U2 stunned fans around the world earlier this year with the surprise release of their EP Days of Ash. Dropped on Ash Wednesday with no prior announcement, the six-track project quickly became a bestseller in multiple countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States—even though it arrived mid-tracking period.

Now, one of the tracks from the EP has emerged as a surprise chart-topper on its own.

“American Obituary” Debuts in Top 10

This week, U2’s Days of Ash track “American Obituary” entered the Billboard Alternative Digital Song Sales chart at No. 9, earning the band another top 10 hit in America. The chart measures the top-selling alternative songs across platforms such as iTunes, and “American Obituary” narrowly secured a spot in the top tier.

With this debut, U2 marks their sixth top 10 hit on this genre-specific chart. The track now holds the distinction of being the lowest-peaking top 10 hit in U2’s Alternative Digital Song Sales history, surpassing “Invisible.”

U2’s Chart History

U2 has only reached No. 1 once on this chart, with “Atomic City” in October 2023, coinciding with the band’s opening of their Las Vegas residency at the Sphere. Other top-performing tracks include “With or Without You” and “Ordinary Love,” both peaking at No. 8.

Overall, Days of Ash pushes U2 to 10 career appearances on the Alternative Digital Song Sales chart. Some of their previous entries—including “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” “Ahmisa” (with A.R. Rahman), “Get Out of Your Own Way,” and “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”—missed the top 10, peaking at Nos. 11, 12, 14, and 15, respectively.

Competition on the Chart

This week, U2’s entry was outpaced by other new releases. The chart now features only 10 positions, reflecting the declining influence of pure sales compared with streaming. Mumford & Sons and Chris Stapleton debuted highest with “Here” at No. 4, while Best New Artist Grammy nominee Sombr entered at No. 5 with “Homewrecker.”

Despite being the lowest-ranking debut of the week, “American Obituary” benefited from its placement as the first track on the Days of Ash EP. Although U2 had designated “Song of the Future” as the lead single, that track has yet to appear on any Billboard charts. Meanwhile, “Yours Eternally,” featuring Ed Sheeran and Taras Topolia, has the potential to chart in the coming weeks due to the star power attached.

Days of Ash Album Performance

On the Billboard Top Album Sales chart, Days of Ash initially opened at No. 18, a strong showing considering it was available for only a few days. In its second week, the EP slipped to No. 26, reflecting the typical post-debut decline, but underscoring U2’s continued ability to drive immediate sales from their fanbase.

Even in an era dominated by streaming, U2’s surprise release strategy demonstrates the band’s lasting influence and the power of a dedicated global fanbase to turn an unannounced project into chart success.