Justin Bieber’s “What Do You Mean?” Single Tops iTunes Chart Within Hours Of Release

Is JB back, Beliebers?

Justin Bieber‘s first major single as a lead artist in three years was released at midnight last night, and within hours the song has already topped the iTunes chart. The Canadian crooner’s tick-tocky, electronic cut “What Do You Mean?” follows up his collaboration with Skrillex and Diplo “Where Are Ü Now,” a track that saw Bieber putting a toe in the water of a proper comeback this year. (For the record, “Where Are Ü Now” was a success that placed within the Top 10 around the globe, including in the US, Canada, the UK and Australia.)

For the time being, things are looking good for “What Do You Mean?”, though the song’s long-term prospects remain to be seen. In late July, One Direction‘s latest single, “Drag Me Down,” also topped the iTunes chart, for several days. That translated into an impressive #3 debut the following week on the Billboard Hot 100, but once the UK boy band’s hardcore fan base dropped off from downloading, so did the the single’s chart fortunes. “Drag Me Down” eventually plunged 23 positions by its second week on the Hot 100.

Likewise, Lana Del Rey‘s lead Honeymoon single “High By The Beach” shot to the top of iTunes right away earlier this month, only to have a somewhat scandalous and confusing Hot 100 chart placing when all was said and done. Two-and-a-half weeks after its release, “High By The Beach” is currently #95 on iTunes.

What it all boils down to is “What Do You Mean?” crossing over from its built-in audience made up of hordes of Beliebers to the ears (and wallets) of the general public. Whether or not this will happen is still up in the air.

For today, though, Bieber can pop a bottle in celebration. (It’s cool — he’s finally 21.)

Do you think Justin’s new single will be as big as “Where Are Ü Now”? Let us know below, or by hitting us up on Twitter and Facebook.