25 Songs That Stayed No. 1 Billboard Charts The Longest

Have you ever wondered which songs have stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 charts for the longest?

Since the official Hot 100 Billboard chart was established in 1958, thousands of songs have claimed the top spot.

However, only a handful have held onto their podium place for over two weeks.

After all, music trends are fickle, and new songs are always released.

Preserving a number 1 rating isn’t easy. Over 40 songs have managed to hold their prime position for over 10 weeks, starting with Debby Boone’s hit, “Light up My Life,” in 1977.

Since then, new records have been forged, transforming radio playlists worldwide.

Today, we will list the songs with the longest tenure at number 1 on the Hot 100 Billboard charts to offer insight into some of the most enduringly popular tunes of all time.

1. “Old Town Road” (Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus)

Weeks at Number 1: 19

Weeks on the Billboard Top 100: 45

Throughout December 2018 and the following year, Lil Nas X was exploding on the charts.

His single, “Old Town Road,” was released in 2018, then remixed and re-released with support from Billy Ray Cyrus (the country singer) in 2019.

Introducing the world to the country rap genre, the song earned most of its popularity on social media channels like TikTok.

In August 2019, it broke industry records as the first song to stay at number 1 on the Billboard 100 charts for 19 weeks.

The tune also topped the national singles charts in various regions, including the United Kingdom, Norway, Ireland, France, Canada, Australia, and more.

2. “Despacito” (Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, and Justin Bieber)

Weeks at Number 1: 16

Weeks on the Billboard Top 100: 51

Here’s another earworm you’ll likely be familiar with if you listen to a lot of pop radio.

“Despacito” was one of the most successful songs ever released by Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi. It initially came out in January 2017, then was remixed to add Justin Bieber in April of the same year.

Some music journalists even say the tune is responsible for popularizing Spanish-language pop music in the mainstream market.

The song has ranked among the best Latin songs of all time and achieved an incredible 16 consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts.

3. “One Sweet Day” (Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men)

Weeks at Number 1: 16

Weeks on the Billboard Top 100: 27

Mariah Carey has been a chart-topper numerous times over the years. She’s even responsible for one of the most played Christmas songs ever. However, her longest-ranking tune on the charts is a lot less festive.

“One Sweet Day” is a single from Carey’s 1995 studio album, Daydream.

It earned significant acclaim from music critics and was chosen as number 1 in Rolling Stone’s reader poll for the best musical collaborations of all time.

In the US, it held the record of the longest-running number-one song, with 16 weeks at the top of the charts for 23 years.

4. “As It Was” (Harry Styles)

Weeks at Number 1: 15

Weeks on the Billboard Top 100: 53

Falling just behind the musical queen, Mariah Carey, is Harry Styles, the heartthrob of a generation.

This is a relatively recent tune, released in April 2022 as the lead single from his third studio album. It entered the UK singles chart at the top and spent 10 weeks there before falling behind.

In the US, “As It Was” stayed at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for 15 weeks, earning it the position as the longest-running number-one issued song by a UK act.

The tune also stood out as one of the world’s most successful singles, topping the chart in more than 45 countries globally.

5. “Uptown Funk” (Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars)

Weeks at Number 1: 14

Weeks on the Billboard Top 100: 56

If you were a radio fanatic in 2014, you probably heard the song “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars.

It was released in November of that year as the lead single from the “Uptown Special” album created by Mark Ronson.

The funk-soul, disco-pop, boogie, and soul-style tune topped the charts in 19 countries and reached the top 10 in 15 others.

This made it the most successful single created by Mars and Ronson together. It was also certified 11 times platinum by the RIAA.

Alongside spending 14 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, this tune stood at number 1 on the UK Singles chart for seven weeks.

6. “I Gotta Feeling” (The Black Eyed Peas)

Weeks at Number 1: 14

Weeks on the Billboard Top 100: 56

Achieving massive success in Canada, the US, and various other regions, “I Gotta Feeling” was the anthem of 2009.

Though the tune initially debuted at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, behind the previous Peas’ single, “Boom Boom Pow,” it quickly rose to the top.

The song became the longest-running number-one single of 2009 and even ranked number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 decade-end chart.

Worldwide, the song peaked at the top of the charts in more than 20 countries and was defined as the third most successful song of the decade in Australia.

7. “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” (Los Del Rio)

Weeks at Number 1: 14

Weeks on the Billboard Top 100: 60

It might not be the newest song on this list, but you’ll have difficulty finding anyone who hasn’t heard of the “Macarena.”

The piece first appeared in the 1993 album A mi me Gusta. It became an international hit, appearing on countless chart lists.

“Macarena” was even responsible for sparking a new dance craze throughout the ’90s. This version of the tune topped both the Cash Box and Billboard Hot 100 in the US.

Plus, it was ranked number 7 on Billboard’s list of the all-time top 100 songs.

“Macarena” also has one of the longest reigns on the Top 100 overall, with 60 weeks on the charts.

