Music

A rock band is #1 on the charts for the first time in 4 years

by Aaron Zorgel

New York City indie-rock newbies Fun. just rocketed to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with their single “We Are Young.” Impressively, it’s the first time a rock band has been #1 since Coldplay reached the chart’s summit in 2008 with “Viva La Vida.” Even more impressively, it’s the first time a rock band has had a debut single reach #1 since freakin’ Nickelback did it in 2001 with “How You Remind Me.”

Featuring a member of the defunct band the Format, and current members of Anathallo and Steel Train (holy indie-rock pedigree), Fun.’s star has been rising rapidly with the help of a Glee cover, as well as placement in a Chevy Sonic commercial. A featured performance from Janelle Monae doens’t hurt, either (but, it’s also Monae’s first #1).

Another sleeper rock hit by Gotye (“Somebody That I Used To Know”) currently sits at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100. Could this an initial push for the resurgence of modern rock music? Guys like Taio Cruz and Flo Rida are freaked the fuck out right now.