Best Selling Albums & Songs Of The Decade (USA)

The top-selling albums of the decade, according to Nielsen SoundScan:

1. The Beatles, 1,11,499,000 units sold

2. *NSYNC, No Strings Attached, 11,112,000 units sold

3. Norah Jones, Come Away With Me, 10, 546,000 units sold

4. Eminem, The Marshall Mathers LP, 10,204,000 units sold

5. Eminem, The Eminem Show, 9,799,000 units sold

6. Usher, Confessions, 9,712,000 units sold

7. Linkin Park, Hybrid Theory, 9,663,000 units sold

8. Creed, Human Clay, 9,491,000 units sold

9. Britney Spears, Oops! ... I Did It Again, 9,185,000 units sold

10. Nelly, Country Grammar, 8,461,000 units sold

The top-selling digital songs of the decade, according to Nielsen SoundScan:

1. Flo Rida feat. T-Pain, "Low," 5,214,000 units sold

2. Lady Gaga feat. Colby O'Donis, "Just Dance," 4,690,000 units sold

3. Jason Mraz, "I'm Yours," 4,619,000 units sold

4. Timbaland feat. OneRepublic, "Apologize," 4,439,000 units sold

5. The Black Eyed Peas, "Boom Boom Pow," 4,349,000 units sold

6. Soulja Boy, "Crank That," 4,315,000 units sold

7. Lady Gaga, "Poker Face," 4,200,000 units sold

8. Coldplay, "Viva la Vida," 4,140,000 units sold

9. Taylor Swift, "Love Story," 4,005,000 units sold

10. Katy Perry, "Hot N Cold," 3,945,000 units sold

Billboard's Top Musicians Of 2009

These are the top 20 all-around chart superstars who reigned supreme on both the Billboard 200 and the Hot 100 over the course of the Billboard chart year, from November 2008 through November 2009. Considering Taylor Swift's blockbuster year, it's no surprise that the Country/Pop sweetheart landed at No. 1 as her "Fearless" juggernaut and its' singles continued to dominate. Swift is also queen of the Female Artist of the Year Chart, while her infamous VMA bully Kanye West -- who only makes it to No. 6 here on the big Artist of the Year chart -- takes the king's crown on the Male Artists if the Year tally.

Artist of the Year 2009

1.Taylor Swift

2. Beyonce

3. Lady Gaga

4. Black Eyed Peas

5. Miley Cyrus

6. Kanye West

7. Britney Spears

8. TI

9. Nickelback

10. Pink

11. Kings Of Leon

12. Katy Perry

13. Flo Rida

14. Kelly Clarkson

15. Jason Mraz

16. The Fray

17. Ne-Yo

18. Lil Wayne

19. Rascal Flatts

20. Zac Brown band

Billboard's Top Female Artists of 2009

1. Taylor Swift

2. Beyonce

3. Lady Gaga

4. Miley Cyrus

5. Britney Spears

6. Pink

7. Katy Perry

8. Kelly Clarkson

9. Rihanna

10. Keri Hilson

Billboard's Top Male Artists of 2009

1. Kanye West

2. T.I.

3. Flo Rida

4. Jason Mraz

5. Ne-Yo

6. Lil Wayne

7. Pitbull

8. Jamie Foxx

9. Eminem

10. Drake

Album Review: The Fall by Norah Jones

Genre: Pop Rock/Art Rock/Roots Rock

1. Chasing Pirates – Adele was Chasing Pavements, and now Norah Jones is chasing Pirates? The baroque beats of this song is nostalgic. This is the type of song that someone would call a “genius.”

2. Even Though – So Norah Jones borrowed some of Sting’s beats in Every Breath You Take, modified it a bit and incorporated it into this dark and haunting song. Organic and authentic – these are the words to describe this roots rock song.

3. Light As A Feather – The instrument – sounded like a cello but it’s a lot deeper. It’s pretty interesting and sad. The song itself is gloomy but the curious addition of this “instrument” added a twist.

4. Young Blood – This is one of those traveler’s anthems – it is feel-good and there’s the tell-a-tale lyrics but beneath all that is actually sadness. Great.

