Boyz II Men’s ‘One Sweet Day’ Made Billboard History 30 Years Ago with 16-Week Reign

30 years ago, Boyz II Men, the R&B group, was in the midst of making history on the Billboard charts with their collaboration with Mariah Carey on the song “One Sweet Day.” This emotional ballad, released in 1995 as the second single from Carey’s album Daydream, narrated a poignant story of coping with the loss of loved ones. Debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the track held onto the top spot for an impressive 16 weeks from December 2, 1995, to March 16, 1996, solidifying its place as the longest-running No. 1 hit on the Hot 100 at that time. In total, “One Sweet Day” spent a remarkable 27 weeks on the Billboard chart.

The song’s success was not unexpected, considering Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men’s history of chart-topping hits in the 90s. For Carey, “One Sweet Day” marked her 10th No. 1 hit out of a total of 18, while for Boyz II Men, it was their fourth No. 1 hit out of five. This collaboration between two musical powerhouses was a recipe for chart-topping success.

The reign of “One Sweet Day” at the top of the charts was a record-breaking achievement that remained unchallenged for nearly 25 years until the reggaeton hit “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi emerged in 2017, surpassing the 16-week milestone. Other notable chart-toppers that followed include Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus and Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” each holding the top spot for 19 weeks. Whitney Houston’s rendition of “I Will Always Love You” claimed 14 weeks at No. 1, while Boyz II Men’s own hit, “End of the Road,” maintained the position for 13 weeks.

Significant changes in the measurement of top hits on the charts contributed to longer stints at No. 1. The introduction of electronically tracked data by the Hot 100 in late 1991 altered the process, leading to an increase in the duration of successful songs remaining at the top.

In January 2026, Mariah Carey’s beloved holiday classic, “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” made its mark by clinching the top spot for 22 weeks, setting a new record. The legacy of “One Sweet Day” endures as a testament to the impact of powerful collaborations and emotional storytelling in music history.