Chart Rewind [Hot 100]: ‘Grenade’ Became Bruno Mars’ Third #1 Hit This Week In 2011

This week, we’re tossing it back to 2011 to revisit the explosive chart-topper ‘Grenade’ by Bruno Mars.

In October 2010, Bruno’s highly anticipated debut album, ‘Doo-Wops & Hooligans,’ debuted (and peaked) at #3 on the Billboard 200 – the same week its second single, ‘Grenade,’ made its launch at #81 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Although it entered the chart race with high expectations as its predecessor, ‘Hooligans’ single ‘Just the Way You Are,’ was not only Mars’ first solo Hot 100 chart-topper but also one of 2010’s biggest hits, it wouldn’t take long for ‘Grenade’ to show poise for similar success. Evidence of such had already arrived by December 2010 thanks to an impressive jump to #5 on the singles chart. Later, on the wings of a Nabil Elderkin-directed music video and aggressive promo run to assist, the first printed Hot 100 of 2011 saw the chart’s top spot trade ‘Firework’ for ‘Grenade’ as Bruno booted the Katy Perry hit from the summit.

Becoming the third tune of his career to top the tally (following B.O.B.’s ‘Nothing On You’ and the previously mentioned ‘Just’), ‘Grenade’ would go on to spend three non-consecutive weeks at #1, become the second best-selling digital single of the year worldwide (behind his own ‘Just’), later be certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of 10 million in the United States alone, and help power its parent album to sales of over 15 million worldwide.

As if that’s not enough to celebrate, The Smeezingtons-produced song – which remains one of Bruno’s biggest sellers to date – went on to be nominated for ‘Song of the Year’ and ‘Record of the Year’ honors at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards.

Look below to see what joined ‘Grenade’ in the top 25 of this week’s TGJ Chart Rewind.

Hot 100 This Week in 2011

Hot 100 This Week

Click here to see this week’s full Hot 100 recap via TGJ’s ‘Chart Check.’