Controversy Over Video Boosts Sia's 'Elastic Heart'
Here’s the latest evidence of the old adage that a little bit of controversy never hurt: Sia's “Elastic Heart” is the top new entry on this week's Hot 100 at #17. The song's fast start comes one week after the release of a video that contains imagery that some said borders on pedophilia.
The video features Maddie Ziegler, the 12-year old performer who also appeared in the video for Sia’s “Chandelier,” and actor Shia LaBeouf, 28. In the arty video, Ziegler and LaBeouf wear skimpy, flesh-colored outfits as they move around a cage.
After the video created a firestorm, Sia (who co-directed the clip with Daniel Askill) apologized on Twitter: “I apologize to those who feel triggered by ‘Elastic Heart.’ My intention was to create some emotional content, not to upset anybody,” she posted.
This is hardly the first song to get a boost from a controversial video. Madonna's “Justify My Love” shot to #1 in January 1991 after MTV “banned” the video, which contained images of sadomasochism, voyeurism and bisexuality.
Sia first recorded the song in late 2013 for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire soundtrack. That version featured The Weeknd & Diplo. Sia recorded a new version last year for her album 1000 Forms of Fear. The album entered The Billboard 200 at #1 in July.
"Chandelier" debuted much lower on the chart (at #75) in May. It peaked at #8. This week, it tops the 2 million mark in digital sales. The work received Grammy nominations for Record and Song of the Year—as well as Best Music Video.
The week’s second-highest of nine new entries is “Ayo” by Chris Brown & Tyga. It opens at #40. Tyga was featured on two of Brown’s bigger hits of recent years: “Deuces” (which also featured Kevin McCall, #14 in 2010) and “Loyal” (which also featured Lil Wayne, #9 in 2013). Brown was featured on Tyga’s “For the Road,” which bubbled under the chart in 2013. “Ayo” is from Brown & Tyga’s upcoming collabo album, Fan of a Fan 2. (They released a mixtape, Fan of a Fan, in 2010.) An earlier “Ayo” song, “Ayo Technology” by 50 Cent featuring Justin Timberlake & Timbaland, went top five in September 2007.
Ellie Goulding's “Love Me Like You Do” debuts at #45. It's from the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack. The steamy movie is due Feb. 13.
Fall Out Boy's “Irresistible” debuts at #77. It's the second Hot 100 hit from the group's upcoming sixth studio album, American Beauty/American Psycho. The first single from the album, “Centuries,” drops from #13 (its highest ranking to date) to #15 in its 18th week.
Sophia Grace's “Best Friends” debuts at #87. Grace, 11, has made several appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
I Prevail's “Blank Space” debuts at #90. Taylor Swift's original version of the song holds at #2 this week after a seven-week run at #1.
"Not for Long" by B.o.B featuring Trey Songz debuts at #96. Bruno Mars, who was featured on B.o.B’s first chart hit, “Nothin’ on You,” is at the opposite end of the chart with his current smash, “Uptown Funk!” The Mark Ronson smash on which Mars is featured is #1 for the second week.
"Post to Be" by Omarion featuring Chris Brown and Jhene Aiko debuts at #98. It’s the first Hot 100 song from Omarion’s fourth studio album, Sex Playlist.
"All About It" by Hoodie Allen featuring Ed Sheeran debuts at #100. It’s from Allen’s first full-length album, People Keep Talking.
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