Taylor Swift Joins Justin Bieber, Others with Her Third Instant No. 1 Single
Taylor Swift rules the Hot 100 once again this week, as her new single “Willow” starts its time on the all-genre ranking of the most-consumed songs in the U.S. as high as a cut can climb. The track, which serves as the first focus track from her new album Evermore (which also opens at No. 1 on the Billboard 200) is her second leader of 2020 and her seventh overall. Perhaps more importantly when looking at the history books, “Willow” is her third title to begin its time on the Hot 100 at No. 1.
Throughout the chart’s half-century-long history, only six musicians have been able to debut at least three songs at No. 1 on the Hot 100, and Swift is now in truly incredible company.
Swift first debuted a song atop the Hot 100 back in 2014, when “Shake It Off” became her second-ever champion. The tune introduced her first all-pop album 1989 brilliantly, and it turned her from a country favorite to a true pop icon.
Earlier this year, Swift earned her second No. 1 start on the Hot 100 with “Cardigan,” which arrived as its chart peak at the same time her surprise album Folklore did the same on the Billboard 200. This week, she mimics that success, launching titles atop both important lists simultaneously something that had never happened before 2020.
Among all artists, Ariana Grande leads the way with the most No. 1 starts in Hot 100 history. She has launched five different smashes in the driver’s seat, including three “Stuck With U” with Justin Bieber, “Rain on Me” with Lady Gaga and her own “Positions” in 2020 alone. Before this year, her blockbuster singles “Thank U, Next” and “7 Rings” also led the way upon their arrival.
At the rate she’s going, Swift will likely collect more No. 1 debuts on the Hot 100 whenever she has new music to shock the world with, but by then, there’s no telling how many other stars will claim three (or more) such wins.