Weezer Returns to Hot 100 With Fan-Inspired Cover of Toto's 'Africa'
Weezer earns its first entry since early 2010.
Weezer scores its first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (dated June 16) in over eight years, as the group's fan-inspired cover of Toto's classic "Africa" debuts at No. 89 (on the chart dated June 16). Toto's original topped the Hot 100 on Feb. 5, 1983.
Weezer's "Africa" debuts with 2.8 million U.S. streams (up 8 percent) and 28,000 downloads sold in its first full tracking week (ending June 7), according to Nielsen Music. It zooms 15-5 on the all-genre Digital Song Sales chart and lifts 9-8 on Hot Rock Songs.
Weezer last appeared on the Hot 100 with "(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To," which reached No. 81 in November 2009.
Before those two tracks, Weezer charted four prior Hot 100 entries: "Undone – The Sweater Song" (No. 57, 1994); "Beverly Hills" (No. 10, 2005); "Perfect Situation" (No. 51, 2006); and "Pork and Beans" (No. 64, 2008).
Weezer's "Africa" also enters the Alternative Songs airplay chart at No. 31, where it's the band's 28th entry, a sum that encompasses 14 top 10s, including three No. 1s.
Weezer's remake of "Africa" was sparked by a months-long viral campaign by a 15-year-old fan who heard Toto's original on Netflix's Stranger Things and wanted Weezer, her favorite band, to cover it. As a teaser, Weezer first released a cover of Toto's "Rosanna" (a No. 2 Hot 100 hit in 1982), which debuted at No. 29 on Hot Rock Songs a week ago (June 9), before rewarding its patient and passionate fan with "Africa" at last.
Meanwhile, Toto's original recording of "Africa" gains, up 3 percent to 5.4 million U.S. streams and 28 percent to 8,000 downloads sold in the tracking week. "'Africa” has taken on a life of its own." Toto's Steve Lukather marveled earlier this year upon the 35th anniversary of the song's Hot 100 coronation . "Nobody's laughing at it or appreciates it more than we do."
Weezer's 12th studio album Weezer (dubbed The Black Album) is expected later this year.