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Adult Alternative Airplay

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Adult Alternative Airplay (also known as Triple A or Triple A Airplay, and formerly Adult Alternative Songs and Triple A Songs) is a record chart currently published by Billboard that ranks the most popular songs on adult album alternative radio stations. The 40-position[1] chart is formulated based on each song's weekly radio spins, as measured by Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems.[2] The current number-one song on the chart is "Beaches in Tennessee" by Cage the Elephant.[3]

History

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The earliest incarnation of the chart was first published on February 21, 1992 by a music industry trade publication The Hard Report.[4]

It was included in the January 20, 1996 edition of Billboard,[5] as a feature in Billboard sister publication Airplay Monitor. In 2006, Airplay Monitor ceased publication after Billboard parent company VNU Media's acquisition of rival radio trade magazine Radio & Records,[6] which then subsequently incorporated Airplay Monitor's Nielsen-based Triple A chart.[7][8]

Billboard itself began publishing the Triple A chart in the issue dated July 5, 2008, through their Billboard.biz website,[9] appropriating the same airplay data as Radio & Records.[7] Radio & Records closed in June 2009, leaving Billboard as the sole publisher of the chart.[10] In February 2014, the chart's reporting panel was expanded from 23 to 32 stations, including non-commercial reporters for the first time.[11]

Following a re-design of their website, Billboard officially incorporated the history of the Airplay Monitor/Nielsen chart from 1996 to 2008 into their Adult Alternative Songs chart. The Billboard website and its official chart archive now show the first Adult Alternative Songs chart as having been published on January 20, 1996, with "The World I Know" by Collective Soul as its first number one single.[12] Radio And Records first charted their Adult Alternative chart in the September 22, 1995, issue. It was a 30 position chart, and "Til I Hear It from You" by the Gin Blossoms was the first number one.

All-time achievements

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In 2021, for the 25th anniversary of the chart, Billboard compiled a ranking of the 50 best-performing songs and artists on the chart over the 25 years. "One Headlight" by The Wallflowers was ranked as the #1 song, while Dave Matthews Band was ranked as the #1 artist.[13] Listed below are the top 10 songs and the top 10 artists.

Top 10 Greatest of All Time Adult Alternative Songs (1996–2021)

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Rank Single Year released Artist(s) Peak and duration
1.
 "One Headlight"
1997
 The Wallflowers #1 for 14 weeks
2.
 "Clocks"
2002
 Coldplay #1 for 15 weeks
3.
 "3AM"
1997
 Matchbox 20 #1 for 14 weeks
4.
 "Feel It Still"
2017
 Portugal. The Man #1 for 11 weeks
5.
 "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)"
2001
 Train #1 for 14 weeks
6.
 "Babylon"
2000
 David Gray #1 for 2 weeks
7.
 "It's Time"
2012
 Imagine Dragons #2 for 5 weeks
8.
 "See The World"
2007
 Gomez #1 for 4 weeks
9.
 "Rolling in the Deep"
2010
 Adele #1 for 14 weeks
10.
 "Beautiful Day"
2000
 U2 #1 for 16 weeks

Source:[14]

Top 10 Greatest of All Time Adult Alternative Artists (1996–2021)

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Rank Artist
1.
 Dave Matthews Band
2.
 U2
3.
 Coldplay
4.
 Jack Johnson
5.
 Sheryl Crow
6.
 John Mayer
7.
 Mumford & Sons
8.
 Counting Crows
9.
 Death Cab for Cutie
10.
 Snow Patrol

Source:[15]

Song records

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Most weeks at number-one

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Number of
weeks		 Artist Song Year(s) Source
16 U2 "Beautiful Day" 2000–01 [16]
15 Coldplay "Clocks" 2003 [17]
Kings of Leon "Waste a Moment" 2016–17 [18]
14 The Wallflowers "One Headlight" 1996–97 [19]
Matchbox Twenty "3AM" 1997–98 [20]
"Bent" 2000 [20]
Train "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" 2001 [21]
Adele "Rolling in the Deep" 2011 [22]
13 Santana featuring Rob Thomas "Smooth" 1999 [23]
Jack Johnson "Upside Down" 2006 [24]
Pearl Jam "Just Breathe" 2010 [25]
Gotye featuring Kimbra "Somebody That I Used to Know" 2012 [26]

Most weeks on the chart

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Number of
weeks		 Artist Song Year(s) Source
52 Kings of Leon "Use Somebody" 2009–10 [18]
51 John Mayer "No Such Thing" 2001–02 [27]
48 James Morrison "Nothing Ever Hurt Like You" 2008–09 [28]
47 Imagine Dragons "It's Time" 2012–13 [29]
46 Coldplay "Clocks" 2002–03 [17]
The Head and the Heart "Lost in My Mind" 2011–12 [30]
44 David Gray "Babylon" 2000–01 [31]
43 Los Lonely Boys "Heaven" 2003–04 [32]
42 Fitz and the Tantrums "Out of My League" 2013–14 [33]
41 One eskimO "Kandi" 2009–10 [34]

Highest debut

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Debut
Position		 Artist Song Debut Date Source
No. 1 U2 "Get On Your Boots" February 7, 2009 [35]
No. 2 Hootie & the Blowfish "Old Man & Me (When I Get to Heaven)" April 20, 1996 [36]
Coldplay "Speed of Sound" May 7, 2005 [37]
No. 3 The Rolling Stones "Anybody Seen My Baby?" September 20, 1997 [38]
No. 4 Gin Blossoms "Follow You Down" February 10, 1996 [39]
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers "Walls" August 3, 1996 [40]
Coldplay "Adventure of a Lifetime" November 28, 2015 [41]
No. 5 Natalie Merchant "Kind & Generous" May 16, 1998 [42]
Coldplay "Violet Hill" May 17, 2008 [43]
Mumford & Sons "Believe" March 28, 2015 [44]

