Chart Commentary — DECEMBER 6, 2025
#1
THE FATE OF OPHELIA
by Taylor Swift (Republic)

TAYLOR EIGHT THAT!
Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” rules the Billboard Hot 100 for an eighth week, tying “Anti-Hero” as her longest-leading hit. “The Fate of Ophelia” has been No. 1 in each of its weeks on the Hot 100 so far, dating to its mid-October debut; “Anti-Hero” began its reign upon its arrival in November 2022.
As “The Fate of Ophelia” matches “Anti-Hero” for Swift’s longest Hot 100 command, here’s a recap of her signature 13 No. 1s, ranked by most weeks at the summit, totalling 44 career weeks at Number One, thus far.
- “The Fate of Ophelia,” eight weeks at No. 1 to date, beginning Oct. 18, 2025
- “Anti-Hero,” eight weeks, beginning Nov. 5, 2022
- “Blank Space,” seven weeks, beginning Nov. 29, 2014
- “Cruel Summer,” four weeks, beginning Oct. 28, 2023
- “Shake It Off,” four weeks, beginning Sept. 6, 2014
- “Look What You Made Me Do,” three weeks, beginning Sept. 16, 2017
- “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” three weeks, beginning Sept. 1, 2012
- “Fortnight,” featuring Post Malone, two weeks, beginning May 4, 2024
- “Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version) [From the Vault],” one week, Nov. 11, 2023
- “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version),” one week, Nov. 27, 2021
- “Willow,” one week, Dec. 26, 2020
- “Cardigan,” one week, Aug. 8, 2020
- “Bad Blood,” featuring Kendrick Lamar, one week, June 6, 2015
“The Fate of Ophelia” and “Anti-Hero” contribute to Swift’s eight No. 1s totaling 26 weeks on top in the 2020s — both the most among all artists this decade.
Meanwhile, “The Fate of Ophelia” is the first song to spend its first eight weeks on the Hot 100 at No. 1 since Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers License” did so starting in January 2021. No song has led longer from a debut since Drake’s “God’s Plan” dominated for its first 11 weeks beginning in February 2018.
Of the 86 hits that have debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100, “The Fate of Ophelia” is just the eighth to hold the spot for at least its first eight weeks. Here’s a rundown of the elite songs to maintain the most such momentum from the start:
- First 16 weeks on the Hot 100 at No. 1: “One Sweet Day,” Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men, 1995-96
- First 14 weeks at No. 1: “Candle in the Wind 1997”/“Something About the Way You Look Tonight,” Elton John, 1997-98
- First 11 weeks at No. 1: “God’s Plan,” Drake, 2018
- First 11 weeks at No. 1: “I’ll Be Missing You,” Puff Daddy & Faith Evans featuring 112, 1997
- First 10 weeks at No. 1: “Hello,” Adele, 2015-16
- First 8 weeks at No. 1: “The Fate of Ophelia,” Taylor Swift, 2025
- First 8 weeks at No. 1: “Drivers License,” Olivia Rodrigo, 2021
- First 8 weeks at No. 1: “Fantasy,” Mariah Carey, 1995
Jarrett Nolan
I was born a poor Black child into a family that put the “fun” in dysfunction. But through that fun, there was A LOT of music. At a very young age, my parents introduced me to everything ranging from Doo Wop to the British Invasion to Motown to Philly Soul to Psychedlic Rock to Funk.
Since I’m a Jersey boy born-n-bred, I landed a job at WHTZ (Z100) as a producer. I gave the DJs info about artists to read on-air – most of mine were chart-related, naturally.
I did double duty at WSBG, a small market radio station in the Poconos, as a DJ because I have a face for radio.
Through a random twist of fate, I wound up at BMG Distribution in Times Square. Shortly after, I ended up at Arista (shouldn’t have done that!). My career in the music industry ended with a stint at being a personal assistant to alterna-rap act PM Dawn.
