The 2026 Grammy Awards largely unfolded as expected, with many top prizes going to widely anticipated winners. Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos made history as the first Spanish-language album to secure Album of the Year. Olivia Dean claimed Best New Artist, a recognition both the Recording Academy and industry insiders had predicted. Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther,” already a commercial juggernaut, captured Record of the Year without much surprise.
Yet one moment caught audiences off guard: Billie Eilish’s “Wildflower,” the understated final single from her latest album Hit Me Hard and Soft, emerged as Song of the Year. When presenter Carole King announced the win, Eilish and her brother Finneas became the first three-time champions in the category, which honors songwriting excellence.
The Grammy recognition has given “Wildflower” and its parent album a significant surge in attention. Hit Me Hard and Soft is climbing multiple Billboard charts, driven by a mix of streams, sales, and renewed interest from longtime fans returning to the full project.
Hit Me Hard and Soft Nears No. 1 on Top Alternative Albums
On the Top Alternative Albums chart, Hit Me Hard and Soft rose from No. 3 to No. 2, narrowly missing the summit by a single position. Noah Kahan’s Stick Season holds the top spot, bolstered by his new single “The Great Divide,” even though it is not featured on the album.
Chart Performance Across Rankings
While the album appears on six Billboard charts this week, it breaks into the top 10 on only two: Top Alternative Albums (No. 2) and Top Rock & Alternative Albums (No. 3). Across the other four charts, Hit Me Hard and Soft is showing steady upward movement:
- Billboard 200 – No. 19
- Top Album Sales – No. 24
- Top Streaming Albums – No. 24
- Vinyl Albums – No. 17
This multi-chart presence underscores the broad impact of Eilish’s Grammy win, with the album finding traction in both traditional sales and digital streaming formats.
Eilish’s Catalog Feels the Grammy Boost
The ripple effect is evident throughout Eilish’s discography. Her debut, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, and sophomore album, Happier Than Ever, both climbed double digits on the Billboard 200, landing at No. 150 and No. 155, respectively. Both projects also rose on the Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart, demonstrating renewed interest in her earlier work.
Near-Miss for Album Milestone
A notable storyline is Hit Me Hard and Soft’s near return to the No. 1 spot on the Top Alternative Albums chart. The album is tied with Eilish’s debut for her longest-running No. 1, each having spent 56 weeks at the top. Had it claimed just one more week, it would have officially become her most dominant release on the chart. Her other chart-topping projects, Happier Than Ever and the Don’t Smile at Me EP, spent 25 and 7 weeks at No. 1, respectively.
“Wildflower” Dominates Multiple Charts
While the album continues to climb, “Wildflower” is the standout performer. The track debuts at No. 19 on the Digital Song Sales chart with just over 2,000 downloads, according to Luminate. It also returns to three other Billboard rankings and hits new highs on both the Alternative Digital Song Sales and Rock Digital Song Sales charts. In total, “Wildflower” appears on eight Billboard charts this week, cementing its status as one of the year’s breakout tracks.
Billie Eilish’s Grammy success has not only rewarded a single song but has reignited interest across her entire body of work. As Hit Me Hard and Soft continues to climb and “Wildflower” resonates with listeners, Eilish demonstrates that her influence on contemporary music remains as potent as ever.