Sorry, Brit fans, but it looks like Blackout won't be taking a seat atop the Billboard 200 - but only because the charts changed their rules to keep her out! Yes, according to Billboard themselves, the chart-tabulating agency has decided to count sales of the Eagles' new Walmart-exclusive album Long Road Out Of Eden despite historically refusing to track albums not in stores everywhere. (Idolator has a great in-depth write-up about this issue if you're curious.) "We know that some retailers will be uncomfortable with this policy," Billboard's director of charts said, "but it was inevitable that Billboard's charts would ultimately widen the parameters to reflect changes that are unfolding in music distribution." It's just too bad Britney had to be the first victim - after all, in almost any other week, Blackout would have been number one with a bullet!
Still, if Brit had to lose the top spot to anyone, at least she lost it to a friend - or a friend's dad, anyway! After all, we've seen the pop princess hanging out with Lucy Walsh (daughter of Eagles guitarist Joe) an awful lot lately - heck, she even dressed up like an X17 pap to complement Britney's Halloween costume! It's just like the old saying - keep your friends close, and your enemies (or at least their daughters) closer!
Even if Britney didn't take the top spot, we're sure she's pleased as punch to be shown so much love by her fans - good job, y'all!
> Britney Lays Low - May 15, 2008
> Celebs Love Getting Ed! - May 14, 2008
> Brit's Latest Hit Leaves Woman Unmoved - May 14, 2008
> The Big Cover-Up - May 14, 2008
