Only 28 songs in history have debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there — here they all are

The Hot 100 is widely considered the definitive all-genre singles chart in the US.

Although it was officially launched in 1958, Billboard began using modern airplay and sales data in 1991, allowing for more time-sensitive calculations and accurate rankings.

"Fantasy," the lead single from Carey's fifth studio album "Daydream," was the first song in the modern era to become an immediate and long-lasting hit. It debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated September 30, 1995.

The song spent eight weeks atop the Hot 100.

"One Sweet Day," the second single from "Daydream," debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated December 2, 1995.

The song spent a historic 16 consecutive weeks atop the Hot 100, setting a record it held for 23 years.

The record was tied by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee's "Despacito" (featuring Justin Bieber) in 2017 and finally broken by Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" (featuring Billy Ray Cyrus) in 2019.

"I'll Be Missing You" debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated June 14, 1997. It was the second single from "No Way Out," the debut album from Diddy, then known as Puff Daddy.

The song spent 11 weeks atop the Hot 100.

"Honey" debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated September 13, 1997. It was the lead single from Carey's sixth studio album "Butterfly."

The song spent three weeks atop the Hot 100.

Carey has the most hits on this list with three to her name.

"Candle in the Wind 1997/Something About The Way You Look Tonight" debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated October 11, 1997. 

The song spent 14 weeks atop the Hot 100. The double A-side single later became the first song ever to be certified diamond.

"My Heart Will Go On" debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated February 28, 1998.

The famous ballad was written for the soundtrack of "Titanic" and served as the movie's main romantic theme. It was also released as a single from Dion's fifth English-language album "Let's Talk About Love."

The song spent two weeks atop the Hot 100.

"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated September 5, 1998. It was recorded for the film "Armageddon," starring Liv Tyler, the daughter of Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler.

The song spent four weeks atop the Hot 100.

"Doo Wop (That Thing)" debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated November 14, 1998. It was the lead single from Hill's debut album "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill."

The song spent two weeks atop the Hot 100.

"This Is the Night" debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated June 28, 2003. It was Aiken's debut single after competing on season two of "American Idol."

The song spent two weeks atop the Hot 100.

"Born This Way" debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated February 26, 2011. It was the lead single from Gaga's second studio album of the same name.

The song spent six weeks atop the Hot 100.

"Harlem Shake" debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated March 2, 2013.

Billboard's chart methodology is updated at least once a year, to reflect rapidly evolving listening trends. The Hot 100 began incorporating digital sales data in 2005 and YouTube data in 2013. 

Because "Harlem Shake" became a dance trend that went viral on YouTube, it benefited from that recent adjustment.

The song spent five weeks atop the Hot 100.

"Shake It Off" debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated September 6, 2014. It was the lead single from Swift's fifth studio album "1989."

The song spent four weeks atop the Hot 100.

"Hello" debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated November 14, 2015. It was the lead single from Adele's third studio album "25."

The song spent 10 weeks atop the Hot 100.

"God's Plan" debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated February 3, 2018. It was the lead single from Drake's fifth studio album "Scorpion."

The song spent 10 weeks atop the Hot 100.

"Nice for What," the second single from "Scorpion," debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated April 21, 2018.

The song spent four consecutive weeks atop the Hot 100 and eight nonconsecutive weeks.

"This Is America" debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated May 19, 2018. It was released as a standalone single.

The song spent two weeks atop the Hot 100.

"Thank U, Next" debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated November 17, 2018. It was the lead single from Grande's fifth studio album of the same name.

The song spent seven weeks atop the Hot 100.

"7 Rings," the second single from "Thank U, Next," debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated February 2, 2019.

The song spent eight weeks atop the Hot 100.

"WAP" debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated August 22, 2020. It may be the lead single from Cardi B's forthcoming album, expected in 2021.

The song spent two consecutive weeks atop the Hot 100, and then returned for an additional two-week stretch.

"Dynamite," BTS' first all-English-language single, debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated September 5, 2020.

The song spent two consecutive weeks atop the Hot 100, then returned for a third.

BTS is tied with Drake and Grande for the third-most entries on this list (two apiece).

"Drivers License," the lead single from Olivia Rodrigo's debut album "Sour," debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated January 23, 2021. 

The song went on to dominate the Hot 100 for eight straight weeks.

"Rapstar" debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated February 3, 2018. It was the third single from Polo G's third album "Hall of Fame."

The song spent two weeks atop the Hot 100.

"Butter" debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated June 5, 2021.

The song remained atop the Hot 100 for seven straight weeks, then returned for three more.

"Anti-Hero" debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated November 5, 2022. It was released as the lead single from Swift's 10th studio album "Midnights."

It became the first song of the year to spend a second week at No. 1 immediately following its debut in the top spot (although "As It Was" by Harry Styles and "First Class" by Jack Harlow both returned to No. 1 eventually and charted for several nonconsecutive weeks).

"Anti-Hero" remained atop the chart for six consecutive weeks, then returned later for two more, becoming Swift's biggest hit on the Hot 100.

"Flowers" debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated January 28, 2023. It was released as the lead single from Cyrus' eighth studio album "Endless Summer Vacation."

It remained atop the chart for six consecutive weeks before returning for a seventh and eighth.

"Rich Men North of Richmond" debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated August 26, 2023.

While the country song was initially boosted by conservative pundits — who praised its anti-greed and pro-worker message —  it topped the chart for a second week after Oliver Anthony criticized its political use.

"It was funny seeing my song at the [Republican] presidential debate because I wrote that song about those people," Anthony said in a YouTube video.

"Like That" debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated April 6, 2024, after it was included on Future and Metro Boomin's collaborative album "We Don't Trust You."

The song sparked chatter of a rap feud thanks to Kendrick Lamar's guest verse, in which he disses J. Cole and Drake ("Motherfuck the big three, it's just big me").

Once "Like That" topped the chart, Cole responded with his own diss track about Lamar, "7 Minute Drill," which continued to fuel interest in their dispute. However, Cole apologized shortly after. Drake also responded, didn't back down, and his feud with Lamar quickly went nuclear.

Meanwhile, "Like That" held firm at No. 1 for three consecutive weeks.

"Fortnight" debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated May 4, 2024. It was released as the lead single from Swift's 11th studio album "The Tortured Poets Department."

It topped the chart for a second consecutive week, giving Swift her third entry on this list — the second-most behind Carey.