Ask Billboard: Say Good ‘Night’ to Gaga’s Streak?

Ask Billboard is updated every week. As always, submit your questions about Billboard charts, sales and airplay, as well as general music musings, to [email protected]. Please include your first and last name, as well as your city, state and country, if outside the U.S.

We’ll take a break from our ongoing Katy Perry/Michael Jackson discussion this week (although probably give it another go next week, since e-mails on the topic continue to roll in). Instead, this week’s Q&A brings up Lady Gaga‘s extraordinary streak of career-opening Hot 100 top 10s; a “rain”-y forecast of late on the Hot 100; a few figures to get you in the mood for the return of “American Idol”; and, additions to the list of families that have seen multiple generations reach Billboard charts.

SAY GOOD ‘NIGHT’ TO GAGA’S STREAK?

Hi Gary!

It’s always a highlight of my week to read Chart Beat and see everyone’s thoughts on what’s happening in the Billboard world.

With all the talk of Katy Perry’s records lately, it seems that many people have overlooked the end of another artist’s record: Lady Gaga’s.

Though I’ve learned to never say never when it comes to Billboard charts, I suspect that Gaga’s latest single, “Marry the Night,” will not reach the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. If so, “Night” will end Gaga’s streak of 11 consecutive (radio-promoted) top 10 singles, stretching to Dec. 6, 2008, when “Just Dance,” featuring Colby O’Donis, rocketed 17-6.

This led me to wonder which artist holds the Billboard record for the most initial consecutive top 10 Hot 100 singles. I bet it’s one of the usual suspects – the Beatles, Mariah Carey, etc. – but perhaps another artist connected a string of hits unnoticed. I originally thought it would be Madonna, but alas, 1983’s “Holiday” peaked at No. 16 before she strung together a Billboard-record 19 consecutive top 10 hits.

Thanks again, Gary! Looking forward to reading your column in 2012 and beyond!

Trevor Anderson
Houston, Texas

Hi Trevor,

Thanks!

Billboard associate director of charts/retail Keith Caulfield, by the way, offered his take on the topic on billboard.com’s new weekly web series, “TMI: the Music Insider,” with Julie Brown, in his regular segment in which he counts down the Hot 100’s top 10 and offers exclusive analysis.

Missed the latest episode? Here it is:

Video streaming by Ustream

Please, as always, send your questions to [email protected] . We’ll continue to publish as many as we can here in the weekly mailbag, with Keith and Julie now joining in on certain topics on “TMI,” as well. New episodes air on billboard.com each Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.

Per your question, I’d have to agree that “Marry the Night” will likely fall short of the Hot 100’s top 10. After reaching a peak of No. 29 four weeks ago, the song has since slipped 33-39-37-39.

More troublesome, despite roaring onto the Pop Songs radio airplay chart at No. 24 in December, “Marry” rose to No. 14 in its fourth week, held there for a second frame and has since fallen 15-16-16. With mainstream top 40 Gaga’s home radio format, the song’s regression there doesn’t indicate that a Hot 100 rebound is likely.

Sales, too, have subsided, with “Marry” having peaked at No. 30 so far on the Digital Songs survey four weeks ago.

Why has “Marry” not become the fifth Hot 100 top 10 from “Born This Way”?

For one, fifth singles typically suffer from decreased buzz, since the initial excitement of a set’s release has since worn off.

Pop radio also tends to value melody above all, and it’s possible that “Marry” is, ultimately, more of a club groove than a top 40 natural. Perhaps it’s similar to, for example, Madonna‘s “Keep It Together” or “Rescue Me,” which peaked at Nos. 8 and 9 on the Hot 100 in 1990 and 1991, respectively. The songs were pop-centric enough to receive top 40 attention, but more dance in nature than previous such smashes as, for instance, “Material Girl” or “Like a Prayer.” Or, for Gaga, “Poker Face” or “Bad Romance,” each of which, it could be argued, boast more obvious, fully-crafted and unique hooks than “Marry.”

Still, Gaga’s career launch has been one of the most impressive in the 53-year history of the Hot 100.

