NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 21: (L-R) Jimin, Jungkook, RM, J-Hope, V, Jin, and SUGA of the K-pop ... [+]
BTS’s new single “Butter” has only been out for a few days, but it has already reached a few Billboard charts, and its debut on one of the most competitive lists is a surefire sign the band has a serious hit on their hands.
“Butter” debuts on the latest Pop Airplay chart, Billboard’s weekly list of the tracks that reach the largest audience on pop radio/top 40 stations in the U.S. The track opens at No. 26, earning the loftiest start of the frame...and one of the most impressive of the year.
This time around, “Butter” stands out from the handful of new tracks that find space on the Pop Airplay chart, as it opens higher than any other tune. The latest release from the South Korean superstars begins its time ahead of fellow new cuts from Olivia Rodrigo (“Good 4 U,” No. 33), Marshmello and the Jonas Brothers (“Leave Before You Love Me,” No. 39) and the powerful team of DJ Khaled, Post Malone, Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Baby and DaBaby (“I Did It,” No. 40).
By opening at No. 26, “Butter” has earned not just the highest debut of the week, but the second-loftiest start of 2021 on the Pop Airplay chart. Only Ed Sheeran’s “Afterglow” managed to open higher, as it kicked off at No. 23 in the first tracking period of the year. Two other tunes, Maroon 5 and Megan Thee Stallion’s “Beautiful Mistakes” (No. 28 start) and Justin Bieber, Giveon and Daniel Caesar’s “Peaches” (No. 30 debut) also started inside the top 30 on the ranking so far this year.
Several other titles from the likes of Olivia Rodrigo (“Drivers License,” No. 31), Dua Lipa (“Were Good,” No. 31), Jason Derulo and Adam Levine (“Lifestyle,” No. 31) and Billie Eilish (“Your Power,” No. 33) came close, though they didn’t quite begin their time inside the top 30 on the Pop Airplay list.
“Butter” now stands as BTS’s seventh placement on the Pop Airplay chart and their highest debut, according to Billboard. Making their launch even more impressive is the fact that the tune only enjoyed a few days in which to rack up spins on top 40 stations, as Billboard tracks radio play from Monday through the following Sunday. “Butter” dropped on Friday (May 21), so its lofty start comes to them after only three full days of activity. After the song’s first full week has eclipsed, it’s likely the new English-language smash will bolt up the tally.
