For the first time, BTS is No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, while Coldplay notches its second leader on the list.
The groups’ collaborative “My Universe” debuts atop the tally dated Oct. 9 with 11.5 million U.S. streams, 5.5 million radio audience impressions and sales of 127,000 downloads and physical singles combined in the Sept. 24-30 tracking week, according to MRC Data.
BTS reigns in its first appearance on Hot Rock & Alternative Songs, while Coldplay previously led with “A Sky Full of Stars” for six weeks in May-October 2014 (the chart began in 2009).
With “Universe,” Coldplay ends the longest break between No. 1s, nearly seven years, in the tally’s history. Between “Stars” and “Universe” (sensing a pattern here?), the Chris Martin-led outfit posted seven Hot Rock & Alternative Songs top 10s, led by the No. 2-peaking “Adventure of a Lifetime” in February 2016. The band now boasts 15 top 10s overall.
BTS is Coldplay’s latest collaborator on a hit on the chart, following team-ups with Tove Lo and Big Sean, while “Stars” features co-writing and co-producing by Avicii. Additionally, Max Martin, who has now written 25 No. 1s and produced 23 leaders on the all-genre, multi-metric Billboard Hot 100, scores his first Hot Rock & Alternative Songs No. 1 in those roles.
“Universe” also arrives as BTS’ first No. 1 on the multi-metric Hot Alternative Songs chart (which launched June 2020), in the group’s premiere appearance, as well as Coldplay’s maiden leader.
“Universe” soars in atop the Rock Digital Song Sales, Alternative Digital Song Sales and Rock Streaming Songs surveys. It’s BTS’ first ruler on each ranking. For Coldplay, it’s the group’s fifth No. 1 on Rock Digital Song Sales, fourth on Alternative Digital Song Sales and first on Rock Streaming Songs.
The song is scaling rock radio charts, too. It jumps 38-23 on Alternative Airplay, following its first full week of tracking, while it zooms 42-20 on the all-rock-format, audience-based Rock & Alternative Airplay chart with 1.5 million audience impressions.
As previously reported, “Universe” blasts in at No. 1 on the Hot 100 and Digital Song Sales charts.
