The much-buzzed about Michael Jackson's first posthumous album, "Michael," failed to top the Billboard album charts.

“Michael” sold 228,000 copies on its first week which is good for third place on the Billboard 200 chart for the week of January 1, 2011. Although the album did much better worldwide, selling 3 million copies while topping the charts in Germany, Italy, Sweden and the Netherlands.

The posthumous album was bested by two female artists, Taylor Swift and Susan Boyle.

Taylor Swift returned to the No. 1 slot on the U.S. pop album chart on Wednesday, nudging reigning champ Susan Boyle down to No. 2.

Swift’s “Speak Now” sold 259,000 copies during the week ended December 19, it’s third nonconsecutive week at no. 1. The album has now sold 2.6 million units making it this year’s 3rd best-selling album overall behind Eminem‘s “Recovery” with 3.2 million and Lady Antebellum‘s “Need You Now” with 3 million.

Susan Boyle‘s “The Gift” settled for second place this week with 254,000 copies sold and a six week-total of 1.6 million.

Here is the list of Top 10 Best-selling Albums for the week of January 1, 2011:

1. Speak Now – Taylor Swift
2. The Gift – Susan Boyle
3. MICHAEL – Michael Jackson
4. O Holy Night – Jackie Evancho
5. Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album – Glee Cast
6. Love Letter – R Kelly
7. Last Train to Paris – Diddy – Dirty Money
8. Pink Friday – Nicki Minaj
9. Born Free – Kid Rock
10. Glee: The Music Vol. 4 – Glee Cast

Source: Billboard