News: Tori Question On "Ask Billboard"

The following question from a Toriphile was in Ask Billboard (May 4th, 2007):

Hi Keith,

Being something of an obsessive fan of Tori Amos, I’ve always wondered why I keep hearing vague mutterings that her 1996 “Boys for Pele” album (my personal favorite) is her highest seller in the U.S. I find this surprising, considering the anecdotal evidence I keep hearing of people preferring her somewhat less obscure earlier albums (“Little Earthquakes” and “Under the Pink”).

Since she’ll presumably be back in the upper reaches of the Billboard 200 next week with “American Doll Posse,” I was wondering if you could let me know sales figures for her albums to date.

Thanks,
Roozi Araghi
Canberra, ACT, Australia

Hello Roozi,

Those mutterings you’re hearing are all wrong. “Boys for Pele” is Amos’ third-best seller in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan. It has sold 1 million units in America, while “Little Earthquakes” (1.9 million) and “Under the Pink” (1.4 million) are tops.

Amos’ new album, “American Doll Posse,” is on track to become her sixth top 10 album on The Billboard 200 when it debuts next week. (Note: This column was written on May 4.)

Thanks, Ivan!