Vocal group One Direction makes waves on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart this week as its
“What Makes You Beautiful” debuts at No. 28. It’s the highest bow for a U.K. act’s debut U.S. single in nearly 14 years.
“Beautiful” sold 132,000 downloads in its first week according to Nielsen SoundScan, starting at No. 12 on the Digital Songs chart.
The success of “Beautiful” may only be just beginning. It makes its retail launch even before One Direction’s record label — Columbia — officially begins going for airplay at pop radio next week.
The five young gents (ages 18-20) have nabbed three top three U.K. singles and reached No. 2 with its debut album “Up All Night” in November 2011. “Night” will be released in the U.S. on March 13 via SYCO/Columbia.
One Direction follows in the recent success of fellow U.K. quintet the Wanted, who jump 25-23 on the Hot 100 this week with “Glad You Came.” So far, the single has moved 418,000 downloads. The song also rises 16-13 on the Pop Songs airplay tally this week.