In fact, it's a bigger part all the time, because current product isn't moving the way it used to. But catalog is down, too.

Even reading Billboard, it's hard to get a handle on how big catalog sales are, because records older than two years are removed from the big chart. Occasionally, chart columnist Geoff Mayfield will reveal a statistic like, "If the Grease soundtrack were on the big chart this week, it would rank at #15" (That example in particular leaps to mind because Grease notched some big sales when it hit DVD a few years ago, and again when that ill-fated NBC reality show debuted). But that's about it.

I have the same sanitized sources Maura et al. do (I read the magazine and look at Billboard.com). As you suggest, the only way to get a true picture of what an old-and-new sales chart looks like would be with a very expensive SoundScan account.

All that said, keep an eye on Billboard's Catalog chart if you're curious. Long story short, Back in Black sells in the thousands every week.

Chris Molanphy

The HZA.

As for your second question: I think the sheer volume of music coming out every other week is helping pick up the slack.

Maura Johnston

What I think is interesting is that there were a total of 8.35 million albums sound last week but the #1 charting record only sold about 5% of that number?

What are the other 95% of sales? What catalog sales are picking up that slack? Is Back in Black still the biggest selling record in the country? Where is the disconnect?

noamjamski

Ned Raggett