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HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 07: Lil Nas X attends Tom Ford AW20 Show at Milk Studios on … [+]
Ever since Lil Nas X released his new single “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” a few days ago, it seems to be all anyone can talk about. Some love the track and support the musician’s artistic vision, while millions of others are decrying the visuals associated with the tune, calling them inappropriate, or worse. All that chatter, both good and bad, is working for the multi-genre musician, and it could mean wonderful things for him next week on the charts.
With every passing day, predictions about where “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” will land on the Hot 100 next frame improve, and now there are whispers that the cut could debut at No. 1.
The first two days “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” was available, it ranked as the third-bestselling single in the U.S. on iTunes, but then its fates improved. It has now spent two days at No. 1, and it doesn’t look like it will be replaced at the top anytime soon. Helping the track move more copies is a new, extended take (titled “Satan’s Extended Version”), which dropped yesterday (March 29). Both editions of the cut will be combined into one charting entity by Billboard.
“Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” has also been performing better and better on Spotify, where it has advanced day after day. On Friday, March 26, when it was released, it wrapped its first 24 hours as the third-most-streamed tune in the U.S., coming in behind new hits by Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift. The next day, it lifted to No. 2. For two days now it’s been comfortable at No. 1.
The music video, which has attracted the most attention, is sitting pretty at the top of the YouTube Trending chart, where it will likely remain.
When compiling the Hot 100, Billboard incorporates sales, radio airplay and streaming data from platforms like Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. New releases don’t typically perform very well at radio, so a just-released cut needs to make up for a lack of attention in that field by selling and streaming exceptionally well if it is to have a shot at debuting at No. 1. “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” is currently excelling in both the sales and streaming departments and it doesn’t appear to be facing the same late-week slump many new titles experience.
Lil Nas X released “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” after months of teasing the track, and while the song itself has hit potential, it’s the big-budget video that has caused all that conversation. The clip sees the pop/hip-hop/country artist pole dancing his way to hell, where he seemingly has sex with Satan. The visual has outraged millions of conservatives, with many claiming it’s blasphemous and inappropriate for children.
While some musicians may shy away from the controversy, Lil Nas X has only stoked the fires, trolling well-known right-wing figures on social media. All the jokes and comebacks have kept the story going, and it is easily the biggest topic in the music industry this week. The Grammy winner is proving not only that all press is good press, but that he knows how to expertly twist any insult, negative think piece or taunt into a viral advertisement for his latest single.
Not only is his massive fan base showing up in massive numbers to support the musician during this time, which is both celebratory and incredibly tough, but all the attention has helped introduce the tune to those who might otherwise not have watched the video or streamed the song at all. Everything, from the highest praise to the worst condemnation, is playing a role in helping “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” toward the top of the Hot 100, and it may soon become his second champion.
Billboard will likely announce the new No. 1 song next Monday, April 5.
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