As Billboard’s 2014 review of Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett’s Cheek to Cheek album noted, “After years of running from normalcy as fast as her stiletto-clad feet would carry her, Lady Gaga is pulling a Rod Stewart and digging into the Great American Songbook.” As it turns out, a little normalcy — alongside legendary crooner Bennett — was exactly the left turn the pop star needed seven years ago.
And that creative partnership continues to bear fruit all these years later, as Gaga and Bennett just scored a second top 10 album on the Billboard 200, with Love for Sale debuting at No. 8 on this week’s chart, as well as topping Billboard’s Jazz Albums and Traditional Jazz Albums charts. On Traditional Jazz Albums, its Bennett’s 15th No. 1, breaking him out of a tie with Harry Connick Jr. for the most No. 1s in the 54-year history of the chart.
On the new episode of the Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith discuss just why this once-unlikely pairing has endured and the duo’s possible chances at the 2022 Grammys, given Love for Sale’s under-the-wire move for eligibility.
Also on the show, we’ve got chart news on how Taylor Swift’s Fearless (Taylor’s Version) returns to No. 1 on the Billboard 200, jumping from No. 157 to No. 1 after the release of its vinyl LP and signed CD and how Elton John gets his first top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 since 1999 with his collaboration with Dua Lipa, “Cold Heart.” Plus, we’ve got news about Adele going live on Instagram to share a little taste of her new song “Easy On Me,” Silk Sonic announcing the release date for their debut album, and Jesy Nelson teaming up with Nicki Minaj for her first solo single after leaving Little Mix.
The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things pop on Billboard’s weekly charts. You can always count on a lively discussion about the latest pop news, fun chart stats and stories, new music, and guest interviews with music stars and folks from the world of pop. Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard’s executive digital director, West Coast, Katie Atkinson and senior director of Billboard charts Keith Caulfield every week on the podcast, which can be streamed on Billboard.com or downloaded in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast provider. (Click here to listen to the previous edition of the show on Billboard.com.)
