By

Lauren Moraski /

CBS News/ December 5, 2012, 12:01 PM

Alicia Keys is a "Girl on Fire" with No. 1 album

Singer Alicia Keys performs onstage at the MTV EMA's 2012 at Festhalle Frankfurt on Nov. 11, 2012, in Frankfurt.

Singer Alicia Keys performs onstage at the MTV EMA's 2012 at Festhalle Frankfurt on Nov. 11, 2012, in Frankfurt. / Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

Alicia Keys topped the Billboard 200 chart for the fifth time with her new album, "Girl on Fire," which sold 159,000 copies in its first week.

Keys' new set beat Taylor Swift's latest, "Red," which came in at No. 2 this week with 137,000 copies, followed by Rod Stewart's "Merry Christmas, Baby" with 117,000 and One Direction's "Take Me Home" album at No. 4 with 92,000.

Keys' first four albums topped the album chart, and her most recent studio release, 2009's "The Element of Freedom," entered the Billboard chart at No. 2 with 417,000.

Play Video

"Person to Person": Singing started early for Alicia Keys

"Over the last two years, I've given my all to the songs and sounds that make up this album -- I took myself out of my 'comfort zone', collaborated with artists across different genres, and took control of my life in a way I never had before," Keys said in a statement. "And with every step I took, you all inspired me to pour my heart into every beat, and my soul into every lyric...With this album, I hope to empower you in the way you have me... I hope to move you to be your own phenomenal self in life."

Keys will be on the road in 2013 with R&B singer Miguel. Dates haven't been announced yet.

© 2012 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
1 Comments Add a Comment
linkicon reporticon emailicon
Finley14 says:
I'm so happy for AK! LOVE this album...and the more I listen to it, the more I love it! She's a true talent with an amazing gift, and it shines through in this new album!
reply