The Elvis "Rubberneckin'" remix has debuted at #1 on "Billboard" magazine's singles sales chart. Tell all your friends to buy the single and let's see if we can keep it at #1 a while. Also, please call the radio stations in your area to encourage them to play the song. Mabye we'll also see it hit the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, the one that reflects airplay as well as sales.
Elvis Presley's 1969 recording of "Rubberneckin'" sold 11,000 copies in the United States in its first week in release, making it the No. 1 commercial single for the week ended Sept. 14, according to sales tracker Nielsen SoundScan.
That was a relatively anemic opening compared with the debut of last year's remix of the obscure 1968 song "A Little Less Conversation," which sold 26,000 U.S. copies its first week and shot to No. 1 on both sides of the Atlantic.
Following is a part of BMG's Press Release:
BMG/RCA RECORDS’ REMIX OF ELVIS PRESLEY’S RUBBERNECKIN’ DEBUTS AT #1 IN THE U.S.
Remixed by Renowned Hitmaker Paul Oakenfold, Single Will be Featured on ELVIS 2ND TO NONE Available on October 7
NEW YORK (September 17, 2003) Following the successful path of last year’s smash No. 1 hit, the JXL remix of Elvis Presley’s A Little Less Conversation, BMG/RCA’s remix of Presley’s Rubberneckin’ has reached the top of the charts as the #1 Soundscan sales single just one week after its September 9 release. This historic accomplishment comes 26 years after the death of the King of Rock ‘n' Roll. The single, remixed by acclaimed DJ and producer Paul Oakenfold, sold nearly double the number two record. The remix will appear on ELVIS 2ND TO NONE, scheduled for release on October 7. This newest compilation will also include the recently discovered and previously unreleased I’m A Roustabout plus five additional Presley #1 singles, fan favorites and career milestones.
“It is no surprise that this new remix of Rubberneckin’ is achieving the same success of last year’s hit A Little Less Conversation and we are thrilled by it,” said Joe DiMuro, Executive Vice President, BMG Strategic Marketing Group. “It is an exciting way to kick off BMG’s 2003 Elvis campaign and is the ideal precursor to the launch of ELVIS 2ND TO NONE.”
Paul Oakenfold is often referred to as the world’s premier DJ and is one of the most respected remixers in the business, having worked with U2, the Rolling Stones, Snoop Dogg, Smashing Pumpkins and Bjork, among others. His musical tastes span a wide range of genres, including soul, jazz and disco. Oakenfold was one of the founders of the acid house scene that swept England in the late '80s and was a leading proponent of hip-hop.
In addition to the Rubberneckin’ single, BMG/RCA has released an accompanying music video -- currently on-air -- to kick off the newest Elvis campaign, culminating in the October 7 release of ELVIS 2ND TO NONE. This newest compilation will be distinctly different, presenting a broader range of Presley’s talents and incorporating multiple musical genres including R & B, rock ‘n' roll, pop, country, dance and rockabilly.
Elvis Does It Again!
September 18, 2003 | Music Source:VariousJim Semple wrote on
September 18, 2003
Here in the UK, I still cannot understand why Rubberneckin isn't on the Radio 1 Playlist ?. The younger generation will listen to Radio 1 as opposed to Radio 2 which I know has a large following but mainly with the older generation. Perhaps I've been walking around with my ears and eyes shut, but I've heard virtually nothing about its forthcoming release. PS - great news about Billboard.
Jim Semple wrote on
September 18, 2003
I don't mean to put a dampner on things, but to sell just 11,000 copies in a week in a country the size of USA is dreadful really. Still, it was good enough to get to number 1 and thats what counts.
Jim Semple wrote on
September 18, 2003
I think the figures do matter a lot, 11,000 sales in week 1 is awful regardless of whether it reached number one or not. From the information I have received, promotion and marketing is non existent in many countries, although I know in some areas, there is evidence of promotion. You only have to look at figures from across Europe, something hasnt gone to plan.
Jim Semple wrote on
September 19, 2003
Gribz - if you do work for BMG, shame about the non existent exposure, promotion and marketing for Rubberneckin in the vast majority of countries worldwide. Thats just cost many thousands of lost sales of 2nd to None.
Lawman wrote on
September 18, 2003
Quote: “It is an exciting way to kick off BMG’s 2003 Elvis campaign". Aren't they a little late for that or does BMG live in another time dimension? I've heard of time zone differences ...
Scotch wrote on
September 18, 2003
This is GREAT news. The singles market in the U.S. is negligible, but still more bought Elvis than ANY other artist. Use this #1 single SALES status to call radio stations and request airplay.
Last year it was a Clear Channel station that DID play ALLC in the area I lived in. Don't assume Clear Channel will not play Rubberneckin'. Clear Channel is based in San Antonio, Texas, so I'm sure there are plenty of Elvis fans in the main office, and the individual station's program directors do have alot of control over what is played at their stations.
The Billboard HOT 100 is made up of songs based on their sales and airplay. The formula is not cut and dry, but singles with MASSIVE sales are able to reach number one with little to no airplay, however the most common top hits are airplay-only hits, but this is not the only way to top the Hot 100.
Rubberneckin' topped Billboard's Hot 100 Single Sales chart, and is #94 on the overall HOT 100. Either more sales or more airplay need to occur in order for Rubberneckin' to go up the chart. Call all of your Top 40 and Mix stations(even if they are Clear Channel), today!
Patrick68 wrote on
September 17, 2003
This is good news, but how many copies did it sell? Last year ALLC sold 26,500 copies in it's first week, this time I doubt Rubberneckin' sold that many. Does anyone know?
