No new songs crack the Top 10 this week on the Billboard Rock Songs chart, but my hunch is that won't be the case next week. Two indie-rock tunes are dropping fast, opening the door for some new blood on the countdown very soon. Still, the most exciting action is happening at the top of the chart, where two veteran groups are squaring off for No. 1.
"Unity" is the sort of song that Shinedown do very well: big, rousing mid-tempo anthems that make everybody in the arena sing along. But on our countdown, it's having a hard time gaining altitude. For a fourth week in a row, "Unity" is at No. 9.Buy from Amazon »
This week's high climbers are the Lumineers. The folk-rock trio's "Ho Hey" crashed the countdown last week at No. 10, and now they jump up four spots to No. 6. By the way, in case you're wondering about the inspiration for the cover of their self-titled album, frontman Wesley Keith explains, "It's a picture of my mom, and her mom attempting to walk out of the frame. I adore this picture, and my mother."Buy from Amazon »
One of 2012's biggest success stories, fun., have already had one No. 1 hit with "We Are Young." They're threatening to repeat that feat with "Some Nights," which this week moves up another spot to No. 3. If fun. do eventually take the top spot, they'd be the first band to have two No. 1 singles from the same album since Foo Fighters did it with "Rope" and "Walk" from Wasting Light.Buy from Amazon »
It's been a fun battle between Linkin Park and Green Day, and this week the Berkeley trio are the victors. "Oh Love" returns to No. 1, the second time in three weeks that it's been in the top spot.Buy from Amazon »
10. Grouplove - "Tongue Tied"
Grouplove shot up the charts with their smash single "Tongue Tied," but what goes up must come down. Though it peaked at No. 3 back in July, "Tongue Tied" this week drops three spots to No. 10, its run on our countdown almost near its end.Buy from Amazon »
9. Shinedown - "Unity"
"Unity" is the sort of song that Shinedown do very well: big, rousing mid-tempo anthems that make everybody in the arena sing along. But on our countdown, it's having a hard time gaining altitude. For a fourth week in a row, "Unity" is at No. 9.Buy from Amazon »
8. Of Monsters and Men - "Little Talks"
Of Monsters and Men could be dropping out of the Top 10 shortly. "Little Talks" falls from No. 6 to No. 8.Buy from Amazon »
7. Alex Clare - "Too Close"
While other artists are sinking or stalled on the Rock Songs chart, Alex Clare has the wind in his sails. His breakthrough, "Too Close," moves up another spot to No. 7.Buy from Amazon »
6. The Lumineers - "Ho Hey"
This week's high climbers are the Lumineers. The folk-rock trio's "Ho Hey" crashed the countdown last week at No. 10, and now they jump up four spots to No. 6. By the way, in case you're wondering about the inspiration for the cover of their self-titled album, frontman Wesley Keith explains, "It's a picture of my mom, and her mom attempting to walk out of the frame. I adore this picture, and my mother."Buy from Amazon »
5. The Offspring - "Days Go By"
Days Go By was a fun summer album, but now that we're moving into fall, how is the title track doing on the chart? For a second week in a row, the Offspring rocker sits tight at No. 5. Since late June, "Days Go By" has been either No. 4 or No. 5 on the countdown.Buy from Amazon »
4. The Black Keys - "Gold on the Ceiling"
After two weeks at No. 3, "Gold on the Ceiling" moves down a spot to No. 4. The Black Keys single first cracked the Top 10 in late March. Keep an eye out for the follow-up single from El Camino, "Little Black Submarines," which is a change-of-pace ballad for the blues-rock duo. (Don't worry: It starts rocking about halfway through.)Buy from Amazon »
3. fun. - "Some Nights"
One of 2012's biggest success stories, fun., have already had one No. 1 hit with "We Are Young." They're threatening to repeat that feat with "Some Nights," which this week moves up another spot to No. 3. If fun. do eventually take the top spot, they'd be the first band to have two No. 1 singles from the same album since Foo Fighters did it with "Rope" and "Walk" from Wasting Light.Buy from Amazon »
2. Linkin Park - "Burn It Down"
Linkin Park's return to No. 1 turns out to be short-lived. "Burn It Down" ruled the chart for 10 weeks before dropping to No. 2, regaining the top spot the following week. But now, the Living Things single once again falls back to No. 2. In happier news, the band will be trying to win their fourth Best Rock Video prize for their "Burn It Down" clip.Buy from Amazon »
1. Green Day - "Oh Love"
It's been a fun battle between Linkin Park and Green Day, and this week the Berkeley trio are the victors. "Oh Love" returns to No. 1, the second time in three weeks that it's been in the top spot.Buy from Amazon »