8. “We Belong Together” (Mariah Carey)

Weeks at Number 1: 14

Weeks on the Billboard Top 100: 43

Another tune from Mariah Carey that became one of the most-played songs on the radio, “We Belong Together,” was released in 2005 and stayed at the number-one spot for 14 weeks.

This song became Mariah’s musical comeback anthem after a relatively unsuccessful period between 2001 and 2004.

Carey performed the song on various worldwide platforms, including at the Macy’s Fourth of July Parade and the MTV Movie Awards.

This R&B-style ballad was considered soulful and engaging by critics, who celebrated Carey’s return to form with the release of her new album.

9. “Candle in the Wind” (Elton John)

Weeks at Number 1: 14

Weeks on the Billboard Top 100: 42

Initially written in 1973, “Candle in the Wind” was penned in honor of Marilyn Monroe.

In 1997, Elton John performed an updated version of the song, which earned massive critical acclaim and held a top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 charts for 14 weeks.

The song accompanied Elton John’s “Something about the Way You Look Tonight” the same year, which also stood at the top of the charts for 10 weeks.

The double A-side track was named the best-selling single of all time by the Recording Industry Association of America.

10. “I’ll Make Love to You” (Boyz II Men)

Weeks at Number 1: 14

Weeks on the Billboard Top 100: 33

One for lovers of soulful R&B music, “I’ll Make Love to You” was released in July 1994 as the lead single from the Boyz II Men album II.

The song was an instant commercial success, earning 14 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100.

It also became the third best-performing song of the ’90s, according to Billboard, and was placed on the group’s chart for the greatest songs of all time.

The tune won a Grammy award for the best R&B performance by a group or duo. It was also nominated for Record of the Year.

11. “I Will Always Love You” (Whitney Houston)

Weeks at Number 1: 14

Weeks on the Billboard Top 100: 29

It might be classed as an oldie today, but this song by Whitney Houston is considered a musical classic by most.

Technically, the music was originally performed and written by Dolly Parton in 1973 as a farewell to her mentor and business partner.

However, the soul-ballad version of the song from Houston earned the most attention, largely thanks to its presence in the film The Body Guard.

Houston’s version peaked at number 1 on the Billboard charts for 14 weeks, a record-breaking length.

It was also Houston’s first-ever diamond single.

12. “End of the Road” (Boyz II Men)

Weeks at Number 1: 13

Weeks on the Billboard Top 100: 32

Boyz II Men has spent much time at the top of the Billboard charts. Their song “End of the Road,” released in 1992, achieved massive international and domestic success.

When it claimed the number 1 spot for 13 weeks, it broke all the records at the time.

The tune was ranked by Billboard as the sixth most successful song of the decade. It also reached number 1 in Australia and the United Kingdom.

The tune earned the group a Platinum certification from the RIAA and won a 1993 Grammy.

13. “The Boy is Mine” (Brandy & Monica)

Weeks at Number 1: 13

Weeks on the Billboard Top 100: 27

Released in 1997, “The Boy is Mine” is a duet by two American singers, Brandy and Monica, released as the lead single from the pair’s second album in 1998.

The tune received many positive reviews from music critics. It became the first number-one pop hit for the artists internationally and in the US.

This song spent 13 weeks dominating the US Billboard Top 100 and was the second song in history to this position from a previous ranking beneath the top 20.

The single received some great charting worldwide, too, peaking at number 1 in New Zealand, the Netherlands, and Canada.

14. “Shape of You” (Ed Sheeran)

Weeks at Number 1: 12

Weeks on the Billboard Top 100: 58

One of the most played songs on the radio in 2017, “Shape of You,” was released in 2017 as one of the lead singles from the songwriter’s third album.

The dancehall song hit the number 1 spot on the single charts in 34 countries and stood atop the US Top 100 for 13 weeks.

The tune did even better in the UK and Canada, staying at number 1 for 14 and 16 consecutive weeks, respectively.

It was also the first song to hit 2 billion streams on Spotify and stands today as the second most streamed song on the platform.

15. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (Mariah Carey)

Weeks at Number 1: 12

Weeks on the Billboard Top 100: 57

We’re heading back to Mariah Carey for the 15th song on this list, with a title you might have been able to predict.

“All I Want for Christmas Is You” is probably the best-known Christmas tune ever and has remained successful since 1994.

The song topped the Billboard charts for 12 weeks in 2000 and again in 2019, 25 years after its original release.

It’s also the best-selling holiday song ever produced by a female artist, with sales of more than 12 million copies.

16. “Smooth” (Santana ft. Rob Thomas)

Weeks at Number 1: 12

Weeks on the Billboard Top 100: 58

One of the few rock songs on this list, “Smooth,” was released in 1999 as the number-one single from Santana’s album Supernatural.

The song was an international success, reaching number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for 12 weeks.

It was also ranked the third most successful song ever created on Billboard’s list of the top 100 songs of all time.

It won a Grammy Award for Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Pop Collaboration. The tune even hit the number-one spot in Canada.

