The soundtrack to the latest James Bond film, No Time to Die, makes a splash on Billboard’s charts, as the set debuts at No. 1 on both the overall Classical Albums chart and the Classical Crossover Albums tally, as well as starting at No. 7 on the Soundtracks chart (all dated Oct. 16). Plus, Billie Eilish’s title track debuts on the Billboard Global Excluding U.S. chart.
The No Time to Die album earned 5,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in the week ending Oct. 7, according to MRC Data. Of that sum, traditional album sales comprise nearly 4,000.
The companion album to the film of the same name was released on Oct. 1, one week before the movie arrived in U.S. and Canadian movie theaters. (The film bowed in many territories on Sept. 30, including the United Kingdom.) No Time to Die was originally slated to premiere in the spring of 2020, but its release was delayed following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The soundtrack consists mostly of score composed by Hans Zimmer and performed by an orchestra and choir conducted by Matt Dunkley. The set also includes Eilish’s Grammy Award-winning Bond theme, “No Time to Die,” which earlier debuted and peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart (dated Feb. 29, 2020).
Concurrent with the album’s release, and the film’s arrival on movie screens outside the U.S., Eilish’s tune also bows at No. 132 on the Billboard Global Excluding U.S. chart. The list ranks the world’s most popular songs of the week based on streaming and sales activity culled from more than 200 territories as compiled by MRC Data. The Billboard Global Excluding U.S. chart comprises data from territories excluding the U.S.
It’s not every day a three-time Grammy Award winner is sent home on The Masked Singer. But that happened Wednesday night (Oct. 13), when Cupcake got tossed.
The latest episode of Fox’s unlikely hit returned to Group B, and its lineup of Banana Split, Queen of Hearts, Mallard and Cupcake, who tackled Bruno Mars’ “Finesse”.
There was another surprise when the Wildcard entry Caterpillar made an appearance, wearing what organizers are calling the “the longest costume in Masked history.”
Sadly, for Cupcake, the end has come and the mask came off.
Nicole Scherzinger guessed right, pointing out the singer was none other than Ruth Pointer of the Pointer Sisters, the ‘80s hitmakers behind “Jump” (For My Love), “I’m So Excited,” “Slow Hand” and more.
Ruth Pointer can’t be too disappointed. Across their career, the Pointer Sisters bagged 26 Billboard Hot 100 entries, including seven Top 10 appearances. They’ve snagged three Grammys from 10 nominations.
With more and more music released each year, it’s a near-impossible task to keep track of everything that’s coming. From pop to hip-hop to alternative to K-pop to country, the choices made available feel endless — not to mention vinyl, re-releases and collectible editions.
Below, check out Billboard’s running calendar of upcoming releases to make sure you’re in the know; check back often for updates to our schedule of albums to look forward to each week.
Oct. 15
Coldplay, Music of the Spheres
Finneas, Optimist
Toby Keith, Peso in My Pocket
Young Thug, Punk
Dos Santos, City of Mirrors
Zac Brown Band, The Comeback
Kelly Clarkson, When Christmas Comes Around…
PinkPantheress, To Hell With It
Remi Wolf, Juno
Santana, Blessings and Miracles
Tom Morello, The Atlas Underground Fire
Oct. 22
Duran Duran, Future Past
Elton John, The Lockdown Sessions
Honne, Let’s just Say the World Ended a Week From Now, What Would You Do?
Lana Del Rey, Blue Banisters
My Morning Jacket, My Morning Jacket
Rufus Du Sol, Surrender
Seventeen, Attacca
Wale, Folarin 2
Oct. 29
Ed Sheeran, =
The War on Drugs, I Don’t Live Here Anymore
Sam Evian, Time to Melt
Bad Wolves, Dear Monsters
Black Veil Brides, The Phantom Tomorrow
Mastodon, Hushed and Grim
They Might Be Giants, Book
Tori Amos, Ocean to Ocean
Nov. 5
ABBA, Voyage
Aimee Mann, Queens of the Summer Hotel
Bullet for My Valentine, Bullet for My Valentine
Diana Ross, Thank You
James Arthur, It’ll All Make Sense in the End
Radiohead, Kid Amnesia
Snail Mail, Valentine
Steve Perry, The Season
Summer Walker, Still Over It
Nov. 10
Tomorrow x Together, Chaotic Wonderland
Nov. 12
Courtney Barnett, Things Take Time, Take Time
Little Mix, Between Us
Taylor Swift, Red (Taylor’s Version)
Silk Sonic, An Evening With Silk Sonic
Aesop Rock & Blockhead, Garbology
Damon Albarn, The Nearer the Fountain, More Pure the Stream Flows
Eric Clapton, The Lady in the Balcony: Lockdown Sessions
Gov’t Mule, Heavy Load Blues
Idles, Crawler
Jason Aldean, Macon
Little Mix, Between Us
Rod Stewart, The Tears of Hercules
Twice, Formula of Love: O+T=<3
Nov. 19
Adele, 30
Angel Haze, Girl With a Gun
Brian Wilson, At My Piano
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Raise the Roof
On Wednesday (Oct. 13), Foster the People drummer Mark Pontius announced that he was leaving the band after 11 years. The news was posted on the band’s socials as “A statement from Mark Pontius.”
