Here's more of the raw SoundScan data for 2006. We looked at the high-level charts last week, but this goes into far more detail, breaking out sales by record label and comparing current vs. catalog vs. "deep catalog." There's also a bunch of depressing radio airplay charts (after the jump).
Fun stuff if you're a nerd.
Top 10 Most Played Songs
1. Be Without You - Mary J. Blige: 399,601
2. Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield: 342,283
3. Temperature - Sean Paul: 327,664
4. Me & U - Cassie: 317,865
5. Hips Don’t Lie - Shakira feat. Wyclef Jean: 313,555
6. Promiscuous - Nelly Furtado: 297,980
7. Bad Day - Daniel Powter: 295,374
8. Check On It - Beyonce feat. Slim Thug: 292,023
9. Over My Head (Cable Car) - Fray: 282,583
10. So Sick - Ne-Yo: 279,663
2006 Top 10 Artist Airplay
1. Nickelback: 874,304
2. Kelly Clarkson: 786,810
3. Toby Keith: 741,791
4. Rascal Flatts: 732,150
5. Tim McGraw: 722,074
6. Kenny Chesney: 715,427
7. George Strait: 657,490
8. Keith Urban: 644,769
9. Mary J. Blige: 629,967
10. Ne-Yo: 578,336
Comments
...and the gulf between those who listen to the radio and those who don't widens. I don't believe I have heard a single song from the most played list. I also have not listened to a commercial radio station (music) in maybe three years--not even by accident.
God bless portable media devices!