Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Streets of Minneapolis’ Dominates Weekly Sales
Bruce Springsteen’s latest release, “Streets of Minneapolis,” is making waves in the music industry. In just two days of availability, it topped the Billboard Digital Song Sales chart dated February 7. The track sold 16,000 downloads in the week ending January 29, according to Luminate.
Significant Milestone for Springsteen
Released on January 28, “Streets of Minneapolis” marks Springsteen’s first-ever No. 1 on the all-format Digital Song Sales chart. This chart, established in 2004, tracks the rise of paid downloads. Notably, it also became his first song to reach the top 20, surpassing the No. 22 position of “Going Home (Theme From Local Hero)” featured in Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes.
Background and Context
The song addresses serious issues, specifically criticizing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It was inspired by the tragic deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, which occurred during the controversial Operation Metro Surge, a campaign targeting undocumented immigrants. Springsteen performed the song live for the first time on January 30 at the Tom Morello-led Defend Minnesota benefit concert.
Impressive Streaming and Airplay Numbers
In addition to download sales, “Streets of Minneapolis” gained substantial traction through streaming and radio airplay. Within its first two days, the track garnered:
- 678,000 official U.S. streams
- 175,000 in airplay audience
Following this initial success, the song is also expected to debut at No. 20 on the multimetric Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. The Billboard charts reflecting a complete week of data will be updated on February 14, covering January 30 to February 5.
“Streets of Minneapolis” showcases Springsteen’s ability to create impactful music while addressing pressing social issues, securing its place in contemporary music discussions.
