Latest news with #WhatIWant
Forbes
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Morgan Wallen Passes One Of Country Music's Biggest Groups
Morgan Wallen earns a record-setting fourth 10-week No. 1 on Hot Country Songs with 'What I Want,' ... More his hit collaboration with Tate McRae. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Morgan Wallen performs onstage during Morgan Wallen's Dangerous Tour, Night 2 at Los Angeles' Arena on September 25, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by) Morgan Wallen runs the show yet again on the Hot Country Songs chart, which is not exactly an unfamiliar sight. The superstar has been ruling Billboard's ranking of the most popular country tracks in the United States for more than two months now with 'What I Want,' his collaboration with Tate McRae. As the tune refuses to budge yet again, Wallen reaches a notable milestone and manages a historic first. Another 10-Week No. 1 'What I Want' has now commanded the Hot Country Songs tally for an even 10 weeks. The collaboration — Wallen's first with a female artist — is his fourth to lead the consumption-based ranking, which uses sales, streaming, and airplay data to show which country tracks are the most successful across the nation, for double-digit frames. According to Billboard, he's the first country act to score four such winners. Four Massive No. 1 Smashes Wallen's longest-running leader on the Hot Country Songs list remains 'Last Night,' which is also one of the longest-ruling tracks ever. That cut, which fronted his past album One Thing at a Time, sat in first place for 25 weeks. 'You Proof' (19 weeks) and 'Wasted on You' (11 weeks) also managed double-digit stays in the spotlight. Morgan Wallen Breaks His Tie With Florida Georgia Line Before 'What I Want' hit 10 turns at No. 1, Wallen was matched with Florida Georgia Line, as both acts had scored a trio of 10-week No. 1s on the Hot Country Songs ranking. The duo's 'Meant to Be' with Bebe Rexha, 'Cruise,' and 'H.O.L.Y.' led for 50, 24, and 18 weeks, respectively. Half of the Top 10 Wallen, once again, claims half of the entire top 10 on the Hot Country Songs chart, as he fills five spaces, but that's only a portion of his successes at the moment. The Grammy nominee appears in 18 of the 50 spots on the roster this week. For most musicians, that would mark a career-high point, but the singer-songwriter has actually dominated much more impressively in the past.
Forbes
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Morgan Wallen Manages Several Rare Feats At The Same Time
Morgan Wallen controls half the top 10 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, including No. 1 with ... More "What I Want" and No. 10 with "Love Somebody." KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 22: Morgan Wallen performs onstage for night two of his One Night At A Time tour at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo byfor for Morgan Wallen's One Night At A Time 2024) By this point, it's not unusual to see Morgan Wallen's name at No. 1 on any of Billboard's country rankings. In 2025, it's become common for the singer-songwriter to be close to the summit, if not actually ruling. The singer's massive year is thanks to the release of his blockbuster album I'm the Problem and the many singles it has launched. Wallen typically dominates several genre-specific lists at the same time, and he does so again this frame. But this period is particularly noteworthy, as not only does he lead the Hot Country Songs chart, but he also accomplishes a relatively uncommon feat – two of them, actually. Morgan Wallen Bookends The Top 10 Wallen bookends the top 10 on the Hot Country Songs chart, Billboard's ranking of the most consumed country-only tunes in the United States. He's in charge once again with "What I Want," his collaboration with pop singer Tate McRae. That tune debuted in first place nine weeks ago and has not vacated the highest rung since. His solo tune "Love Somebody" returns to the competitive region at the same time. That track, an early single pushed from I'm the Problem before the album dropped, steps up one spot from No. 11 to No. 10, finding its way back into the top tier 39 frames into its lifetime. Half of the Top 10 Belongs to Morgan Wallen The Grammy nominee manages to control half of all the slots inside the top 10 on the current edition of the Hot Country Songs chart. As "What I Want" commands the list and "Love Somebody" rises, he holds steady at Nos. 2 and 3 with "Just in Case" and "I'm the Problem," respectively. Another tune, "I Got Better," slips slightly from No. 4 to No. 5. 19 Hits at Once It's relatively uncommon for any artist to fill 50% of the spaces inside the top 10 on any of Billboard's song charts. From time to time, when a major new release arrives, it does happen. Wallen's I'm the Problem has been out for two months now, yet he still manages to take up half of the space in the most competitive tier. It's also not very often that an artist coincidentally lands at both Nos. 1 and 10 at the same time, but that only tells part of Wallen's story on the Hot Country Songs chart. This week, he claims 19 tracks on the 50-position tally, easily the most among all acts.
