Scared to Start

"Scared to Start"
"Scared to Start"
Single by Michael Marcagi
from the EP American Romance
Released	January 12, 2024
Genre	Folk
Length	2:39
Label	Warner
Songwriters	Michael Marcagi; Andrew Yorio;
Producer	David Baron
Michael Marcagi singles chronology

"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.

Background and promotion

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

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

Weekly charts

Weekly 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]	33
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)^[7]	20
Germany (GfK)^[13]	43
Global 200 (Billboard)^[14]	35
Ireland (IRMA)^[4]	4
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[15]	20
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 Pop Airplay (Billboard)^[19]	36
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)^[20]	5
US Rock & Alternative Airplay (Billboard)^[21]	11

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "Scared to Start"
Chart (2024)	Position
Australia (ARIA)^[22]	18
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[23]	71
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)^[24]	45
Global 200 (Billboard)^[25]	116
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[26]	45
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[27]	24
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[28]	35
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[29]	76
UK Singles (OCC)^[30]	20
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)^[31]	15
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)^[32]	32

Certifications

Certifications for "Scared to Start"
Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)^[33]	3× Platinum	210,000^‡
Belgium (BRMA)^[34]	Gold	20,000^‡
Canada (Music Canada)^[35]	4× Platinum	320,000^‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)^[36]	Gold	45,000^‡
Netherlands (NVPI)^[37]	Platinum	93,000^‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)^[38]	2× Platinum	60,000^‡
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)^[39]	Gold	15,000^‡
United Kingdom (BPI)^[40]	Platinum	600,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

^ "Exclusive: Michael Marcagi Discusses His Viral Song, 'Scared to Start', Noah Kahan and More | Holler".
^ Major, Michael (January 12, 2024). "Rising Singer-Songwriter Michael Marcagi Signs to Warner Records". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
^ 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.
^ ^a ^b "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
^ ^a ^b "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of April 20, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
^ ^a ^b "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 15, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 15". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Billboard Hot 100: Week of April 20, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
^ "Michael Marcagi – Scared to Start" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
^ "Michael Marcagi – Scared to Start" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
^ "Michael Marcagi – Scared to Start" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
^ "Billboard Global 200: Week of April 20, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 18, 2024" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
^ "Michael Marcagi – Scared to Start" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
^ "Singel 2024 uke 12". VG-lista. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
^ "Michael Marcagi – Scared to Start". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
^ "Adult Pop Airplay: Week of July 20, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
^ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs: Week of March 30, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
^ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs: Week of June 22, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles Chart for 2024". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
^ "Jaaroverzichten 2024" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
^ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2024". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
^ "Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2024". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2024". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved January 3, 2025.
^ "End of Year Top 50 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on December 20, 2024. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
^ "Årslista Singlar, 2024". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2024". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved December 30, 2024.
^ Ainsley, Helen (December 27, 2024). "The Official Top 40 Biggest Songs of 2024". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
^ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2024". Billboard. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
^ "Rock & Alternative Airplay Songs – Year-End 2024". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2024". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
^ "Canadian single certifications – Michael Marcagi – Scared to Start". Music Canada. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
^ "Danish single certifications – Michael Marcagi – Scared to Start". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
^ "Dutch single certifications – Michael Marcagi – Scared to Start" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved July 9, 2025. Enter Scared to Start in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 2025 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Michael Marcagi – Scared to Start". Radioscope. Retrieved January 11, 2025. Type Scared to Start in the "Search:" field.
^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Scared to Start')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
^ "British single certifications – Michael Marcagi – Scared to Start". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 30, 2024.

[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.

[Ireland-4] "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 12, 2024.

[UK-5] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 29, 2024.

[AUS-6] "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2024.

[Canada-7] "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of April 20, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2024.

[NZ-8] "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 15, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.

[Sweden-9] "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 15". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved April 12, 2024.

[US-10] "Billboard Hot 100: Week of April 20, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2024.

[sc_Austria_Michael_Marcagi-11] "Michael Marcagi – Scared to Start" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved March 27, 2024.

[sc_Flanders_Michael_Marcagi-12] "Michael Marcagi – Scared to Start" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved May 5, 2024.

[sc_Germany_Michael_Marcagi-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.

[sc_Dutch40_-15] "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 18, 2024" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 4, 2024.

[sc_Dutch100_Michael_Marcagi-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.

[SWI-18] "Michael Marcagi – Scared to Start". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 24, 2024.

[19] "Adult Pop Airplay: Week of July 20, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved July 16, 2024.

[20] "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs: Week of March 30, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2024.

[21] "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs: Week of June 22, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2025.

[22] "ARIA Top 100 Singles Chart for 2024". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 13, 2025.

[23] "Jaaroverzichten 2024" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved January 1, 2025.

[24] "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2024". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2024.

[25] "Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2024". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2024.

[26] "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2024". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved January 3, 2025.

[27] "End of Year Top 50 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on December 20, 2024. Retrieved December 21, 2024.

[28] "Årslista Singlar, 2024". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved January 15, 2025.

[29] "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2024". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved December 30, 2024.

[30] Ainsley, Helen (December 27, 2024). "The Official Top 40 Biggest Songs of 2024". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 27, 2024.

[31] "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2024". Billboard. Retrieved December 19, 2024.

[32] "Rock & Alternative Airplay Songs – Year-End 2024". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2025.

[AustraliasingleCertRef-33] "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved October 15, 2024.

[BelgiumsingleCertRef-34] "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2024". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved December 21, 2024.

[CanadaMichael_MarcagiScared_to_StartsingleCertRef-35] "Canadian single certifications – Michael Marcagi – Scared to Start". Music Canada. Retrieved January 11, 2025.

[DenmarkMichael_MarcagiScared_to_StartsingleCertRef-36] "Danish single certifications – Michael Marcagi – Scared to Start". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved August 14, 2025.

[NetherlandsMichael_MarcagiScared_to_StartsingleCertRef-37] "Dutch single certifications – Michael Marcagi – Scared to Start" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved July 9, 2025. Enter Scared to Start in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 2025 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".

[New_ZealandMichael_MarcagiScared_to_StartsingleCertRef-38] "New Zealand single certifications – Michael Marcagi – Scared to Start". Radioscope. Retrieved January 11, 2025. Type Scared to Start in the "Search:" field.

[SwitzerlandMichael_MarcagiScared_to_StartsingleCertRef-39] "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Scared to Start')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 16, 2024.

[United_KingdomMichael_MarcagiScared_to_StartsingleCertRef-40] "British single certifications – Michael Marcagi – Scared to Start". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 30, 2024.

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Scared to Start

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