Billie Eilish made history more than a week ago when she won Best Original Song at the Academy Awards.
She and her brother collected the coveted trophy for the single “What Was I Made For?,” which was penned specifically for the Barbie movie. Following her winning evening, that tune jumps up a number of charts as Americans rushed to stream and buy the cut in huge numbers once again.
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Billie Eilish attends the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood…
“What Was I Made For?” lifts on a pair of Billboard rankings this week, as consumption of the single is way up. The track enjoys the largest gain on the Digital Song Sales chart, where it bolts from No. 14 to No. 5.
The hit sold 8,817 copies in the tracking week that included the Oscars. That’s up more than 260% in pure purchases from the frame prior, which didn’t include the annual ceremony…though “What Was I Made For?” was receiving a lot of attention in the lead-up to the Academy Awards.
At the same time that “What Was I Made For?” becomes a top 10 sales hit again, the single is also up slightly on one of Billboard’s pop radio charts. On the Adult Contemporary ranking, Eilish’s latest win lifts from No. 16 to No. 15. It almost returns to its No. 14 peak position, but misses out on doing so by just one spot.
“What Was I Made For?” is back on the Streaming Songs chart this week, as people headed to their streaming platform of choice to hear and watch the cut following the Oscars. It’s back on the tally at No. 49, though that is a far cry from its peak of No. 7.
The song manages to remain steady on a pair of Billboard charts this week as well. For a single as old as “What Was I Made For?,” which has been out for many months, sometimes holding is a major win as well. The cut is a non-mover on the Hot Alternative Songs (No. 3) and Alternative Digital Song Sales (No. 1) lists.
While “What Was I Made For?” may be gaining ground or holding steady on most charts, it does actually fall on two other tallies, despite all the excitement. On the Adult Pop Airplay chart, it slips just one space to No. 4.The single is also down on the Hot 100, which is somewhat surprising…until context is provided.
“What Was I Made For?” almost certainly would have climbed on this chart following the Oscars, were it not for Ariana Grande’s new album Eternal Sunshine. The singer debuts 11 tracks from the set on the Hot 100 this frame, which makes it hard for any tune, especially Eilish’s, to rise. This frame, “What Was I Made For?” dips from No. 34 to No. 35–a healthy decline for an older pop cut.
