The Weeknd - "Blinding Lights"

[allow that]

Jan 10, 2020 11:36:53 GMT -5 Ｓｏｕｎｄｃｌ🕤ｃｋ said:

Germans love their 80's synth!

[ry4n]

Also climbs to #1 in Sweden and the Netherlands. European smash!

[Normi]

Yaas! We did ONE thing right after those 19 Capital Bra #1s

[dovahduck]

Also number ten in the UK!

[Enigma.]

This is doing very well globally.. I don't get what they were thinking with the messy rollout in the US.

[allow that]

Jan 11, 2020 1:18:47 GMT -5 Enigma. said:

This is doing very well globally.. I don't get what they were thinking with the messy rollout in the US.

They were thinking that they didn’t want to alienate his Urban base, but his more Urban music is so watered down/commercialized since his mixtape days that I don’t think it even matters anymore. Those original fans have either accepted that he’s a pop star now or moved on entirely anyway.

Even though “Heartless” debuted at #1 (and sunk like a brick), the label should have just went 100% with this song. It’s one of those rare instant classics that just connects with everyone.

[fearlessarrow]

POP:
37 29 THE WEEKND Blinding Lights 2076 1074 1002 9.642

+242 Spins
+204 Bullet
+1.153 Audience

RHYTHMIC (MOCK-UP):
?? ?? THE WEEKND Blinding Lights 303 259 44 0.797

+22 Spins
+22 Bullet
+0.031 Audience

[violentdreams]

Jan 11, 2020 12:40:34 GMT -5 allow that said:

Jan 11, 2020 1:18:47 GMT -5 Enigma. said:

This is doing very well globally.. I don't get what they were thinking with the messy rollout in the US.

They were thinking that they didn’t want to alienate his Urban base, but his more Urban music is so watered down/commercialized since his mixtape days that I don’t think it even matters anymore. Those original fans have either accepted that he’s a pop star now or moved on entirely anyway.

Even though “Heartless” debuted at #1 (and sunk like a brick), the label should have just went 100% with this song. It’s one of those rare instant classics that just connects with everyone.

That wasn't the strategy at all. They went with Heartless at first because it obviously didn't have much in the way of legs, so it getting the initial push was going to be the only chance it got to go #1. Blinding Lights had legs from the start, so not pushing it for the first few weeks wasn't going to hurt it much because it was gonna organically become a hit anyways.

[allow that]

Jan 11, 2020 12:59:54 GMT -5 violentdreams said:

Jan 11, 2020 12:40:34 GMT -5 allow that said:

They were thinking that they didn’t want to alienate his Urban base, but his more Urban music is so watered down/commercialized since his mixtape days that I don’t think it even matters anymore. Those original fans have either accepted that he’s a pop star now or moved on entirely anyway.

Even though “Heartless” debuted at #1 (and sunk like a brick), the label should have just went 100% with this song. It’s one of those rare instant classics that just connects with everyone.

That wasn't the strategy at all. They went with Heartless at first because it obviously didn't have much in the way of legs, so it getting the initial push was going to be the only chance it got to go #1. Blinding Lights had legs from the start, so not pushing it for the first few weeks wasn't going to hurt it much because it was gonna organically become a hit anyways.

I disagree. That doesn’t make even sense. Why would they make a song a single at all if they didn’t think it “had legs”? Of course they wanted “Heartless” to become a huge hit, and it is still growing. Also its # 1 debut was somewhat unexpected because it premiered at a time when the top spot was somewhat weak. Of course they’re more concerned with appealing to a more urban audience in the US than markets like Germany of Australia, and a pop/urban dual single is nothing new for The Weeknd (or many other crossover acts). Yes, I’m sure they know “Blinding Lights” still has potential to become a bit hit, but if they were only concerned with getting an extra #1 as you suggest, “BL” is much less likely to get there organically than with a huge push at the beginning in the current climate.

[violentdreams]

Jan 11, 2020 13:07:39 GMT -5 allow that said:

Jan 11, 2020 12:59:54 GMT -5 violentdreams said:

That wasn't the strategy at all. They went with Heartless at first because it obviously didn't have much in the way of legs, so it getting the initial push was going to be the only chance it got to go #1. Blinding Lights had legs from the start, so not pushing it for the first few weeks wasn't going to hurt it much because it was gonna organically become a hit anyways.

I disagree. That doesn’t make even sense. Why would they make a song a single at all if they didn’t think it “had legs”? Of course they wanted “Heartless” to become a huge hit, and it is still growing. Also its # 1 debut was somewhat unexpected because it premiered at a time when the top spot was somewhat weak. Of course they’re more concerned with appealing to a more urban audience in the US than markets like Germany of Australia, and a pop/urban dual single is nothing new for The Weeknd (or many other crossover acts). Yes, I’m sure they know “Blinding Lights” still has potential to become a bit hit, but if they were only concerned with getting an extra #1 as you suggest, “BL” is much less likely to get there organically than with a huge push at the beginning in the current climate.

