Explanation for songs’ long stay on the charts – Billboard
The singer Teddy Swims achieved a remarkable feat this week with his pop-rock song “Lose Control,” as reported by Billboard. The track has broken the record for the longest stay on the Billboard Hot 100, now clocking in at 92 weeks on the chart. Surpassing the previous record held by Glass Animals’ “Heat Waves,” “Lose Control” has become the song with the longest duration on the chart in its nearly 67-year history. Despite only reaching the top spot for one week in March 2024, it continues to remain high on the chart over a year after its release, currently at No. 11. It has spent 63 weeks in the top ten, setting yet another record.
The Vice President of SiriusXM + Pandora, Alex Tear, attributes the song’s longevity to its universal appeal, stating, “Wear is almost zero… The audience decides what they want to hear, and ‘Lose Control’ has clearly universal appeal.” Many songs, including hits like “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey, Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile,” and Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help,” have spent months, and even over a year, on the Hot 100. Even tracks like Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things,” Gigi Perez’s “Sailor Song,” and Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” stayed near the top since mid-2024. Even Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther,” which spent 13 weeks at No. 1, had already been on the chart for 12 weeks before reaching the top spot.
As of May 24, none of the top ten spots on the Hot 100 belonged to a song with fewer than 10 weeks on the chart. The average weeks spent on the chart for songs in the top ten was 30.35, a significant increase from five years ago when it was 18.75 in May 2020. Ten years ago, in May 2015, only one song in the top ten had surpassed 30 weeks.
Experts believe the explosion of pop music in 2024 played a significant role in the longevity of songs on the charts. Artists like Chappell Roan with “Pink Pony Club” and Charli XCX with “party 4 u” found success through streaming platforms, catering to an audience hungry for new sounds. Michael Martin of Audacy notes that songs like “Blinding Lights” and “Heat Waves” became hits during the pandemic, providing comfort to listeners seeking familiar tunes.
Additionally, changes in the music industry have allowed labels more time to develop songs before they become hits. Artists like Teddy Swims gradually build momentum before achieving mainstream success. The strategic release of subsequent singles plays a crucial role in maintaining a song’s popularity.
Furthermore, the era of streaming has blurred the lines between official singles and album tracks, giving rise to unexpected hits like Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather.” Smart promotion strategies and a focus on developing a cohesive body of work contribute to a song’s sustained success in the modern music landscape.