It’s been the summer time of Most sensible Gun: Maverick, a correct old-school movie blockbuster that’s set a wide variety of field place of business data and most often taken over popular culture — identical to Maverick, Goose, Iceman and the remainder of the unique Most sensible Gun staff did 36 years previous.

Now, the sequel lives as much as its predecessor in yet one more manner: a height 10 hit soundtrack unmarried. Whilst the primary new tune launched from the film, Woman Gaga’s much-hyped energy ballad “Hang My Hand,” crowned out at No. 49 at the Billboard Sizzling 100, ’00s and ’10s pop-rock hitmakers OneRepublic have scored a correct crossover damage with the breezy “I Ain’t Fearful.” The tune, which options in a seashore soccer scene in Maverick, jumps from 14-8 at the Sizzling 100 this week, in its thirteenth week at the list.

How sudden is OneRepublic’s go back to the chart’s height tier? And the way does “I Ain’t Fearful” are living as much as the Most sensible Gun musical legacy? Billboard staffers talk about those questions and extra underneath.

1.”I Ain’t Fearful” hits the highest 10 in its thirteenth week at the list, a form of throwback to the slow-building pop hits of yore. Are you shocked the tune has gotten as large because it has?  

Rania Aniftos: I’m, simply because we listen extra about Ryan Tedder’s songwriting credit in recent times than his efforts in OneRepublic. So, it was once a pleasantly sudden throwback to the mid-2010s to look that band identify display up within the Sizzling 100 height 10. Then again, “I Ain’t Fearful” has all of the components of an ideal summer time tune with the catchy hook and breezy melody, so it is smart that this was once the tune to place OneRepublic again at the tune map.

Katie Bain: Now not in reality. It’s a catchy, well-produced tune with as large of a launchpad as a pop jam can get relating to its inclusion at the film soundtrack — and it’s certainly the type of vibrant, solely palatable finish of summer time earworm whose shelf existence would lengthen in tandem with the ongoing luck of the film.

Paul Grein: I’m amazed. And overjoyed. You simply by no means know on this industry (which is a part of the thrill). Should you had informed me that Woman Gaga’s “Hang My Hand,” the lead unmarried from the Most sensible Gun: Maverick soundtrack, would stall at No. 49 at the Sizzling 100 and {that a} OneRepublic tune, launched because the album’s moment unmarried, would turn into a height 10 hit, I wouldn’t have believed you. However that’s precisely what came about. Gaga’s document was once stately however reasonably overwrought, whilst OneRepublic’s is simply nice amusing. Evidence as soon as once more that what’s within the grooves issues greater than identify energy.

Jason Lipshutz: Sure – and now not simply because it’s the primary primary OneRepublic hit in seven years, but in addition as it sounds find it irresistible exists in every other period of father tune, divorced from all trendy tendencies and manufacturing tactics. I suppose that’s simply how a lot of a juggernaut Most sensible Gun: Maverick has turn into this 12 months, as a sequel to a cherished ‘80s movie that doesn’t attempt to develop into its core appeals to cater to a 2020s target market; “I Ain’t Fearful” purposes as a pop tune translation of the film’s frozen-in-amber throwback attraction, recalling a time (the early-to-mid 2010s, on this example) the place whistling and Ryan Tedder’s voice had been height 40 staples.

Andrew Unterberger: I’d were very shocked a couple of months in the past — however as soon as the tune took hang on streaming, it was once transparent that radio would apply and the tune would catapult to the highest 10 in a while after. There’s not anything pop radio loves greater than a successful unmarried from a fashioned hitmaker, and few teams of the twenty first century had been as quietly ubiquitous on height 40 as OneRepublic had been from the overdue ’00s as much as the mid ’10s.

2. OneRepublic hadn’t scored a height 40 hit since 2015 previous to “I Ain’t Fearful.” Is the tune’s luck as easy an evidence as a three-word film name that rhymes with Chop Amusing: Gravel Lick, or do you assume there’s one thing else at play right here?

Rania Aniftos: Undoubtedly, the Most sensible Gun push certainly is helping, however I believe it comes all the way down to how other this tune is from different OneRepublic hits we’ve observed up to now. It feels more youthful, relatively than their standard grownup recent, which almost definitely helped “I Ain’t Fearful” achieve a distinct demographic than the band most often draws – with out, in fact, shedding their OG fanatics.