Forbes
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Morgan Wallen's No. 1 Hit Is Barely Making Noise At Country Radio
Morgan Wallen and Tate McRae's 'What I Want' rises to No. 15 on Adult Pop Airplay but barely clings ... More to the Country Airplay chart at No. 60, reflecting its pop-focused strategy. Morgan Wallen performs the song "'98 Braves" at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. The show airs on November 19, 2023 on (Photo by Derek White/Penske Media via Getty Images) When Morgan Wallen's latest album I'm the Problem debuted on the Billboard charts a little over a month ago, it came with a brand new smash single. 'What I Want,' his collaboration with Canadian pop singer Tate McRae, launched atop multiple tallies at once, including the Hot 100, where it gave McRae her first career champion on that list. Weeks later, it's clear that 'What I Want' is becoming a major success at pop radio. Meanwhile, the country world — where Wallen remains the biggest star the scene has experienced in many years — has yet to fully embrace the track. 'What I Want' Returns to the Country Radio Chart 'What I Want' returns to the Country Airplay chart this frame, but only barely. The Wallen/McRae duet appears on the ranking of the most successful tunes at country radio at No. 60, in last place. Morgan Wallen's Low-Ranking Hit This frame is just the second for the track on this roster, as it previously debuted and peaked at No. 55. 'What I Want' is likely not being promoted to country radio, or at least not heavily. Instead, it's being pushed to pop stations. Although Wallen remains a fixture at country radio, the fact that 'What I Want' appears may be due solely to his incredible popularity and the general success of the tune. 'What I Want' is a Pop Radio Win While 'What I Want' is off to a very slow start on Country Airplay, it is currently performing significantly better on two of Billboard's three pop radio lists. This frame, Wallen and McRae reach a new high point of No. 15 on the Adult Pop Airplay list, up one spot from last time around. 'What I Want' also holds its all-time peak of No. 19 on the Pop Airplay tally, the most important top 40 radio list in America. Morgan Wallen and Tate McRae Rise on the Radio Songs List 'What I Want' is also just getting started on the all-genre Radio Songs chart, where the collaboration debuted last week. This time around, it improves slightly, pushing to No. 45, though it still ranks below all of Wallen's other successes at the moment. Morgan Wallen's Five Country Radio Smashes While 'What I Want' may never become a breakout hit at country radio, that doesn't mean it's not successful. Wallen and his team are likely just giving different radio formats one or two tracks to focus on at a time instead of flooding the country market. As 'What I Want' returns to the Country Airplay list, Wallen fills five spaces on the 60-spot roster, which is nearly unheard of on one of Billboard's most competitive tallies.
Business Insider
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
Seriously, where is the song of the summer?!
It's official: Pop fans are suffering through a dry spell. By this time last year, we had already been treated to a veritable feast of summertime smashes and breakout stars. Remember Shaboozey's "A Bar Song (Tipsy)," which eventually tied the all-time record for most weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, Sabrina Carpenter's " Espresso," followed closely by her chart-topping "Please Please Please," and Chappell Roan's "Good Luck, Babe!" — not to mention the entirety of Charli XCX's " Brat," a zeitgiesty album if one ever existed, to the point where brands, politicians, and even world-renowned art centers were trying to capitalize on the fervor? Even though we're halfway through the year, most of the hits at the very top of the Hot 100 were produced last year. Brand new music is struggling to gain relevance, let alone hold onto it. Alex Warren's grandiose power ballad, "Ordinary," is apparently the biggest song in the US right now. But much as its title suggests, "Ordinary" lacks friction, creativity, or any hint of a cool factor — crucial ingredients in the special sauce that propels a warm-weather bop to " song of the summer" status. "Ordinary" has failed to capture the zeitgeist in any meaningful way; rather, it belongs to the same derivative, gospel-adjacent subgenre of pop that has also spawned hits like Benson Boone's "Beautiful Things" and Teddy Swims' "Lose Control." This is the kind of music you hear a lot in the grocery store and the dentist's office. If "Ordinary" were being challenged by a massive hit, radio play probably wouldn't be enough to sustain its No. 1 reign. So, yes, blame Warren's dearth of competition — but there's also something more eerie at work here. Music executive Kayode Badmus-Wellington, who has over a decade of experience in A&R, calls it the "hangover effect." This year's biggest hits sound stale Newer songs in the Hot 100's current top 10 include three tracks from Morgan Wallen's latest album, " I'm the Problem," and Carpenter's June single, "Manchild." You might assume these would be leading "song of the summer" contenders, but even market-tested hitmakers Wallen and Carpenter have yet to recreate their dominance from recent years. Wallen's "What I Want," featuring Tate McRae, debuted atop the chart but immediately fell from the summit in its second week. "Manchild" met the same fate. A one-week reign at No. 1 usually signals that a song that can spark curiosity — of course, when it comes to A-listers, tons of people will listen to their new releases no matter what — but may not have the power to hold their attention. The issue is that neither "What I Want" nor "Manchild" offers anything fresh or particularly stimulating. Both songs rehash sounds and themes that Wallen and Carpenter have repeatedly explored. (Carpenter said"Manchild" was actually written around the same time as her last album, 2024's " Short n' Sweet," which explains why it sounds like a B-side. It doesn't have the juice that "Espresso" did to become a lasting hit, or, perhaps more accurately, the caffeine boost.) — T-Jenny from the Block (@tcareuhborni) June 6, 2025 Badmus-Wellington described 2024 as "such a high" for pop music, spurred by blockbuster releases like Taylor Swift's " The Tortured Poets Department" and Beyoncé's " Cowboy Carter," as well as fresh faces like Shaboozey and Roan. Fans were getting spoiled from all sides, so this year's shortfall feels even starker by contrast. "The big pop names have mostly fired their shots. The new wave hasn't really announced itself with the same confidence or clarity this year," he told Business Insider. "There are fewer group anthems. A lot of the current songs, they're not necessarily made for the room. Last year's hits felt very communal." Political chaos created an overstimulated audience Pop music has always been cyclical; one could argue that 2025 is simply the ebb to 2024's flow. However, the dramatic political vibe shift has also played a role. Last summer, Charli XCX declared that " Kamala IS Brat," a lesbian pop star enjoyed historic concert crowds, and Swift's Eras Tour continued to gush with feminine joy and friendship bracelets. In January, President Donald Trump's inauguration hastened the arrival of an era that looks and feels very different. The cultural consciousness is now dominated by mass deportation and multiple wars across the world. "Regardless of people's preferences in terms of politics, 2024 just felt so much more optimistic. That's why you saw 'Brat' and the Kamala effect, and it all created an atmosphere that invited feel-good, confident music, and people just wanted relief and celebration," Badmus-Wellington said. "Now, it's just so distracting, because you have people's rights being violated and threatened, and people are just so anxious in many ways. That's leading back into the overstimulation of constant political noise." Overstimulation, paired with last year's musical overindulgence, has led to a stupendous comedown. Not only are fewer superstars releasing albums, but audience attention is fractured. Badmus-Wellington said he's noticed people retreating back into known comforts and nostalgia, listening to songs they already know and love, rather than exploring new releases or discovering new artists. "Song of the summer" is a famously subjective term, but the warmest season is inextricably linked to group outings, from parties and beach days to road trips and picnics. As a result, songs that fit the bill are usually sing-along friendly, anthemic; like a rallying cry. This summer, it looks like fans haven't found anything to rally behind — at least, not yet.
Forbes
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Morgan Wallen's New No. 1 Song: An Odd Journey To Becoming A Bestseller
Morgan Wallen and Tate McRae's 'What I Want' hits a new high at No. 9 on the Digital Song Sales ... More chart weeks after topping the Hot 100. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 15: Morgan Wallen attends the 2022 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 15, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo byfor MRC) Morgan Wallen collected another No. 1 on the Hot 100 just a few weeks back with "What I Want," the latest single from his gargantuan album I'm the Problem. The tune debuted atop the competitive list at the same time that the full-length opened at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The track earned featured pop singer Tate McRae her first leader on the ranking as it debuted. "What I Want" quickly stepped down on the Hot 100, but it has been steadily gaining ground on another list — one where its ascent is a bit surprising. This week, "What I Want" lifts one spot on the Digital Song Sales chart. The cut climbs from No. 10 to No. 9, reaching a new all-time peak on Billboard's list of the top-selling tunes throughout the U.S. The Wallen/McRae team-up has experienced something of an unusual journey on the Digital Song Sales chart. Typically these days, when a major musician drops a new track, its first week turns out to be its most important when it comes to pure purchases. After enjoying a full tracking period, that's usually when it debuts in a lofty position on the Digital Song Sales tally — then often drops from there, unless it turns out to be a sustained smash. That's not what has happened with "What I Want." The single completely missed the Digital Song Sales chart the week it arrived on other Billboard rankings. When I'm the Problem first ruled, it was surprising to see the No. 1 song on the Hot 100 completely miss the 25-spot sales tally, but its quick adoption at radio and huge streaming numbers powered it to the summit. Last week, when it declined to the runner-up space on the Hot 100 – making room for 'Ordinary' by Alex Warren to finally hit No. 1 – "What I Want" finally debuted on the Digital Song Sales chart at No. 10. It's uncommon for the biggest track in America to not even rank as one of the 25 bestselling compositions in a given frame, but less odd for the No. 2 tune to sell the tenth-most copies of any track in the country. Interestingly, sales of "What I Want" are not increasing. It seems a relative lack of competition is to thank for the track's ascent. In the past tracking period, Luminate reports that the collaboration sold a little more than 2,100 copies. That's actually down 15% from the period before, when it managed 2,500.
