'Old Town Road' is officially the longest running No. 1 single of all time
"Old Town Road" is gonna ride the charts 'til it can't no more. As it turns out, this horse has the legs for a 17 week gallop at number one on Billboard's Hot 100 charts with nary a shootout in sight.
Fans of the country-rap hit were biting their nails this past week to see if "Old Town Road" would rewrite music history and break the Billboard record for longest running No. 1 on the charts. Lil Nas X, the 20-year-old rapper with spurs of steel, proved himself up for the challenge.
His first-ever single kicks "One Sweet Day" (the 1995 ballad by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men) and worldwide phenomenon "Despacito" (by Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, and remixed with Justin Bieber, if you've already repressed the memory of summer 2017) off of their shared throne. The two songs dominated for 16 weeks each.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Old Town Road" first rose to No. 1 on the Billboard Country charts before being removed for "not [embracing] enough elements of today's country music to chart in its current version." Billboard would rue that statement, with fans and other artists alike deriding their decision as hypocritical and racist.
The phrase "its current version" would also prove prophetic. Billy Ray Cyrus was quick to add a verse in April; producer Diplo dropped a remix; a Young Thug and Mason Ramsey version came in early July; k-pop superstar RM of BTS released "Seoul Town Road"; even Dolly Parton expressed interest in adding her voice to the song.
All these remixes used Billboards rules against them: the charts don't count remixes as separate song entities, meaning that a stream of the BTS version counted as much as the Billy Ray one. With a new record hanging from his holster, Lil Nas X is riding off into the sunset with the last laugh.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Prince Harry returns to mark 10 years of Invictus – but he won't see the King
Speed Read Duke of Sussex will not see his father during London visit 'due to His Majesty's full programme'
By Hollie Clemence, The Week UK Published
-
Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger celebrates 'unique collaboration'
The Week Recommends Martin Scorsese presents documentary tribute to the 'gorgeous, radical work' of the film-making duo
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
In what countries is assisted dying legal or in consideration for being made legal?
In the spotlight More countries are granting more people the right to die
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published