‘Country Strong’ Flexes Its Muscle on the Charts

While Taylor Swift retains her hold on the top spot of both the country album chart and the Billboard 200 this week as her 'Speak Now' sells another 52,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan, the big story for the week is the not-entirely-unexpected surge in sales for the 'Country Strong' soundtrack, now that the film is in theaters nationwide.

Although the film only managed to score a No. 6 debut at the box office, the 'Country Strong' soundtrack moves into the No. 3 spot on the country survey and sits at No. 10 on the Billboard 200. A second collection of songs from the film is No. 12 on the country chart, scoring the week's highest debut.

Gwyneth's Paltrow's performance of the movie's title track is a big mover on the country digital chart this week, vaulting from No. 47 to No. 11. Another track from the film, 'Give In to Me,' performed by stars Leighton Meester and Garret Hedlund, debuts at No. 16 for the week. (Watch the 'Give In to Me' video below.) And Sara Evans' 'A Little Bit Stronger,' also on the soundtrack, moves up from 17 to 13 this week.

Lady Antebellum are still putting fans in the holiday spirit, as their 'Merry Little Christmas' moves from No. 13 to No. 4. The trio's monster album, 'Need You Now,' at No. 5 is now triple-platinum. Taylor's 'Speak Now' is also now a three-million-seller.