The Greatest Showman #1044 - Airborne Champion

In the third week of June 2012, North America witnessed a historic moment.

Renly Hall released two singles for the Heather-Cross Foundation, "Another Light" and "Say You Won't Give Up." With their powerful impact, the singles stormed the charts, securing the top two spots. This was not only Renly's first Billboard No. 1 single but also the achievement of having both the No. 1 and No. 2 singles simultaneously. As a singer, Renly surpassed all expectations, establishing himself as a major force in North America, on par with legends like Will Smith and Barbra Streisand at the peak of their careers.

This accomplishment is a milestone in music history.

According to Billboard's classification, "Another Light" is categorized as rock, while "Say You Won't Give Up" falls under folk. Both singles set remarkable records:

"Another Light" became the first rock single of the 21st century to debut at No. 1, while"Say You Won't Give Up" became the highest-charting ballad of the century.

Furthermore, the weekly sales of these digital singles reached unprecedented heights across platforms like iTunes and Spotify, not only breaking records within their respective genres but also completely reshaping the charts.

More notably, "Another Light" marked the first charity single to reach No. 1 on the Billboard chart in fifteen years.

Charity singles have always played an important role in social causes. Musicians have long used their platform to raise funds and offer emotional support, especially during significant events, such as the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. However, despite the widespread participation of stars, many charity singles fail to make a significant impact on the charts, often due to a lack of promotion.

The last charity single to hit No. 1 was in 1997. At that time, Elton John's "Candle in the Wind" soared to the top, fueled by his grief over the deaths of Princess Diana and designer Gianni Versace. The single stayed at No. 1 for 14 weeks and sold over 33 million copies globally, becoming the second-highest-selling single of all time.

For fifteen years, no charity or commemorative single managed to reach such heights on the charts—until "Another Light" broke that drought.

Renly's performance of "Another Light" on the "Today Show" captured the hearts of many, with his moving and heartfelt rendition sparking widespread discussion. Fans uploaded videos to YouTube, using the song's background music to tell the stories of loved ones battling illness, creating a viral movement. During the live broadcast at Rockefeller Plaza, the iconic moment when the audience illuminated the venue with their phone lights was lauded by many as one of the top ten moments of 2012.

It was this powerful performance that propelled "Another Light" to the top of the Billboard singles chart.

In contrast, the live performance of "Say You Won't Give Up" on the "Today Show" lacked the same attention-grabbing visuals. However, the song's significance to Renly and Heather, as well as the connection to their past concert, made it even more impactful among Renly's dedicated fanbase, the "Don Quixotes." As a result, "Say You Won't Give Up" debuted at No. 2 on the chart, making an impressive mark.

By the third week of June, "Another Light" and "Say You Won't Give Up" claimed the top two spots, defeating other popular singles like Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know" and Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe."

Notably, both Gotye's and Jepsen's singles had seen slow climbs and viral success, but none could match the instant impact of Renly's singles, making this Billboard week a spectacle for niche indie music.

But the story didn't end there.

"Another Light" held the No. 1 spot for five consecutive weeks, with "Say You Won't Give Up," "The Most Familiar Stranger," and "Electrify Me" firmly occupying positions two through four. This chart dominance continued for five weeks, with the top four remaining unchanged.

In the fourth week of July, "Electrify Me" surged to the top, drawing significant attention on social media and surpassing "Another Light" in popularity. "Another Light" dropped to No. 2, followed by Maroon 5's "Payphone," "The Most Familiar Stranger," and "Say You Won't Give Up" in fifth place.

During the digital age, where social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube are increasingly shaping the music industry, both "Another Light" and "Electrify Me" emerged as major beneficiaries of this shift, with their viral success driving record-breaking sales.

"Electrify Me" went on to dominate the charts for five weeks before being replaced by Flo-Rida's "Whistle."

Meanwhile, "Another Light" held strong at No. 2 for three weeks before gradually declining, staying in the top 10 for a remarkable 18 weeks, before finally settling in the top 20—an impressive run for any song.

"Say You Won't Give Up" performed less well, slipping out of the top 10 after six weeks and eventually exiting the charts after 22 weeks. It's clear that rock and folk music face different challenges in the North American market.

Despite not matching the explosive success of "Another Light," "Say You Won't Give Up" remained a hit, topping the UK charts and spending nine weeks at No. 1 there. With its enduring popularity, it was catching up to "Another Light" in total sales, showcasing the different cultural preferences between the UK and the US.

As the summer progressed, the competition for chart dominance became fierce, but Renly's achievements solidified his place in the North American music scene of 2012.