Adult Alternative Airplay

{{Short description|Billboard chart}}

Adult Alternative Airplay (also known as Triple A or Triple A Airplay, and formerly Adult Alternative Songs and Triple A Songs) is a record chart currently published by Billboard that ranks the most popular songs on adult album alternative radio stations. The 40-position{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8046196/nothing-more-first-billboard-no-1-go-to-war|title=Nothing More Scores First Billboard Chart-Topper With 'Go to War'|magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |date=November 21, 2017|access-date=November 22, 2017|author=Rutherford, Kevin}} chart is formulated based on each song's weekly radio spins, as measured by Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/triple-a |title=Triple A |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |access-date=May 13, 2014 |url-access=subscription }}

The current number-one song on the chart is "Moody" by Royel Otis.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/triple-a/2025-07-12|title=Adult Alternative Airplay|date=July 12, 2025|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 10, 2025}}

History

The earliest incarnation of the chart was first published on January 20, 1996,{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/chartbeat/481397/triple-a-radio-breaking-rookie-stars |title=Triple A Radio Breaking Rookie Stars |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |date=July 17, 2012 |access-date=May 13, 2014 |author=Trust, Gary}} as a feature in Billboard sister publication Airplay Monitor. In 2006, Airplay Monitor ceased publication after Billboard parent company VNU Media's acquisition of rival radio trade magazine Radio & Records,{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1352657/vnu-to-acquire-radio-records |title=VNU To Acquire Radio & Records |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |date=July 6, 2006 |access-date=May 17, 2014}} which then subsequently incorporated Airplay Monitor{{'}}s Nielsen-based Triple A chart.{{cite web |url=http://www.idolator.com/5060978/billboard-breaks-down-dials-up-triple-a |title='Billboard' Breaks Down, Dials Up Triple-A |publisher=Idolator. Spin Media |date=October 9, 2008 |access-date=May 13, 2014 |author=Shipley, Al}}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1349978/nielsen-bds-expands-service |title=Nielsen BDS Expands Service |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |date=September 21, 2006 |access-date=May 17, 2014 |author=Tucker, Ken}}

Billboard itself began publishing the Triple A chart in the issue dated July 5, 2008, through their Billboard.biz website,{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jhQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA37 |title=Billboard's Charts Get Makeover; Price Matters |magazine=Billboard |volume=120 |issue=28 |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |date=July 12, 2008 |access-date=May 13, 2014 |author=Mayfield, Geoff |page=37}} appropriating the same airplay data as Radio & Records. Radio & Records closed in June 2009, leaving Billboard as the sole publisher of the chart.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/268412/chart-beat-pink-black-eyed-peas-shinedown |title=Chart Beat: Pink, Black Eyed Peas, Shinedown |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |date=June 10, 2009 |access-date=June 28, 2013 |author=Trust, Gary}} In February 2014, the chart's reporting panel was expanded from 23 to 32 stations, including non-commercial reporters for the first time.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/radio/5915622/billboards-triple-a-chart-gets-a-makeover |title=Billboard's Triple A Chart Gets a Makeover |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |date=February 21, 2014 |access-date=May 13, 2014 |author=Trust, Gary}}

Following a re-design of their website, Billboard officially incorporated the history of the Airplay Monitor/Nielsen chart from 1996 to 2008 into their Adult Alternative Songs chart. The Billboard website and its official chart archive now show the first Adult Alternative Songs chart as having been published on January 20, 1996, with "The World I Know" by Collective Soul as its first number one single.{{cite magazine|title=Adult Alternative Songs: January 20, 1996|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/triple-a/1996-01-20|magazine=Billboard|access-date=9 February 2018}} Radio And Records first charted their Adult Alternative chart in the September 22, 1995, issue. It was a 30 position chart, and "Til I Hear It from You" by the Gin Blossoms was the first number one.

All-time achievements

In 2021, for the 25th anniversary of the chart, Billboard compiled a ranking of the 50 best-performing songs and artists on the chart over the 25 years. "One Headlight" by The Wallflowers was ranked as the #1 song, while Dave Matthews Band was ranked as the #1 artist.{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/adult-alternative-airplay-25th-anniversary-recap/|title=Dave Matthews Band & The Wallflowers’ ‘One Headlight’ Top Greatest of All Time Adult Alternative Charts|website=Billboard.com|date=February 18, 2021|access-date=October 21, 2024}} Listed below are the top 10 songs and the top 10 artists.

