Research Insight: Show how the impact of David Bowie's Berlin trilogy in the 1970s compared to his latest release in March 2013. This graph superimposes the three Berlin albums produced by Brian Eno in 1977 and 1979. They are Low (blue); Heroes (red) and Lodger (grey). Surprisingly from a week after launch, they trace an identical path. The real surprise is that nearly 40 years later, the launch of The Next Day (green) traces nearly the exact same path – slightly higher for weeks 2-6 in the charts. Given that chart positions are a measure of the relative sales of albums, scholars can derive various insights from this pattern.

For example, the strength of Bowie's fan base in 2013 has the same impact on the charts as it did 40 years ago, indicating the depth of his following when the music in the charts against which he is competing is radically different to what it was then. Researchers can look into the promotional techniques, and the touring activity, as well as his recent exhibition at the Victoria and Albert museum which influenced take-up of his recent release.

Academic Rights Press, Ltd. © 2014