‘Chemistry’: Kelly Clarkson Lands 9th Top 10 Billboard 200 Hit Ahead of Vegas Residency Kickoff

Published: Sunday 2nd Jul 2023 by Rashad

Kelly Clarkson‘s latest LP, the June 23-released ‘Chemistry,’ didn’t divorce her from the longstanding top 10 streak she’s collected on the Billboard 200 since opening at #1 with her 2003 debut album ‘Thankful.’

Her first traditional studio effort since 2017’s ‘Meaning of Life,’ ‘Chemistry’ mixes themes of love, loss, and was conceptually inspired by her 2022 split from ex-husband Brandon Blackstock as evidenced by its lead singles ‘Me/Mine,’ ‘I Hate Love,’ ‘Red Flag Collector,’ and ‘Favorite Kind of High.’

Uniquely her first non-holiday studio project to go to chart battle without a Hot 100-charting single to precede it, the 14-track opus – which features high-profile guest appearances or contributions from music legend Sheila E., award-winning actor Steve Martin, and famed songwriter/producers Erick Serna, Jane Black, Jesse Shatkin, and Jason Halbert – was forecast by industry analysts to shift 40,000-50,000 units sold by the end of its inaugural sales tracking week.

Look inside to see how it fared compared to that prediction.

Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Chemistry’

First-Week Sales (SPS): 53,000 units

First-Week Sales (Pure): 43,000 units

Billboard 200 Debut: #6

Clarkson’s ‘Chemistry’ clocked a #6 opening on the refreshed Billboard 200 with 53,000 units shifted SPS – exceeding expectations and becoming her 9th top 10 hit on the tally in the process. This means Kelly’s 20-year record of Billboard top 10 placements remains in tact as she’s yet to have a studio album arrive outside of the chart region.

And though the number marks the lowest premiere sum attached to any of her studio albums, the 43,000 pure sales that comprised the total figures were still enough to make ‘Chemistry’ the best-selling project of the week overall.

The LP’s chart arrival comes just weeks before the GRAMMY and EMMY winner launches her Las Vegas residency. Look below for dates.