This week, BTS claim the two bestselling songs in the U.S., a rare occurrence for any star, let alone one that performs primarily in a language other than English.
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December is the time when holiday smashes return to the charts, racking up impressive streaming and sales numbers every year. Many of the same cuts rise to the upper reaches of the Billboard rankings over and over, proving themselves to be among the most successful compositions ever released...but this time around, nobody could beat BTS. In fact, the band is so beloved, they place two giant wins ahead of even the most beloved, time-tested carols.
This week, BTS claim the two bestselling songs in the U.S., a rare occurrence for any star, let alone one that performs primarily in a language other than English.
Steady at No. 1 is “Life Goes On,” BTS’s latest single. The song has now claimed the top spot on the Digital Song Sales chart, the ranking of the bestselling individual tracks in the U.S. every week, for three turns. The tune sold just under 13,000 copies this past frame, which is a very small sum for the biggest title in the country, but that just goes to show how far sales have fallen as millions flock to streaming platforms to listen to their favorite songs.
One rung below “Life Goes On” comes “Dynamite,” easily BTS’s biggest hit yet. The disco-pop cut lifts from No. 3, where it ranked last time around, after selling another 12,000 copies. The song has been moving thousands of units every week for months now, and it continues to surge. The track will likely improve once again next frame, as the band just released a new holiday-themed remix, and fans are sure to rush to purchase it.
“Life Goes On” and “Dynamite” stand ahead of this week’s highest debut, “Oh Santa,” which is fronted by Mariah Carey and which features Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson. That seasonal newcomer lands at No. 3 with just under 10,000 copies sold.
Amazingly, BTS last controlled both the Nos. 1 and 2 rungs on the Digital Song Sales list at the same time just a few months ago, back in October. They have managed that feat before as well, and they will likely be able to do so again at some point in the future.
Both “Life Goes On” and “Dynamite” hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 earlier this year, powered largely by sales. The latter went on to rule for several frames, while the former only earned one stay on the penthouse before falling outside the top 10. While “Dynamite” became a huge radio hit, the septet’s other solo leader wasn’t as popular, as it was performed in Korean, which makes it difficult for many radio stations to include in heavy rotation.
In addition to “Life Goes On” and “Dynamite,” BTS also reached No. 1 on the Hot 100 alongside Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo on "Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat),” which bolted to the top spot after the Korean stars joined in on the fun on a remixed version. Impressively, before 2020, the K-pop stars had never reached the uppermost rung on the most competitive tally in the U.S., but as the year comes to a close, they’ve now landed a trio of chart-toppers.
BTS's Life Goes On Makes History With No.1 On Billboard HOT 100 Again
BTS makes history again as “Life Goes On” enters Billboard’s Hot 100 chart at No. 1!
On November 30th, it was announced that "Life Goes On" has topped the Billboard HOT 100 making it the third BTS song to top the charts. This is not the only milestone BTS has set this year. They are becoming the group setting multiple milestones as they take the title of "The First Ever" in various categories.
This is BTS’s third No. 1 on the chart, following “Dynamite” and their “Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)” remix collaboration with Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo — which all topped the chart within the past three months.
BTS has now achieved the fastest accumulation of three Hot 100 No. 1s in over 42 years, since the Bee Gees did so in two months and three weeks with songs from the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack beginning in December 1977.
“Life Goes On” has become the first track sung predominantly in Korean to make it to No. 1 on the Hot 100 in the chart’s 62-year history. It’s also the first track sung in a non-English language to debut at the summit, and BTS is the first duo or group in history to have two songs debut at the top of the chart.
“Life Goes On” garnered 14.9 million U.S. streams and 150,000 sales in the week ending November 26, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data. It also drew 410,000 radio airplay audience impressions in the week ending November 29.
“Life Goes On” also tops the Digital Song Sales chart and takes No. 14 on the Streaming Songs chart.
Meanwhile, “Dynamite” rises on the Hot 100 this week to take No. 3, after scoring No. 14 last week.
It was previously also announced that BTS’s new album “BE” has grabbed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart. Billboard’s charts will update for this week on its website on December 1.
They became the first K-Pop act to top the Billboard charts with "Dynamite," the first K-pop group to be nominated for the Grammys, the only K-Pop act in history to debut a song and album at number 1 on Hot 100 and Billboard 200 respectively, and they are the first K-pop group to land five number 1 albums on Billboard 200. Not only that, they have become the first group to occupy all top six rankings on Billboard's Digital Song Sales.
They are truly leaving a mark in history as they became the fastest group in history to land five number 1 albums on the Billboard 200 chart since The Beatles in 1968. BTS made a great journey as they started out as a K-pop boy group from a small agency to dominating the world with their milestones.
BTS fans around the world are celebrating the remarkable achievements of the group as they take it to social media to share the joy with one another.
