Yellowcard Achieves First No. 1 on Billboard Alternative Chart After 22-Year Wait in X1075 Las Vegas
Yellowcard’s track “Better Days” has recently achieved the prestigious position of No. 1 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart, marking a significant milestone for the band after a long and determined journey. This success has set a new record for the band, as they had the longest wait of 22 years between first charting and reaching the top spot.
The song’s ascent to the coveted No. 1 position on August 30th comes after years of hard work and dedication since their initial chart appearance in 2003 with “Way Away,” which peaked at No. 25. Despite coming close with their song “Lights and Sounds” reaching No. 4 in 2006, the band had remained just shy of attaining the top spot until now.
The track “Better Days” received substantial airplay across radio stations, with a noteworthy 2,148 plays between August 17th and 23rd based on Mediabase tracking data. This placed the track ahead of notable contenders such as Green Day’s “One Eyed Bastard” and Foo Fighters’ “Today’s Song,” securing Yellowcard’s victory.
Beyond alternative radio, the success of “Better Days” extended to the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart, where it climbed to No. 14 and garnered a significant audience of 2.5 million listeners. This marked an impressive 11% increase in listenership, as reported by Luminate’s data analysis.
In 2025, nine new artists, including Yellowcard, have achieved their first No. 1 on the Alternative Airplay chart, reminiscent of the trend observed in 1997 when 11 artists reached the pinnacle of the chart for the first time in the same year.
Yellowcard’s decision to team up with Better Noise Music for their upcoming album, also titled “Better Days,” indicates a promising trajectory for the band following the success of their self-titled album released in 2016, which peaked at No. 5 on the Top Alternative Albums chart.
This remarkable achievement highlights Yellowcard’s unwavering commitment to their music and the enduring appeal of their sound, culminating in a well-deserved and long-awaited triumph on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart.