Billy Joel returns to the Billboard 200 with Greatest Hits Volume I & Volume II and The Stranger following his HBO docuseries Billy Joel: And So It Goes. TOKYO, JAPAN – JANUARY 24: Billy Joel performs at Tokyo Dome on January 24, 2024 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images)
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Throughout July, HBO unveiled its two-part documentary about Billy Joel, titled Billy Joel: And So It Goes. The first episode was released on July 18, with the second following a week later. Now that the world is once again fixated on the Piano Man, interest in not just his life, but also his music, has soared. An uptick in sales and streams helps the beloved superstar return to the Billboard charts with not one, but two different projects.
Billy Joel Fills Two Spots on the Billboard 200
Joel claims a pair of spaces on the Billboard 200 this week, as both Greatest Hits Volume I & Volume II and The Stranger reenter the ranking of the most consumed albums in the United States. The singles-packed compilation returns at No. 145, while The Stranger, one of Joel’s most successful studio albums, lands at No. 167.
Both sets have spent well over a year on the tally and have previously cracked the top 10, though neither has reached No. 1.
Billy Joel Reaches a Milestone on Rock & Alternative Chart
The singer-songwriter also occupies two spots on the Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart, but in a slightly different manner. The Stranger returns to the list at No. 45, while Greatest Hits Volume I & Volume II debuts at No. 37. As the compilation arrives, the hitmaker earns his milestone tenth appearance on the genre-specific ranking.
The Stranger Sells More, Despite a Lower Ranking
Joel’s Greatest Hits compilation shifted 10,400 equivalent units in the latest tracking period, according to Luminate. The Stranger comes in not far behind, with slightly more than 9,600 equivalent copies moved. While the Greatest Hits set appears higher on the Billboard 200, The Stranger is actually the better seller.
The lower-ranking effort sold just under 1,900 copies in America last week, as the impact from Joel’s docuseries made a mark. Meanwhile, the compilation sold approximately 900 pure units, though it was the top performer on streaming platforms.