Taylor Swift Bests Miley Cyrus's Billboard Chart Record

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 05: 77th ANNUAL GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS — Pictured: Taylor Swift ... [+] arrives to the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 5, 2020. — (Photo by: Kevork Djansezian/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” was beloved by fans when it was first released in 2019. Then, years later, the song became a Hot 100 No. 1 smash in 2023. As 2024 begins, the single continues to show how beloved it still is, as it helps the singer make history on one of Billboard’s radio charts.

“Cruel Summer” leads Billboard’s Adult Pop Airplay chart once again this week. As of this frame, the electro-pop smash has now ruled the ranking of the tunes that reach the largest audience at radio stations that play what’s known as adult pop–or adult top 40–across the U.S. for 18 weeks.

With 18 weeks spent at No. 1, “Cruel Summer” now ranks as the longest-running leader of all time by a female musician in the history of the Adult Pop Airplay chart. Last frame, Swift’s hit was tied with Miley Cyrus’s “Flowers” for this record. Now, “Flowers” is steady with its 17 weeks at No. 1–an impressive count–while Swift advances.

In addition to passing Cyrus, Swift also ties two other powerhouse radio hitmakers. “Cruel Summer” is now on the same level as both Matchbox 20’s “Unwell” and Nickelback’s “Photograph.” While Swift may now be matched with those groups, she will likely pass them in only a few days if her current focus can hold on and earn another stay in the Adult Pop Airplay chart’s penthouse.

Looking at all songs by all artists, “Cruel Summer” still has a way to go before it beats some male-fronted smashes. Santana and Rob Thomas’s “Smooth” ranks as the longest-running No. 1 in the decades-long tenure of the Adult Pop Airplay chart. That hit held on for 25 weeks before finally drifting downward.

The Calling’s "Wherever You Will Go" ranks as the second-longest-running No. 1 ever on the Adult Pop Airplay chart. That tune lived atop the radio tally for 23 weeks. In third comes The Weeknd’s "Blinding Lights" with 20 frames in the highest rung.

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