Fueled by its MTV Video Music Awards exposure and new video release, Jessie J + Ariana Grande + Nicki Minaj’s “Bang Bang” jumped to the #2 spot on the iTunes overall single sales chart.
Still separated by Taylor Swift’s #1 “Shake it Off” by considerable distance, “Bang Bang” now claims a slight advantage over Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass.” Its ability to maintain the #2 slot–and keep Trainor’s breakthrough song relegated to #3–remains to be seen.
Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda,” which was performed as part of the “Bang Bang” medley at Sunday’s VMAs telecast, currently holds the #4 slot on iTunes. Eminem’s new “Guts Over Fear (featuring Sia)” follows at #5.
Other top ten sellers include Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me” (#6, performed at VMAs), Iggy Azalea’s “Black Widow (featuring Rita Ora)” (#7, performed at VMAs), Ariana Grande’s “Break Free (featuring Zedd)” (#8, performed at VMAs), Maroon 5’s “Animals” (#9), Lecrae’s “Say I Won’t (featuring Andy Mineo)” (#10).
Instant gratification releases benefiting from pre-order boosts, the latter two songs will doubtfully sustain their positions in the Top 10. Barring additional new releases, their inevitable departures should allow Charli XCX’s “Boom Clap” and Sia’s “Chandelier” to re-enter the mix.