In a surprising breakthrough rarely seen in the highly competitive adult contemporary radio format, newcomer Alex Warren has claimed the top spot on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart, with his debut single “Ordinary” reaching #1 as of October 19, 2025. The track, which has been charting for 31 weeks, officially topped Billboard’s AC chart dated October 25, pushing aside established artists like Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, and Taylor Swift.
Warren’s rise on Atlantic Records represents a significant achievement for a debut artist in a format typically dominated by industry veterans. “Ordinary” registered 1,206 radio airplay detections during the reported week, showing continued momentum with an increase of 27 detections. The single maintained strong rotation across 48 adult contemporary stations nationwide, solidifying its position atop the RadioWave Monitor AC chart.
Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart, which has undergone numerous format changes since its 1961 inception, compiles data from multiple sources including audience totals, on-demand plays, streaming, video plays, digital sales, and radio airplay.
Warren’s success is particularly notable given the chart’s competitive landscape, where his track outperformed high-profile songs like “Die With A Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, and Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia.”
Industry analysts point to Atlantic Records’ aggressive promotion strategy across both traditional radio and streaming platforms as key factors in Warren’s rapid ascent. The label leveraged playlist pitching opportunities across major streaming services to build momentum before targeting radio airplay. The label’s support has helped position “Ordinary” with broad appeal that resonates particularly well with the adult contemporary demographic while also achieving crossover presence on pop charts.
Warren’s breakthrough illustrates the evolving nature of the adult contemporary format, where newcomers can occasionally disrupt the established hierarchy. His achievement stands in stark contrast to the historical dominance of veteran artists like Elton John and Celine Dion who have consistently topped the AC charts for decades. As streaming and digital sales increasingly influence chart positions alongside traditional radio airplay, Warren’s chart-topping achievement may signal shifting dynamics in how adult contemporary hits develop and sustain momentum.
The song’s 31-week chart journey culminating in the #1 position demonstrates both listener loyalty and expanding audience reach. Warren’s team utilized social media advertising to engage fans through consistent, eye-catching content that bolstered the song’s streaming performance. The chart that week also featured notable entries like Lewis Capaldi’s “Survive” at #61, showing the diverse range of artists competing in the format.
