Nine Inch Nails Extend Alternative Songs Streak With ‘Less Than’
The band first made the airplay chart in 1989.
After first appearing on Billboard‘s Alternative Songs airplay chart in late 1989, Nine Inch Nails remain a force on the ranking with newest entry “Less Than.”
The Trent Reznor-led act’s new single debuts at No. 35 on the chart dated Aug. 5, marking Nine Inch Nails’ 20th visit. The act is one of just six to appear on the tally in all four decades of the chart’s existence (1980s, ’90s, 2000s and ’10s), along with Beastie Boys, Depeche Mode, Jane’s Addiction, Red Hot Chili Peppers and U2.
Nine Inch Nails now boast the third-longest span of appearances in the history of the chart, which launched on Sept. 10, 1988. NIN sports a span of 27 years, seven months and two weeks between its first entry, “Down in It” (Dec. 16, 1989) and latest week on the latest list. The only acts ahead of Reznor and co. in this regard are Depeche Mode (27 years, 11 months and two weeks) and the Chili Peppers (27 years and 11 months), with the latter likely to challenge the mark as its “Goodbye Angels” currently ranks at No. 31.
“Less Than” also enters Mainstream Rock Songs at No. 34, and the all-rock-format Rock Airplay chart at No. 39, reaching the latter with 1.5 million audience impressions, according to Nielsen Music.
“Less Than” sold 9,000 downloads in its first week, good for arrivals at Nos. 7 and 8 on the Alternative Digital Song Sales and Rock Digital Song Sales charts, respectively. With airplay, sales and streaming data blended, the track debuts at No. 16 on Hot Rock Songs.
Parent EP Add Violence was released July 19, and is set to debut on next week’s album charts (dated Aug. 12).
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