A Time To Love - Press Release
Billboard Chart Beat
A Time 2 LoveFred Bronson
27 October 2005
DELIVERED: It took a while, but it was worth it. Stevie Wonder's long-promised "A Time to Love" (Motown) enters The Billboard 200 at No. 5, the highest debut for a Wonder title since "Songs in the Key of Life" made what was then a rare debut at No. 1 in 1976.
Wonder was last in the top 5 20 years ago this month, when "In Square Circle" peaked at No. 5. "A Time to Love" is the 27th Wonder album to chart since he made his first appearance on The Billboard 200 the week of July 13, 1963, with "Little Stevie Wonder/The 12 Year Old Genius."
Now a 55-year-old genius, Wonder collects his 11th top 10 album with "A Time to Love." All 11 have reached the top five. Wonder has had three No. 1 albums, two that peaked at No. 3, four that went to No. 4 and two that reached No. 5.
All of the albums that have charted during Wonder's span of 42 years, three months and three weeks have been recorded for Motown. From 1963-1985, Wonder's albums were issued on the company's Tamla imprint.
"A Time to Love" is his first album of new material to chart pm The Billboard 200 since "Conversation Peace" peaked at No. 16 in April 1995. The only other Wonder CD to appear on the list since then was "The Definitive Collection," which went to No. 35 in November 2002.
On Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums tally, "A Time to Love" debuts at No. 2. It's the first top 10 album there for Wonder since "Conversation Peace" debuted and peaked at No. 2 in April 1995.
"Love" is the 31st Wonder album to appear on the R&B/Hip-Hop survey and is Wonder's 23rd top 10 title. But that doesn't move him up on the list of artists with the most top 10 albums. Wonder remains in fourth place, behind James Brown (25), Aretha Franklin (30) and the Temptations (32).