And, you’re partially right, Trevor: Mariah Carey holds the mark for career-opening most top 10 singles, although only among brand new artists. Counting acts that went solo after being in groups, as well, here’s how the record book stacks up (holiday songs, charted album cuts not promoted to radio and featured turns excluded, unless they add to the streak):

Career-Opening Top 10s, Artist, Span
13, Lionel Richie (post-Commodores; 1981-87)
12, George Michael (during/post-Wham!; 1985-90)
11, Mariah Carey (1990-94)
11, Lady Gaga (2008-11)
9, New Kids on the Block (1988-90)
8, Bruno Mars (2010-12; still-active streak)
7, Air Supply (1980-82)
7, Taylor Dayne (1988-90)
7, Expose (1987-90)
7, Gary Lewis and the Playboys (1965-66)
7, Ke$ha (2009-11)
7, the Lovin’ Spoonful (1965-67)
7, Richard Marx (1987-89)
7, Monica (1995-99)
7, Ricky Nelson (1958-59)

(The Beatles, by the way, stopped short of the top 10 after three titles, as “I Saw Her Standing There” peaked at No. 14 amid the glut of their songs’ availability upon the onslaught of early Beatlemania).

While Gaga’s streak appears to have ended, we shouldn’t overlook that she’s tied Mariah Carey for the most Hot 100 top 10s among solo artists who didn’t first became well-known in groups (i.e., Richie, Michael). “Anytime You Need a Friend” was Carey’s “Marry,” having stopped at No. 12 in 1994. Like the dance lean of “Marry,” “Friend” may have been a bit too gospel/adult R&B for mainstream pop audiences. The ballad was also the fourth single from Carey’s album “Music Box,” so artist and album burn may have factored in.

Most notably for Gaga, her run of hits signifies more than just a collection of songs; she started a movement. Her sound ignited dance music to new heights of mainstream popularity, paving, in part, acceptance for such acts as David Guetta to become current pop music cornerstones.

And, considering Gaga’s status as one of music’s most recognizable superstars, like most chart records, big-picture-wise, the potential end of her career-starting top 10 streak shouldn’t hurt her overall momentum. Her next new studio album release is certain to elicit event status, with a return to the Hot 100’s top 10 for a sure-to-be strong first single a good bet.

Ask Billboard is updated every week. As always, submit your questions about Billboard charts, sales and airplay, as well as general music musings, to [email protected]. Please include your first and last name, as well as your city, state and country, if outside the U.S.

‘RAIN’ MOVING IN ON HOT 100

Hi Gary!

While Chris Young still owns the overall record for the slowest climb to No. 1 on the Country Songs tally with his twice-released “Voices” (51 weeks), if we were to go by one solitary trip, the record would go to David Nail, who needed 49 weeks over one release to reach the top this week with “Let It Rain.”

Not only is this the first chart-topper for Nail, whose previous biggest chart hit was 2010’s “Red Light” (No. 7), and the first new chart-topper of 2012, but it’s also the first leader (and first top 10) for the featured artist on “Rain,” Sarah Buxton.

To recap, here are the three slowest climbs to the top of Country Songs in the chart’s 68 years:

51 weeks, “Voices,” Chris Young (non-consecutive; peaked at No. 36 in its first chart run) (2011)
49 weeks, “Let It Rain,” David Nail featuring Sarah Buxton (2012)
41 weeks, “Find Out Who Your Friends Are,” Tracy Lawrence (2007)
38 weeks, “Crazy Girl,” Eli Young Band (2011)

Best,

John Maverick
Burt County, Nebraska

Hi John,

Thanks for your usual detailed coverage of our country charts!

Nail seems like one of the format’s most promising rising stars, with “Red Light” and “Let It Rain” showing off his mix of pop-flavored traditional-country vocals and talent for catchy choruses.

Taylor Swift is also a fan of the singer/songwriter, who Tweeted in 2009 that “Red” had become her “new favorite” song.

Has for “Rain” also won over Swift? “Taylor told me, ‘I love ‘Let it Rain.’ It’s so good. You’re on fire! I’m so happy for you,'” Nail remembers. “I looked right at her and said … ‘You mind Tweeting that (too)?’ ”

In terms of song titles, Nail’s current single is one of several on the Hot 100 this week that paint an ominous view of the weather. Currently on the chart are:

“It Will Rain,” Bruno Mars (No. 3)
“Set Fire to the Rain,” Adele (No. 4)
“Strange Clouds,” B.o.B featuring Lil Wayne (No. 44)
“Let It Rain,” David Nail featuring Sarah Buxton (No. 51)
” Storm Warning,” Hunter Hayes (No. 83)

At least there’s Colbie Caillat‘s “Brighter Than the Sun.” In its 21st week, the song reaches a new peak of No. 56 and is challenging for the top spot on Adult Pop Songs.

Ask Billboard is updated every week. As always, submit your questions about Billboard charts, sales and airplay, as well as general music musings, to [email protected]. Please include your first and last name, as well as your city, state and country, if outside the U.S.

