US Charts Discussion

[pie-kun 1,765]

The thing about BTW vs Applause is that, yeah, even though BTW fell off the charts after its reign at #1, Applause won't ever reach its final sales.

 

Longevity is nice, sure, but not if its sales are so moderate that it basically cancels out any advantage if might have over front-loaded sales.

 

Born This Way also had hype that was arguably unlike any song that was ever released in the digital era. It was the most talked about thing in music for months and, let's face it, the reception of the song was fairly lukewarm, even among many of her fans. But even then, when you have perhaps the most hyped and most talked about new single release of the decade, you're going to get monster sales regardless of how the song is received.

 

Not to mention the fact that Born This Way is regularly outsold on iTunes by her other hits and, despite reaching 3.8M a long time ago, has been almost at a standstill as it struggles to cross the 4M mark. Applause may not cross the 4M mark like BTW eventually will, but it's slated to become a multi-platinum hit that is being well-received among the American public and radio as well.

 

And last but not least, let's not forget that the editor for Billboard admitted that this is one of the toughest music markets he's ever seen in terms of competition. Let's look at the stars that have singles out right now:

 

Drake (Single + Promo singles)

Katy Perry (Single + Promo single)

Taylor Swift

Rihanna

Justin Timberlake (single + a feature)

Justin Bieber (feature)

Miley Cyrus (single + a feature)

Bruno Mars

Selena Gomez

Eminem

Coldplay

P!nk

Britney Spears

Macklemore  & Ryan Lewis

One Direction

 

Note that all of these acts have had recent huge hits, get blind radio support and/or are known for being strong digital sellers.

 

Now factor in all the music acts that are having breakout songs in the US at the moment and you've got a hugely competitive market where even strong digital acts like Gaga, Bieber and Britney can't even crack the top spot on iTunes during their debut. The fact that the song has been able to stay in the iTunes top 10 for 40+ days straight is a testament to the how well the song is being received by the GP. We have already seen what this market is doing to artists like Britney, Eminem and JT.

[Oyemiamor 40]

Do we know where the physical singles sold in stores like target? or we need to order online?

[craig 680]

I just noticed that WorkB is higher than Applause in Canada.

 

Not anymore.

Applause #8 in Canada. Finally!

http://kworb.net/popca/

[Arturo 40,746]

Not anymore.

Applause #8 in Canada. Finally!

http://kworb.net/popca/

do we know how close Applause is to a certification in Canada? :)

[PdogtheDaibutsu 717]

The most important thing that we must focus on is buying those remixes individually on Tuesday.

We can shift a good amount of sales with that EP is we all do it correctly. Should I make a thread on it this weekend informing everyone?

please! :)

[00000000 1]

so wait, buying the remix EP counts as a single sale towards applause and buying them separately does too?

[Arturo 40,746]

so wait, buying the remix EP counts as a single sale towards applause and buying them separately does too?

no, buying them separately only.

[Robotboy 1,700]

i cant be more happy with applause performance WW and the video that is everything.

 

im really curios about the 2nd single now.. all i hope is that its NOT  MANiCURE or j&d   :worship2:

[Bye 3,947]

so wait, buying the remix EP counts as a single sale towards applause and buying them separately does too?

Only separately. Buying the whole album counts as 1 album sale.

[Emvee 8,413]

Born This Way also had hype that was arguably unlike any song that was ever released in the digital era. It was the most talked about thing in music for months and, let's face it, the reception of the song was fairly lukewarm, even among many of her fans. But even then, when you have perhaps the most hyped and most talked about new single release of the decade, you're going to get monster sales regardless of how the song is received.

 

Not to mention the fact that Born This Way is regularly outsold on iTunes by her other hits and, despite reaching 3.8M a long time ago, has been almost at a standstill as it struggles to cross the 4M mark. Applause may not cross the 4M mark like BTW eventually will, but it's slated to become a multi-platinum hit that is being well-received among the American public and radio as well.

 

And last but not least, let's not forget that the editor for Billboard admitted that this is one of the toughest music markets he's ever seen in terms of competition. Let's look at the stars that have singles out right now:

 

 

I don't want you to take this as me trying to discredit Applause, cause I'm not. In fact, deep down inside, I hope it can eventually cross the 3M mark in the same vein as Diamonds. For a while people were dragging that single for having similar sales as TEOG, but it eventually made it through and is now part of Rihanna's solid repertoire. 

 

My argument is just that if that Applause would've had just a fraction of the hype that BTW had, it could've had massive front sales and, perhaps, continued moderate sales as well. It's typically a race against time when it comes to singles' final sales, is it not? Once it hits the peak, it will decay, and what really matters is what it managed to sell before the peak. 

[00000000 1]

no, buying them separately only.

 

 

Only separately. Buying the whole album counts as 1 album sale.

thnks!

[Arturo 40,746]

It's typically a race against time when it comes to singles' final sales, is it not? Once it hits the peak, it will decay, and what really matters is what it managed to sell before the peak. 

Hm, very true. I think about this a lot too. 

She already confirmed the 2nd single should be out before the album, but what if she can milk Applause for much longer, even after the album has been released, similar to Diamonds?

At the point we're at now, is it even smart to release a second single THAT early when Applause hasn't even hit its peak on radio, which will let it keep selling. If Applause is still growing by mid-October and still rising on radio, why kill the song? Honestly, a promo single is all she needs considering the way things are going. A second single would just kill Applause prematurely. 

[JPM 781]

How is Slaypplause doing?

[00000000 1]

 Honestly, a promo single is all she needs considering the way things are going. A second single would just kill Applause prematurely. 

V v true. She needs to keep riding on Applause's momentum, but at the same time have a promo single racking up sales on itunes, but not taking away from Applause's airplay. A second single would kill our airplay, but as many have said befor, if airplay is lacking in October and it's falling on iTunes, then 2nd single tbh.

[nick4bty 2,758]

Hm, very true. I think about this a lot too. 

She already confirmed the 2nd single should be out before the album, but what if she can milk Applause for much longer, even after the album has been released, similar to Diamonds?

At the point we're at now, is it even smart to release a second single THAT early when Applause hasn't even hit its peak on radio, which will let it keep selling. If Applause is still growing by mid-October and still rising on radio, why kill the song? Honestly, a promo single is all she needs considering the way things are going. A second single would just kill Applause prematurely. 

 

I agree. I don't think it's necessary to release a second single before the album like her and her team seem to think. Just release one or two promo singles and let Applause keep growing. Single eras are typically three months anyways. I'm sick of Gaga's single eras being two.