ABBA’s ‘Gold’ Returns to Top 40 on Billboard 200, New Singles Make Chart Debuts

ABBA is back in the top 40 of the Billboard 200 albums chart for the first time in over three years, as the Swedish pop pioneers’ Gold: Greatest Hits surges from No. 114 to No. 34 on the Sept. 18-dated survey.

The set vaults following the release of two new singles from the quartet on Sept. 2, the announcement of a forthcoming studio album – Voyage, its first in 40 years, due Nov. 5 – and a series of concerts in 2022.  

Gold earned 15,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in the week ending Sept. 9, up 61%, according to MRC Data. Of that sum, album sales comprise 5,000, also enabling the set’s 33-11 jump on the Top Album Sales chart.  

Gold was last in the top 40 of the Billboard 200 on the chart dated Aug. 11, 2018, when the set ranked at No. 40. It was last higher than on the latest list just one week earlier, when it placed at No. 25, its peak. Gold was released in 1993 in the U.S. and has spent 186 weeks on the chart in total.  

On Catalog Albums, Gold rallies from No. 30 to No. 3. (The Catalog Albums chart ranks the most popular older albums of the week, generally defined as those at least 18-months old and no longer within the top 100 of the Billboard 200 chart.)  

ABBA Goes Global: ABBA’s two new songs previewing Voyage, “Don’t Shut Me Down” and “I Still Have Faith in You,” both bound onto the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart in the top 40: “Shut” at No. 26 and “Faith” at No. 37. The former starts with 13.9 million streams and 23,900 sold outside the U.S. in the week ending Sept. 9, while the latter opens with 14.1 million streams and 20,300 sold.

On the Billboard Global 200, “Shut” begins at No. 54 (15.4 million streams; 26,900 sold worldwide) and “Faith” enters at No. 62 (15.7 million streams; 22,600 sold).

Meanwhile, Back on the U.S. Charts: On the U.S. based Digital Song Sales chart, ABBA’s 1977 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 “Dancing Queen” is the group’s top seller, re-entering at No. 19, a new best, with a 314% surge to 3,900 sold. “Shut” starts at No. 32 (3,000).

“We took a break in the spring of 1982 and now we’ve decided it’s time to end it,” ABBA said in a statement released Sept. 2. The group will return to live performances with its residency, ABBA Voyage, set to begin May 27, 2022, in London, in which the act’s members will be depicted as avatars (aka, “ABBAtars”), circa 1979.

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In Honor of Hispanic Heritage, Here Are The 20 Longest-Leading No. 1s on the Top Latin Albums Chart

Music distribution has changed over the years and so has the way it’s consumed, but one thing’s certain: Whether it’s popping a disc into your CD player or downloading an entire track list to your phone, music junkies love albums.

As a Latino millennial who grew up listening to everything from Juan Gabriel’s tearjerker songs to Selena’s empowering anthems, and who’s currently jamming to an intense reggaeton playlist, collecting CDs and/or buying a digital album has been my longtime favorite hobby (shout-out to those who relate).

With Hispanic Heritage Month in full swing, Billboard has put together the 20 longest-leading No. 1s in the history of the Top Latin Albums chart. The list includes everything from albums that we were obsessed with in the ‘90s to Bad Bunny’s YHLQMDLG and El Último Tour Del Mundo just last year.

The Top 20 Latin Albums list is ranked based on peak position on the Top Latin Albums chart from the ranking’s first chart week on July 10, 1993, to the Sept. 18, 2021-dated chart. For albums with the same number of weeks at No. 1, ties were broken by the most total weeks on the chart.   

Check out the complete list below:

1. Gloria Estefan – Mi Tierra

The Cuban singer’s album peaked at No. 1 on the July 10, 1993-dated chart, where she spent 58 weeks at the top.

2. Bad Bunny – X 100PRE

Bad Bunny’s debut studio album arrived at No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums chart (dated Jan. 5, 2019). It went on to rule a total of 46 weeks, the second-most in the history of the 28-year-old tally.

3. Ozuna – Odisea

Ozuna made history with his debut studio album, becoming the longest-leading No. 1 by a male artist on the Top Latin Albums chart. Odisea nabbed the No. 1 spot on the chart dated Sept. 16, 2017, and ruled for 46 weeks.

4. Bad Bunny – YHLQMDLG

Bad Bunny’s third studio album landed a historic debut on the Billboard 200 albums chart (dated March 14, 2020) as he scored the highest-charting all-Spanish-language album ever, the biggest streaming week ever for a Latin album, and the largest week for a Latin title since Billboard began tracking albums by equivalent album units in December 2014. The set continues to rule the Top Latin Albums chart in its 44th week (and counting).

5. Selena – Dreaming of You

Released posthumously, Selena’s bilingual album peaked at No. 1 on the Aug. 5, 1995-dated chart, spending 44 weeks at the top.

6. Luis Miguel – Segundo Romance

The Mexico-based crooner’s set peaked at No. 1 on the Sept. 17, 1994, tally, staying strong for 29 weeks.

