Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia

Episode: "The AC/DC Rule, Part 2"

Host: Chris Molanphy
Date: February 26, 2021

Episode Overview

In this follow-up episode, Chris Molanphy continues exploring "The AC/DC Rule"—a phenomenon where an artist's follow-up album debuts bigger or charts higher than its more critically acclaimed or beloved predecessor, propelled by the momentum of prior sleeper hits. Through a journey across decades of chart history and a wide array of genres, Chris demonstrates how this rule shapes not only perceptions of what albums "deserve" success but also how albums succeed in an evolving music industry.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defining the AC/DC Rule

• Concept: The rule is named for the Australian rock band AC/DC, whose first #1 album ("For Those About to Rock We Salute You") was outsold and out-remembered by its predecessor ("Back in Black").
• Core dynamic: An artist releases a slow-burning hit album that accumulates a large audience over time. The fast-rising follow-up album enjoys an explosive debut or quick chart-topping run, even if it’s less memorable.

2. Early Examples in Rock and Pop

Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass

• Whipped Cream & Other Delights (1965): Sold millions, driven by hits and a provocative cover. (01:38)
• Follow-ups rode its coattails—"What Now My Love" actually topped the charts longer but is less remembered.

Jimi Hendrix

• Are You Experienced (1967) is Hendrix's best-seller and most critically acclaimed, but Electric Ladyland (1968) was his only #1 album. (03:41)
  • Quote: “More than 50 years later, all three of these Hendrix albums are highly regarded by critics and fans. But the most acclaimed and the best seller is Hendrix's debut, Ru Experienced.” — Chris Molanphy [04:48]

Cream

• Disraeli Gears (1967): Slow climb, peaked at #4.
• Wheels of Fire: Topped charts in 5 weeks, benefitted from momentum. (06:12)

Carole King

• Tapestry (1971): 15 weeks at #1, multiple classic hits, slow steady climb (debuted at #79).
• Music (1971): Follow-up debuted huge, 1.3 million sold day one, but now overshadowed by Tapestry. (07:10)
  • Quote: “Frankly, as near impossible as this was in the days before computerized charts, Music probably should have debuted at number one because reportedly Music sold 1.3 million copies on its first day.” — Chris Molanphy [09:08]

3. 1970s Singer-Songwriters and Prog Rock

Jethro Tull

• Aqualung (1971): Slow grower, global top-seller.
• Thick as a Brick (1972) & A Passion Play (1973): Both #1 albums, but far less enduring in public memory. (12:18)
  • Quote: “Their geeky gambit worked so well, Tull did it again the next year.” — Chris Molanphy [14:44]

Cat Stevens

• Tea for the Tillerman & Teaser and the Firecat: Both slow-burn triple platinum hits.
• Catch Bull at Four (1972): Opened at #1 despite having no enduring radio hits. (18:16)

4. Arena and Classic Rock: Sales vs. Legacy

Boston

• Boston (1976): 17 million sold, never reached #1.
• Don’t Look Back (1978): Debuted at #1, but not as beloved. (21:33)

Billy Joel

• The Stranger (1977): Slow burner, peaked at #2, Joel’s classic.
• 52nd Street (1978): Hit #1 in four weeks, propelled by reputation. (25:14)

Jackson Browne

• Running on Empty (1978): Steady hit, septuple platinum.
• Hold Out (1980): Only #1 album, less remembered. (27:29)

Pat Benatar

• Crimes of Passion (1980): Slow-building quadruple platinum, loaded with hits.
• Precious Time (1981): #1 album, less impressive content or legacy. (28:52)
  • Quote: “I really think Precious Time went to number one on the strength of Crimes of Passion. That's the record that should have gone to number one.” — Pat Benatar [30:34]

Van Halen

• Built momentum over six albums, finally hit #1 with 5150 (Sammy Hagar era, 1986).
• David Lee Roth’s era never had a #1 studio album; fans’ anticipation carried over. (39:27–43:52)
  • Quote: “One could argue, as per my rule, that record buyers were belatedly rewarding Van Hagar for the streak of success by Diamond Dave's Van Halen.” — Chris Molanphy [41:09]

5. The SoundScan Era and Instant Debuts

• SoundScan’s impact (early 90s): The ability to track real-time album sales data ushered in more number-one debut albums, making AC/DC Rule events more common—and visible.

