U2 Hits No. 1 On A Billboard Chart They’ve Never Ruled Before

It’s been a little while since U2 last scored a No. 1 hit on the Billboard charts, but the band is back on top with their latest release. The group’s new single “Atomic City” has become an instant win for the legendary rock outfit as fans rushed to support both the group and the song itself. As the tune hits the top, the legendary rock act scores their first leader on a ranking they’ve never dominated before.

“Atomic City” opens at No. 1 on this week’s Alternative Digital Song Sales chart. Billboard publishes its ranking every week of the bestselling tunes in America that it defines as alternative, one of the several genres of rock it tracks.

U2’s new single opens in first place thanks to 3,329 copies sold, according to data provided by Luminate. It replaces last week’s winner, “One More Time” by pop-punk legends Blink-182. This week, that tune is down to No. 3.

“Atomic City” marks U2’s first No. 1 hit on the Alternative Digital Song Sales chart. That’s a bit surprising, but the bulk of the band’s biggest hits precede the introduction of the ranking. The group isn’t new to the tally itself, just the penthouse.

U2 has now scored five top 10 hits on the Alternative Digital Song Sales chart. Before “Atomic City” arrived, their highest-charting single was “You’re the Best Thing About Me” which topped out at No. 4. The band has now placed nine different cuts onto the tally.

“Atomic City” is, so far, a standalone single. The band recorded and released it to coincide with the beginning of their Las Vegas residency at the brand new Sphere venue. The group was seen filming a music video on the Strip, and Bono even stopped to talk to fans who were passing by as they shot the treatment.

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