The studio albums in the American Idol compilation series are compilations of songs by American Idol contestants normally released every year towards the end of the season or after the season has ended. For the first five seasons, the albums consist of cover songs from all the finalists of the season, and is released as CDs before the last episode by RCA Records. After season 5, such compilations were released only sporadically. Compilations for individual contestants were released digitally starting season 6. No compilations were released in season 7.

Starting season 10, compilation albums are released for sales on iTunes straight after the contestants' performances during the season. Sales figures are not released during the season for these album so all numbers are for sales after the season is over.

Albums

Season 1

Year Album title Chart positions Sales
2002 American Idol: Greatest Moments 4 (Billboard 200)[1] 643,000[2]

After Idol's debut season, the top four finalists (Kelly Clarkson, Justin Guarini, Nikki McKibbin, Tamyra Gray) each recorded a version of the song in the event that they won; but only the winner (Clarkson) released it as a single. The single was included in Clarkson's debut album Thankful.

Season 2

In addition to the compilation album by season 2 contestants, a Christmas album American Idol: The Great Holiday Classics was released later in the year featuring recordings of Christmas songs by contestants from both season 1 and season 2. Both compilation albums were certified gold.[3]

Year Album title Chart positions Sales
2003 American Idol Season 2: All-Time Classic American Love Songs 2 (Billboard 200)[1] 648,000.[2]
American Idol: The Great Holiday Classics 28 (Billboard 200)[1]

After season two, the winner (Ruben Studdard) and runner-up (Clay Aiken) each released simultaneously a single containing two songs of one original and one cover. The originals are "This is the Night" (Aiken) and "Flying Without Wings" (Studdard); and the covers are "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (Aiken) and "Superstar" (Studdard)

Season 3

Year Album title Chart positions Sales
2004 American Idol Season 3: Greatest Soul Classics 10 (Billboard 200)[1] 266,000[2]

After season three, the winner (Fantasia Barrino) and runner-up (Diana DeGarmo) each released a single containing three songs of which one was a rendition of "I Believe." Barrino's debut album, Free Yourself, included "I Believe" and "Summertime." DeGarmo's debut album, Blue Skies, included "Dreams" and "Don't Cry Out Loud."

Season 4

Year Album title Chart positions Sales
2005 American Idol Season 4: The Showstoppers 6 (Billboard 200)[1] 332,000 [2]

After season four, the winner (Carrie Underwood) and runner-up (Bo Bice) each released a single for "Inside Your Heaven" and which included one cover song from the show, "Independence Day" (Underwood, also on Showstoppers) and "Vehicle" (Bice). Underwood's debut album Some Hearts also included "Inside Your Heaven" and achieved 7 times Platinum certification.

Season 5

Year Album title Chart Position Sales
2006 American Idol Season 5: Encores 3 (Billboard 200)[1] 381,075[4]

After season 5, winner Taylor Hicks and runner-up Katharine McPhee each released a single with an original song and a cover rendition. The original songs are "Do I Make You Proud" (Hicks) and "My Destiny" (McPhee). The covers are "Takin' It to the Streets" (Hicks) and "Over the Rainbow" (McPhee, renamed to "Somewhere over the Rainbow").

Season 6

For the first time, the compilation album was made available as digital downloads only. Compilations of individual finalist's performances were also released. On the day after the season six finale, the winner Jordin Sparks and runner-up Blake Lewis released 5-song EPs exclusively to iTunes. Sparks's contained the winner's single, "This Is My Now", as well as four songs she performed on Idol: "I (Who Have Nothing)", "A Broken Wing", "To Love Somebody" and "Wishing on a Star". Lewis's EP did not contain "This Is My Now", but instead all the songs on the EP were songs he performed on the show: "You Give Love a Bad Name", "Time Of The Season", "I Need To Know", "Love Song" and "When The Stars Go Blue". Compilations for other contestants were released to iTunes later a few weeks later, and it was also possible to download all the recordings this season as a collector's edition.

Year Album title Chart positions Sales
2007 American Idol Season 6: Greatest Hits
Jordin Sparks EP 2 (Digital Albums)[5] 49,000[6]
Blake Lewis EP 3 (Digital Albums)[5] 46,000[6]
Melinda Doolittle EP 3,400[6]
Chris Richardson EP 900[6]
LaKisha Jones EP 700[6]
Sanjaya Malakar EP 600[6]
Phil Stacey EP 500[6]
Haley Scarnato EP 100[6]

Both Jordin and Blake also released several other songs as singles. These studio-recorded tunes are available both on iTunes and americanidol.com. For Jordin Sparks, these singles were "If We Hold on Together", "You'll Never Walk Alone", "Rhythm is Gonna Get You", "On a Clear Day", and "Hey Baby". For Blake Lewis, these singles were "You Should Be Dancing", "Mack the Knife", "You Keep Me Hangin' On", "Imagine", and "This Love".

