LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 08: Singer Madonna attends The 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards at the STAPLES … [+]
Madonna is back on the Digital Song Sales chart once again with her latest single, “Vulgar,” a collaboration with Sam Smith. The pop star’s electro track debuts No. 16 on the purchase-only tally, selling 2,600 copies in its initial release week. That performance is enough to solidify “Vulgar” as one of the better-selling tunes in the country during this frame.
Surprisingly, “Vulgar” is not Madonna’s first major sales hit of 2023. In fact, this year has become her biggest ever when it looking at new releases on the Digital Song Sales chart. Thus far, Madonna has already placed three tracks on the competitive ranking, a feat she had never accomplished before. While she has twice before sent a pair of tunes to the chart, 2023 marks the first time she has achieved three entries, and the year is only halfway through.
Madonna kicked off 2023 by debuting “Back That Up To The Beat” at No. 33 on the Digital Song Sales chart. Although the track was not exactly new, it gained viral popularity on TikTok, prompting Madonna and her team to prioritize its promotion. The enthusiastic response from several thousand fans led to a rush of track purchases.
Just last week, Madonna further increased her count for 2023 with the release of “Popular.” This single, led by The Weeknd and featuring rapper Playboy Carti, was taken from the TV show The Idol, in which The Weeknd is both running and starring. “Popular” soared to No. 13 on the chart, performing slightly better than “Vulgar.”
Looking back at Madonna’s chart history, she had previously achieved two hits on the Digital Song Sales chart in 2008 and 2012. However, there have been several years where she only sent one track to the list, or none at all. It must be pointed out that many of her biggest hits predate the existence of this particular ranking.
As of now, there are no indications of Madonna having more new music on the horizon. However, considering her return to the charts and the spotlight that’s on her once again, it wouldn’t be surprising if she were to drop a solo track or another collaboration at any moment. Given her track record, it seems highly likely that she will find her way back to the Digital Song Sales chart if she releases new material, and she may continue to make 2023 her biggest and more prolific year yet on the tally.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2023/06/23/2023-is-already-madonnas-biggest-year-ever-when-it-comes-to-billboards-sales-chart/