Billboard Hot 100: 12/26/2020

[jodakyellow]

Dec 15, 2020 12:51:09 GMT -5 Rose "Payola" Nylund said:

Yet J Lo literally recorded a new song - twice, and it counted as the same lmao. I know a rule was implemented after that but it is funny how inconsistent they can be. I know artists and labels don’t make it easy either.

iirc J Lo's shenanigans was basically the reason for the rule change

Billboard will always be a year or two behind the latest tactics

[joesuda]

Dec 15, 2020 10:21:25 GMT -5 jenglisbe said:

Dec 15, 2020 9:58:46 GMT -5 HolidayGuy said:

"willow" is hanging tough at No. 1 on Apple Music, which is pretty impressive for the genre it is.

Tbh I don't see how "willow" won't be #1 on the Hot 100. It is way ahead on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and iTunes. "AIWFCIY" will have more airplay and it might have more streams on Amazon, but how is that enough to pass "willow" on the Hot 100?

Amazon streams make the difference. Amazon music is about the same size as Apple Music in the US or maybe Amazon is even bigger than AM nowadays. AIWFCIY is #1 there, Willow is #46 and some predict that AIWFCIY might have more streams in total than Willow thanks to it. AIWFCIY will probably have a significant radio lead which only boosts it lead. If Amazon's streams would be public then there would be more clarity but currently I'd say the chances are 50/50. 

Also Willow is the highest non-holiday song on Amazon music which is crazy. 

[joesuda]

Dec 15, 2020 9:16:18 GMT -5 shayonce said:

lol at another remix...

Billboard should've new rule as "additional remixes released midweek won't be counted".
simple and easy.

I'd say that Billboard should limit the number of remixes that a song can gain points from. If there is a song then it should get additional points from 1 remix maybe, not 4-5.

[jodakyellow]

Dec 15, 2020 12:58:51 GMT -5 joesuda said:

Dec 15, 2020 10:21:25 GMT -5 jenglisbe said:

Tbh I don't see how "willow" won't be #1 on the Hot 100. It is way ahead on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and iTunes. "AIWFCIY" will have more airplay and it might have more streams on Amazon, but how is that enough to pass "willow" on the Hot 100?

Amazon streams make the difference. Amazon music is about the same size as Apple Music in the US or maybe Amazon is even bigger than AM nowadays. AIWFCIY is #1 there, Willow is #46 and some predict that AIWFCIY might have more streams in total than Willow thanks to it. AIWFCIY will probably have a significant radio lead which only boosts it lead. If Amazon's streams would be public then there would be more clarity but currently I'd say the chances are 50/50. 

Also Willow is the highest non-holiday song on Amazon music which is crazy. 

Amazon pushes HARD this time of year to market itself as the best streaming destination for Christmas music w/ free trials, with the intention of getting people hooked as year-round subscribers

[Me. I Am l!nk!nfan815...]

Dec 15, 2020 12:25:36 GMT -5 rimetm said:

It's worth noting that Oh Santa! is a rerecord as well. If you listen to Mariah's parts, they're not the same takes as the original recording.

Which is why it debuted on this weeks chart as a new entry.

[renfield75]

Dec 15, 2020 12:51:09 GMT -5 Rose "Payola" Nylund said:

Yet J Lo literally recorded a new song - twice, and it counted as the same lmao. I know a rule was implemented after that but it is funny how inconsistent they can be. I know artists and labels don’t make it easy either.

Equally funny that one of the songs in question is "Ain't It Funny"

[jenglisbe]

Dec 15, 2020 12:18:26 GMT -5 Verisimilitude said:

Dec 15, 2020 11:37:46 GMT -5 jenglisbe said:

Additionally 5 different versions of "AIWFCIY" by Mariah have charted on Holiday Digital Songs:
#1 - Original
#1 - SuperFestive! (duet with Bieber)
#4 - Extra Festive
#18 - Live At Tokyo Dome
#25 - Magical Christmas Mix

So, all of those are being counted as separate songs for Billboard charts.

The only reasoning that makes sense is that the bottom 4 all have re-recorded vocals so Billboard considers them different songs from the original (when really, #4, #18, and #25 should be considered the same).

I've been told it's more of a time thing; regardless of when recording took place, they all came out well after the original.

[renaboss]

Wait, so the original versions of "I'm Real" and "Ain't It Funny" counted towards the chart?