Katie Bain: A emerging tide lifts all ships (or the exhausting deck), and given the juggernaut this is Chop Amusing: Gravel Lick, it kind of feels that the whole thing related to this film is getting in a similar fashion increased. “I Ain’t Fearful” is a tremendous tune, however I believe the chart luck owed a big debt to the unstoppable nature of the film.

Paul Grein: “I Ain’t Fearful” is true for the time. We’ve had an terrible lot to fret about up to now few years, however simply perhaps the darkish cloud is beginning to elevate. Although OneRepublic hadn’t had a success in a very long time, the crowd’s chief, Ryan Tedder, has remained energetic and a hit. Since 2015, he has received two album of the 12 months Grammys for paintings with Taylor Swift and Adele, and has been nominated for 2 extra for paintings with Justin Bieber and Lil Nas X. OneRepublic could also be a second-tier pop workforce, however Tedder has remained a top-tier author/manufacturer. A few of that golden glow has transferred to his workforce, retaining them viable.

Jason Lipshutz: “I Ain’t Fearful” is one among OneRepublic’s maximum quick pop choices in a couple of years, coming from a frontman/manufacturer/songwriter who has made an enviable profession off of indelible melodies. That stated, I doubt this tune sniffs the higher reaches of the Sizzling 100 with out the Most sensible Gun: Maverick tie-in. Making an allowance for the all time field place of business luck of the movie, divorcing “I Ain’t Fearful” from Maverick can be like disposing of “My Center Will Cross On” from Titanic. Would the tune were every other hit for Celine Dion? Doubtlessly! However there’s no manner it conquers the arena with the similar pace.

Andrew Unterberger: TikTok and its fascination with the tune’s dad or mum film definitely helped, and OneRepublic’s hitmaking observe document supposed that after the tune were given a foothold, it will briefly really feel like the crowd by no means light from the mainstream. However that is nonetheless most commonly about Maverick, and I’d be very shocked if we’d be speaking about this tune presently had it merely been the lead unmarried from Tedder & Co.’s newest LP.

3. Most sensible Gun soundtrack hits are not anything new, in fact — relationship again to the unique ’86 soundtrack, which produced two height 10 hits in Kenny Loggins’ “Threat Zone” and Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away.” How does “I Ain’t Fearful” hang as much as the ones two enduring hits, on your opinion? 

Rania Aniftos: It’s exhausting to mention as it’s nonetheless too quickly to inform if “I Ain’t Fearful” will stand the take a look at of time the way in which “Threat Zone” and “Take My Breath Away” have. I will be able to see it last related for the following couple of summers particularly, however I will be able to’t believe it is going to finally end up having the similar nostalgia issue the opposite two have, sadly.

Katie Bain: No disrespect to One Republic, however I don’t foresee “I Ain’t Fearful” getting into the cultural canon with the similar weight as “Threat Zone” or “Take My Breath Away,” which — no less than for this ’80s child — rank as era-defining classics. Clearly the monoculture has withered for the reason that unlock of the unique Most sensible Gun in 1886, however I simply don’t see this tune having the legs to hold into the following period, and even the following 12 months.

Paul Grein: I believe it holds its personal really well in that corporate. True confession: I’ve by no means a lot cared for “Take My Breath Away.” I believed “Threat Zone” was once the more potent hit from the unique Most sensible Gun. Oscar electorate didn’t believe me. “Take My Breath Away” received very best authentic tune, whilst “Threat Zone” wasn’t even nominated. It’s going to be very fascinating to look what Oscar electorate do that time round. Gaga is clearly a miles larger megastar than OneRepublic. However her tune didn’t do just about in addition to anticipated, whilst OneRepublic’s tune a ways exceeded expectancies. Will Oscar electorate move with one tune over the opposite or to find room for each this time? “I Ain’t Fearful” may additionally carry Tedder his first Grammy nod in a songwriting class. It’s about time!