5. I Wouldn’t Need You – This is Norah Jones’ melancholy. The quality reminds of the torch songs that Billie Holiday used to sing. This one’s for the broken-hearted.

6. Waiting – This is waiting with hope and optimism. It’s a message of hope but it’s achingly hurts – cause the protagonist in the song is waiting, trying to convince herself that this one person she loves will come home. But deep in her heart she knows he won’t really come home.

7. It’s Gonna Be – This is a throwback to The Beatles’ Sgt. Peppers. The psychedelic rock is so convincing I forgot it is Norah Jones on the vocals.

8. You’ve Ruined Me – Another Jones’ Melancholy. She’s telling her lover that he’s ruined her but the true message is that she still loves him. A perfect way to sing to an ex.

9. Back To Manhattan – This song incorporates elements of Folk and Blues music. It reminds me of John Mayer’s slow songs from his album Continuum.

10. Stuck – If John Lennon were a lady, this is the way he would have sound. This reminds me of a particular Lennon ballad, I just can’t remember it.

11. December – Another throwback to folk and blues music. It’s as slow as Damien Rice’s songs; it’s as fragile as Billie Holiday; and as passionate as Leonard Cohen.

12. Tell Yer Mama – This sounds like a folk song from our place. But the beats made it an authentic roots rock. It’s almost honky-tonk but without the mandolins and the horns.

13. Man of the Hour – A playful way to end an album. This is a minimalist song and probably the least elaborative of all the 13 songs. Perfection.

Get The Album!

Recommended Songs: All the thirteen tracks - Seriously, you need to have this.

The Good Thing: A sudden change of musical direction from one of the best-selling jazz musicians of the 21st century is a huge risk. But it is a sign of great musicality and unparalleled artistry. The result, Norah Jones’ sounded fresh, inspired, and in control. This is an album of a legend.

The Bad Thing: I’m looking for some…

Rating: 10/10

Album Review: The Fame Monster by Lady GaGa

Genre: Electronica/Dance/Rock

1. Bad Romance – A great top 40 electro song – But this is a blunt Madonna rip off. This is patterned from her previous song Poker Face.

2. Alejandro – A confusing and inexplicable song, but in a good way. This is so much better than Bad Romance. The short Italian-accented skit at the beginning is perfecto. So much like Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say) but with more bone and hardness.

3. Monster – A clichéd top 40 electro/dance song – the vocoder, the tired beats, the electro undertones – I’ve heard them all before from Akon, Chris Brown and from everyone else. But this one’s pretty inspired.

4. Speechless – Lady GaGa doing an 80’s ballad. Her voice is pretty good. Another inspired number.

5. Dance In The Dark – A great club song – two words – “hardcore” and “underground.”

6. Telephone – This was originally written for Britney Spears – and I can see why. There’s the sweet melody and the heavy electro instrumentation that would have concealed the voice if Britney were singing this. It’s just very Britney (reminds me of Womanizer, Circus & 3). Beyonce added a little Hip Hop to this.

7. So Happy I Could Die – For some reasons, the vocals remind me of Flo Rida. This could have been another clichéd top 40 song but the beats made all the difference. Hardcore!

8. Teeth – This is the darkest and most Gothic song from the album. The beats are wicked. It’s like a marching battalion of soldiers (like in Bjork’s hit Earth Intruders). I think this is the most intelligent song of Lady GaGa to date.

Recommended Songs: Teeth, So Happy I Could Die, Dance In The Dark, and Alejandro.

The Good Thing: This is a million times better and more inspired than her first proper studio album The Fame. This could have been a second studio album for Lady GaGa, just add a few more songs. The dark, gothic and hardcore theme really ignited the songs into perfection. This is the product if Lady GaGa collaborated with some underground alternative/electro group.

The Bad Thing: A few clichéd songs.

Rating: 8.5/10

Album Review: For Your Entertainment by Adam Lambert

Genre: Glam Rock/Pop

1. Music Again – A very catchy glam rock song. The melody and chorus really gets you hooked. It sounds a little bit like those jingles you hear from commercials – a little cheesy.