Season 8

After season 8, an album was released exclusively to Wal-Mart which contained songs from the show from various top ten finalists. The album included both Kris Allen's and Adam Lambert's version of "No Boundaries". Another Wal-Mart exclusive a 5-track EP was also later released with songs from the Top 4 finalists: Kris Allen and Danny Gokey's Renegade, Allison Iraheta and Adam Lambert's Slow Ride, as well as Adam's Whole Lotta Love, Danny's What Hurts the Most and Kris' Ain't No Sunshine. On iTunes, digital albums of recordings from the two finalists were released.

Year Album title Chart positions Sales
2009 American Idol Season 8 34 (Billboard 200)[7] 77,616[8]
American Idol Season 8: The 5 Song EP 17 (Billboard 200)[1] 57,176[8]
Kris Allen, Season 8 Favorite Performances 50 (Billboard 200) 16,000[9]
Adam Lambert, Season 8 Favorite Performances 33 (Billboard 200) 37,514[10]

    Season 9

    Year Album title Chart positions Sales
    2010 American Idol Season 9 77 (Billboard 200)[1] 21,000[11]
    Lee DeWyze, Season 9 Favorite Performances 9 (Heatseekers Albums)[12] 5,000[13]
    Crystal Bowersox, Season 9 Favorite Performances 6 (Heatseekers Albums)[14] 5,000[13]

    Season 10

    In this season compilation albums of studio recordings of all contestants' songs were released digitally on iTunes after the performances every week apart from top 3 and top 2. After the top 2 performances, compilations of 14 selected songs from the season by each of the two finalists were released on iTunes and in other retailers. Special five-song EPs from each of the Top 4 finalist were released for sale in Wal-Mart on June 28, 2011.

    Year Album title Chart positions Sales
    2011 American Idol Top 13 Season 10
    American Idol Top 12 Season 10
    American Idol Top 11 Season 10
    American Idol Top 11 Redux Season 10
    American Idol Top 9 Season 10 9 (iTunes top albums)[15]
    American Idol Top 8 Season 10
    American Idol Top 7 Season 10
    American Idol Top 6 Season 10
    American Idol Top 5 Season 10
    American Idol Top 4 Season 10
    American Idol Season 10: Lauren Alaina 42 (Billboard 200)[16] 17,000[17]
    American Idol Season 10: Scotty McCreery 12 (Billboard 200)[16] 42,000[18]
    American Idol Season 10 Highlights EP: James Durbin 31 (Billboard 200)[19] 71,000[20]
    American Idol Season 10 Highlights EP: Haley Reinhart 37 (Billboard 200)[19] 59,000[21]
    American Idol Season 10 Highlights EP: Lauren Alaina 24 (Billboard 200)[19] 85,000[22]
    American Idol Season 10 Highlights EP: Scotty McCreery 10 (Billboard 200) [19] 201,000[23]

    Season 11

    In this season compilation albums of studio recordings of all contestants' songs were released digitally to iTunes after the performances every week. After the Top 2 performances, compilations of 11 selected songs from the season by each of the two finalists were released. A compilation album by the Top 10 finalists and an EP from each of the Top 5 finalists was released for sale in Wal-Mart on July 3, 2012, and the Phillip Phillips' EP was released to other retailers on July 17, 2012 with one different track.

    Year Album title Chart positions Sales
    2012 American Idol - Top 13 Season 11
    American Idol Top 12 Season 11
    American Idol: Top 10 - Season 11
    American Idol, Season 11 - Top 9
    American Idol Top 8 - Season 11
    American Idol Top 7 – Season 11
    American Idol Top 7 Now (New Millennium) - Season 11
    American Idol Top 7 Then (Old Soul) - Season 11
    American Idol Top 6: Music of Queen - Season 11
    American Idol Top 6: Contestant's Choice - Season 11
    American Idol - Songs of the Top 5 - Season 11
    American Idol - Top 4 - Season 11
    American Idol - Top 3 - Season 11
    American Idol - Season Finale - Season 11 21 (Billboard 200)[24] 18,000[24]
    Jessica Sanchez: Journey to the Finale 126 (Billboard 200)[24] 6,000[25]
    Phillip Phillips: Journey to the Finale 11 (Billboard 200)[24] 45,000[26]
    American Idol Season 11 Duets and Trios Highlights [27] 161 (Top Current Album)[28] 3,000[26]
    American Idol Season 11 Top 10 Highlights[27] 127 (Billboard 200)[29] 4,000[26]
    American Idol Season 11 Highlights: Skylar Laine[30] 64 (Billboard 200)[31] 33,000[32]
    American Idol Season 11 Highlights: Hollie Cavanagh[33] 176 (Billboard 200)[31] 13,000[32]
    American Idol Season 11 Highlights: Joshua Ledet[34] 57 (Billboard 200)[31] 30,000[35]
    American Idol Season 11 Highlights: Jessica Sanchez[36] 77 (Billboard 200)[31] 15,000[37]
    American Idol Season 11 Highlights: Phillip Phillips[38][39] 25 (Billboard 200)[40] 82,000[32]

    Season 12

    In this season compilation albums of studio recordings of all contestants' songs were released digitally to iTunes after the performances every week.