7. Bad Bunny – El Último Tour Del Mundo

The surprise release earned el conejo malo his fifth straight No. 1 on Top Latin Albums, ruling for 27 weeks starting on the Dec. 12, 2020-dated list.

8. Ricky Martin – Vuelve

Ricky Martin’s heartfelt album peaked at No. 1 on the Feb. 28, 1998-dated chart and reigned for 26 weeks.

9. Daddy Yankee – Barrio Fino

Daddy Yankee brought reggaetón to the forefront with his No. 1 album (peak date July 31, 2004), remaining at the top for 24 weeks.

10. Aventura – The Last

Aventura revolutionized bachata with The Last album, which peaked at No. 1 on the June 27, 2009-dated list, where it spent 23 weeks.

11. Juan Gabriel – Los Duo 2

His duets with Marc Anthony, J Balvin and other artists nabbed Juanga the leading spot on the Jan. 2, 2016-dated chart, where it spent 20 weeks.

 12. Selena – Amor Prohibido

With timeless songs such as “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” and “No Me Queda Mas,” Selena’s album peaked at No. 1 on the chart dated June 11, 1994, reigning for 20 weeks.

13. Christina Aguilera – Mi Reflejo

Xtina made her way to No. 1 with Mi Reflejo on the Sept. 30, 2000, list, sitting tight for 19 weeks — not too shabby for her first all-Spanish album.

14. Ozuna – Aura

Aura became Ozuna’s second-longest-charting title at No. 1 with a total of 17 weeks at the summit starting on the Sept. 8, 2018-dated tally.

15. Romeo Santos – Formula: Vol. 1

Keeping bachata alive, Romeo Santos’ album peaked at No. 1 on the Nov. 26, 2011, tally and proved that “the king stays king” for 17 weeks.

16. Shakira – Fijación Oral: Vol. 1

The Colombian superstar ruled Top Latin Albums with her set for a total of 17 weeks starting on the June 25, 2005-dated chart.

17. Enrique Iglesias – Sex & Love

With the release of his 10th studio album, the Spanish pop singer ranked No. 1 on the April 5, 2014, tally, remaining on the top for 16 weeks.

18. Enrique Iglesias – Vivir

Prior to Sex & Love, Iglesias nabbed the No. 1 spot on the Feb. 15, 1997-dated chart with his album Vivir, keeping strong at the summit for 15 weeks.

19. Daddy Yankee – Barrio Fino: En Directo

Because who doesn’t like a good ol’ concert? Daddy Yankee’s live album peaked at No. 1 on the Dec. 31, 2005-dated chart for 14 weeks.

20. Marc Anthony – Libre

Salsa does not stay behind thanks to Marc Anthony, whose album peaked at No. 1 on the Dec. 8, 2001, tally and reigned for 14 weeks.

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Marilyn Manson Accuser’s Rape Suit Dismissed by Judge

The lawsuit of the Jane Doe who accused Marilyn Manson of rape has been dismissed by a California state judge, according to court documents filed Tuesday, though she is being given a 20-day window to amend and refile the complaint. Manson’s attorney, Howard E. King, had filed a demurrer to the woman’s complaint in August in an effort to have it thrown out of court.

In his ruling, California Superior Court Judge Gregory Keosian found that the woman’s claims were not valid because the two-year statute of limitations pertaining to her accusations had lapsed. The woman had attempted to skirt the statute by claiming she’d repressed memories of the alleged rape, which she says occurred sometime after meeting Manson (born Brian Warner) at a pre-Grammy party in February 2011 and starting a sexual relationship with him. It wasn’t until reading a February 2021 article that discussed other sexual assault accusations against Manson, Doe said, that the incident came flooding back.

But Keosian found that the woman’s claim of repressed memories around the alleged rape — which the ruling allows “is common for sexual-assault victims” — was “not sufficient” to invoke California’s so-called “delayed-discovery” rule, which effectively postpones the start date of the statute of limitations if the plaintiff can prove that they first became aware of the injury within two years of filing their complaint, regardless of when the incident itself took place.

“Here, the Complaint alleges only that Plaintiff repressed unspecified memories at some point before reading an article in February 2021,” Keosian’s ruling reads. “The complaint alleges neither when the repression began — such as immediately after the events took place, or outside the limitations period — nor its nature or extent, such as what memories were repressed or the extent to which Plaintiff was prevented from recalling them.”

As previously mentioned, the ruling does give Doe some wiggle room, affording her 20 days to amend and refile her complaint to address Keosian’s concerns.

“Marilyn Manson wants to silence our client about her rape,” said Doe’s attorneys, Adam Wolf and Tracey Cowan of Peiffer Wolf, in a statement sent to Billboard. “He tried to use technical legal arguments to get her case thrown out altogether. The judge thoughtfully analyzed the case law, and rightfully held that her case can go forward, so long as she amends her Complaint to add some additional details. We intend to amend with those additional details very shortly, and look forward to the opportunity to make Manson answer for his actions.”

An attorney for Manson declined to comment.