[arg991]

Dec 14, 2020 5:40:01 GMT -5 frenchuser said:

Dec 13, 2020 11:15:05 GMT -5 arg991 said:

Does anyone else find it off that My Only Wish by Britney doesn’t perform well?! Like I never even heard some of the newer (2000-) Xmas songs yet on the radio or in stores.

It's performing well worldwide. It's a HIT in Norway. It was #171 (+10) yesterday on Spotify Worlwide Global. The song has 144 millions streams without its performer once evoking it publicly and with an old holiday music compilation cover as official artwork during more than 10 years ... 

I’d give anything for her to re-record and do a video.

[Myth X]

2 Taylor Swift - willow (dancing witch version) [Elvira remix] $
3 Taylor Swift - willow $
4 Taylor Swift - willow (lonely witch version) $


We dragged Nicki and BTS for doing this

[andrebra]

I’m a 100% committed Taylor Swift fan, but even I’ll admit that this is definitely being done to secure a #1. I don’t really agree with it, but she is doing very well in other metrics, so it’s not like it’s going to be another Trollz moment that just straight-up didn’t deserve it’s placement.

[kcdawg13]

Dec 15, 2020 15:03:35 GMT -5 Myth X said:

2 Taylor Swift - willow (dancing witch version) [Elvira remix] $
3 Taylor Swift - willow $
4 Taylor Swift - willow (lonely witch version) $


We dragged Nicki and BTS for doing this

I remember Taylor getting dragged pretty bad when she pulled out all those bundles to get ME! to #1, let's not act like Nicki and BTS somehow get a big brunt of backlash over everyone else. Travis Scott and Ariana/Justin also got dragged pretty bad too.

[Baby Yoda Hot100Fan]

^Yeah. As long as there are gaps in Billboard charts rules, artists will exploit them to accomplish things in the charts.

[neverduplicated]

Amidst all the drama about Taylor's remixes, I don't think I've seen anyone celebrate the fact that Taylor and Mariah will be #1 and #2 on the Hot 100 this week, and that is everything! Billboard's #1 female artist (Mariah) and #4 female artist (Taylor currently, probably on her way to #1 or 2 eventually) taking the top 2 is just beyond epic. As a longtime lamb and Swiftie, I'm beyond elated that this day has come. The only thing that would make it more perfect is if somehow Merry Christmas could be #2 on the B200 next week, but that won't happen sadly. I'm rooting for Taylor only because AIWFCIY has already topped the chart in two separate years, but honestly I'll be happy either way.

Also, I know people are concerned about fairness, but if you have a problem with how artists get to #1, let's drag Billboard and not the artist. If you were Taylor, wouldn't you release remixes to try and get to #1? I sure as hell would. Nothing wrong with playing by the rules. Also, at this point, how many #1 hits have benefited from remixes, performances, discounts, videos, etc. to get to #1? Artists promote their work to build excitement among fans, make money, and top the charts. Why is this controversial?

[degen]

Dec 15, 2020 14:49:05 GMT -5 renaboss said:

Wait, so the original versions of "I'm Real" and "Ain't It Funny" counted towards the chart?

I believe they counted as different songs than the murder inc remixes. To be fair, this is one implantation that I have to side with Billboard on. Those remixes sounded like completely brand new songs with different melodies and lyrics. It’s not like a “Mood” or “Say So” where the majority of the original song stays intact and you just add in a feature on a verse.

[Caviar]

Dec 15, 2020 16:15:42 GMT -5 neverduplicated said:

Amidst all the drama about Taylor's remixes, I don't think I've seen anyone celebrate the fact that Taylor and Mariah will be #1 and #2 on the Hot 100 this week, and that is everything! Billboard's #1 female artist (Mariah) and #4 female artist (Taylor currently, probably on her way to #1 or 2 eventually) taking the top 2 is just beyond epic. As a longtime lamb and Swiftie, I'm beyond elated that this day has come. The only thing that would make it more perfect is if somehow Merry Christmas could be #2 on the B200 next week, but that won't happen sadly. I'm rooting for Taylor only because AIWFCIY has already topped the chart in two separate years, but honestly I'll be happy either way.

Also, I know people are concerned about fairness, but if you have a problem with how artists get to #1, let's drag Billboard and not the artist. If you were Taylor, wouldn't you release remixes to try and get to #1? I sure as hell would. Nothing wrong with playing by the rules. Also, at this point, how many #1 hits have benefited from remixes, performances, discounts, videos, etc. to get to #1? Artists promote their work to build excitement among fans, make money, and top the charts. Why is this controversial?

