Ranker ranks the 25 shortest songs to ever make it onto the Billboard charts

In the music industry, the typical preference is for three-minute pop song formats, but artists have shown that impactful songs can be even shorter. Despite the average hit song in 2024 running about three minutes and forty seconds, there have been many short songs that have achieved chart success, challenging the norm of what constitutes a hit.

Short songs have consistently found their way onto the Billboard charts, spanning from 1950s rock and roll to modern viral sensations. Some artists intentionally craft brief compositions as artistic expressions, while others efficiently convey their musical message without unnecessary repetition. This phenomenon has gained momentum with the emergence of platforms like TikTok, where artists prioritize creating unforgettable “moments” rather than lengthy compositions. Here are some of the shortest songs that have made a significant impact despite their brevity.

Starting with Jack Black’s infectious “Steve’s Lava Chicken,” which lasted a mere 34 seconds, this track set a new record as the shortest song to ever chart on the Billboard Hot 100. Featuring whimsical lyrics like “la-la-la-lava, ch-ch-ch-chicken,” the song debuted at No. 78 on the Hot 100 and quickly climbed to No. 10 on the Hot Rock Songs chart in 2025. Co-written by Black and the film’s director, Jared Hess, this quirky track proves that even songs about fiery poultry can find chart success with the right hook.

Kid Cudi previously held the record for the shortest Hot 100 hit with “Beautiful Trip,” a 37-second instrumental track that peaked at No. 100 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2020. This atmospheric intro from his album Man on the Moon III: The Chosen generated enough streams to secure a spot on the prestigious chart despite its brief duration.

Another example is Piko-Taro’s “PPAP (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen),” a 45-second J-pop novelty song by Japanese comedian Daimaou Kosaka that reached No. 77 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2016. This quirky track became a global viral sensation, demonstrating how internet culture can propel even the shortest of songs to international chart success.

Even major artists like DJ Khaled and Drake have found success with ultra-short tracks like “No Secret,” a collaboration that lasted only 47 seconds and peaked at No. 78 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September 2022. This proves that star power and streaming numbers can defy traditional song length expectations in the music industry.

Additionally, Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs’ “Stay” holds the title of the shortest song to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, with a runtime of just 1 minute and 36 seconds. This doo-wop classic topped the charts in 1960, showcasing that concise compositions can still achieve commercial success.

The Womenfolk’s rendition of Pete Seeger’s “Little Boxes,” a politically-charged folk song that lasted just over a minute, managed to reach No. 83 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1964, highlighting that short songs with strong messages can resonate with audiences.

In conclusion, despite the industry’s preference for longer songs, these examples demonstrate that impactful music can come in small packages. Artists have shown that brief compositions can leave a lasting impression and find success on the charts, proving that length is not always a determining factor in a song’s popularity.