The landscape is shifting at Top 40 radio, and one of the beneficiaries is AJR’s “I’m Ready.”
After weeks of flirting with the move, the band’s breakthrough effort finally ascended into the Top 40 of Mediabase’s pop radio airplay chart (dated May 5). It will now fight to maintain its position–and ideally continue climbing–as songs from acts like Sia (“Chandelier,” 41), Lorde (“Tennis Court,” 45) and OneRepublic (“Love Runs Out,” 46) fight to make their own leaps into the top 40.
Changes were occurring in all regions of the chart. At the top, Justin Timberlake’s “Not a Bad Thing” leapfrogged Pharrell’s rapidly sinking “Happy” to claim a new peak of #3. Paramore’s “Ain’t it Fun” crept up to #7.
Set for an imminent debut in the top 10, Rixton’s “Me & My Broken Heart” rose to #11. DJ Snake & Lil Jon’s “Turn Down for What” rose to #12, while Pitbull’s “Wild Wild Love (featuring GRL)” and Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy (featuring Charli XCX)” made their own big jumps to #13 and #14, respectively. Tiesto’s “Red Lights” reached a new peak of #15.
With the third-largest increase in spins (behind Ariana Grande’s “Problem” and the aforementioned “Fancy”), Katy Perry’s “Birthday” elevated into the Top 20 at #17. Calvin Harris’ “Summer” debuted in the top 20 at #20, while Nico and Vinz’ “Am I Wrong” approached the chart’s upper half at #21.
Ariana Grande’s “Problem,” which claimed more new spins this week than any other track, debuted at an impressive #26. MAGIC!’s “Rude” (#29) and KONGOS’ “Come With Me Now” (#30) reached new peaks, while One Direction’s “You & I” surged to #31.
After working hard to secure a Top 40 position on the daily chart, Afrojack’s “Ten Feet Tall (featuring Wrabel)” solidified a spot at #38 on the weekly chart.
