The Rolling Stones are one of a very, very small number of rock bands who popped up in the ‘60s who are still around today. The group isn’t just still together, they’re actively releasing new music and landing new hits, which is an incredible feat for an outfit that’s been together for more than half a century.
This week, The Rolling Stones land a new Billboard chart hit with their latest single. The band’s “Mess It Up” debuts on the latest version of the Adult Alternative Airplay chart. The radio-only list tracks the tunes that perform the best, based on audience impressions, at stations across the U.S. that play a form of rock known in the industry as adult alternative. Basically, it means alternative rock that’s aimed at a slightly more mature audience.
“Mess it Up” is new to the Adult Alternative Airplay chart at No. 28. The Rolling Stones score one of five new entrants on the tally this week, coming in fourth place among the bunch. They land behind new radio wins by the likes of Mumford & Sons and Pharrell (“Good People,” No. 12), The Black Crowes (“Wanting And Waiting,” No. 23), and Cage the Elephant (“Neon Pill,” No. 26).
The Rolling Stones have now sent an even dozen tracks to the Adult Alternative Airplay chart. That may seem like a small sum for one of the most beloved rock bands of all time, but their heyday precedes the list. In fact, they only landed their first win on the ranking in 1997–decades after they became stars.
For the moment, “Mess It Up” ranks as The Rolling Stones’ second-lowest-charting hit on the Adult Alternative Airplay ranking, but it might not hold that distinction for very long. The only cut from the band that stalled lower was their single “Scarlet,” which also featured Jimmy Page. That track peaked at No. 31 back in 2020.
In the coming weeks, it’s likely that “Mess It Up” will advance and become a bigger hit in the band’s discography. It ranks just one spot behind the No. 27 high point that “Just Your Fool” reached back in 2016. The Rolling Stones’ biggest win on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart remains “Anybody Seen My Baby?” That smash missed becoming their first No. 1 by just one space back in 1997.
“Mess It Up” serves as the third official single from The Rolling Stones’ most recent album, Hackney Diamonds. The set was released last fall and was touted as both a commercial and critical win. The title has already produced hits with lead cut “Angry” and “Sweet Sounds of Heaven,” which was a duet between the group and pop singer Lady Gaga.
