Buble”s “Christmas” album, with holiday sales of up to 160,000 copies. That album is closely followed by Rod Stewart”s holiday smash, “Merry Christmas Baby,” which will sell up to 135,000 units, according to Hits Daily Double.
A compilation of tunes from “12/12/12: The Concert For Sandy Relief” will bow at No. 7, with up to 110,000 copies. The iTunes-only set features performances from such artists as Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel and The Who. Not included on the tribute? Kanye West. Billboard tried to get to the bottom of why he is not on the tribute, but everyone they talked to declined comment. A source speculated that it was West”s decision not to be on the collection, although the magazine also posits that the fact that his contribution was 13-minute medley that couldn”t be broken up may have also contributed to the decision.
Rounding out the Top 10 are likely to be Phillip Phillips” “World From The SIde Of the Moon” at No. 8, Mumford & Sons” “Babel” at No. 9 and Alicia Keys” “Girl On Fire” at No. 10.