There are no new entries in the Top 10 of this week's Billboard Rock Songs chart, but that could change soon: Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Look Around" is bubbling under at No. 11. In the meantime, let's enjoy the battle for No. 1. In one corner, there's the longtime champ, "Somebody That I Used to Know." In the other corner, there's the plucky upstart, "Burn It Down." Let's have a clean fight, gentlemen...
10. Foo Fighters - "These Days"
Photo courtesy RCA.
Foo Fighters's "These Days" peaked at No. 2 and is easily the oldest single currently in the Top 10. But the rousing tune's glory days are long over: This week, the Wasting Light track plunges three spots to No. 10. By the way, Dave Grohl will be making an appearance on the May 19 episode of Saturday Night Live that will be hosted by Mick Jagger.
9. Of Monsters and Men - "Little Talks"
Photo courtesy Universal Republic.
Of Monsters and Men landed at No. 10 last week with "Little Talks." In their second week on the countdown, the Icelandic indie collective jump up a spot. Because of their eclectic instrumentation, larger lineup, and mix of male and female band members, they've been compared to Arcade Fire. Only time will tell if Of Monsters and Men are comparatively successful.
8. Shinedown - "Bully"
Photo courtesy Atlantic.
7. M83 - "Midnight City"
Photo: Hannah Johnston/Getty Images.
Slowly, step by step, "Midnight City" is working its way up our chart. The M83 smash climbs to No. 7, up a spot from last week.
6. Grouplove - "Tongue Tied"
Photo courtesy Atlantic Records.
I hope Grouplove are liking the accommodations at No. 6: For a third straight week, their song "Tongue Tied" holds down that position. Grouplove have become headliners in a short time. Just a few years ago, they were opening for bands like Florence and the Machine.
5. Soundgarden - "Live to Rise"
Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images.
We've now entered that part of our countdown in which there is very little movement. For a third straight week, Soundgarden are at No. 5 with "Live to Rise." It's great to have the Seattle quartet back, but the real question is when we'll get to hear their first studio album since 1996's Down on the Upside. It can't be much longer, right?
4. fun. (Featuring Janelle Monae) - "We Are Young"
Photo courtesy Atlantic.
fun., which took "We Are Young" to No. 1 for one week, sit at No. 4 for a second straight week. Still, the track remains No. 1 on Billboard's Pop Songs and Adult Pop Songs charts.
3. The Black Keys - "Gold on the Ceiling"
Photo courtesy Nonesuch.
"Gold on the Ceiling," which is featured in the film Battleship, is at No. 3 for a second straight week on our countdown. Speaking of movies, the Black Keys are going to be the subject of a documentary that will hopefully be coming out next year.
2. Gotye (Featuring Kimbra) - "Somebody That I Used to Know"
Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images.
"Somebody That I Used to Know" has been off and on at No. 1 for seven weeks. This is one of those off weeks. The Gotye single falls a spot to No. 2.
1. Linkin Park - "Burn It Down"
Photo courtesy Warner Bros.
Linkin Park's "Iridescent" was one of the songs of last summer thanks to its inclusion in Transformers: Dark of the Moon. The band have their summer 2012 hit with "Burn It Down," which is the lead single from next month's Living Things. The track jumps up from No. 2 to become our brand new No. 1.