    Year Album title Chart positions Sales
    2013 American Idol - Top 10 Season 12
    American Idol: Top 9 Season 12
    American Idol - Top 8 Season 12
    American Idol - Top 7 Season 12
    American Idol - Top 6 Season 12
    American Idol - Top 5 Season 12
    American Idol - Top 4 Season 12
    American Idol - Top 4 (Redux) Season 12
    American Idol - Top 3 Season 12
    American Idol - Top 2 Season 12
    America Idol: Idols Singing Idols

    Other Releases

    Year Album Title Chart positions Sales
    2011 American Idol 10th Anniversary – The Hits: Volume 1 136 (Billboard 200) 7,000[41]

    Individual solo albums

    After Idol, several finalists and winners released their own solo albums and singles. For a list of major-label studio albums by Idol recording artists, see American Idol contestants discography.

    References

    1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Chart Beat Thursday: Fox-TV's Lee & "Glee"
    2. 1 2 3 4 Idol anthology: Best initial sales ever
    3. ↑ RIAA Search - American Idol
    4. ↑ Billboard 200 September 2, 2006
    5. 1 2 Billboard Digital Albums chart June 09, 2007
    6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Idol Chatter 01-10-2008 The Ultimate SoundScan Sales/Download Checklist
    7. ↑ Idol Chatter 07-08-2009
    8. 1 2 Billboard charts - Top Soundtrack, December 12, 2009
    9. ↑ Idol Chatter 06-17-2009
    10. ↑ Billboard YTD Current Digital Album 12-12-2009
    11. ↑ Idol Chatter 06-09-2010
    12. ↑ Billboard chart - Heatseekers albums
    13. 1 2 Idol Chatter 06-16-2010
    14. ↑ Billboard Heatseekers Albums Chart May 12 2010
    15. ↑ Idol Chatter Apr 12, 2011
    16. 1 2 Idol Chatter 06-01-2011
    17. ↑ Mansfield, Brian (September 7, 2011). "Scotty and Lauren stick on The Billboard 200". Idol Chatter. USA Today. Retrieved September 7, 2011.
    18. ↑ Mansfield, Brian (2011-10-12). "Scotty McCreery makes a No. 1 Billboard debut". Idol Chatter. USA Today. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
    19. 1 2 3 4 Idol Chatter 07-06-2011
    20. ↑ Rutherford, Kevin (2012-01-19). "'American Idol' Season 10: Where Are They Now?". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2012.
    21. ↑ Mansfield, Brian (2011-09-14). "Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina still top 'Idol' sales". Idol Chatter. USA Today. Retrieved September 14, 2011.
    22. ↑ Mansfield, Brian (2011-10-26). "Scotty McCreery moves up the album chart". Idol Chatter. USA Today. Retrieved October 26, 2011.
    23. ↑ "BILLBOARD BLAST: TOP 200 BEST SELLING US ALBUMS OF 2011". This Goes In. 2012-01-05. Archived from the original on 2013-01-05. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
    24. 1 2 3 4 Keith Caulfield (May 30, 2012). "John Mayer Earns Third No. 1 Album on Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
    25. ↑ Mansfield, Brian (2012-06-13). "'Idol' album sales: Carrie Underwood and more". Idol Chatter. USA Today. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
    26. 1 2 3 Keith Caulfield (July 13, 2012). "'American Idol' Winner Phillip Phillips Charts Second Hit Album on Billboard 200". Billboard.com. Retrieved July 14, 2012.
    27. 1 2 "Robot or human?".
    28. ↑ Top Current Albums, Issue Date: 2012-07-21
    29. ↑ The Billboard 200 Issue Date: 2012-07-21
    30. ↑ "Robot or human?".
    31. 1 2 3 4 "Billboard 200 Chart: American Idol Season 11 Highlight CD". emusicality.com. Archived from the original on July 28, 2014. Retrieved July 13, 2012.
    32. 1 2 3 Mansfield, Brian (2012-09-27). "'Idol' sales: Phillip Phillips' 'Home' expansion". Idol Chatter. USA Today. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
    33. ↑ "Robot or human?".
    34. ↑ "Joshua Ledet - Joshua Ledet: Season 11 American Idol HLTS [CD]".
    35. ↑ Brian Mansfield (Aug 22, 2012). "'Idol' album sales: Underwood, Clarkson, McCreery". Idol Chatter. USA today. Retrieved Aug 22, 2012.
    36. ↑ "American Idol Season 11 Highlights (EP)".
    37. ↑ Mansfield, Brian (2012-08-01). "'Idol' album sales: Five singers in the top 200". Idol Chatter. USA Today. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
    38. ↑ "American Idol Season 11 Highlights (CD) (EP)".
    39. ↑ American Idol Season 11 Highlights
    40. ↑ Grein, Paul (11 July 2012). "Week Ending July 8, 2012. Albums: Chris Brown, 2; Rihanna, 0". Chart Watch. Yahoo Music. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
    41. ↑ Idol Chatter 03-30-2011
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