While it may not dethrone The Chainsmokers’ “Closer (featuring Halsey)” this week, Ariana Grande’s “Side To Side (featuring Nicki Minaj)” should at least reach #2.
The third “Dangerous Woman” single received 11,761 spins during the first five days of the November 27-December 3 tracking week. Up 6.1% from the count at this point last week, the tally slots “Side To Side” at #2 on Mediabase’s building chart.
“Side To Side” should have no trouble retaining its #2 position through the close of tracking. DJ Snake’s building #3 “Let Me Love You (featuring Justin Bieber)” is decelerating (11,609 spins over five days, -7.5%), while The Weeknd’s building #4 “Starboy (featuring Daft Punk)” has little chance of catching up (10,789, +3.2%).
Whether “Side To Side” can reach #1 is the more intriguing question. “Closer,” the building #1, is decelerating, but it still maintains a comfortable lead over “Side To Side” (12,257 spins, -4.6%). It may be able to hold on through the close of tracking.
“Closer” is vying for a tenth week at #1. Should it succeed, it will tie “Blurred Lines” as the longest-reigning #1 of the modern Mediabase era (following the Mediabase/R&R data split in 2006).
“Side To Side” will become Grande’s third Top 2 hit (“Problem” and “Bang Bang,” the other two, ultimately went to #1).
