Update: It spent all morning getting closer. By 12:45PM, it was there.
The Chainsmokers’ new radio single “Paris” is now #1 on the US iTunes sales chart. It seized the throne from Ed Sheeran’s “Shape Of You,” which held the #1 spot since early last Friday.
In fairness to the Sheeran song, its drop was due to the single version being replaced by the “÷” album version. iTunes’ chart system is treating the album version as a separate song, and it will need to rebuild its sales momentum.
“Not Afraid Anymore,” the new “Fifth Shades Darker” song from The Chainsmokers’ “Closer” collaborator Halsey, is also positioned prominently on the chart. It is currently #6.
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The Chainsmokers and Halsey released their collaborative “Closer” on July 29, 2016. En route to becoming the biggest song of 2016 and one of the biggest pop radio hits in history, it hit #1 on the US iTunes sales chart.
They each released separate songs on January 13, 2017. Both are quickly climbing the iTunes chart.
As of press time, The Chainsmokers’ new “Paris” is #2 on the listing. Halsey’s “Not Afraid Anymore” is #8.
“Paris” has been serviced to radio as the follow-up to “Closer.” “Not Afraid Anymore” appears on the “Fifty Shades Darker” soundtrack.