Jason Lipshutz: They serve as on separate planes of father attraction and total temper, however I’d bet “I Ain’t Fearful” will persist as a radio hit and karaoke jam — taking into account how catchy the tune is, its affiliation with a huge movie, and OneRepublic’s height 40 bonafides. Making an allowance for the fragmentation of pop culture, “I Ain’t Fearful” almost definitely received’t turn into a tune that each particular person of a definite age can hum alongside to, like “Take My Breath Away,” nevertheless it’s by no means a cultural flash-in-the-pan, both.

Andrew Unterberger: I’m skeptical. “Take My Breath Away” and “Threat Zone” had been as about as iconic because it will get for the mid-’80s — songs that encapsulated their period of their dreamy electro-pop energy balladry and pulsing, sweaty synth-rock, respectively. Perhaps we’ll have the ability to higher recognize the way in which “I Ain’t Fearful” defines the early ’20s with a ways, however to my ears, the tune if truth be told sounds extra like 2012 than 2022 — which continues to be amusing, however perhaps a bit extra ephemeral.

4. With Britney Spears and OneRepublic baking height 10 hits in back-to-back weeks, it appears like we’ve skipped proper from the early ’10s to the early ’20s in pop tune. Who’s every other artist who was once large in pop a decade in the past who it’s essential see scoring a large comeback within the close to long term? 

Rania Aniftos: Neon Timber! I heard “Animal” on TikTok lately and was once reminded of what an absolute bop it’s. They’ve at all times been excellent at making catchy songs, so why now not take a look at for a 2022 hit?

Katie Bain: I’m now not preserving my breath for Rihanna, however I in reality hope it’s Rihanna.

Paul Grein: Gotye had one of the most greatest and very best hits of 2012 in “Anyone That I Used to Know,” his quirky collab with Kimbra. Everyone cherished it, from pop and choice fanatics to Grammy electorate (it received document of the 12 months and very best pop duo/workforce efficiency). However since then, we’ve gotten little or no new tune from Gotye – simply odds and ends. It will great to listen to one thing new from this kind of gifted artist. Since there’s no telling when Gotye will resurface, I’d additionally like to present a shout-out to Fergie. Seeing her at the VMAs with Jack Harlow jogged my memory how excellent she is and what a novel taste she has. In the ones couple of minutes she proved that she nonetheless has it.

Jason Lipshutz: After two albums filled with stunning balladry and giddy experimentation, Kesha must drop yet one more all-out birthday celebration anthem, that each nods to the day-one fanatics and brings in more youthful ones, too. Perhaps it’s a collaboration with anyone like Lizzo or Lil Nas X? That might certainly come with some form of “Tik Tok”/TikTok pun? A man can dream!

Andrew Unterberger: Is it dishonest to mention David Guetta, who recently has a tune (“I’m Just right (Blue)” with Bebe Rexha) swiftly scaling the Billboard Sizzling 100?

5. Whistling songs being again at the radio: one thing to have a good time or one thing to steer clear of? 

Rania Aniftos: I in my view can not whistle, so out of bitterness, I’ll say let’s steer clear of it.

Katie Bain: Reflexively I wish to say steer clear of, but if I imagine the whistle-featuring radio hits of yore — G&R’s “Endurance,” Foster The Folks’s “Pumped Up Kicks,” Peter Bjorn and John’s “Younger Other folks” — I believe it’s much less about avoidance and extra about considered use of a sonic weapon that turn into actual tacky actual fast if now not hired accurately.

Paul Grein: One thing to have a good time. I like the way in which that issues cycle again round in pop tune. Amusing truth: Two of OneRepublic’s 4 height 10 hits at the Sizzling 100 – this tune and “Just right Existence” from 2011 – function whistling, so Ryan Tedder is clearly keen on this maximum human “software.” Any sub-genre that gives a commonplace hyperlink between Bing Crosby (“White Christmas”), Weapons N’ Roses (“Endurance”) and Otis Redding (“(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay”) will at all times have a spot in my center.

Jason Lipshutz: Have a good time the whistle! The opposite day I had Hillary Duff’s 2015 unmarried “Sparks” caught in my head, and went round the home gleefully whistling its hook. There’s no higher feeling than a excellent whistle hook, and for that, OneRepublic (and Hillary Duff), you might be to be saluted.

Andrew Unterberger: Have a good time — no less than till they get as unavoidable as they was when OneRepublic was once ultimate large a decade in the past.