No stranger to UK number ones, iHeartRadio’s “On the Verge” program is responsible for putting Clean Bandit’s “Rather Be (featuring Jess Glynne)” firmly on the US radio radar.
It now aims to do the same with Ella Henderson’s “Ghost.”
iHeartRadio confirmed Wednesday that “Ghost,” which was a smash in the former “X Factor” contestant’s native United Kingdom, is its latest “On the Verge” selection for the hot adult contemporary/adult top 40 format.
“Ghost” takes over for GRL’s “Ugly Heart,” which saw its run understandably hindered by the death of member Simone Battle. Prior to “Ugly Heart,” the program worked its magic on Echosmith’s “Cool Kids,” which soared (and is still soaring) on the Hot AC format before working its way into the top ten at pop.
While “Ghost” was not tracking like a stateside smash prior to Wednesday’s announcement, it had garnered admirable early traction from US radio programmers. Already a top 30 hit at Hot AC, it has spent the past few weeks flirting with a top 40 position at pop.
“On the Verge,” which will provide Henderson’s with guaranteed airplay from iHeartMedia’s hot adult contemporary stations, should provide the jolt the song needs to make a major impact on the US music scene.
“I came up with the concept of ghost as a metaphor for something or someone that’s so frustrating you can’t eat or sleep because you’re constantly thinking that you want it to go,” says Henderson of her breakthrough tune. “That’s how I felt about choosing a first single from all the amazing songs I had. As soon as I wrote that chorus with Ryan [Tedder], I knew it was going to be ‘Ghost.'”
Henderson will perform “Ghost” on next Wednesday’s edition of NBC’s “TODAY.”