Lacking support from pop radio, major music media or the key digital platforms, active/mainstream rock singles generally struggle to generate enough consumption to receive RIAA certifications.
A rare group of hits, however, prove big enough to overcome those limitations. The Pretty Reckless’ “Heaven Knows” is one such single.
According to the RIAA, “Heaven Knows” attained gold status on April 5, 2018.
The award confirms 500,000 in US units; each unit is equal to 1 paid download or 150 streams.
“Heaven Knows,” which appears on the 2014 album “Going To Hell,” proved to be a breakthrough for the band. “Heaven Knows” spent five weeks atop the Billboard Mainstream Rock airplay chart, tying the record reign for a song with female vocals.
The success of “Heaven Knows” would jumpstart a streak of chart-toppers for the band, which subsequently hit #1 with “Messed Up World,” “Follow Me Down,” and “Take Me Down.”
“Heaven Knows” is the first Pretty Reckless song or album to earn a certification from the RIAA.
Taylor Momsen of TPR | Andrew Lipovsky/Razor Tie Press Photo