2. For Your Entertainment – A sure top 40 hit – The electronic sound makes this a current song while maintaining the classic 80’s century rock vibe. Sounds a little bit detached and uninspired.

3. Whataya Want From Me – One of the few “real” & “sincere” songs from the album. This is Adam Lambert’s forte – classic rock music.

4. Strut – The heavy and nauseating beats on this song – I can’t describe it exactly as likeable or condemnable. It’s hate it or love it or just unsure (I’m unsure of this song).

5. Soaked – The orchestral arrangement of this song is haunting. This is one hell of a glorious power ballad. A perfect theme song for a timeless story – ‘Tis just perfectly haunting and achingly beautiful in a nostalgic kind of way.

6. Sure Fire Winners – It sounds trashy.

7. A Loaded Smile – A psychedelic/hypnotic soft rock song – Adam should have recorded a lot of songs like this on the album. This song sounds inspired, authentic and great.

8. If I Had You – Adam channeling his inner Britney Spears – catchy and danceable tune but without the robotic vocals. An “okay” top 40 song.

9. Pick U Up – This is a great song. Just like one of those good times when you’re riding a car with your friends singing along to great rock music. A standout.

10. Fever – Gothic beats and infectious vocals and melody – an intact up-tempo number. This sounds very much like Lady GaGa’s dance songs (Poker Face, Bad Romance, etc.).

11. Sleepwalker – The emotive snares and the great vocals – doesn’t get any better than that. Simple rock song with great melody equals the authentic Adam Lambert.

12. Aftermath – One of the most straightforward rock song from the album, none of those nauseating electro beats. Adam’s on his peak with this song. The harmonization of Adam’s high pitch and normal singing voice is plain awesome.

13. Broken Open – A psychedelic/soft rock song – this song satisfied my expectation of how Adam Lambert should put a record. It has little elements of Indie & Rock Music. A favorite.

14. Time For Miracles – The theme song for 2012 – This is a clichéd but still likeable (very much) power ballad. Daughtry, David Cook & Hinder have all done this but it’s still nice to hear Adam sing a song like this.

Get The Album!

Recommended Songs: Broken Open, Aftermath, Sleepwalker, Pick U Up, A Loaded Smile, Strut, and Whataya Want From Me.

The Good Thing: It’s good to see an Idol alumni take some risks and do music that has inspired him – a musical direction that he really wants to traverse. A bunch of songs just show a hint that Adam could be one of the great rock musicians of our time like Freddie Mercury, Sting & Kurt Cobaine - an interesting and unique album.

The Bad Thing: Adam took the words “risk” “electronic” & “unique” too far and he definitely misinterpreted those. The results are a few uninspired and trashy songs. The songs just sounded too manufactured, over-produced and robotic. I dare say Kris Allen’s debut, Michael Johns’ debut and his pre-idol songs from “Take One” are so much better and real than this album. It is very much shattered – It’s just fortunate that there are songs that would save Adam Lambert’s butt if in case the album flops. I expected Adam to do a groundbreaking rock record – this is just disappointing, he could have done really great.

Rating: 7/10

52nd Grammy Awards Nominees

The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards will take place on January 31, 2010. CBS will broadcast the event, which will take place again at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Legendary musician Neil Young will be honored as the 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year.

Beyoncé leads the nominees with 10 nominations, Taylor Swift with 8 and Black Eyed Peas, Maxwell, Kanye West and Jay-Z with 6 nominations, and David Guetta and Lady Gaga with 5 nominations.

The nominations were announced on December 2, 2009 during a live television special called The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live! — Countdown to Music's Biggest Night. The special was hosted by LL Cool J who co-hosted last year's Grammy Nominations concert. Performers include the Black Eyed Peas, Maxwell, Sugarland, and Nick Jonas and the Administration. It was aired on CBS at 9ET/PT and took place at LA Live's Club Nokia in Los Angeles.

