Is Alex Warren's 'Ordinary' a 10-Week No. 1?

Alex Warren's "Ordinary" Makes History with 10th Week at No. 1

One week after being dethroned by "Golden" from KPop Demon Hunters, Alex Warren has reclaimed the top spot on the Hot 100 with his breakout hit "Ordinary." The song is now celebrating its 10th consecutive week at No. 1, marking a significant milestone in the music industry. This achievement is largely attributed to a duet performance of the track with country superstar Luke Combs, which was released to streaming services on August 8 and had previously been performed at Chicago’s Lollapalooza festival in July.

Additionally, "Ordinary" continues to dominate the Songs of the Summer chart for a 12th week, solidifying its status as one of the most popular songs of the year so far.

Is a 10-Week No. 1 Surprising?

The question of whether "Ordinary" reaching the 10-week mark at No. 1 is surprising or not has sparked a lively debate among music critics and industry insiders.

Katie Atkinson noted that while it was less surprising as the weeks went on, she never could have predicted that the song would still be at the top three months later. She drew a comparison to Teddy Swims' "Lose Control," which spent 104 weeks on the chart but only one week at No. 1.

Kyle Denis, on the other hand, found it surprising, expressing that he expected a more compelling song to take the top spot earlier in the year.

Jason Lipshutz felt it wasn't surprising, emphasizing that "Ordinary" showed signs of an extended run from the moment it reached the top. He highlighted the rarity of such achievements and the significance for an artist like Warren, who was relatively unknown before this breakthrough.

Melinda Newman pointed out the polarizing nature of the song, noting that many people either love or hate it. However, she believed the song’s appeal lies in its unapologetic romantic narrative, which resonates during challenging times.

Andrew Unterberger argued that once "Ordinary" reached No. 1, a 10-week reign was almost inevitable, citing its broad appeal across platforms and radio formats.

The Impact of the Luke Combs Collaboration

The recent live collaboration between Alex Warren and Luke Combs has raised questions about whether this new version will become a lasting part of the song's story or just a temporary blip.

Katie Atkinson expressed a desire for a full country version of the song, but she didn’t see the current duet as a long-term addition. She praised the song’s ability to reclaim the top spot after being replaced by "Golden."

Kyle Denis viewed the collaboration as a one-week blip, acknowledging the value of Warren being embraced by a more established artist but doubting its long-term impact.

Jason Lipshutz was more optimistic, suggesting that the collaboration could lead to a studio version and persist as part of the song's legacy. He admired how Combs complemented Warren’s vocals, making the song feel like a natural fit for country-pop.

Melinda Newman appreciated the gesture, noting that it helped introduce the song to new audiences. She also praised Warren’s vocal performance alongside Combs, calling it a notable feat.

Andrew Unterberger focused on Combs’ vocal prowess, noting that he seemed to take over the song during their performance, potentially attracting new fans.

Proving More Than a One-Hit Wonder

With "Eternity" currently at No. 58 and Warren’s album "You'll Be Alright, Kid" still in the top 10, the question remains: Has Warren done enough to prove he's not a one-hit wonder?

Katie Atkinson believes he hasn’t fully escaped the one-hit-wonder label yet, but she acknowledges the rarity of spending double-digit weeks at No. 1.

Kyle Denis thinks Warren has already demonstrated enough potential, pointing to his collaborations with Rosé and Jelly Roll as evidence of his versatility.

Jason Lipshutz compared Warren to artists like Teddy Swims and Benson Boone, who have successfully built careers around their breakout hits. He believes Warren can follow a similar path.

Melinda Newman suggested that proving himself as more than a one-hit wonder may take time, emphasizing that having another hit is the key to solidifying his status.

Andrew Unterberger noted that Warren has already shown pop-level interest beyond "Ordinary," contrasting him with artists like Glass Animals, who haven’t returned to the charts after a single hit.

Song of the Summer?

As the summer draws to a close, "Ordinary" is on pace to be named The News Pulse's official Song of the Summer. However, opinions on whether it fits the title vary.

Katie Atkinson prefers songs that sound summery but acknowledged "Ordinary’s" dominance. Kyle Denis admitted it makes sense on paper but didn’t personally connect with it.

Jason Lipshutz pointed out that the Song of the Summer doesn’t always need to be upbeat, citing previous winners like Morgan Wallen and Harry Styles. He saw "Ordinary" as an inescapable anthem despite its somber tone.

Melinda Newman noted that no other song this summer had the same level of ubiquity and appeal as "Ordinary," making it a fitting choice.

Andrew Unterberger agreed that the numbers are undeniable, even if the song doesn’t perfectly fit the traditional image of a summer hit.

How Long Will "Ordinary" Stay at No. 1?

Predictions about how long "Ordinary" will remain at No. 1 vary widely.

Katie Atkinson expects at least one more week before "Golden" or new releases from Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift take over.

Kyle Denis anticipates a longer stay, suggesting that major album drops from artists like Carpenter and Swift could challenge Warren’s position.

Jason Lipshutz gave it one more week, citing upcoming projects from Doja Cat, Cardi B, and Taylor Swift as potential threats.

Melinda Newman believes Taylor Swift’s upcoming album will likely end "Ordinary’s" reign, though she expects the song to maintain a strong presence in the upper reaches of the chart.

Andrew Unterberger predicts one more week before "Golden" fades and the next big release challenges Warren, though he admits the outcome is uncertain.