Death Cab for Cutie Claims 10th No. 1 Hit With Stone Over Water
Death Cab for Cutie has secured its 10th No. 1 single on Billboard’s Adult Alternative Airplay chart, as “Stone Over Water” climbs from No. 2 to No. 1 on the chart dated Oct. 24, 2026. Billboard reported that the track reached the summit following a 4% increase in plays at the format during the Oct. 2–8 tracking week, according to data from Luminate.
The milestone places Death Cab for Cutie among a small tier of artists in the 30-year history of the Adult Alternative Airplay chart. The group is now just the fifth act to reach double-digit leaders, joining U2 with 14 No. 1s, Coldplay with 13, and both Jack Johnson and Dave Matthews Band or Dave Matthews with 11 each.
Label History and Album Rollout Behind the Chart Ascent
Released on June 5, 2026, through Anti-/Epitaph Records, “Stone Over Water” serves as the third single from Death Cab for Cutie’s 11th studio album, I Built You a Tower. The full-length release peaked at No. 12 on Alternative Albums and reached No. 14 on Independent Albums. The project marks the band’s first album on an independent label since its fourth LP, Transatlanticism, dropped in 2003.
The new single is only the second Adult Alternative Airplay No. 1 for Epitaph Records. The label’s first leader on the chart came earlier in 2026 with Death Cab for Cutie’s track “Riptides” in May. The band’s eight preceding No. 1 hits were released through Barsuk and Atlantic Records.
Two Decades of Chart History on Adult Alternative Airplay
“Stone Over Water” first entered the Adult Alternative Airplay chart in July, marking the band’s 20th career entry on the tally. Death Cab for Cutie made its first appearance on the chart in October 2005 with “Soul Meets Body,” which spent 10 weeks at No. 1. At the time of its release, “Soul Meets Body” was only the 10th song in the chart’s history to hold the top spot for 10 or more weeks.
| Title | Peak Date |
|---|---|
| “Stone Over Water” | Oct. 24, 2026 |
| “Riptides” | May 16, 2026 |
| “Pepper” | March 11, 2023 |
| “Here to Forever” | Aug. 20, 2022 |
| “Northern Lights” | Feb. 9, 2019 |
| “Gold Rush” | July 28, 2018 |
| “Black Sun” | March 28, 2015 |
| “You Are a Tourist” | May 21, 2011 |
| “I Will Possess Your Heart” | May 17, 2008 |
| “Soul Meets Body” | Nov. 19, 2005 |
Death Cab for Cutie Secures First Chart Topper
Did you know? When Death Cab for Cutie scored its very first No. 1 on the format with “Soul Meets Body” in November 2005, it became only the 10th single in the 30-year history of the Adult Alternative Airplay chart to rule for a span of 10 weeks.
Common Questions About Death Cab for Cutie and Adult Alternative Airplay
How many No. 1 hits does Death Cab for Cutie have on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart?
Death Cab for Cutie holds 10 No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Adult Alternative Airplay chart, with “Stone Over Water” marking the milestone on the chart dated Oct. 24, 2026.
Which record label released Stone Over Water?
The song was released on June 5, 2026, through Anti-/Epitaph Records, making it the second leader for Epitaph on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart.
What album does Stone Over Water appear on?
“Stone Over Water” is the third single from Death Cab for Cutie’s 11th studio album, I Built You a Tower, which dropped in June 2026.
Which acts share the double-digit No. 1 milestone with Death Cab for Cutie?
Death Cab for Cutie is one of only five acts in the chart’s history to reach double-digit No. 1s, alongside U2 with 14, Coldplay with 13, Jack Johnson with 11, and Dave Matthews Band or Dave Matthews with 11.
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