Waylon Jennings' Posthumous Album 'Songbird' Soars to Top Chart Positions
Fans are thrilled about the recent release of a collection of posthumous songs by Waylon Jennings titled Songbird. Curated by Waylon's son, Shooter Jennings, the album features ten tracks that were previously unreleased from recordings made between 1973 and 1984. Despite being considered leftovers, these songs have garnered significant praise from fans and critics alike.
The popularity of Songbird is evident in its impressive sales and streaming numbers since its release. Despite being an album by an artist who passed away over two decades ago and facing competition from major releases like Taylor Swift's latest album, Songbird managed to achieve 10,757 units in sales and streaming equivalents in its first week, securing the #17 spot on the Billboard Country Albums chart.
The album's tracks were streamed over 2.5 million times within the first week, with physical sales reaching nearly 9,000 copies. This success placed Songbird at #6 on Billboard's Top Album Sales chart, #6 on the Top Current Album Sales Chart, #7 on the Indie Store Albums Sales chart, and #9 on the Vinyl Albums sales chart. Additionally, the album made its mark on the Americana/Folk Albums chart at #8 and the Independent Albums chart at #18.
This release marks the first time in 35 years that an original Waylon Jennings album has achieved such high chart positions, with the last album to do so being The Eagle in 1990, which reached #9. It is also the first time Waylon has secured a Top 10 spot on the Top Album Sales chart, which specifically measures physical sales.
Shooter Jennings discovered these hidden gems while exploring his father's recording archives, expecting to find a catalog of Waylon's existing albums and recordings. However, he stumbled upon unreleased tracks that exceeded his expectations, leading to the creation of Songbird. Shooter has revealed plans for two more releases from the archive recordings in the near future.
In conclusion, the release of Waylon Jennings' Songbird has captivated fans and music enthusiasts alike, showcasing the timeless talent of the legendary artist. Shooter Jennings' dedication to preserving and sharing his father's musical legacy has resulted in a remarkable collection of songs that continue to resonate with audiences across generations.