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For the second week in a row, Taylor Swift claims the biggest song in America as "The Fate of Ophelia" holds atop the ranking of the most consumed tracks in the nation, the Hot 100. "The Fate of Ophelia" debuted at No. 1 last frame at the same time its parent album, The Life of a Showgirl, launched atop the Billboard 200 in spectacular and historic fashion.
The single was so big in terms of total consumption when it launched that it's no shock it remains on top of the Hot 100 for a second frame -- and the cut could continue to reign for several more. As the poppy track keeps its position, Swift adds to her ever-expanding total number of weeks spent at No. 1 on the chart, but this frame is special, as it helps her break out of a tie with one of the most successful musicians of all time.
Billboard reports that Swift has now spent 38 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100 throughout her career. That total is spread out across more than a dozen chart-toppers, all of which have helped increase her overall record.
With one more turn in charge, Swift breaks out of a tie with Michael Jackson, as just days ago the two were matched with 37 stints in first place apiece.
"The Fate of Ophelia" earned Swift her thirteenth No. 1 on the Hot 100. She tied Jackson when the smash debuted, and the two are also on the same level as Drake. All three musicians jointly claim the fifth-most leaders of all time.
Swift has conquered the Hot 100 with all of the following singles, ranked from most weeks at No. 1 to fewest:
Sitting just one week ahead of Swift on the ranking of artists with the most time ruling the Hot 100 is Bruno Mars. The crooner added to his total earlier this year alongside Lady Gaga, as "Die With a Smile" controlled the tally for several frames across multiple stints.
If "The Fate of Ophelia" can remain exactly where it is for at least one more period -- which seems likely -- Swift will match Mars. Her latest single has a good shot at helping her push past him to become one of only a handful of musical acts to lead for 40 frames or more.
Mariah Carey remains in distant first place on the list of artists with the most weeks at No. 1 in the history of the Hot 100. The chanteuse is nearing 100 frames at the summit and may become the first artist with triple-digit turns ahead of every other star if her holiday classic "All I Want for Christmas Is You" regains control of the Hot 100 later this year. That's a highly likely fate since it has happened in each of the past several years.
Rihanna comes next with 60 weeks at No. 1, followed by The Beatles, Drake, Boyz II Men, Usher, and Beyoncé, with 59, 56, 50, 47, and 46 stays atop the Hot 100, respectively.
It's worth noting that, according to Billboard, Jackson's 37 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100 do not include any of the songs he released as part of The Jackson 5, the group that propelled him to superstardom at a very young age. The sibling act managed 10 frames at No. 1. If both of those totals are combined, then Jackson is still far ahead of Swift and, in fact, tied with Usher for the same total.