17. “Closer” (The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey)

Weeks at Number 1: 12

Weeks on the Billboard Top 100: 52

Released in 2016, “Closer” is a song by the American DJ group The Chainsmokers.

It was the first tune by Halsey and the Chainsmokers to achieve the number 1 position on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for 12 consecutive weeks.

It’s also the highest-charting EDM song on the Billboard Decade-End list for the 2010s.

This musical piece earned the Chainsmokers the position as the first act to have four songs that topped the Dance/Electronic Songs chart.

18. “See You Again” (Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth)

Weeks at Number 1: 12

Weeks on the Billboard Top 100: 52

The hip-hop and pop ballad “See You Again” was initially designed as the title song for Furious 7, honoring Paul Walker.

The song became Khalifa and Pugh’s biggest single, spending 12 consecutive weeks at the top of the US Billboard 100.

It was also the second-longest rap number-one single in the country, falling just behind “Old Town Road,” and stayed at the top of the UK Singles Chart for two weeks.

The music video was even the most watched on YouTube from July to August 2017.

19. “Blurred Lines” (Robin Thicke ft. Pharrell and T.I.)

Weeks at Number 1: 12

Weeks on the Billboard Top 100: 48

“Blurred Lines” might have earned some controversy for its lyrics over the years, but that didn’t stop it from achieving fantastic popularity.

Released in 2013, the song earned many negative reviews from music critics but topped the charts in 25 countries.

It spent 12 consecutive weeks on top of the Billboard Hot 100, making it the longest-running number-one single of the year in the US. The tune also became one of the best-selling singles of all time, earning sales of around 14.8 million.

20. “Yeah!” (Usher ft. Lil Jon and Ludacris)

Weeks at Number 1: 12

Weeks on the Billboard Top 100: 45

Another early 2000s hit, “Yeah!” was released in 2004. It incorporates elements of both crunk and R&B.

It was one of Usher’s most popular songs, alongside “Burn,” and topped the charts for 12 consecutive weeks.

This tune earned a positive response in several countries, topping 12 charts worldwide and being certified platinum in several countries, too. Billboard ranked the song second on their Top 100 chart list from 2000 to 2009.

21. “Boom Boom Pow” (The Black Eyed Peas)

Weeks at Number 1: 12

Weeks on the Billboard Top 100: 33

The Black Eyed Peas had another long-running number-one hit on the Billboard Charts during their lifespan.

“Boom Boom Pow” was released in 2009 and was the lead single from the group’s album The E.N.D. from the same year.

Critically acclaimed, this song won the Best Short Form Video award at the Grammy Awards in 2010. It stayed in the number 1 spot for the Billboard Hot 100 for 12 weeks.

The tune also topped the UK, Canada, and Australia charts.

22. “Lose Yourself” (Eminem)

Weeks at Number 1: 12

Weeks on the Billboard Top 100: 24

Considered by many to be one of the best rap songs of all time, “Lose Yourself” was taken from the soundtrack to the 2002 film 8 Mile.

This tune was a major commercial success, earning 12 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts.

It also reached the top of the charts in 19 other countries. It received acclaim from various music critics for its inspiring themes.

“Lose Yourself” even won the Academy Award for Best Original Song as the first hip-hop song to do so.

23. “Un-Break My Heart” (Toni Braxton)

Weeks at Number 1: 11

Weeks on the Billboard Top 100: 42

Toni Braxton released “Un-Break My Heart” in 1996 as part of her studio album Secrets.

The ballad attained commercial success worldwide and reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 11 weeks. It also earned various top positions on other contemporary charts.

When Billboard celebrated 40 years of charting, they named this song one of the most successful tunes ever created by a solo artist in Hot 100 history.

Moreover, the song also reached the top 5 in more than 10 countries worldwide.

24. “The Box” (Roddy Ricch)

Weeks at Number 1: 11

Weeks on the Billboard Top 100: 38

Introduced in 2019, “The Box” was the fourth single on Roddy Ricch’s debut studio album.

Before the single’s release, it was already the highest-charting song from the artist worldwide. It topped the charts in Hungary, Canada, and New Zealand and hit number 2 in the UK and Ireland.

This tune stood for 11 weeks at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received critical acclaim for Ricch’s vocals.

The music was also the biggest song in the second half of 2019, selling nearly 5 million units.

25. “God’s Plan” (Drake)

Weeks at Number 1: 11

Weeks on the Billboard Top 100: 36

The last song on our list was released in 2018 by Canadian rapper Drake. “God’s Plan” was the only single from the artist’s EP Scary Hours and has been described as trap, pop-rap, and pop.

Despite earning only modest reviews from music critics, the song became extremely popular worldwide.

It was the 29th song in history to debut at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also topped the charts in 14 other countries worldwide.

Plus, it broke first-day streaming records on both Spotify and Apple Music.

More Music Stats

If you want to check out some more great music stats, check out our article on the Most Played Songs of All Time as well!

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