"Long Live Life" continues to dominate, holding the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in a way that's truly mind-blowing.
This achievement is even more shocking than when "Long Live Life" initially rocketed to the top. First, it beat out 50 Cent, and then it held strong against the momentum of "American Idol." The fact that the August 31st band held the No. 1 spot for two consecutive weeks proves its worth, leaving many speechless.
Roar, roar, roar!
"'Long Live Life' deserves this!" declared Rolling Stone in an article, voicing their unwavering support.
In the piece, they praised not only "Long Live Life" but also "Roar Hey," highlighting the August 31st band's experimental and daring approach to music. The band managed to find a delicate balance between art and commercial success. Such a work, the article suggested, would be remembered and passed down for generations. Compared to other pop culture phenomena, the band's singular focus on music deserves more recognition and praise. Their Billboard victories are the public's way of returning that love—a beautiful, mutual exchange.
Although Rolling Stone didn't directly attack Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard, there was a clear, underlying jab at them. As "American Idol" used its platform to create a massive sensation, the question was raised: How should we peel back the layers of hype and evaluate the core music behind the buzz?
This article was met with applause in the music industry but was fiercely criticized by fans online. These "fangirls" weren't about to let their beloved idols be insulted. The controversy surrounding American Idol continued to rage.
Still, Rolling Stone wasn't completely overwhelmed by the "Idol" fanbase because the show's supporters were busy with their internal feud—"Clay vs. Ruben."
Both singers lost to "Long Live Life," which was bad enough, but even worse—Clay Aiken beat Ruben Studdard!
This, to many, seemed like proof of a conspiracy theory: that Fox Television had rigged the results, robbing Clay of his rightful title.
The drama only intensified, with the conspiracy narrative gaining more traction.
By the second week of July, "Long Live Life" remained at No. 1 for a third consecutive week. "Tonight" held at No. 2, and "Flying Without Wings" stayed at No. 3.
In the third week of July, unbelievably, "Long Live Life" held the top spot for a fourth week. Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love" surged to No. 2, while "Tonight" slipped to third and "Flying Without Wings" tumbled out of the top 10, landing at No. 14.
The numbers told the story—facts don't lie.
Of course, Ruben Studdard's supporters argued that Billboard rankings didn't prove a conspiracy. After all, chart positions are influenced by song genre, style, and quality. Just because "Flying Without Wings" didn't perform well doesn't mean that the votes during American Idol's finale were rigged.
However, Clay Aiken's fans weren't having it.
The conflict continued to burn and would likely follow both singers throughout their careers. American Idol was over, but their lives as singers had only just begun.
What was becoming more evident, though, was a clear decline in buzz. By the third week of their single releases, media interest had dropped drastically. The attention was fading faster than anyone expected. Apart from Clay and Ruben's bickering fans, the media had moved on to more captivating topics.
For example, the fact that "Long Live Life" had fiercely held on to its top spot for four weeks—
The proof was right there: This wasn't just a fleeting trend. The song had stayed at No. 1 for an entire month, and "Roar Hey" was still in the top 10, showing incredible staying power.
The August 31st band was undeniably creating a storm this summer. Who said rock was dead?
Meanwhile, Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love" climbed to the No. 2 spot after nine weeks on the chart.
This song, featuring the iconic rapper Jay-Z, was the lead single from Beyoncé's debut solo album Dangerously in Love. The world was watching, and many were betting that Beyoncé would become the next Britney Spears, leading a new wave of female pop stars.
Beyoncé did not disappoint.
"Crazy in Love" had already overtaken "Long Live Life" in radio play, though the margin was slim. Many thought Beyoncé would claim the No. 1 spot that week. But despite the rise in airplay, "Long Live Life" held strong in other metrics, keeping its spot at the top.
On one hand, people marveled at Beyoncé's rapid rise. On the other, they were stunned by the enduring power of "Long Live Life."
Compared to the conspiracy-laden drama of American Idol, this battle on the charts was far more thrilling.
Finally, in the last week of July, Billboard's Hot 100 saw a change.
The new No. 1: Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love."
At No. 2: "Long Live Life" by the August 31st band.
At last, "Long Live Life" ended its month-long reign at the top. Though it couldn't hold on to the top spot, the August 31st band had already outperformed rivals like 50 Cent's "In Da Club" and "21 Questions."
Moreover, both "In Da Club" and "21 Questions" had already dropped out of the top 10, while "Roar Hey" remained strong, still in the top 10.
This showed that while "Roar Hey" may have lacked the explosive popularity to hit No. 1, its longevity and steady appeal were undeniable, proving its value to fans over time.
Finally, Beyoncé claimed her first solo No. 1 hit, marking her official debut as a solo superstar.
Boom!
The media went wild again, with another wave of excitement pushing the summer into full frenzy.
Warner Records was ecstatic—success!
When they first signed the August 31st band, there was some internal disagreement. Even with Anson in the picture and the buzz from their Tonight Show performance, signing a band and producing a full album was a big risk. But now, the gamble was paying off, and the returns far exceeded expectations.
The reason? Low costs.
Warner now realized why Anson had fought so hard for royalties. From not filming music videos to doing grassroots street tours in Europe, Anson had been shrewd in marketing, maximizing profit with minimal expenses.
In the process, the band's image and brand were solidified.
The impact went far deeper than traditional marketing.
On one hand, "Roar Hey" and "Long Live Life" continued their chart dominance.
On the other, the album Midnight Summer maintained strong momentum on the album charts, with short-term success evolving into sustained popularity. The album's long-term potential was becoming clearer by the day.
And Warner hadn't forgotten the ace up their sleeve—"Wake Me Up."