“I’ve struggled with finding the words to begin this announcement so I guess I’ll just rip off the band-aid and say that I’ve decided to leave the band I helped start 11 years ago, Foster the People,” Pontius began the note. “As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of our first record Torches, I’ve been flooded with memories of our sudden success, achieving all of my career aspirations in a few short years and the beautiful moments spent with my brothers in the band. What a privilege it all was, I’m eternally grateful for all of it.
“I’ve grown up a lot since we started out, and in the couple of years since our last live show, my whole life has changed in every way,” he continued. “I’ve had a lot of time to myself to reflect on what truly matters.”
In the note, the father of a 2-year-old daughter told fans that he hopes to spend his time “watching my child grow up” now that he’s “checked everything off my career bucket list.”
“I will miss Mark, Isom and Sean, they are my family forever and I’m sure we will work together again one day,” he said of his Foster bandmates, adding, “As for me, I’ve got a few ideas for the future but I’m just going to take it one day at a time for now.”
The band formed in 2009 in Los Angeles and released their debut album Torches in 2011. The album included the band’s breakthrough 2010 hit “Pumped Up Kicks,” which was a top five hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Alternative Airplay chart. A 10th-anniversary edition of their debut album, titled Torches X, is due Nov. 12.
Read Pontius’ full note below:
I’ve struggled with finding the words to begin this announcement so I guess I’ll just rip off the band-aid and say that I’ve decided to leave the band I helped start 11 years ago, Foster the People.
As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of our first record Torches, I’ve been flooded with memories of our sudden success, achieving all of my career aspirations in a few short years and the beautiful moments spent with my brothers in the band. What a privilege it all was, I’m eternally grateful for all of it.
I’ve grown up a lot since we started out, and in the couple of years since our last live show, my whole life has changed in every way. I’ve had a lot of time to myself to reflect on what truly matters. Among those things, I became a father to a now 2 year old daughter who has really changed the way I feel about living my life on tour. I find myself drawn to things closer to home. I’ve seen the world (a couple of times) and I really checked everything off my career bucket list. Now my aspirations are more about hanging out there in nature and watching my child grow up.
These last 2 years have been about closing out huge chapters in my life and after a lot of back and forth, I’ve accepted that I’m ready for this one to close as well. I’m saying goodbye and moving on as of today.
I will miss Mark, Isom and Sean, they are my family forever and I’m sure we will work together again one day. As for me, I’ve got a few ideas for the future but I’m just going to take it one day at a time for now.
Thank you to everyone who supported the band over the years, I love you.
Even though it only started on Monday, Twitter’s red-flag meme — where people are posting questionable opinions and quotes followed by a series of red-flag emojis in warning — has already taken over the social media site, with everyone from politicians to brands co-opting the trend.
But everyone can pack up their flags and go home, because Dolly Parton has offered up the best red-flag tweet yet.
On Wednesday (Oct. 13), the legendary singer/songwriter tweeted, “When her beauty is beyond compare with flaming locks of auburn hair,” followed by three red-flag emojis.
The line is pulled straight from Parton’s 1973 Hot Country Songs No. 1 song “Jolene,” in which she begs another woman not to steal her man “just because you can.” So yeah, Jolene’s infamous beauty is, indeed, a red flag.
The song has taken on new life thanks to a series of high-profile cover versions, with Lil Nas X most recently tackling the country classic last month in the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge. Parton even co-signed Nas’ take on the song, tweeting, “I was so excited when someone told me that Lil Nas X had done my song #Jolene. I had to find it and listen to it immediately…and it’s really good,” she wrote while sharing LNX’s performance video. “Of course, I love him anyway. I was surprised and I’m honored and flattered. I hope he does good for both of us. Thank you @LilNasX.”
Find more “Jolene” covers — and vote for your favorite — here.