Twenty One Pilots Have Scored The First Real Coronavirus-Related Hit Single

The coronavirus pandemic has now been going on for a few months, and in that time, a number of musicians have released songs that either reference the deadly virus and its effect on society (some seriously, others comically), but now the first major figure in the music industry has come forward with a timely song that is already off to a huge start on the Billboard charts and which may go on to become another true hit.

Last week, Twenty One Pilots released their new standalone single “Level of Concern,” which was written and recorded during the pandemic and which is about the strange time we’re all living in. After less than a full tracking period’s worth of activity, the cut debuts on a number of charts, and it stands a good shot at lifting even higher on some in the coming frames.

General

Sadly, “Level of Concern” wasn’t quite popular enough upon its arrival to make it to the Hot 100, the all-genre roster of the most-consumed singles in the U.S. every week, though it came very close. The track starts at No. 3 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100, which serves as something of a 25-spot extension of the most closely-watched songs ranking in the country. Had Twenty One Pilots released the tune a few days earlier, it likely would have placed onto the main list.

The track also opens at No. 19 on the Digital Song Sales chart, debuting as one of the 20 most-purchased cuts in the nation.

Rock

Unsurprisingly, “Level of Concern” performs best on a number of rock charts, where it has become an immediate top 10 hit.

The track opens at No. 1 on the Rock Digital Song Sales list thanks to almost 7,000 sales, according to data provided by Nielsen Music. Purchases may have been especially high considering the fact that a portion of the proceeds earned will be donated to help those affected by the pandemic. “Level of Concern” is the band’s fifth leader.

Thanks in large part to very strong sales, “Level of Concern” also launches at No. 2 on the Hot Rock Songs chart (becoming their fourteenth top 10) and No. 8 on the Rock Airplay ranking. The tune is also new at No. 19 on the Alternative Songs roster.

Pop

While they may be known more as a rock duo than a pop group (although their one Grammy win was in a pop category), “Level of Concern” perfectly mixes both genres, and thus it lands on a number of pop-only tallies. Twenty One Pilots’ latest blasts onto the Pop Songs radio-focused list at No. 35 and the Adult Pop Songs ranking (yes, they are different) at No. 30.