=Top 10 Greatest of All Time Adult Alternative Songs (1996–2021)=

class="wikitable"
Rank

!Single

!Year released

!Artist(s)

!Peak and duration

{{center|1.}}

|"One Headlight"

|{{center|1997}}

|The Wallflowers

|#1 for 14 weeks

{{center|2.}}

|"Clocks"

|{{center|2002}}

|Coldplay

|#1 for 15 weeks

{{center|3.}}

|"3AM"

|{{center|1997}}

|Matchbox 20

|#1 for 14 weeks

{{center|4.}}

|"Feel It Still"

|{{center|2017}}

|Portugal. The Man

|#1 for 11 weeks

{{center|5.}}

|"Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)"

|{{center|2001}}

|Train

|#1 for 14 weeks

{{center|6.}}

|"Babylon"

|{{center|2000}}

|David Gray

|#1 for 2 weeks

{{center|7.}}

|"It's Time"

|{{center|2012}}

|Imagine Dragons

|#2 for 5 weeks

{{center|8.}}

|"See The World"

|{{center|2007}}

|Gomez

|#1 for 4 weeks

{{center|9.}}

|"Rolling in the Deep"

|{{center|2010}}

|Adele

|#1 for 14 weeks

{{center|10.}}

|"Beautiful Day"

|{{center|2000}}

|U2

|#1 for 16 weeks

Source:{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/greatest-of-all-time-adult-alternative-songs/|title=Greatest of All Time Adult Alternative Songs|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|date=February 18, 2021|access-date=October 21, 2024}}

=Top 10 Greatest of All Time Adult Alternative Artists (1996–2021)=

class="wikitable"
Rank

!Artist

{{center|1.}}

|Dave Matthews Band

{{center|2.}}

|U2

{{center|3.}}

|Coldplay

{{center|4.}}

|Jack Johnson

{{center|5.}}

|Sheryl Crow

{{center|6.}}

|John Mayer

{{center|7.}}

|Mumford & Sons

{{center|8.}}

|Counting Crows

{{center|9.}}

|Death Cab for Cutie

{{center|10.}}

|Snow Patrol

Source:{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/greatest-of-all-time-adult-alternative-artists//|title=Greatest of All Time Adult Alternative Artists|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|date=February 18, 2021|access-date=October 21, 2024}}

Song records

=Most weeks at number one=

class="wikitable"
Number of
weeks

!Artist

!Song

!Year(s)

!Source

rowspan=1 style="text-align:center;" |16

|U2

|"Beautiful Day"

|2000–01

|{{cite web|title=U2 Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/u2/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;" |15

|Coldplay

|"Clocks"

|2003

|{{cite web|title=Coldplay Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/coldplay/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

Kings of Leon

|"Waste a Moment"

|2016–17

|{{cite web|title=Kings Of Leon Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/kings-of-leon/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

rowspan=5 style="text-align:center;" |14

|The Wallflowers

|"One Headlight"

|1996–97

|{{cite web|title=The Wallflowers Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-wallflowers/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

Matchbox Twenty

|"3AM"

|1997–98

|{{cite web|title=Matchbox Twenty Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/matchbox-twenty/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

Matchbox Twenty

|"Bent"

|2000

|

Train

|"Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)"

|2001

|{{cite web|title=Train Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/train/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

Adele

|"Rolling in the Deep"

|2011

|{{cite web|title=Adele Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/adele/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

rowspan=4 style="text-align:center;" |13

|Santana featuring Rob Thomas

|"Smooth"

|1999

|{{cite web|title=Santana Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/santana/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

Jack Johnson

|"Upside Down"

|2006

|{{cite web|title=Jack Johnson Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/jack-johnson/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

Pearl Jam

|"Just Breathe"

|2010

|{{cite web|title=Pearl Jam Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/pearl-jam/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

Gotye featuring Kimbra

|"Somebody That I Used to Know"

|2012

|{{cite web|title=Gotye Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/gotye/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;" |12

|Dave Matthews Band

|"Funny the Way It Is"

|2009

|{{cite web|title=Dave Matthews Band Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/dave-matthews-band/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

Beck

|"Dreams"

|2015

|{{cite web|title=Beck Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/beck/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

rowspan=6 style="text-align:center;" |11

|KT Tunstall

|"Hold On"

|2007

|{{cite web|title=KT Tunstall Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/kt-tunstall/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

