SHAKIRA AND RIHANNA´S "CAN´T REMEMBER TO FORGET YOU" ROARS AT RADIO

The pair's new single, from Shakira's forthcoming album, is off to a fast start at pop and Latin pop radio after its first day of release

Billboard- Shakira And Rihanna‘s new recording “Can’t Remember To Forget You” has been warmly embraced by many radio stations and fans. The high-profile duet made its debut on Monday, January 13.

After its first day of availability, the lead track from Shakira's first RCA Records album, due March 25 (her first English-language set since 2009's "She Wolf"), has vaulted into the top 20 of the Nielsen BDS-based Pop Songs and Latin Pop Songs building charts. Airplay has been boosted by hourly plays yesterday on participating Clear Channel Media + Entertainment-owned English-language pop stations. The song received 1,172 first-day plays on 143 U.S. stations, amounting to 11 million all-format audience impressions.

The quirky, ska-flavored collaboration hasn’t been as popular on iTunes. Shakira and Rihanna are currently sitting at number seven on their sales countdown, which is an impressive achievement but not quite the speedy march to number one that many fans were expecting.

Radio programmers say that, while it's too early to forecast the song's long-term fortunes, early returns are encouraging for the reggae-tinged "Remember."

"When I heard that Shakira would be collaborating with Rihanna on her new single, I couldn't wait to hear it," says Clear Channel-owned WHTZ (Z100) New York program director Sharon Dastur. "After I first heard it, it exceeded my expectations in a great way. Their voices sound wonderful together." Z100 played the song 16 times yesterday.

"Listener reaction on the phones and our social media has been great. Shakira is back."

"My first impression of [hearing] the track was excitement," echoes Alex Tear, WHYI (Y100) Miami VP of programming and Clear Channel national top 40 brand coordinator. "I couldn't wait to find out our listeners' reactions, as they are the ultimate judge and jury. Response was immediately positive and curious. Shakira's ties with Miami and South Florida are very tight and Ri's track record speaks for itself.

With Y100 also having played the song 16 times yesterday, "We expect this pair of dynamic females to do well," Tear says. "We're looking forward to more tracks from Shakira to make 2014 big for her."