Artist records

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Most number-one singles

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Number of
singles		ArtistSource
14U2[45]
13Coldplay[45]
11Dave Matthews[a][45]
Jack Johnson[45]
9The Black Keys[45]
Death Cab for Cutie[45]
8John Mayer[45]
The Lumineers[45]
Hozier[45]
Cage the Elephant[45]

Most cumulative weeks at number-one

[edit]
Number of
weeks		ArtistSource
72U2[16]
69Coldplay[17]
62Jack Johnson[24]
51Dave Matthews[a][46]
49Death Cab For Cutie[47]
48The Black Keys[48]
46The Lumineers[49]
43Mumford & Sons[50]
36Hozier[51]
33Nathaniel Rateliff[b][52]

Most top 10 singles

[edit]
Number of
singles		ArtistSource
30U2[16]
26Dave Matthews[a][46]
25Coldplay[17]
19Jack Johnson[24]
John Mayer[27]
17The Black Keys[48]
16Counting Crows[53]
Mumford & Sons[50]
Beck[54]
14Sheryl Crow[55]
Death Cab for Cutie[47]

Most chart entries

[edit]
Number of
entries		ArtistSource
36Dave Matthews[a][46]
U2[16]
30Coldplay[17]
27Jack Johnson[24]
25John Mayer[27]
Sheryl Crow[55]
22The Black Keys[48]
21Beck[54]
20Death Cab For Cutie[47]
19Counting Crows[53]
Mumford & Sons[50]
Leon Bridges[56]
Kings of Leon[18]

Notes

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  1. 1 2 3 4 Solo and with Dave Matthews Band
  2. ↑ Solo and with The Night Sweats

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ Rutherford, Kevin (November 21, 2017). "Nothing More Scores First Billboard Chart-Topper With 'Go to War'". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Triple A". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Adult Alternative Airplay". Billboard. October 10, 2026. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Adult Alternative Airplay" (PDF). The Hard Report. February 21, 1992. p. 19.
  5. ↑ Trust, Gary (July 17, 2012). "Triple A Radio Breaking Rookie Stars". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
  6. ↑ "VNU To Acquire Radio & Records". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. July 6, 2006. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  7. 1 2 Shipley, Al (October 9, 2008). "'Billboard' Breaks Down, Dials Up Triple-A". Idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved May 13, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  8. ↑ Tucker, Ken (September 21, 2006). "Nielsen BDS Expands Service". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  9. ↑ Mayfield, Geoff (July 12, 2008). "Billboard's Charts Get Makeover; Price Matters". Billboard. Vol. 120, no. 28. Prometheus Global Media. p. 37. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
  10. ↑ Trust, Gary (June 10, 2009). "Chart Beat: Pink, Black Eyed Peas, Shinedown". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
  11. ↑ Trust, Gary (February 21, 2014). "Billboard's Triple A Chart Gets a Makeover". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Adult Alternative Songs: January 20, 1996". Billboard. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  13. ↑ "Dave Matthews Band & The Wallflowers' 'One Headlight' Top Greatest of All Time Adult Alternative Charts". Billboard.com. February 18, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Greatest of All Time Adult Alternative Songs". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. February 18, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Greatest of All Time Adult Alternative Artists". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. February 18, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  16. 1 2 3 4 "U2 Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 "Coldplay Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  18. 1 2 3 "Kings Of Leon Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
  19. ↑ "The Wallflowers Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  20. 1 2 "Matchbox Twenty Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  21. ↑ "Train Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Adele Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  23. ↑ "Santana Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  24. 1 2 3 4 "Jack Johnson Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  25. ↑ "Pearl Jam Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  26. ↑ "Gotye Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  27. 1 2 3 "John Mayer Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  28. ↑ "James Morrison Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  29. ↑ "Imagine Dragons Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  30. ↑ "Adult Alternative Airplay, Week of March 3, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  31. ↑ "David Gray Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  32. ↑ "Adult Alternative Airplay, Week of October 30, 2004". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  33. ↑ "Fitz And The Tantrums Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  34. ↑ "Adult Alternative Airplay, Week of October 2, 2010". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  35. ↑ "Adult Alternative Airplay, Week of February 7, 2009". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  36. ↑ "Adult Alternative Airplay, Week of April 20, 1996". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  37. ↑ "Adult Alternative Airplay, Week of May 7, 2005". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  38. ↑ "Adult Alternative Airplay, Week of September 20, 1997". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  39. ↑ "Adult Alternative Airplay, Week of February 10, 1996". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  40. ↑ "Adult Alternative Airplay, Week of August 3, 1996". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  41. ↑ "Adult Alternative Airplay, Week of November 28, 2015". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  42. ↑ "Adult Alternative Airplay, Week of May 16, 1998". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  43. ↑ "Adult Alternative Airplay, Week of May 17, 2008". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  44. ↑ "Adult Alternative Airplay, Week of March 28, 2015". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  45. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Zellner, Xander (September 14, 2026). "Cage the Elephant Tops Multiple Rock Radio Charts With 'Beaches in Tennessee'". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  46. 1 2 3 "Dave Matthews Band Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  47. 1 2 3 "Death Cab For Cutie Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  48. 1 2 3 "The Black Keys Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  49. ↑ "The Lumineers Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  50. 1 2 3 "Mumford & Sons Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  51. ↑ "Hozier Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  52. ↑ "Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  53. 1 2 "Counting Crows Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  54. 1 2 "Beck Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  55. 1 2 "Sheryl Crow Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  56. ↑ "Leon Bridges Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2026.
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