Most stans are pissed their favs aren't doing it so they take it out on the artist themselves. It's so funny at this point. As stated, blame Billboard for making up the rules.

[ificanthaveyou]

Dec 15, 2020 16:28:57 GMT -5 Caviar said:

Dec 15, 2020 16:15:42 GMT -5 neverduplicated said:

Amidst all the drama about Taylor's remixes, I don't think I've seen anyone celebrate the fact that Taylor and Mariah will be #1 and #2 on the Hot 100 this week, and that is everything! Billboard's #1 female artist (Mariah) and #4 female artist (Taylor currently, probably on her way to #1 or 2 eventually) taking the top 2 is just beyond epic. As a longtime lamb and Swiftie, I'm beyond elated that this day has come. The only thing that would make it more perfect is if somehow Merry Christmas could be #2 on the B200 next week, but that won't happen sadly. I'm rooting for Taylor only because AIWFCIY has already topped the chart in two separate years, but honestly I'll be happy either way.

Also, I know people are concerned about fairness, but if you have a problem with how artists get to #1, let's drag Billboard and not the artist. If you were Taylor, wouldn't you release remixes to try and get to #1? I sure as hell would. Nothing wrong with playing by the rules. Also, at this point, how many #1 hits have benefited from remixes, performances, discounts, videos, etc. to get to #1? Artists promote their work to build excitement among fans, make money, and top the charts. Why is this controversial?

Most stans are pissed their favs aren't doing it so they take it out on the artist themselves. It's so funny at this point. As stated, blame Billboard for making up the rules.

Stans are mad that EVEN IF their faves did it, the remixes wouldn’t skyrocket up iTunes or streaming. Taylor (and BTS and Ariana and Justin) have strong enough fan bases that they can actually benefit from a remix and multiple versions. I can’t imagine this type of promo would work for other artists... if the demand is there, why should an artist not play the game? This isn’t anything new or original. Artists and labels have been pushing songs to #1 since the start.

[Baby Yoda Hot100Fan]

Since Taylor directed the video herself:

[Rose "Payola" Nylund]

Dec 15, 2020 16:24:00 GMT -5 degen said:

Dec 15, 2020 14:49:05 GMT -5 renaboss said:

Wait, so the original versions of "I'm Real" and "Ain't It Funny" counted towards the chart?

I believe they counted as different songs than the murder inc remixes. To be fair, this is one implantation that I have to side with Billboard on. Those remixes sounded like completely brand new songs with different melodies and lyrics. It’s not like a “Mood” or “Say So” where the majority of the original song stays intact and you just add in a feature on a verse.

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%27m_Real_(Jennifer_Lopez_song)

“The success of "I'm Real (Murder Remix)", which became the biggest hit of Lopez's career at the time,[30] propelled the album J.Lo from number 90 on the Billboard 200 back to the top ten according to Nielsen SoundScan.[7] The chart position of the Murder Remix was boosted by radio play of the album track, which led to complaints of unfairness and change of Billboard policy in 2002. Afterwards, airplay of identically named songs but with substantially different melodies was not combined when computing chart positions. Rooney stated that the song's success "really pissed off everybody in terms of Billboard's rules".[8] Following the release of "Ain't It Funny (Murder Remix)", Chuck Taylor of Billboard noted: "Sony has got to be kidding, calling it "Ain't it Funny" when not one note of it is held in common with the original", calling it a "disturbing trend".[30]”

[iHype.]

What's the logic of releasing new music with image that's supposed to come off above mainstream sound & charts, but then releasing remixes/bundles/new versions every other week so said music can do well on mainstream charts.

Her PR/image branding is on point, I'll give her that. Most of her fans truly now think she doesn't care about charts and is "doing all of this for them out of the kindness of her heart" lol.

I'm sure her & BTS will become textbook references for artists connecting with fans.

[thegreatdivine]

Wait, Taylor released ANOTHER remix? Lmao.

[thegreatdivine]

I can't wait for the "omg, I totally can't believe this went #1, guys! Twice in a row! With two separate songs on two separate albums! I totally wasn't expecting this!" post she'll make. Lmao.

[Taylor.]

Now that they can't do physical singles (that ship in 6 months) + an instant digital download, I'd expect the multiple versions tactic to become increasingly common moving forward.

[👑 Eloquent ™]

lol Remixing songs, discounting songs, holding back physical releases, labels positioning promotional push/pull, all of the above and more have been tactics used in the industry for better chart placement for literally decades. We saw this in the 90s a lot. Nothing keeps any other artist from participating.


I don't feel one way or another about remixing songs. I have other issues with chart tabulation though (like single streams being counted toward album sales for instance).

[dovahduck]

Dec 15, 2020 17:25:07 GMT -5 Taylor. said:

Now that they can't do physical singles (that ship in 6 months) + an instant digital download, I'd expect the multiple versions tactic to become increasingly common moving forward.

Abel, Justin, and Travis taking notes for their next leads.

[renfield75]

Dec 15, 2020 17:03:19 GMT -5 Rose "Payola" Nylund said:

Dec 15, 2020 16:24:00 GMT -5 degen said:

I believe they counted as different songs than the murder inc remixes. To be fair, this is one implantation that I have to side with Billboard on. Those remixes sounded like completely brand new songs with different melodies and lyrics. It’s not like a “Mood” or “Say So” where the majority of the original song stays intact and you just add in a feature on a verse.

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%27m_Real_(Jennifer_Lopez_song)

“The success of "I'm Real (Murder Remix)", which became the biggest hit of Lopez's career at the time,[30] propelled the album J.Lo from number 90 on the Billboard 200 back to the top ten according to Nielsen SoundScan.[7] The chart position of the Murder Remix was boosted by radio play of the album track, which led to complaints of unfairness and change of Billboard policy in 2002. Afterwards, airplay of identically named songs but with substantially different melodies was not combined when computing chart positions. Rooney stated that the song's success "really pissed off everybody in terms of Billboard's rules".[8] Following the release of "Ain't It Funny (Murder Remix)", Chuck Taylor of Billboard noted: "Sony has got to be kidding, calling it "Ain't it Funny" when not one note of it is held in common with the original", calling it a "disturbing trend".[30]”

Yep, that's why 2002 saw Diddy's "I Need A Girl (Parts 1 & 2)" chart separately. Billboard ruled that significantly different remixes/re-recordings would chart separately instead of having all their points combined. I don't remember there being any other examples as big as the Diddy one though (where both versions went top ten).

[dovahduck]

^I love those three (Justin to a lesser extent but my man has got bops) so don't come after me. 😥

[xyz]

Dec 15, 2020 17:04:12 GMT -5 iHype. said:

What's the logic of releasing new music with image that's supposed to come off above mainstream sound & charts, but then releasing remixes/bundles/new versions every other week so said music can do well on mainstream charts.

Her PR/image branding is on point, I'll give her that. Most of her fans truly now think she doesn't care about charts and is "doing all of this for them out of the kindness of her heart" lol.

I'm sure her & BTS will become textbook references for artists connecting with fans.

The way I see it Taylor saw the early streaming numbers, saw the chance and is going for it.

I dont think she has ever mentioned she doesnt care about charts or critic reviews. On the contrary, she has always been fueled by her detractors and she knows a #1 will piss them off, lol

[MitchWolf: Super Chart Genius]

So is 12/26/20 the final chart in 2020 due to the holidays????

if so, 1/2 or 1/9 the first in 2021???

[jenglisbe]

Dec 15, 2020 16:35:01 GMT -5 ificanthaveyou said:

Dec 15, 2020 16:28:57 GMT -5 Caviar said:

Most stans are pissed their favs aren't doing it so they take it out on the artist themselves. It's so funny at this point. As stated, blame Billboard for making up the rules.

Stans are mad that EVEN IF their faves did it, the remixes wouldn’t skyrocket up iTunes or streaming. Taylor (and BTS and Ariana and Justin) have strong enough fan bases that they can actually benefit from a remix and multiple versions. I can’t imagine this type of promo would work for other artists... if the demand is there, why should an artist not play the game? This isn’t anything new or original. Artists and labels have been pushing songs to #1 since the start.

There's enough room to blame everyone lol. But no, part of the point is as you said; certain artists have the advantage due to their fan bases. Those artists already have an advantage as they can get radio deals and prime spots on playlists, etc. To then also have all these tricks that take advantage of stans is just yet another advantage. It really leaves lesser known artists out.