Coldplay

|"Viva la Vida"

|2008

|

Jack Johnson

|"You and Your Heart"

|2010

|

Mumford & Sons

|"I Will Wait"

|2012

|{{cite web|title=Mumford & Sons Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/mumford-sons/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

The Lumineers

|"Ophelia"

|2016

|{{cite web|title=The Lumineers Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-lumineers/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 27, 2025}}

Portugal. The Man

|"Feel It Still"

|2017

|{{cite web|title=Portugal. The Man Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/portugal-the-man/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

rowspan=9 style="text-align:center;" |10

|Sarah McLachlan

|"Building a Mystery"

|1997

|{{cite web|title=Sarah McLachlan Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/sarah-mclachlan/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

Jack Johnson

|"Good People"

|2005

|

Death Cab For Cutie

|"Soul Meets Body"

|2005–06

|{{cite web|title=Death Cab For Cutie Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/death-cab-for-cutie/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

Jack Johnson

|"If I Had Eyes"

|2008

|

David Gray

|"Fugitive"

|2009

|{{cite web|title=David Gray Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/david-gray/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

The Black Keys

|"Fever"

|2014

|{{cite web|title=The Black Keys Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-black-keys/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 27, 2025}}

George Ezra

|"Budapest"

|2014–15

|{{cite web|title=George Ezra Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/george-ezra/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

Mumford & Sons

|"Guiding Light"

|2018–19

|

Hozier

|"Too Sweet"

|2024

|{{cite web|title=Hozier Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/hozier/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

=Most weeks on the chart=

class="wikitable"
Number of
weeks

!Artist

!Song

!Year(s)

!Source

rowspan=1 style="text-align:center;" |52

|Kings of Leon

|"Use Somebody"

|2009–10

|

rowspan=1 style="text-align:center;" |51

|John Mayer

|"No Such Thing"

|2001–02

|{{cite web|title=John Mayer Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/john-mayer/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

rowspan=1 style="text-align:center;" |48

|James Morrison

|"Nothing Ever Hurt Like You"

|2008–09

|{{cite web|title=James Morrison Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/james-morrison/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

rowspan=1 style="text-align:center;" |47

|Imagine Dragons

|"It's Time"

|2012–13

|{{cite web|title=Imagine Dragons Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/imagine-dragons/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;" |46

|Coldplay

|"Clocks"

|2002–03

|

The Head and the Heart

|"Lost in My Mind"

|2011–12

|{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/triple-a/2012-03-03/|title=Adult Alternative Airplay, Week of March 3, 2012 |magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

rowspan=1 style="text-align:center;" |44

|David Gray

|"Babylon"

|2000–01

|

rowspan=1 style="text-align:center;" |43

|Los Lonely Boys

|"Heaven"

|2003–04

|{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/triple-a/2004-10-30/|title=Adult Alternative Airplay, Week of October 30, 2004 |magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

rowspan=1 style="text-align:center;" |42

|Fitz and the Tantrums

|"Out of My League"

|2013–14

|{{cite web|title=Fitz And The Tantrums Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/fitz-and-the-tantrums/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

rowspan=1 style="text-align:center;" |41

|One eskimO

|"Kandi"

|2009–10

|{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/triple-a/2010-10-02/|title=Adult Alternative Airplay, Week of October 2, 2010 |magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

=Highest debut=

class="wikitable"
Debut
Position

!Artist

!Song

!Debut Date

!Source

style="text-align:center;" |No. 1

|U2

|"Get On Your Boots"

|February 7, 2009

|{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/triple-a/2009-02-07/|title=Adult Alternative Airplay, Week of February 7, 2009 |magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 15, 2024}}

rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;" |No. 2

|Hootie & the Blowfish

|"Old Man & Me (When I Get to Heaven)"

|April 20, 1996

|{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/triple-a/1996-04-20/|title=Adult Alternative Airplay, Week of April 20, 1996 |magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 15, 2024}}

Coldplay

|"Speed of Sound"

|May 7, 2005

|{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/triple-a/2005-05-07/|title=Adult Alternative Airplay, Week of May 7, 2005 |magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 15, 2024}}

style="text-align:center;" |No. 3

|The Rolling Stones

|"Anybody Seen My Baby?"

|September 20, 1997

|{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/triple-a/1997-09-20/|title=Adult Alternative Airplay, Week of September 20, 1997 |magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 15, 2024}}

rowspan=3 style="text-align:center;" |No. 4

|Gin Blossoms

|"Follow You Down"

|February 10, 1996

|{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/triple-a/1996-02-10/|title=Adult Alternative Airplay, Week of February 10, 1996 |magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 15, 2024}}

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

|"Walls"

|August 3, 1996

|{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/triple-a/1996-08-03/|title=Adult Alternative Airplay, Week of August 3, 1996 |magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 15, 2024}}

Coldplay

|"Adventure of a Lifetime"

|November 28, 2015

|{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/triple-a/2015-11-28/|title=Adult Alternative Airplay, Week of November 28, 2015 |magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 15, 2024}}

rowspan=3 style="text-align:center;" |No. 5

|Natalie Merchant

|"Kind & Generous"

|May 16, 1998

|{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/triple-a/1998-05-16/|title=Adult Alternative Airplay, Week of May 16, 1998 |magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 15, 2024}}

Coldplay

|"Violet Hill"

|May 17, 2008

|{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/triple-a/2008-05-17/|title=Adult Alternative Airplay, Week of May 17, 2008 |magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 15, 2024}}

Mumford & Sons

|"Believe"

|March 28, 2015

|{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/triple-a/2015-03-28/|title=Adult Alternative Airplay, Week of March 28, 2015 |magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 15, 2024}}

Artist records

=Most number-one singles=

class="wikitable"
Number of
singles
ArtistSource
rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" |14U2{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/black-keys-top-adult-alternative-airplay-the-night-before-1235939610/|title=The Black Keys Top Adult Alternative Airplay Chart With ‘The Night Before’|magazine=Billboard|last=Rutherford|first=Kevin|date=April 4, 2025|access-date=May 1, 2025}}
rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" |13Coldplay
rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |11Dave Matthews{{efn|name=davematthews|Solo and with Dave Matthews Band}}
Jack Johnson
style="text-align:center;" |9|The Black Keys
rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |8Death Cab for Cutie
John Mayer
The Lumineers
rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" |7Cage the Elephant{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/nathaniel-rateliff-night-sweats-adult-alternative-airplay-number-1-call-me-whatever-you-like-1235843685/|title=Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats Top Adult Alternative Airplay With ‘Call Me (Whatever You Like)’|magazine=Billboard|last=Rutherford|first=Kevin|date=December 3, 2024|access-date=December 4, 2024}}
Counting Crows
Hozier
Nathaniel Rateliff{{efn|name=nathanielrateliff|Solo and with The Night Sweats}}
R.E.M.
Sheryl Crow

=Most cumulative weeks at number one=

class="wikitable"
Number of
weeks
ArtistSource
style="text-align:center;" |72U2
style="text-align:center;" |69Coldplay
style="text-align:center;" |62Jack Johnson
style="text-align:center;" |51Dave Matthews{{efn|name=davematthews}}
style="text-align:center;" |48|The Black Keys
style="text-align:center;" |46|The Lumineers
style="text-align:center;" |45Death Cab For Cutie
style="text-align:center;" |33Nathaniel Rateliff{{efn|name=nathanielrateliff}}|{{cite web|title=Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/nathaniel-rateliff-the-night-sweats/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 4, 2024}}
rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |31Mumford & Sons
R.E.M.{{cite web|title=R.E.M. Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/r-e-m/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

=Most top 10 singles=

class="wikitable"
Number of
singles
ArtistSource
rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" |28U2
rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" |26Dave Matthews{{efn|name=davematthews}}
rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" |25Coldplay
rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |19Jack Johnson
John Mayer
style="text-align:center;" |16Counting Crows{{cite web|title=Counting Crows Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/counting-crows/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 14, 2025}}
rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |15Beck|
The Black Keys
rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |14Mumford & Sons
Sheryl Crow{{cite web|title=Sheryl Crow Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/sheryl-crow/chart-history/aaa/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2024}}

=Most chart entries=

class="wikitable"
Number of
entries
ArtistSource
rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" |36Dave Matthews{{efn|name=davematthews}}
rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" |33U2
rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" |30Coldplay
rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" |27Jack Johnson
rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |25John Mayer
Sheryl Crow
rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |20Beck|
The Black Keys
rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |18Counting Crows
Death Cab For Cutie|
R.E.M.

Notes

{{notelist}}

See also

References

{{reflist|2}}