THIS … IS ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ … WINNING SONG SALES

Dear Gary,

It’s been almost 10 years since Kelly Clarkson won the first season of “American Idol” and her debut single, “A Moment Like This,” was released.

Since then, each year’s champion has released a debut song that he or she performed on the season finale episode after being crowned the winner. My question is, which winning “Idol” singles have sold the most?

Thank you,

Jeremy Mesich

Hi Jeremy,

With the 11th season of “Idol” starting Wednesday (Jan. 18), let’s recap the sales (digital and physical combined, where applicable) of each coronation song dating to Clarkson’s “Moment,” according to Nielsen SoundScan:

549,000, “A Moment Like This,” Kelly Clarkson, 2002
788,000, “Flying Without Wings,” Ruben Studdard, 2003
555,000, “I Believe,” Fantasia, 2004
870,000, “Inside Your Heaven,” Carrie Underwood, 2005
701,000, “Do I Make You Proud,” Taylor Hicks, 2006

329,000, “This Is My Now,” Jordin Sparks, 2007
1,435,000, “The Time of My Life,” David Cook, 2008
340,000, “No Boundaries,” Kris Allen, 2009
182,000, “Beautiful Day,” Lee DeWyze, 2010
755,000, “I Love You This Big,” Scotty McCreery, 2011

Last year’s victor Scotty McCreery lays claim to the fourth-biggest winning “Idol” single and the top seller since David Cook’s “The Time of My Life.” No surprise that radio play made a difference, as, unlike Kris Allen and Lee DeWyze’s initial singles, McCreery’s “I Love You This Big” found widespread radio support, reaching No. 15 on Country Songs.

(Allen did better with his first album single, “Live Like We’re Dying,” which climbed to No. 10 on the airplay-based Pop Songs chart and has sold 1.7 million downloads).

Ask Billboard is updated every week. As always, submit your questions about Billboard charts, sales and airplay, as well as general music musings, to [email protected]. Please include your first and last name, as well as your city, state and country, if outside the U.S.

FAMILY AFFAIRS: A HISTORY OF FAMILIES ON BILLBOARD CHARTS

Hi Gary,

Per your piece on families on Billboard charts after “B.I.C.” joined dad Jay-Z and mom Beyonce on R&B/Hip-Hop Songs this week, you should also include Red Foley, Pat Boone and Debby Boone as a family, in this case a three-generational one, that has made Billboard charts.

Foley’s daughter Shirley married Pat Boone, whose daughter is Debby Boone. Foley tallied 56 top 10s on Country Songs in 1944-56; Pat Boone, 33 Hot 100 hits in 1958-69, including the 1961 No. 1 “Moody River”; and, Debby Boone the 10-week Hot 100 No. 1 “You Light Up My Life” in 1977, still the longest-leading debut single by a female lead artist.

Thanks,

John Fitzgerald
Scarborough, Maine

Hi Gary,

Some interesting articles on billboard.com this week. I’d like to add to them.

First, congratulations to Beyonce and Jay-Z on the arrival of their firstborn, Blue Ivy Carter. The Jan. 11 article by Karinah Santiago noted that Stevie Wonder‘s daughter, Aisha, was uncredited on his recording of “Isn’t She Lovely” and I can think of another recording featuring an uncredited offspring: Helen Reddy’s 1974 Hot 100 No. 9 hit “You and Me Against the World.” The song features the speaking voice of her then-young daughter, Traci, at the beginning and end.

Continuing with the all-in-the-family theme, there are other children of musical parents who have charted (and not mentioned in your Jan. 13 article). Here are two more:

In addition to Pat and Debby Boone and Frank and Nancy Sinatra – the only father-and-daughter tandems to have both reached No. 1 on the Hot 100 – another such pair charted in 1980. Neil Sedaka and his daughter Dara reached No. 19 with their duet “Should’ve Never Let You Go.”

Another mother and son have also both topped the Hot 100, although the mom in this case did so in a group with her son. In 1970, Shirley Jones reached the top spot as a member of the Partridge Family with “I Think I Love You.” Seven years later, her son Shaun Cassidy led as a soloist with “Da Doo Ron Ron.”

Finally, in honour of Martin Luther King Day, there is an ode to the late leader worth mentioning. In 1968, “Abraham, Martin and John” was released. It was written about the assassinations of not just King but also Abraham Lincoln and John (and Robert) Kennedy. This poignant tribute became a big comeback hit for Dion, reaching No. 4 on the Hot 100 and No. 1 in Canada.

Have a great long weekend!

Blair Buchta
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada