honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Sunday, October 28, 2001

The September 11 attack | America strikes back
Patriotic songs now top sellers

Associated Press

NEW YORK — Americans are showing their patriotism in record stores.

"God Bless America," an album featuring Celine Dion's much-praised rendition of the song, is the nation's best-selling album, according to figures released Wednesday.

The disc, which Columbia Records touts as "a collection of songs of hope, freedom and inspiration," also includes Frank Sinatra's "America the Beautiful," Mariah Carey's "Hero," Tramaine Hawkins' "Amazing Grace" and Pete Seeger's "This Land Is Your Land."

The album sold 180,984 copies in its first week to debut at No. 1 on Billboard's top 200 album charts.

There is more.

The re-release of Whitney Houston's "The Star-Spangled Banner" is a best-selling single, and Lee Greenwood's "American Patriot" album sales have surged based on the popularity of his 17-year-old hit, "God Bless the U.S.A."