Last week I had my 2nd back surgery in 3 months, so that's why I have too much time on my hands surfing the web and listening to U2. After thinking about Popmartijn's post regarding the strict radio formats in the U.S. and how hard it is to crack enough formats to actually break into the Hot 100, I've spent some time at ROCK ON THE NET.com, which tracks every single radio station, by format, across the country. They actually calculate the total number of plays, by song, in each format. Interesting stuff for chart geeks like me.
http://www.radioandrecords.com/ is actually the link that goes into so much detail. Go there and click on the "FORMATS" section and select AC/Hot AC. Expand the Hot Adult Contempary chart and you will see Vertigo at #23 with 1127 plays on THIS format only. Vertigo hit #1 on this format with over 4000 plays weeks ago.
To Popmartijn's point, the formats are VERY strict, as Vertigo has disappeared from the "Adult Contemporary" Chart, where it was once in the top 5. Back to the Hot AC...Sometimes comes from nowhere on this format to enter the chart at 33 with 384 plays Nationally. Scroll down a little further and you'll see that Somtimes was added to 12 new radio stations last week (2nd most), and it also landed at #2 for the "most increased plays" at +264.
I hope I've explained this OK. You can actually go to your preferred radio station, see their exact playlist, and request songs to get really specific on a "radio campaign". Anyway, here is the summary of U2 on the U.S. National Airwaves right now, by format:
Hot Adult Contemporary National Airplay:
#23 Vertigo 1127 plays
#33 Sometimes debuts w/384 plays
#2 Sometimes 12 added radio stations
#2 Sometimes +264 increase in plays
Active Rock National Airplay:
#26 ABOY 464 plays
#43 Vertigo 173 plays
Rock National Airplay:
#8 ABOY 378 plays
#15 Vertigo 242 plays
Alternative National Airplay:
#24 ABOY 743 plays
#37 Vertigo 427 plays
#2 Sometimes 16 added radio stations
Triple A National Airplay:
#4 ABOY 384 plays
#22 Sometimes debuts w/192 plays
#24 Vertigo 167 plays
#2 Sometimes 10 added radio stations
#1 Sometimes +112 increase in plays
Since U2 does not release CD singles in the U.S. anymore, the only sales data is from downloads. These charts reflect radio airplay only, and Vertigo (+ ABOY) topped the charts in several formats. What surprises me is that we have no official Sometimes video, song release, etc., yet it's hitting the airwaves fast. Guess that was the intent of the grammy performance.
Sometimes charted #27 in Canada this week in terms of CD sales, but was not in the Top 100 on the Airplay chart. I gotta believe that U2 and Paul M. are aware of Sometimes taking off, and we should get the video and official single release as soon as next week!? If COBL is the 25th anniversary single for early May, then Sometimes needs the official push NOW.
Great to see U2 on the U.S. airwaves with 3 good songs...every bit of air time stolen from Britney, Ashlee, Justin, etc. is a good thing, exposing people to real music from the soul...U2!
Cheers!
