St. Paul & The Broken Bones have achieved their first No. 1 hit on Billboard's Adult Alternative Airplay chart. The song, "Sushi and Coca-Cola," comes from their new self-titled album, released on October 10. This marks a significant milestone for the band, led by Paul Janeway, as it is their first time topping any Billboard songs chart.
The track ascended one spot to claim the top position on the chart dated October 18. This achievement follows more than ten years of the band appearing on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart. Their journey to No. 1 began in May 2014 with their first entry, "Call Me," which reached a peak position of No. 6.
Key Takeaways
- St. Paul & The Broken Bones earned their first Billboard Adult Alternative Airplay No. 1 with "Sushi and Coca-Cola."
- The song is the lead single from their new self-titled album.
- This marks the band's first time leading any Billboard songs chart.
- Their rise to No. 1 took over 11 years, the longest wait since The Beatles on this chart.
A Decade-Long Chart Journey
St. Paul & The Broken Bones have consistently released music that resonates with adult alternative radio listeners. Before their latest success, the band had six entries on the Adult Alternative Airplay ranking. Their previous highest position was with "Apollo," which peaked at No. 3 in 2018.
The band's dedication to their sound and fanbase has now paid off with this chart-topping single. The group's distinct blend of soul, rock, and R&B has garnered them a loyal following over the years. Their live performances are also a key part of their appeal.
"Sushi and Coca-Cola" Dominates Airwaves
The single "Sushi and Coca-Cola" has not only topped the Adult Alternative Airplay chart but is also gaining traction on other rock-focused charts. On the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart, which measures audience impressions across all rock formats, the song moved up from No. 46 to No. 42.
During the week ending October 9, the song accumulated 995,000 radio audience impressions. This figure represents a 6% increase from the previous week, according to data provided by Luminate. Two weeks prior, "Sushi and Coca-Cola" reached a peak of No. 40 on this chart, surpassing the No. 44 peak of their earlier hit, "Apollo."
"Reaching No. 1 after so many years of hard work feels incredibly special," commented a band representative. "We are grateful for the support of our fans and radio stations."
Fast Fact
- "Sushi and Coca-Cola" is the third song to achieve a first-time No. 1 on Adult Alternative Airplay in 2025.
- Other artists with first-time No. 1s this year include Role Model with "Sally, When the Wine Runs Out" in September and Royel Otis with "Moody" in July.
A Long Wait for the Top Spot
The journey to No. 1 for St. Paul & The Broken Bones has been a long one. The band waited 11 years, five months, and one week between their first entry on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart and their first No. 1 hit. This duration is notable in the chart's history.
This period marks the longest wait for any act to achieve a No. 1 on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart since The Beatles. The legendary British band experienced a wait of almost 28 years. Their first entry, "Free as a Bird," appeared in 1996, shortly after the chart began. Their first No. 1, "Now and Then," came in 2023.
Chart Context
The Adult Alternative Airplay chart tracks the most played songs on adult alternative radio stations across the United States. It is a key indicator of a song's popularity within a specific, influential radio format. Success on this chart often reflects critical acclaim and a dedicated listener base.
New Album Release
The success of "Sushi and Coca-Cola" coincides with the release of the band's new album. Titled St. Paul & The Broken Bones, this is their first full-length album since 2023's Angels in Science Fiction. The new album's release on October 10 has generated significant interest among fans and critics.
The band has been touring to support the new record, performing songs from the album alongside their established hits. The positive reception to the lead single suggests a strong performance for the album as a whole. Industry experts will be watching to see how the album performs on other charts in the coming weeks.
All Billboard charts for the week dated October 18 will be fully updated on Billboard.com on Tuesday, October 14. This will provide a complete picture of the album's initial chart performance and the continued success of its lead single.