BTS’s new single “Butter” has already spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100 in America, and it may go on to control the tally for more, looking at how well it has continued to sell. Helping the tune continue to reign is the fact that it is quickly becoming a serious radio hit in the U.S., and as of this frame, it has now reached all of Billboard’s pop radio-focused tallies.
In just three weeks, “Butter” has debuted on all of Billboard’s pop radio-only charts, hitting the last of the three this frame. In doing so, it has become a huge win shortly after its release, and among South Korean musicians, it’s just the second track in history to place on all three lists, after the band’s own “Dynamite.”
“Butter” enjoyed an impressive start on the Pop Airplay chart, which it hit before its first full tracking frame had passed. The Billboard radio rankings operate on a different timetable than sales and streaming-focused tallies, so BTS’s latest was able to appear on the roster after just three days of activity. In the three weeks it’s been present on the Pop Airplay chart, “Butter” has leapt at least five spots each turn and now it’s up to a new high of No. 14. At the rate it’s climbing, it could easily break into the top 10 either next week or the following period.
The tune first appeared on the Adult Pop Airplay chart at the same period it reached the Pop Airplay list, though it didn’t open quite as high. This turn marks three frames on the former tally for “Butter,” and it lifts once again, hitting No. 22. It only improves by a single space this turn, so it’s also rising at a slower rate, but it could still conceivably enter the top 20 in the coming weeks.
“Butter” ranks on the Adult Contemporary chart for the first time this week, entering at No. 30, in last place. That’s not a very lofty placement (in fact, it couldn't get any lower), but it’s historic nonetheless, as it instantly doubles the number of placements on the tally by South Korean musicians.
BTS have made history in a number of ways on all three charts simply by pushing “Butter” onto them. The cut is just the second track by a South Korean musical act to reach the Adult Contemporary ranking and the third to fit that description to place on the Adult Pop tally. Many more releases by K-pop stars have appeared on the Pop Airplay list, but “Butter” already stands out as the third-highest-charting, and it may improve that position soon.