Charts: Adele holds off Van Halen, ties 'Bodyguard' record

Grammy queen Adele holds on to the No. 1 spot on this week’s Billboard Top 200, fending off the new album from Van Halen which debuts at No. 2. Her “21″ surges with 237,000 copies sold — up from 122,000 the week prior — while Van Halen’s “A Different Kind of Truth,” the band’s first album with David Lee Roth since 1984, lands in the runner-up position with 187,000 units scanned.

But this week, oddly, it’s all about Adele vs. Whitney Houston. With its 20th week at No. 1, “21″ ties the record set by Houston’s “The Bodyguard” soundtrack, which held the top spot for 20 weeks back in 1992 and 1993, giving it the longest No. 1 run of the SoundScan era. Meanwhile, Houston’s “Whitney: The Greatest Hits” re-enters the chart at No. 6, selling 64,000 copies. A few spots below her is — well, would you look at that! — Adele’s debut album “19,” which comes in at No. 9 for the week.

The latest “Now” compilation (No. 3), The Fray (No. 4), Paul McCartney (No. 5) and Dierks Bentley (No. 7) also post big debuts.

Heading into next week’s chart, it’s highly likely Adele’s post-Grammy boost will give “21″ is album title-tying 21st week at No. 1. Presumably, at some point, an album will come along and outsell “21,” we’re just not sure when. Maybe Bruce Springsteen’s “Wrecking Ball” will come along and smash up the party on March 6? Ooh, I’m dreaming up headlines already!

Billboard’s Top 10 albums (sales in parentheses, figures according to Nielsen SoundScan)

1. Adele, 21 (237,000)

2. Van Halen, A Different Kind of Truth (187,000)

3. Various artists, Now 41 (142,000)

4. The Fray, Scars & Strories (87,000)

5. Paul McCartney, Kisses on the Bottom (74,000)

6. Whitney Houston, Whitney: The Greatest Hits (64,000)

7. Dierks Bentley, Home (55,000)

8. Various artists, 2012 Grammy Nominees (51,000)

9. Adele, 19 (36,000)

10. Drake, Take Care (32,000)