When it comes to breaking records, Taylor Swift does not just chase history — she quietly rewrites it.
Her latest single, “Opalite,” has officially reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking her 14th career chart-topper. With this milestone, Swift now ties Rihanna for the third-most No. 1 hits in the chart’s history.
And the only artists ahead of her?
The legendary The Beatles with 20 No. 1s and Mariah Carey with 19.
For an artist as prolific as Swift, those numbers suddenly don’t feel unreachable.
How Did “Opalite” Reach No. 1?
“Opalite,” from her album The Life of a Showgirl, climbed to the top in its 20th week on the chart — proof of its staying power.
Here’s what fueled the rise:
- 168,000 copies sold in one week (up 2,290%)
- 144,000 of those were physical formats (vinyl + CD variants)
- 58.9 million radio airplay impressions (up 17%)
- 11.4 million streams during the tracking week
While streaming helped early on, it was radio growth and massive physical sales that pushed the track over the edge.
Why Didn’t It Hit No. 1 Earlier?
Timing played a big role.
Last week, Bad Bunny dominated the charts following his Super Bowl halftime surge, blocking “Opalite” from the summit. His catalog resurgence created intense competition.
Additionally, Billboard recently changed its rules, removing free YouTube streams from chart calculations. That shift may have slightly slowed Swift’s ascent — though her team smartly emphasized premium platform exclusives to offset the impact.
In the end, strategy and fan loyalty paid off.
Taylor Swift’s Chart Legacy in Context
With 14 No. 1 hits, Swift now stands:
- The Beatles – 20
- Mariah Carey – 19
- Taylor Swift – 14 (tied with Rihanna)
Given her consistency across streaming, radio, vinyl, and digital sales, industry experts believe she could realistically climb higher in the coming years.
What makes this achievement even more impressive? “Opalite” wasn’t an immediate smash. It debuted at No. 2 and built momentum organically over months.
That’s not just popularity — that’s endurance.
Other Billboard Highlights This Week
While Swift celebrates, the charts remain competitive.
- Ella Langley sits at No. 2.
- Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need” holds No. 3.
- Bad Bunny’s “DtMF” drops to No. 4 but maintains multiple Top 10 entries.
Billboard 200 Album Chart Update
Over on the Billboard 200:
- Bad Bunny remains No. 1 with DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS.
- Brent Faiyaz debuts at No. 6 with Icon (58,000 units).
- Charli xcx enters at No. 8 with the Wuthering Heights soundtrack (51,000 units).
Though not as explosive as their previous debuts, both artists show solid fan engagement.
Why This Matters for the Music Industry
Swift’s success highlights several key industry trends:
- Physical sales still matter, especially collector editions.
- Radio airplay remains influential.
- Strategic release timing can change outcomes.
- Fan mobilization drives measurable results.
In an era dominated by streaming, Swift proves that diversified engagement wins.
The Bigger Question: Can She Break the All-Time Record?
At her current pace, it’s not unrealistic.
Swift consistently releases new music, surprise drops, re-recordings, and collaborations. If momentum continues, surpassing Mariah Carey — and even approaching The Beatles — could shift from speculation to inevitability.
For now, though, 14 is the magic number.
And if history tells us anything, 15 may not be far away.
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