Skid Row & Depeche Mode

• Debut albums: slow climbers, big sales.
• Follow-ups: Immediate #1 but less enduring impact. (47:28)

Pearl Jam

• Ten (1991): Lengthy rise, never hit #1.
• Vs. (1993): Exploded at #1 with one of the era’s biggest first-week sales. (49:12)

6. The Rise and Fall Cycle of Blockbusters

Mid-90s to 2000s

• Alanis Morissette, Hootie & the Blowfish, Live: Slow-rising debut albums, massive follow-up debuts that fizzled faster (52:18)
• Radiohead: OK Computer (slow builder), Kid A (instant #1, less radio presence but ultimately respected). (53:27)
  • Quote: “It’s unthinkable that Kid A, my favorite Radiohead album, would have hit number one unless the slower growing OK Computer had come first.” — Chris Molanphy [53:52]

Boy Bands & Rap-Rock

• Backstreet Boys: Slow burn to 10M sales, Millennium debuts at #1 with 1.1M first week.
• NSYNC, Eminem, Limp Bizkit: Each follows the pattern with precedent-shattering first-week sales for follow-ups.

Norah Jones

• Come Away With Me (2002): Quietly builds for over a year to #1, diamond sales.
• Feels Like Home (2004): 1M debut, shorter chart run.
  • Quote: “The massive opening of Feels Like Home was a referendum on Come Away With Me.” — Chris Molanphy [61:37]

Lady Gaga & Mumford & Sons

• The Fame: Steady seller, never #1.
• Born This Way: Massive first week, shorter tail.
• Similar pattern with Mumford’s Sigh No More (slow builder) & Babel (big debut). (62:40–64:29)

Imagine Dragons

• Night Visions: Double platinum, peak #2.
• Smoke + Mirrors: Debuts at #1, few major hits. (64:29)

7. The Digital & Streaming Era

• The decline of the ACDC Rule: The era of streaming (2020s) has diminished slow-burn album blockbusters. Streaming favors singles and viral moments over the sleeper-to-superstar album pipeline.

AC/DC’s Own Late-Career Comeback

• Black Ice (2008): Sold nearly 800K week one—CDs only at Walmart.
• Power Up (2020): Debuted at #1 in a streaming-dominated age.
  • Quote: “Not bad for a band of 60 and 70 somethings in an era when few albums still sell much period.” — Chris Molanphy [69:52]
• The band still uses "For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)" as encore, their first chart-topping album, signifying pride in that moment regardless of the ACDC Rule's quirks. (71:34)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This is often the pattern. A rapidly chart topping follow up to a slower growing predecessor. And the pattern holds even when both LPs go to number one." — Chris Molanphy [06:43]
• “Number one albums, even by the same superstar, are not created equal. A slow building chart topper might lead to an explosive sequel.” — Chris Molanphy [09:09]
• “The Stranger took about five months to climb the album chart, peaking at number two in February 1978. Its follow up… vaulted to number one on the album chart in just four weeks.” — Chris Molanphy [24:54]
• “‘Born This Way’ spent far less time on the charts, spun off fewer major hits, and sold roughly half as much as ‘The Fame.’ Also… it was a signal example of the ACDC rule.” — Chris Molanphy [62:40]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• AC/DC Rule Recap and Herb Alpert: [00:00–03:41]
• Jimi Hendrix and Cream: [03:41–07:02]
• Carole King: [07:10–12:18]
• Jethro Tull & Cat Stevens: [12:18–18:16]
• Boston & Billy Joel: [21:33–25:58]
• Jackson Browne & Pat Benatar: [27:29–32:09]
• Van Halen: [39:27–43:52]
• SoundScan & 90s Chart Explosions: [43:52–53:27]
• Mid-90s to 2000s Blockbusters: [53:27–62:35]
• Norah Jones, Lady Gaga, Mumford & Sons: [58:50–64:29]
• Imagine Dragons & Modern Chart Patterns: [64:29–68:00]
• AC/DC in the 21st Century & Conclusion: [68:00–71:35]

Conclusion

Chris Molanphy's deep dive into the “AC/DC Rule” provides a fascinating lens for understanding how chart smashes are often fueled more by timing, momentum, and the inertia of fan bases than by inherent talent or even musical legacy. From classic rock to 2000s pop, the quirks and patterns of chart-topping albums reveal that the music business is as much about the waves you catch as the music you make. The episode closes on AC/DC's own late-career success and their unabashed pride in the album that inspired the rule itself.

For dedicated music nerds and chart-watchers, "The AC/DC Rule, Part 2" is an essential explainer on chart history’s most counterintuitive and entertaining album phenomenon.