"Britain's Got Talent" runner-up Susan Boyle, who became an overnight sensation with her rendition of the Les Miserables ballad "I Dreamed a Dream," has taken the number one spot in this week's Billboard 200 chart.

The 48-year-old Scottish singer's new CD, also titled "I Dreamed a Dream," sold 701,000 copies during its first week, according to Billboard.com. The recording, which also includes "Cry Me a River" and "Wild Horses," sold the most units in its first week of any album released in 2009. The previous record holder of the year was Eminem, whose "Relapse" sold 608,000 in its first week.

In related news, "American Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert, whose CD "For Your Entertainment" was also released Nov. 23, debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 chart. The much-in-the-news Lambert sold 198,000 copies in his first week. For those keeping track, "Idol" winner Kris Allen sold 80,000 copies of his self-titled CD in the first week of release.