Ask Billboard is updated every Friday. Submit your burning music questions to Keith Caulfield at askbb@billboard.com.
BY MY LONESOME
Dear Keith,
Can a song reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on sales alone? If so, what songs have accomplished this feat?
Sincerely,
Don Cooper
Hi Don,
Sure, a song could reach No. 1 on The Billboard Hot 100 on sales alone. However, it hasn’t happened going back as far as late 1991, when the chart began using Nielsen SoundScan sales information and Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems radio data.
Even the songs that are overwhelming powered by sales will still have some radio airplay. Examples would be Clay Aiken’s “This is the Night” and Taylor Hicks’ “Do I Make You Proud.”
Ask Billboard is updated every Friday. Submit your burning music questions to Keith Caulfield at askbb@billboard.com.TOGETHER OR NOT TOGETHER, THAT IS THE QUESTION
Hello Keith,
One thing that has been bothering me for some time is the difference of listing multiple artists singing together on the charts.
For example:
1. Artist A and Artist B
2. Artist A featuring Artist B
3. Artist A with Artist B
Is there any rhyme or reason on this?
Then we go even further:
1. Artist A and Artist B with Artist C featuring Artist D
2. Artist A featuring Artist B with Artist C
And on and on.
Thank you,
Richard
Hi Richard,
Billboard doesn’t decide how artists are billed on a single or album, generally speaking, the record labels do.
We can presume that there is a reason why the words “featuring,” “with” or “and” are used, but we’re not privy to the discussions that happen between artists, managers and record labels.
Ask Billboard is updated every Friday. Submit your burning music questions to Keith Caulfield at askbb@billboard.com.OVERSEAS BONUSES
Keith,
Why do albums available in foreign markets, especially in Japan, include bonus tracks not included in albums available in U.S./Canada?
Mitchell Miller
Montreal, Quebec
Hi Mitchell,
In order to make the album more appealing to customers in that country to buy the domestic version, instead of the sometimes cheaper American import.
Ask Billboard
Keith answers readers' questions on the Hot 100, multiple artists listings on the charts, bonus tracks on albums and more!