In her original complaint, which was filed May 28, Doe claimed that over the course of their relationship, the musician subjected her to “degrading acts of sexual exploitation, manipulation, and psychological abuse.” She alleged that when she went to return the keys to Manson’s apartment following their breakup, Manson pushed her to the floor, and “with her face down on the carpet, and his hands on top of her,” raped her. Doe further claimed that after the alleged assault, Manson threatened to kill her and “bragged that he would get away with it” if he followed through.

Manson is currently being sued for sexual assault by three other women, including Game of Thrones actress and former girlfriend Esme Bianco, his former personal assistant Ashley Walters and another ex-girlfriend, Ashley Morgan Smithline. The lawsuits all arrived after Manson’s ex-girlfriend, actress Evan Rachel Wood, publicly named him as her abuser in February.

Manson has denied all accusations against him. In July, he filed to dismiss Bianco’s suit, claiming that she and the other women’s accusations were part of a “coordinated attack.”

Stories about sexual assault allegations can be traumatizing for survivors of sexual assault. If you or anyone you know needs support, you can reach out to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN). The organization provides free, confidential support to sexual assault victims. Call RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE) or visit the anti-sexual violence organization’s website for more information.

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Ben Platt Performs Showstopping Number from ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ on ‘Fallon’: Exclusive

Broadway is back, and The Tonight Show is throwing the spotlight on the best in showbiz.

Across this week, Jimmy Fallon’s late-night TV show has featured some of music theater’s hottest acts for a special Broadway bonanza.

On Wednesday night (Sept. 15), Ben Platt stopped by for a rendition of “Waving Through a Window” from Dear Evan Hansen.

Billboard has the exclusive on Platt’s euphoric performance, which can be streamed below.

Earlier on Broadway Week, Fallon showcased Little Shop of Horrors and Tina, The Tina Turner musical, while SIX and Wicked are on the slate.

Watch Platt’s performance below.

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Lady Gaga’s ‘Born This Way’ Returns to Top 10 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales Chart After a Decade

Lady Gaga’s Born This Way album, released in 2011, returns to the top 10 of Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart (dated Sept. 18) for the first time in over a decade.

The set re-enters the list at No. 10 thanks to the Sept. 3 release of the CD and cassette editions of the album’s special 10th anniversary reissue. In the week ending Sept. 9, Born This Way sold 5,000 copies in the U.S. (up 5,251%), according to MRC Data. It sold about 100 copies in the week previous. (All versions of Born This Way, including the original release and the 10th anniversary reissue, are combined for tracking and charting purposes.)

Born This Way was originally released on May 23, 2011 and debuted at No. 1 on the June 18, 2011-dated chart. It was last in the top 10 on the July 23, 2011 list. The album was reissued on June 26, 2021 via digital retailers and streaming services with six additional tracks by other artists covering the album’s songs. (Among them: Kylie Minogue and Ben Platt.) The CD and cassette editions of the reissue followed on Sept. 3, while a vinyl LP release is expected on Dec. 10.

Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart ranks the top-selling albums of the week based only on traditional album sales. The chart’s history dates back to May 25, 1991, the first week Billboard began tabulating charts with electronically monitored piece count information from SoundScan, now MRC Data. Pure album sales were the measurement solely utilized by the Billboard 200 albums chart through the list dated Dec. 6, 2014, after which that chart switched to a methodology that blends album sales with track equivalent album units and streaming equivalent album units. For all chart news, follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram.

Of Born This Way’s sales of 5,000 in the week ending Sept. 9, nearly all of the sum was driven by CD sales.

At No. 1 on Top Album Sales, veteran hard rock band Iron Maiden claims its first leader, as the act’s latest studio effort Senjutsu starts with a little over 61,000 copies sold (across CD, vinyl LP and digital downloads). The album also makes a splash across a bevy of other album charts, as it opens at No. 1 on Independent Albums, Top Rock Albums, Hard Rock Albums and Tastemaker Albums. (The latter ranks the week’s top-selling albums at independent and small chain record stores.)

Drake’s Certified Lover Boy begins at No. 2 on Top Album Sales with 46,000 copies sold, solely from digital downloads. It’s Drake’s 12th top 10 on the tally.

Olivia Rodrigo’s former No. 1 Sour is a non-mover at No. 3 with 20,000 (down 31%).

Rock band Imagine Dragons sees its newest studio album Mercury – Act 1 launch at No. 4 with 17,000 sold (across CD, vinyl LP, cassette and digital download). It’s the fifth top 10 for the act, and all of those have reached the top four on the list.

A trio of former No. 1s are next on the list, as Halsey’s If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power falls 1-5 in its second week (nearly 17,000; down 76%), Billie Eilish’s Happier Than Ever is steady at No. 6 (12,000; down 1%) and TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s The Chaos Chapter: Freeze dips 5-7 (8,000; down 43%).

Kanye West’s Donda descends 2-8 in its second week (7,500; down 79%) and J. Cole’s The Off-Season rises 10-9 (just over 5,000; down 28%).

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