In the music industry, Fridays are traditionally the go-to day for releasing new albums and singles. This strategy maximizes the exposure of new music by giving it a full week to accumulate streams, sales, and radio play, which are critical components for determining a song’s position on various Billboard charts.
However, some high-profile artists choose to break from this norm, launching new music mid-week to stand out during quieter times in the industry. While this can lead to a lower initial chart position, it also creates buzz when competition is less intense.
Lana Del Rey recently took this unconventional route, unveiling her new single “White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter” on Tuesday, February 17. The track has already made its presence felt on several U.S. charts, securing Del Rey another top 10 hit.
Debuting on three Billboard charts, “White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter” has entered the top 10 on one: the Alternative Digital Song Sales chart, where it starts at No. 9. This chart, published by Billboard, ranks the best-selling alternative songs across digital platforms like iTunes.
Lana Del Rey’s “White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter” Debuts
With this latest release, Del Rey achieves her twenty-fourth top 10 entry on the Alternative Digital Song Sales chart. She has previously reached the top spot twice with hits like “Love” and “High by the Beach,” both of which enjoyed a week at No. 1.
Lana Del Rey Collects Another Alternative Sales Chart Top 10
Back in 2025, Del Rey scored two top 10 entries on the same chart. Her track “Henry, Come On” debuted at No. 4 before quickly descending, while “Bluebird” reached No. 9, mirroring the debut position of “White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter.” All of these songs are anticipated to feature on her upcoming album, Stove.
“Henry, Come On” and “Bluebird” Also Hit the Top 10
In 2025, Del Rey sent two tunes into the top 10 on the Alternative Digital Song Sales chart. “Henry, Come On” launched at No. 4 and then quickly slipped away. “Bluebird,” which was released just a week later, peaked at No. 9, tying where “White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter” debuts this time around. All three tracks are expected to be featured on the singer’s forthcoming album Stove.
Lana Del Rey’s Songs That Stalled at No. 9
Four of Del Rey’s 24 top 10 smashes on the Alternative Digital Song Sales ranking have only ever lifted as high as No. 9. In addition to “White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter” and “Bluebird,” both “Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Boulevard” and “Summer Bummer,” a collaboration with both ASAP Rocky and Playboy Carti, spent two turns on the tally and never pushed above ninth place.
Twenty One Pilots, Tears for Fears, Djo and Sombr
Del Rey claims the only debut on the 10-space Alternative Digital Song Sales chart this week, though the list looks very different from last period. Five tracks reenter the roster, helping refresh the rundown.
Twenty One Pilots earn a new No. 1 with “Drag Path,” which breaks back onto the list and hits No. 1 during its second stay. “End of Beginning” by Djo and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears find their way to Nos. 3 and 7, respectively. Two songs by recent Best New Artist Grammy nominee Sombr also reappear. “Back to Friends” is the bigger winner of the bunch, as it reenters at No. 8, while “12 to 12” finds its way to tenth place.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 01: sombr performs onstage during the 68th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 01, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Getty Images for The Recording Academy
“White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter” Debuts on Several Rankings
“White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter” performed well enough in only about half a tracking week to land on two of Billboard‘s consumption rosters. The Alternative Digital Song Sales chart is powered entirely by fans buying a track, while those lists published by Billboard that begin with the word Hot factor sales as well as streaming and airplay data to look at the most popular cuts in any one style.
“White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter” begins its time on the Hot Alternative Songs chart at No. 18 and at No. 28 on the Hot Rock and Alternative Songs rundown. Del Rey is up to 21 appearances on the alternative-only list, and 56 on the most competitive roster for rock music in the U.S.
