Rihanna's New Single Launches At A Disappointing Low
Later this summer, Rihanna's new movie The Smurfs will arrive in theaters globally. In addition to voicing one of the Smurfs, the Barbadian pop icon also wrote and performed new music for the film, which seems to be a major selling point for the animated adventure.
The first track from the project, a single titled 'Friend of Mine,' debuts on charts all around the world this week. Despite the built-up anticipation for not just this tune, but any work from the superstar, the cut underperforms expectations, especially true in the United Kingdom.
'Friend of Mine' debuts at No. 72 on the Official Singles chart, the tally that ranks the most consumed tracks across several different formats in the nation. That's a very low starting point for a new Rihanna cut — and it's a disappointing peak she hasn't had to settle for in quite a while.
Rihanna hasn't seen a track peak that low in almost a decade. The last time one of her songs stalled even lower on the main singles list in the U.K. was in March 2016, when 'Consideration,' her collaboration with SZA featured on Anti, spent one frame at No. 88.
Since 'Consideration' debuted, Rihanna has scored some lesser hits and a number of huge wins across the ocean. She added a new No. 1 in June 2017 as a featured act alongside Bryson Tiller on DJ Khaled's 'Wild Thoughts.' She also broke into the top 10 with 'This Is What You Came For' alongside Calvin Harris, 'Too Good' with Drake, and with her own 'Lift Me Up' from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack.
'Friend of Mine' opens in similar positions on the Official Singles Sales and Official Singles Downloads charts as well. Rihanna's cut launches at No. 79 on the former and No. 75 on the latter. In both instances, she reaches a milestone number of placements, as the Smurfs cut earns the singer her thirtieth placement on the general sales tally and her seventieth on the list of the most downloaded tunes in the U.K.
Rihanna's latest offering debuts highest on the Official Dance Singles chart. The superstar earns her seventh win on that list as 'Friend of Mine' kicks off its time at No. 19.
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