Because two #1 singles are better than one. And Heartless has stagnated on radio and is no longer getting any playlist support (or substantially less compared to Blinding Lights). It did what it needed to do and now they've moved onto pushing the real hit.

[Enigma.]

BL will NOT reach #1 in the US. It wasn't even in top 40 last week and there's long way to go to top ten let alone #1. This single is screwed in terms of #1. It MIGHT reach top ten when the airplay picks up 100% but it'll take 2 months at least. All stations will not drop Heartless "just because".

[Keelzit]

This has become my favorite song by him. Give me synthpop + those divine vocals and I'm sold.

[violentdreams]

Jan 11, 2020 15:04:13 GMT -5 Enigma. said:

BL will NOT reach #1 in the US. It wasn't even in top 40 last week and there's long way to go to top ten let alone #1. This single is screwed in terms of #1. It MIGHT reach top ten when the airplay picks up 100% but it'll take 2 months at least. All stations will not drop Heartless "just because".

I'm just explaining what the tactic is mate, I'm not making any predictions (and neither should you be for that matter).

[dovahduck]

Jan 11, 2020 15:04:13 GMT -5 Enigma. said:

BL will NOT reach #1 in the US. It wasn't even in top 40 last week and there's long way to go to top ten let alone #1. This single is screwed in terms of #1. It MIGHT reach top ten when the airplay picks up 100% but it'll take 2 months at least. All stations will not drop Heartless "just because".

That honestly depends on the release date of the album though, if its release coincides with week that "Blinding Lights" peaks on radio, it can pull a "Nice For What" and reach the top spot (anything is possible, just look at "Yummy"'s underperformance and the domination of the non-single "The Box" for example). Also, weren't you the one who said that "Heartless" wouldn't even go top ten? 🗿

[Enigma.]

I don't remember but I sure didn't believe that it would be #1.

[dovahduck]

This is #3 in Australia behind "Don't Start Now" and "Dance Monkey", if the former's increases start to slow down and the latter's hold begins to dissipate, this can become The Weeknd's first number one in the country.

[degen]

Jan 11, 2020 16:21:32 GMT -5 dovahduck said:

Jan 11, 2020 15:04:13 GMT -5 Enigma. said:

BL will NOT reach #1 in the US. It wasn't even in top 40 last week and there's long way to go to top ten let alone #1. This single is screwed in terms of #1. It MIGHT reach top ten when the airplay picks up 100% but it'll take 2 months at least. All stations will not drop Heartless "just because".

That honestly depends on the release date of the album though, if its release coincides with week that "Blinding Lights" peaks on radio, it can pull a "Nice For What" and reach the top spot (anything is possible, just look at "Yummy"'s underperformance and the domination of the non-single "The Box" for example). Also, weren't you the one who said that "Heartless" wouldn't even go top ten? 🗿

Not to mention the video for it is not even out yet. His team is really good at timing #1s for him. For the longest time “Starboy” looked like it wouldn’t hit #1 either, but they managed to sneak in a week. I agree if airplay is high and he drops the album that same week, it will get a significant boost. But “The Box” is a great threat at this point as it looks to be a strong #1.

[SPRΞΞ]

Jan 11, 2020 15:04:13 GMT -5 Enigma. said:

BL will NOT reach #1 in the US. It wasn't even in top 40 last week and there's long way to go to top ten let alone #1. This single is screwed in terms of #1. It MIGHT reach top ten when the airplay picks up 100% but it'll take 2 months at least. All stations will not drop Heartless "just because".

This is the Dark Horse of 2020 and it absolutely has a shot at #1. The video isn’t even out yet.

[fearlessarrow]

POP:
34 27 THE WEEKND Blinding Lights 2256 1181 1075 10.422

+180 Spins
+73 Bullet
+0.780 Audience

RHYTHMIC (MOCK-UP):
?? ?? THE WEEKND Blinding Lights 335 250 85 0.890

+32 Spins
+41 Bullet
+0.093 Audience

[insen_13]

Jan 12, 2020 11:52:49 GMT -5 fearlessarrow said:

POP:
34 27 THE WEEKND Blinding Lights 2256 1181 1075 10.422

+180 Spins
+73 Bullet
+0.780 Audience

RHYTHMIC (MOCK-UP):
?? ?? THE WEEKND Blinding Lights 335 250 85 0.890

+32 Spins
+41 Bullet
+0.093 Audience

I like how pop organically pushes this song upward.