MusiCares Person of the Year

Neil Young

General

Record of the Year

"Halo" – Beyoncé

"I Gotta Feeling" – Black Eyed Peas

"Use Somebody" – Kings of Leon

"Poker Face" – Lady GaGa

"You Belong With Me" – Taylor Swift

Album of the Year

I Am... Sasha Fierce – Beyoncé

The E.N.D. – Black Eyed Peas

The Fame – Lady GaGa

Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King – Dave Matthews Band

Fearless – Taylor Swift

Song of the Year

"Poker Face" – Lady GaGa

"Pretty Wings" – Maxwell

"Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" – Beyoncé

"Use Somebody" – Kings of Leon

"You Belong With Me" – Taylor Swift

Best New Artist

Zac Brown Band

Keri Hilson

MGMT

Silversun Pickups

The Ting Tings

Pop

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance

"Hometown Glory" - Adele

"Halo" - Beyoncé

"Hot N Cold" - Katy Perry

"Sober" - Pink

"You Belong With Me" - Taylor Swift

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance

"This Time" - John Legend

"Love You" - Maxwell

"Make It Mine" - Jason Mraz

"If You Don't Know Me By Now" - Seal

"All About The Love Again" - Stevie Wonder

Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals

"I Gotta Feeling" - Black Eyed Peas

"We Weren't Born To Follow" - Bon Jovi

"Never Say Never" - The Fray

"Sara Smile" - Daryl Hall & John Oates

"Kids" - MGMT

Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals

"Sea Of Heartbreak" - Rosanne Cash & Bruce Springsteen

"Love Sex Magic" - Ciara & Justin Timberlake

"Lucky - Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat

"Baby, It's Cold Outside" - Norah Jones & Willie Nelson

"Breathe" - Taylor Swift & Colbie Caillat

Best Pop Instrumental Performance

"Besame Mucho" - Herb Alpert

"Throw Down Your Heart" - Béla Fleck

"The Fire" - Imogen Heap

"Phoenix Rise" - Maxwell

"Funk Joint" - Marcus Miller

Best Pop Instrumental Album

"In Boston" - Chris Botti

"Legacy" - Hiroshima

"Potato Hole" - Booker T. Jones

"Modern Art" - The Rippingtons Featuring Russ Freeman

"Down the Wire" - Spyro Gyra

Best Pop Vocal Album

"The E.N.D." - Black Eyed Peas

"Breakthrough" - Colbie Caillat

"All I Ever Wanted" - Kelly Clarkson

"The Fray" - The Fray

"Funhouse" - Pink

Dance

Best Dance Recording

"Boom Boom Pow" - The Black Eyed Peas

"When Love Takes Over" - David Guetta & Kelly Rowland

"Poker Face" - Lady Gaga

"Celebration" - Madonna

"Womanizer" - Britney Spears

Best Electronic/Dance Album

"Divided By Night" - The Crystal Method

"One Love" - David Guetta

"The Fame" - Lady Gaga

"Party Rock" - LMFAO

"Yes" - Pet Shop Boys

Traditional Pop

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

"A Swingin' Christmas" - Tony Bennett

"Michael Bublé Meets Madison Square Garden" - Michael Bublé

"Your Songs" - Harry Connick, Jr.

"Liza's at The Palace...!" - Liza Minnelli

"American Classic" - Willie Nelson

Rock

Best Rock Solo Vocal Performance

"Beyond Here Lies Nothin'" - Bob Dylan

"Change In The Weather" - John Fogerty

"Dreamer" - Prince

"Working On A Dream" - Bruce Springsteen

"Fork in the Road" - Neil Young

Best Rock Performance By a Duo/Group w/ Vocals

"Can't Find My Way Home" - Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood

"Life in Technicolor II" - Coldplay

"21 Guns" - Green Day

"Use Somebody" - Kings of Leon

"I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" - U2

Best Hard Rock Performance

"War Machine" - AC/DC

"Check My Brain" - Alice in Chains

"What I've Done" (Live) - Linkin Park

"The Unforgiven III" - Metallica

"Burn It to the Ground" - Nickelback

Best Metal Performance

"Dissident Aggressor" - Judas Priest

"Set to Fail" - Lamb of God

"Head Crusher" - Megadeth

"Señor Peligro" - Ministry

"Hate Worldwide" - Slayer

Best Rock Instrumental Performance

"A Day in the Life" - Jeff Beck

"Warped Sister" - Booker T. Jones

"Playing With Fire" - Brad Paisley

"Mr. Surfer Goes Jazzin'" - Brian Setzer Orchestra

"Now We Run" - Steve Vai

Best Rock Song

"The Fixer" - Pearl Jam

"I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" - U2

"21 Guns" - Green Day

"Use Somebody" - Kings of Leon

"Working On A Dream" - Bruce Springsteen

Best Rock Album

"Black Ice" - AC/DC

"Live from Madison Square Garden" - Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood

"21st Century Breakdown" - Green Day

"Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King" - Dave Matthews Band

"No Line on the Horizon" - U2

Alternative

Best Alternative Music Album

"Everything That Happens Will Happen Today" - David Byrne & Brian Eno

"The Open Door EP" - Death Cab For Cutie

"Sounds of the Universe" - Depeche Mode

"Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" - Phoenix

"It's Blitz!" - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

R&B

Best Female R&B Vocal Performance

"Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" - Beyoncé Knowles

"It Kills Me" - Melanie Fiona

"That Was Then" - Lalah Hathaway

"Goin' Thru Changes" - Ledisi

"Lions, Tigers & Bears" - Jazmine Sullivan

Best Male R&B Vocal Performance

"The Point Of It All" - Anthony Hamilton

"Pretty Wings" - Maxwell

"SoBeautiful" - Musiq Soulchild

"Under" - Pleasure P

"There Goes My Baby" - Charlie Wilson

Best R&B Performance By a Duo/Group W/ Vocals

"Blame It" - Jamie Foxx & T-Pain

"Chocolate High" - India.Arie & Musiq Soulchild

"IfULeave" - Musiq Soulchild & Mary J. Blige

"Higher Ground" - Robert Randolph & The Clark Sisters

"Love Has Finally Come at Last" - Calvin Richardson & Ann Nesby

Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance

"At Last" - Beyoncé

"Soul Music" - Anthony Hamilton

"Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" - Boney James & Quinn

"Sow Love" - Ann Nesby

"Woman Gotta Have It" - Calvin Richardson

Best R&B Song

"Blame It" - Jamie Foxx & T-Pain

"Lions, Tigers & Bears" - Jazmine Sullivan

"Pretty Wings" - Maxwell

"Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" - Beyoncé

"Under" - Pleasure P

Best R&B Album

"The Point Of It All" - Anthony Hamilton

"Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics" - India.Arie

"Turn Me Loose" - Ledisi

"BLACKsummers'night" - Maxwell

"Uncle Charlie" - Charlie Wilson

Best Contemporary R&B Album

"I Am... Sasha Fierce" - Beyoncé Knowles

"Intuition" - Jamie Foxx

"The Introduction of Marcus Cooper" - Pleasure P

"Ready" - Trey Songz

"Thr33 Ringz" - T-Pain

Rap

Best Rap Solo Performance

"Best I Ever Had" - Drake

"Beautiful" - Eminem

"D.O.A. (Death Of Auto-Tune)" - Jay-Z

"Day 'N' Nite" - Kid Cudi

"Casa Bey" - Mos Def

Best Rap Performance By a Duo/Group

"Too Many Rappers" - Beastie Boys & Nas

"Crack A Bottle" - Eminem, Dr. Dre & 50 Cent

"Money Goes, Honey Stay" - Fabolous & Jay-Z

"Make Her Say" - Kid Cudi, Kanye West & Common

"Amazing" - Kanye West & Young Jeezy

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration

"Ego" - Beyoncé & Kanye West

"Knock You Down" - Keri Hilson, Kanye West & Ne-Yo

"Run This Town" - Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West

"I'm On A Boat" - The Lonely Island & T-Pain

"Dead and Gone" - T.I. & Justin Timberlake

Best Rap Song

"Best I Ever Had"

