Bill Withers’ Biggest Singles Hit New Highs On Several Billboard Charts Following His Passing

It’s hard to believe it’s been over two weeks since R&B and soul powerhouse Bill Withers passed away, but in the time since then, his music has been purchased and streamed in bigger numbers than in many years as people all around the world celebrate his life.

Now, the musician’s most beloved compositions, such as “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Lean on Me” and “Lovely Day” are back, and in many cases, performing better than ever on a number of Billboard charts.

Digital Song Sales

As is the case with several Billboard rankings where Withers’ music currently lands, the musician makes his first appearances, as some of the rankings listed below didn’t exist when the soul legend was in his prime. This is true of the Digital Song Sales list, which only looks at the number of tracks purchased on platforms like iTunes and Amazon.

Withers scores his first No. 1, first three top 10s and half a dozen total wins this week. Leading the way is “Lean on Me,” which opens atop the chart with over 28,000 sales, according to data shared by Nielsen Music. Just one rung down comes his other biggest hit “Ain’t No Sunshine,” which performed similarly, selling over 26,000 copies. “Lovely Day” rounds out his trio of top 10s by launching at No. 5.

Below the top tier, “Use Me,” “Just the Two of Us” with Grover Washington, Jr. and “Grandma’s Hands” find themselves at Nos. 12, 17 and 50, respectively.

Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

The Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart takes into account a number of metrics, including streams and radio play, so Withers’ tracks, which are all decades old at this point, don’t perform quite so well as on the sales-only lists, but he still manages to place his two most beloved cuts on the roster.

Throughout his career, Withers scored 23 charting hits, and this time around “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Lean on Me” appear at Nos. 22 and 23, respectively, though neither come close to their original peaks.

R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales

When only purchases are concerned, Withers occupies much more space, as current-day musicians don’t typically sell as well as a legend might the week following their death.

On the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales chart, Withers scores four top 10 hits at once, a rare occurrence, even among the biggest names in the business.

As is the case on the Digital Song Sales list, Withers lands his first half-dozen hits, and they come in the following order: “Lean on Me” (No. 1), “Ain’t No Sunshine” (No. 2), “Lovely Day” (No. 5), “Use Me” (No. 8), “Just the Two of Us” with Grover Washington, Jr. (No. 11) and “Grandma’s Hands” (No. 17). 

Hot R&B Songs

Despite being one of the most beloved musicians to create R&B music, Withers only charts two tracks on the Hot R&B Songs list, though they both become instant smashes, debuting inside the top 10. “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Lean on Me” open at Nos. 6 and 7, respectively, giving the late talent his first two appearances on the tally.

R&B Streaming Songs

Of all the songs charts Withers appears on this week, he takes up the least number of spots on the R&B Streaming Songs ranking. Only “Ain’t No Sunshine” reaches the list, coming in at No. 12, becoming his only hit.

R&B Digital Song Sales

Withers’ showing on the R&B Digital Song Sales chart nearly mimics his performance on the slightly more broad R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales, though the ranking of some tunes changes slightly. He never made it to the roster during his lifetime, so these six placements will likely be the only ones he ever manages.

Five of his tracks currently selling well open inside the top 10, giving him control over half of the loftiest tier on the tally. “Lean on Me” leads the charge, followed by “Ain’t No Sunshine” (No. 2), “Lovely Day” (No. 4), “Use Me” (No. 6), “Just the Two of Us” with Grover Washington, Jr. (No. 8) and finally “Grandma’s Hands” (No. 11).