In this week's Top 10 of the Billboard Rock Songs chart, everything old is new again. OK, that's really just a fancy way of saying that we have no new entries in the countdown. But for a second straight week, the battle for No. 1 pits some wily veterans (Green Day) against an up-and-comer (Alex Clare).
10. Grouplove - "Tongue Tied"
Photo courtesy Atlantic Records.
Grouplove climbed high on our chart, peaking at No. 3 with "Tongue Tied." But now they're hanging on by their fingernails. This week, "Tongue Tied" drops a spot to No. 10.
9. The Black Keys - "Gold on the Ceiling"
Photo courtesy Nonesuch.
"Gold on the Ceiling" never could make it to No. 1 -- it was stalled at No. 2 for months -- and now the El Camino track is tumbling down the charts. The Black Keys hit falls three spots to No. 9. Incidentally, the follow-up single, "Little Black Submarines," is making some noise, currently rising up to No. 17 on the Rock Songs chart. If "Gold on the Ceiling" exits the Top 10, another Black Keys song may soon take its place.
8. Muse - "Madness"
Photo: Danny Clinch
A week ago, Muse's "Madness" was our highest debut, landing at No. 8. But that auspicious beginning didn't translate into a strong second-week showing: "Madness" hangs out at No. 8 once again.
7. Imagine Dragons - "It's Time"
Photo courtesy Total Assault.
The trajectory of "It's Time" has been an unusual one. The Imagine Dragons breakthrough single debuted in the Top 10 back in late June, climbing as high as No. 6. But then "It's Time" lost altitude, falling out of the Top 10 altogether at one point. But now it's back for a second go-round. After two weeks at No. 10, the song shoots up to No. 7, making it this week's high climber.
6. Mumford & Sons - "I Will Wait"
Photo courtesy Big Hassle.
Mumford & Sons aren't breaking any land-speed records on our countdown, but as long as they're moving up the chart, I'm sure the folk-rockers won't complain. For a third straight week, "I Will Wait" moves up a single notch: It's now at No. 6.
5. The Lumineers - "Ho Hey"
Photo courtesy Big Hassle.
Are the Lumineers stalled or just catching their breath? For a third week in a row, "Ho Hey" sits tight at No. 5. (The Lumineers are having a little better luck on the Alternative Songs chart, where they're currently at No. 3.)
4. Linkin Park - "Burn It Down"
Photo courtesy Warner Bros.
Linkin Park were gunning for their fourth Best Rock Video prize, but "Burn It Down" lost to "Paradise" from Coldplay. The bad news doesn't end there: "Burn It Down" falls a spot to No. 4 on our countdown.
3. fun. - "Some Nights"
Photo courtesy Atlantic.
It had appeared that "Some Nights" couldn't get any higher than No. 4. But after three weeks there, the latest from fun. leapfrogs over Linkin Park to claim the No. 3 spot. Can it go even higher?
2. Alex Clare - "Too Close"
Photo courtesy Universal.
Even if you don't own a radio, "Too Close" has been pretty inescapable thanks to that Internet Explorer TV commercial that features the track. Still, Alex Clare hasn't yet won over the Billboard Rock Songs chart: For a second straight week, "Too Close" will have to settle for No. 2.
1. Green Day - "Oh Love"
Photo courtesy Reprise.