"Day 'N' Nite" - Kid Cudi

"Dead and Gone" - T.I. & Justin Timberlake

"D.O.A. (Death Of Auto-Tune)" - Jay-Z

"Run This Town" - Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West

Best Rap Album

Universal Mind Control - Common

Relapse - Eminem

R.O.O.T.S. - Flo Rida

The Ecstatic - Mos Def

The Renaissance - Q-Tip

Country

Best Female Country Vocal Performance

"Dead Flowers" - Miranda Lambert

"I Just Call You Mine" - Martina McBride

"White Horse" - Taylor Swift

"Just a Dream" - Carrie Underwood

"Solitary Thinkin'" - Lee Ann Womack

Best Male Country Vocal Performance

"All I Ask For Anymore" - Trace Adkins

"People Are Crazy" - Billy Currington

"High Cost of Living" - Jamey Johnson

"Living for the Night" - George Strait

"Sweet Thing" - Keith Urban

Best Country Performance by a Duo/Group With Vocals

"Cowgirls Don't Cry" - Brooks & Dunn

"Chicken Fried" - Zac Brown Band

"I Run to You" - Lady Antebellum

"Here Comes Goodbye" - Rascal Flatts

"It Happens" - Sugarland

Best Country Collaboration w/ Vocals

"Beautiful World" - Dierks Bentley & Patty Griffin

"Down the Road" - Kenny Chesney & Mac McAnally

"Start a Band" - Brad Paisley & Keith Urban

"I Told You So" - Carrie Underwood & Randy Travis

"Everything But Quits" - Lee Ann Womack & George Strait

Best Country Instrumental Performance

"Under The (Five) Wire" - Alison Brown

"The Crystal Merchant" - The Greencards

"Mansinneedof" - Sarah Jarosz

"Producer's Medley" - Steve Wariner

Best Country Song

"All I Ask For Anymore" - Trace Adkins

"High Cost of Living" - Jamey Johnson

"I Run to You" - Lady Antebellum

"People Are Crazy" - Billy Currington

"White Horse" - Taylor Swift

Best Country Album

The Foundation - Zac Brown Band

Twang - George Strait

Fearless - Taylor Swift

Defying Gravity - Keith Urban

Call Me Crazy - Lee Ann Womack

Download Complete List

Billboard's Artist Of The Decade Announced This Friday!

These superstars logged the most visits to the penthouse of Billboard's main singles chart, the Hot 100, during the first decade of the 21st century.

Usher - 7

Beyonce - 5

Rihanna - 5

50 Cent - 4

Alicia Keys - 4

Justin Timberlake - 4

Ludacris - 4

Mariah Carey - 4

Nelly - 2

I Gotta Feeling/Black Eyed Peas - 14 weeks

We Belong Together/Mariah Carey - 14 weeks

Yeah!/Usher - 12 weeks

Lose Yourself/Eminem - 12 weeks

Boom Boom Pow/Black Eyed Peas - 12 weeks

Independent Women/Destiny's Child - 11 weeks

Irreplaceable/Beyonce - 10 weeks

Foolish/Ashanti - 10 weeks

Gold Digger/Kanye - 10 weeks

Dilemma/Nelly - 10 weeks

Low/FloRida - 10 weeks

Maria Maria/Santana - 10 weeks

Coming Dec. 11

Best Of 2009

Top Artists of the Decade

Hot 100 Songs of the Decade

Billboard 200 Albums of the Decade

Top 25 Tours

Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums

Hot Country Songs

Top Country Albums

Hot Rock Songs

Top Rock Albums

Hot Latin Songs

Top Latin Albums

Top Latin Pop Albums

Hot Digital Songs

Top Digital Albums

Hot Dance Club Play Songs

Adult Top 40

Christina Aguilera And Max Pick Tree And Trimmings!

Tis the season to be jolly!

Max Liron Bratman was all smiles while shopping for a Christmas tree with mom Christina Aguilera on Sunday in Beverly Hills, Calif.

The 22-month-old, who is the first child for the songtress and husband Jordan Bratman, also looked at ornaments with Christina and pet a pal’s dog on the outing.