[Juan Carlos]

SUNDAY PUBLISHED 1/12 UPDATE:

CHR/Pop:
34 27 THE WEEKND Blinding Lights 2266 1181 1085 10.422

The Weeknd's Top 40/M peaks to date:

#1. "Earned It"
#1. "Can't Feel My Face"
#2. "The Hills"
#3. "Love Me Harder" (Ariana Grande & The Weeknd)
#3. "In The Night"
#3. "Starboy" (The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk)
#3. "I Feel It Coming" (The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk)
#3. "Pray For Me" (The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar)
#12. "Lost In The Fire" (Gesaffelstein & The Weeknd)
#13. "Heartless"
#27. "Blinding Lights"
#38. "Might Not" (Belly featuring The Weeknd)
#38. "Power Is Power" (SZA, The Weeknd & Travis Scott)
#47. "Call Out My Name"

Chart run: 50 − 44 − 38 − 34 − 27 − (...)

[insen_13]

Jan 12, 2020 23:56:15 GMT -5 Juan Carlos said:

SUNDAY PUBLISHED 1/12 UPDATE:

CHR/Pop:
34 27 THE WEEKND Blinding Lights 2256 1181 1075 10.422

The Weeknd's Top 40/M peaks to date:

#1. "Earned It"
#1. "Can't Feel My Face"
#2. "The Hills"
#3. "Love Me Harder" (Ariana Grande & The Weeknd)
#3. "In The Night"
#3. "Starboy" (The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk)
#3. "I Feel It Coming" (The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk)
#3. "Pray For Me" (The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar)
#12. "Lost In The Fire" (Gesaffelstein & The Weeknd)
#13. "Heartless"
#27. "Blinding Lights"
#38. "Might Not" (Belly featuring The Weeknd)
#38. "Power Is Power" (SZA, The Weeknd & Travis Scott)
#47. "Call Out My Name"

Chart run: 50 − 44 − 38 − 34 − 27 − (...)

What was #1 when The Hills peaked at #2?

[Au$tin]

Jan 13, 2020 1:50:04 GMT -5 insen_13 said:

What was #1 when The Hills peakef at #2?

The age old favorite that totally has stood the test of time and is largely beloved, "Locked Away" by R. City and Adam Levine. 💀

[insen_13]

Jan 13, 2020 2:32:29 GMT -5 Au$tin said:

Jan 13, 2020 1:50:04 GMT -5 insen_13 said:

What was #1 when The Hills peakef at #2?

The age old favorite that totally has stood the test of time and is largely beloved, "Locked Away" by R. City and Adam Levine. 💀

I didn't know this hit #1. Thanks

[fearlessarrow]

Top 50 on Rhythmic!

POP:
34 25 THE WEEKND Blinding Lights 2488 1225 1263 11.347

+232 Spins
+188 Bullet
+0.925 Audience

RHYTHMIC:
57 50 THE WEEKND Blinding Lights 368 251 117 0.989

[tallen2001]

This is smashing and i'm here for it.

[dovahduck]

#39 on the Hot 100 this week!

[Deleted]

Jan 11, 2020 15:04:13 GMT -5 Enigma. said:

BL will NOT reach #1 in the US. It wasn't even in top 40 last week and there's long way to go to top ten let alone #1. This single is screwed in terms of #1. It MIGHT reach top ten when the airplay picks up 100% but it'll take 2 months at least. All stations will not drop Heartless "just because".

It’s so weird how people can look at literally any of the 2019 number ones and can say stuff like that , in the tik tok era any song can go number one 

[fearlessarrow]

POP:
33 25 THE WEEKND Blinding Lights 2739 1277 1462 12.600

+251 Spins
+199 Bullet
+1.253 Audience

RHYTHMIC:
57 50 THE WEEKND Blinding Lights 388 249 139 1.026

+20 Spins
+22 Bullet
+0.037 Audience

[Crimsonio]

Jan 12, 2020 23:56:15 GMT -5 Juan Carlos said:

SUNDAY PUBLISHED 1/12 UPDATE:

CHR/Pop:
34 27 THE WEEKND Blinding Lights 2266 1181 1085 10.422

The Weeknd's Top 40/M peaks to date:

#1. "Earned It"
#1. "Can't Feel My Face"
#2. "The Hills"
#3. "Love Me Harder" (Ariana Grande & The Weeknd)
#3. "In The Night"
#3. "Starboy" (The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk)
#3. "I Feel It Coming" (The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk)
#3. "Pray For Me" (The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar)
#12. "Lost In The Fire" (Gesaffelstein & The Weeknd)
#13. "Heartless"
#27. "Blinding Lights"
#38. "Might Not" (Belly featuring The Weeknd)
#38. "Power Is Power" (SZA, The Weeknd & Travis Scott)
#47. "Call Out My Name"

Chart run: 50 − 44 − 38 − 34 − 27 − (...)

Wow that's surprising that Love Me Harder didn't hit #1 on Pop, I could've sworn it did.