One Direction get highest US Hot 100 debut for UK act in 14 years

One Direction's single 'What Makes You Beautiful' is the highest US Hot 100 debut for a UK act in over 14 years.

One Direction makes waves on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart this week as 'What Makes You Beautiful' debuts at No. 28. It's the highest bow for a UK act's debut US single in nearly 14 years, since the Verve's 'Bittersweet Symphony' entered at No. 13 on the chart dated March 28, 1998.

'Beautiful' sold 132,000 downloads in its first week according to Nielsen SoundScan, starting at No. 12 on the Digital Songs chart.

The last UK group to see its first US single start higher was the Spice Girls, when 'Wannabe' landed at No. 11 on Jan. 25, 1997. 'Wannabe' vaulted to No. 1 four weeks later, spending four straight weeks at the top of the tally.

The success of 'Beautiful' may only be just the beginning. It makes its retail launch even before One Direction's record label -- Columbia -- officially begins going for airplay at pop radio next week.

Next up for the group will be a US tour with Big Time Rush beginning Feb. 24 in Chicago, with dates lined up through March 9 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
They'll also play NBC's Today show on March 12 -- the day before 'Up All Night' is released.