There isn't a single debut in this week's Top 10 of the Billboard Rock Songs chart. But there is plenty of dance music, pop, grunge, rap-rock and indie in the countdown. So let's get started...
10. The Black Keys - "Lonely Boy"
Photo courtesy Nonesuch.
"Lonely Boy" is holding on for dear life. The Black Keys single drops another spot to No. 10. Twenty-five weeks ago, "Lonely Boy" first entered our countdown. Will this week be its last?
9. M83 - "Midnight City"
Photo: Hannah Johnston/Getty Images.
"Lonely Boy" isn't the only single released in 2011 that's still making an impact on the Rock Songs chart in 2012. There's also "Midnight City," which is off M83's album from last year, Hurry Up, We're Dreaming. But after three weeks at No. 10, "Midnight City" sees a little forward momentum, moving up to No. 9.
8. Shinedown - "Bully"
Photo courtesy Atlantic.
The Sound of Madness, Shinedown's last album, had so many hit singles that it seemed a foregone conclusion that when their new album dropped, it would do the same. But "Bully," the first single from Amaryllis, only got as high as No. 3 on our countdown. And now it's dropping: It falls three spots this week to No. 8.
7. Foo Fighters - "These Days"
Photo courtesy RCA.
"These Days" continues its very slow descent: The Wasting Light cut drops a spot to No. 7. Foo Fighters leader Dave Grohl is probably a little too busy right now to notice, though. After all, he's going to be directing his first documentary, which will be about the legendary Sound City Studios.
6. Grouplove - "Tongue Tied"
Photo courtesy Atlantic Records.
"Tongue Tied" appeared to be running out of gas. Last week, the Grouplove single dropped from No. 7 to No. 8, but now the track rebounds strongly, bolting up to No. 6, which is a new peak for the song.
5. Soundgarden - "Live to Rise"
Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images.
Soundgarden made an impressive showing last week, vaulting into the Top 10 at No. 7 with "Live to Rise." This week, the song rises some more, up two spots to No. 5.
4. The Black Keys - "Gold on the Ceiling"
Photo courtesy Nonesuch.
The Black Keys' "Lonely Boy" held the top spot for 14 straight weeks. It doesn't look like the group's second single from El Camino, "Gold on the Ceiling," will do nearly as well. For a fourth straight week, "Ceiling" is stuck at No. 4.
3. Linkin Park - "Burn It Down"
Photo courtesy Warner Bros.
If I was a betting man, I would have wagered that Linkin Park's "Burn It Down" would be this week's new No. 1. After all, the lead single from Living Things debuted at No. 2 last week. Instead, "Burn It Down" loses some of its chart luster, dropping to No. 3. Is this a hiccup or the beginning of a downward trend? We'll have to wait and see.
2. fun. (Featuring Janelle Monae) - "We Are Young"
Photo courtesy Atlantic.
It's hard to know what to make of fun.'s "We Are Young." Two weeks ago, the smash single claimed the No. 1 spot. Then last week, it plunged to No. 3. But there's still a lot of life left in "We Are Young": It's now back up at No. 2.
1. Gotye (Featuring Kimbra) - "Somebody That I Used to Know"
Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images.
Five out of the last six weeks, Gotye has been the king of the Rock Songs chart with "Somebody That I Used to Know." Actually, make that six out of seven: The song is now two weeks into its new No. 1 residency. With fun. and Linkin Park swapping places beneath "Somebody That I Used to Know," it's difficult to predict how much longer Gotye can stay on top. But there's no question of its continued popularity, especially considering it's also No. 1 on the Hot 100 and the Alternative Songs chart.