Patrick68 wrote on
September 19, 2003
gribz do you work for BMG? It sounds like you do. And I hope your right about 2nd To None selling 350,000 or more in it's first week. Somehow I think it will sell no more than 180-190,000....I hope I'm wrong...
Steve B. wrote on
September 18, 2003
There are very few actual singles that are released to the stores. Today, most singles are radio singles, meaning they are culled from an album and are not available for purchase.
kelvin m wilson wrote on
September 18, 2003
well done to our friends in the US. its now time for us here in the UK to get it together. the single comes out after the weekend, lets get this one to No. 1 here too.
Colin B wrote on
September 18, 2003
Andreas - The Billboard singles sales chart, which Elvis is No.1 on, is the only true 'singles' chart in the US.
The Billboard 'Hot 100' is based largely on airplay, and so includes album tracks !It is this chart which Elvis can't crack ['ALLC' only reached No.50 on it].
Kenneth wrote on
September 18, 2003
it seems that RUBBERNECKIN is following the same path that ALLC did, which means that it won't do much, if anything on Billboard's hot 100. That chart is 95% rap and also requires airplay. I share my confusion with andreas77 in trying to understand the various charts in billboard magizine. Sell tons of cd's but no airplay,no spot on the hot 100, go figure. Also I don't believe ALLC has been certified by the RIAA, would someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
corey3rd wrote on
September 18, 2003
The Best Buy near me had the single going for $1.99 - so I picked it up. It regularly sells for $3.99. The real problem with the song getting airplay is that halfway through a lame rapper doesn't blather for 30 seconds.
Calling radio stations is nice, but make sure you are calling your locally owned radio stations. They might consider the song. A Clear Channel station only takes requests on songs that have been approved by the main office and will be coming up in rotation anyway.
It is nice to see that BMG has included the song in the car ad. That will get it before the ears of America faster than regular radio.
TonyP wrote on
September 19, 2003
Something has just occurred to me. With the ludicrous way the hot 100 is compiled, how many more number ones might Elvis have got in America had it been based purely on sales? If the same policy was in place in the 60s, when the 'clever' side of the media had written him off and embraced the Beatles with open arms, I'm sure Elvis must have been robbed of some good chart positions. Just a thought.
Jim Turner wrote on
September 18, 2003
Great news. The King is back on top of the charts . What does it matter that it only sold 11,000 copies, it still sold more than anyone else. I was in Oregon last week and purchased it in Wallmart and also the dvd only available in Walmart and the dvd is a bargain at $5.88. So lets make sure it gets to number one in the U.K and then Europe. Elvis is on a roll, lets keep it going.
TCBn with TLC Bet wrote on
September 17, 2003
This is fantastic news !! I can't believe it! Here in Florida I have heard zilch about the single. WalMart does not have it. Where can you get it??
Apachee wrote on
September 19, 2003
Well E is # 1 again. Look at it this way. There are a lot of singers that never had a # 1 song.
gribz wrote on
September 17, 2003
Great news.. Now lets begin the work.. Call radio stations and vh1 to get this 'rubberneckin' air-in in all areas so we can excite the young audiences...If we get the ball rolling, the rest will happen on it's own... So, let's start TCB-ing....
gribz wrote on
September 19, 2003
THe big Campaign and push has yet to start...It will be starting after the 26th of september... Then you will see it everywhere, from vh1 to mtv... from cable television to network television... We are hoping for at least 350.000 in opening week sales for 'Elvis 2nd to none'... maybe it will do even better than that.....Get ready, and enjoy!!!
gribz wrote on
September 20, 2003
Don'r worry. Will all be starting real soon. you will start seeing an impressive campaign begin on Wed. Sept. 24 2003. be patient, you will be happy and satisfied.
col wrote on
September 19, 2003
Here in London there is no buzz about the single. The record stores don't even have it on their list of new releases for next week. The sales for Rubberneckin and 2nd to None are going to be average. Lets hope that in general singles sales for other artists are low next week - that is the only way to get Rubberneckin into the top 5. The single has to do well to help out the album!
Andreas77 wrote on
September 18, 2003
Could somebody please explain all these different charts too me? "Billboard" magazine's singles sales chart", what does that mean? Does it reflect airplay, if so, why the name "sales chart"? What are the prospects now for Rubberneckin to top Billboard's singles chart, which is the important thing? Somebody please explain!
Andreas77 wrote on
September 18, 2003
Thanks for the info guys, but I still have some problems understanding... When people refer to reaching no 1 at the US charts, what chart are they then talking about? If they were to release a Elvis no 1 hits, would Rubberneckin then be on it, that is, is R. now considered a no 1 hit?
In Norway, where I'm from, Rubberneckin is currently at # 11, that list is based only on sold copies of the single, not on airplay. I think, not sure, this method is the most common one in Europe. By the way, why can't Elvis crack Billboard hot 100 in the US, ALLC was no 1 in Norway for a month in terms of both sold singles and airplay.
Andreas77 wrote on
September 18, 2003
Somebody just told me that Billboard top 100 is what matters, and determines what is considered to be a no 1 hit. It is based on sales + radioplay. Correct?
Andreas77 wrote on
September 19, 2003
I agree with what Jim said, lots of bad things this week... But, on the other hand, Rubberneckin is currently number #4 in Denmark, #6 in Sweden and #11 in Norway, that's not to bad, my gues is that the song will climb even further, go Scandinavia!! How about England, any good prospects there, are we going to see R. on the top of the charts? By the way, is it true that It's Only Love was released in the 80's and reached #3? And how about Always on My Mind? If so, other well known classics from that period should be re-released!