Europe hit Billboard top spot for first time

Europe have scored their first no.1 single on a Billboard chart.

They’re top of The Billboard & Clio Music’s Top Commercials chart, which tracks the most popular songs used in US adverts.

The 1986 single has recently been used on insurance company Geico’s advertising campaign, which has helped it claim the no.1 spot. The chart uses tagging data from Shazam, along with sales and streaming information tracked by Nielsen Music.

Billboard report that The Final Countdown had 12,000 Shazam tags in October. It also enjoyed 28,000 digital sales last month, and has been streamed 5.8 million times in the US – up from September’s 3.7m.

The single has enjoyed huge success since it was first released in 1986, reaching no.1 in 17 countries but never climbed higher than no.8 on a Billboard chart until now.

Europe’s tour with Scorpions continues this weekend when they play Lille’s Zenith Arena, France. The band confirmed the dates would go ahead despite the terror attacks in Paris last Friday night.

Joey Tempest and co picked up the The Comeback accolade at this month’s Classic Rock Roll Of Honour in London. They released their 10th studio album War Of Kings in March.

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Scott has spent 37 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 12 years, Scott has written more than 11,500 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.