By recently scoring a third week atop the Mediabase airplay chart, Disturbed’s cover of “The Sound Of Silence” has established its dominance at the active rock format.
The burning question is now whether the song has any potential to make an mainstream impact. Two Mediabase-monitored pop stations are apparently interested in finding out.
Over the past seven days, the band’s rendition of the Simon and Garfunkel classic has received 11 spins from 98.5 KRZ in Wilkes-Barre and 10 from 101 WIXX in Green Bay. The latter station formally “added” the song this week.
While the light airplay is certainly not indicative of an imminent cross to pop, it speaks to growing industry recognition that the song may be bigger than a mere active rock radio hit.
As detailed in a Hits Daily Double feature as well as in Twitter commentary by Headline Planet’s own Brian Cantor, “The Sound Of Silence” is selling more like a mainstream record than a rock record. Most active rock hits — even those of the multi-week radio #1 variety — are lucky to crack the Top 200 on the US sales chart. “The Sound Of Silence” is #24 on this week’s Billboard Digital Songs listing.
And while the late-song growls by Disturbed vocalist David Draiman may be harsher than is customary for the pop format, the song is more delicate and restrained than most Disturbed singles. The fact that it is a cover of an iconic song beloved by the mainstream may also, in theory, help to counter stigma associated with playing rock songs on pop radio.
Again, there is nothing to suggest Warner will formally push “The Sound Of Silence” to mainstream radio. There is nothing to suggest such a push would gain any traction.
There is, however, reason to acknowledge the impressive way Disturbed’s track has been connecting — and may continue to connect — with music fans.
