NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 15: Billie Eilish performs onstage during “Hit Me Hard And Soft” Album … [+]
Billie Eilish’s music straddles a number of genres. Sometimes her songs are classified as pop, sometimes they’re electronic in style. Mostly, though, Billboard sends all of her hits onto the rock and alternative tallies, where she’s already one of the most successful acts ever, even after only a few albums.
The singer’s new single “Birds of a Feather” flies to No. 1 on this week’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, Billboard’s ranking of the most-consumed rock and alternative tracks in the country. The tune lifts from the runner-up rung to the throne, hitting No. 1 for the first time.
“Birds of a Feather” marks Eilish’s fifth career champion on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs list. With another ruler to her credit, the Grammy winner makes history.
Eilish is now tied for the most No. 1s ever on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. As her latest release surges to the summit, she matches Imagine Dragons, who have held that honor on their own for years now.
It was only back in 2020 that Eilish earned her first No. 1 on the ranking. That August, “My Future” brought her to the peak position, where it ruled for just a single turn. The following year, “Happier Than Ever” doubled her count, and it dominated for four frames. Just last year, “What Was I Made For?” upped her count to three winners.
Eilish has added two new No. 1s on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart to her discography so far in 2024. Before “Birds of a Feather” topped the tally, her previous single “Lunch” managed to do the same. So far, both have only controlled the roster for one turn, though her new ruler could hold on and continue its reign.
Imagine Dragons may be tied with Eilish in terms of the number of No. 1s, but their leaders owned the ranking for much, much longer than their competitor’s. The group has sent all of the following tracks to the top spot on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart: “Radioactive,” “Believer,” “Thunder,” “Whatever It Takes,” and “Natural.”
All of Imagine Dragons’ No. 1s have led the charge for a minimum of 11 weeks, and several have lived atop the tally for 20 frames or more. Their longest-running ruler, “Believer,” spent 29 turns in first place, and it ranks as one of the biggest hits in the history of the tally.
