HIAM wasn't in the low 50s in 2-3 weeks and had the most impact out of any pop girls' singles last era. I mean, even other pop girls started using dubstep after her (Taylor, Beyoncé, Rihanna, etc.). I'd try again
If Britney really promotes it correctly and not just throw it out there expecting to sell kinda like Ooh La La, If it doesn't outsell Applause it can definitely come close and match its sells. Even though Britney Spears is an established, household name she still needs to promo.
Guys, stop getting ahead of yourselves, when this thread is here to bump in 2 or so weeks time.
There's no guarantee that she will outsell Applause. I mean its underperformance first week shows that anything can happen, and look at how much Gaga's last lead single sold in its first few days. Britney's previous lead singles are no definite factor to what she will sell this time around.
This is my first era really rooting Britney on. I kind of wanted her to die in 2011 because her era was starting right with Gaga's, but now that I've heard some Artpop songs and know I'm going to love it, I'm a lot less worried if Britney takes the crown from her.
Clearly how HIAM fared years ago isn't much of an indicator. Especially considering the inconsistency between BTW and Applause. You could compare it to Ooh La La's performance too, for all the good it does.
It will depend on the song, the hype, the radio and the promo. Nothing is certain.
Besides. What happens second week and beyond is the real question.
