Kate Middleton isn't the only British woman with something to smile about this week--Billboard just announced that Susan Boyle's holiday album, 'The Gift,' has bumped Taylor Swift from the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart. Though Swift dominated the charts the past two weeks, her 'Speak Now' album was no match for the 317,600 units Boyle's album sold.
"Singing is the best job in the world, it really is fantastic. I'm just an ordinary woman who showed a bit of determination and this is what has happened. To have a second No.1 album is wonderful and something I never expected," the singer exclusively told PopEater upon hearing the news.
The British songbird's current reign at No. 1 is no fluke. Industry sources reveal that Boyle's album is currently running neck-and-neck with Rihanna's highly-anticipated new album, 'Loud,' which was released Tuesday. In fact, Boyle is currently projected to surpass the pop star and be No. 1 again next week.
And for those keeping track at home, Boyle's album is the highest-selling holiday album in recent years--breaking the record previously set by Josh Groban's 'Noel.' This is after Boyle's debut album, 'Dream a Little Dream,' sold 701,000 copies in the U.S. last December, giving her the best first week sales of 2009 and the best-selling debut album by any woman since SoundScan began tracking in 1991.
The holiday album features seasonal songs and Christmas classics like 'The First Noel' and 'O Holy Night.' The 'Britain's Got Talent' star says the music is meant to "touch hearts."
"Music has always been a companion to me, particularly on special occasions," Boyle explains. "I wanted there to be a mix of songs that would flow with all our moods this holiday season. As much as the season is a time for reflection, it is also a time for fun and enjoyment with those closest to us."
Boyle also does a cover of rocker Lou Reed's 1972 classic 'Perfect Day.' Watch the video, directed by Reed himself, below.
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