Taylor Hicks was hoping for his debut CD to be #1 on the Billboard this week, but sales were second best to Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy’s second album. Hicks still sold 298,000 albums during the first week of sales.

As sales go, Hicks wasn’t that far behind the debut of season-four winner Carrie Underwood, whose “Some Hearts” sold 315,000 in its first week.

Hicks’ self-titled disc barely edged the debut of Kelly Clarkson, whose “Thankful” moved 297,000 copies when it was released in April 2003.

The top dog among the “Idol” champs is Ruben Studdard, who sold 417,000 copies of his debut when it was released in December 2003.

Bringing up the rear for debut discs is Fantasia, whose sophomore effort got off to a shaky start last week, selling 133,000 copies to open at No. 19. Her debut, “Free Yourself,” sold 239,000 copies when it came out in November 2004.

Young Jeezy sold 352,000 copies of ‘The Inspiration’.