"Scared to Start" is a song by American singer Michael Marcagi, released as his second single on January 12, 2024, through Warner Records.[2] It charted internationally, reaching the top 10 in both Ireland and the UK, and the top 20 in both Australia and New Zealand.

"Scared to Start"
Single by Michael Marcagi
from the EP American Romance
ReleasedJanuary 12, 2024 (2024-01-12)
GenreFolk[1]
Length2:39
LabelWarner
Songwriter(s)
  • Michael Marcagi
  • Andrew Yorio
Producer(s)David Baron
Michael Marcagi singles chronology
"The Other Side"
(2023)
"Scared to Start"
(2024)

Background and promotion edit

Michael Marcagi, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, previously fronted the rock band the Heavy Hours. He previewed the song "Scared to Start" on TikTok in November 2023, after which it was used in over 70,000 videos on the platform.[3]

Commercial performance edit

The song reached the top 10 in Ireland and the UK,[4][5] as well as the top 20 in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.[6][7][8] It also charted in Sweden at number 29,[9] and peaked at number 54 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in the issue dated April 20, 2024.[10]

Charts edit

Chart performance for "Scared to Start"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[6] 12
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[11] 17
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[12] 35
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[7] 20
Germany (Official German Charts)[13] 43
Global 200 (Billboard)[14] 35
Ireland (IRMA)[4] 4
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[15] 21
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[16] 26
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[8] 13
Norway (VG-lista)[17] 13
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[9] 19
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[18] 16
UK Singles (OCC)[5] 9
US Billboard Hot 100[10] 54
US Adult Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[19] 15
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[20] 5
US Rock & Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[21] 30

Certifications edit

Certifications for "Scared to Start"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[22] Gold 15,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[23] Silver 200,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References edit

  1. ^ "Exclusive: Michael Marcagi Discusses His Viral Song, 'Scared to Start', Noah Kahan and More | Holler".
  2. ^ Major, Michael (January 12, 2024). "Rising Singer-Songwriter Michael Marcagi Signs to Warner Records". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  3. ^ Zellner, Xander (January 24, 2024). "5 First-Timers on Billboard's Charts This Week: Michael Marcagi, Zach Top, The Ramona Flowers & More". Billboard. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of April 20, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  8. ^ a b "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 15, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 15". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Billboard Hot 100: Week of April 20, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  11. ^ "Michael Marcagi – Scared to Start" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  12. ^ "Michael Marcagi – Scared to Start" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  13. ^ "Michael Marcagi – Scared to Start" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  14. ^ "Billboard Global 200: Week of April 20, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  15. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 17, 2024" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  16. ^ "Michael Marcagi – Scared to Start" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  17. ^ "Singel 2024 uke 12". VG-lista. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  18. ^ "Michael Marcagi – Scared to Start". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  19. ^ "Adult Alternative Airplay: Week of April 6, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  20. ^ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs: Week of March 30, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  21. ^ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs: Week of April 6, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  22. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Michael Marcagi – Scared to Start". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  23. ^ "British single certifications – Michael Marcagi – Scared To Start". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 12, 2024.