Taylor Swift’s ‘Opalite’ Reaches No. 1, Putting Her in a Tie for Third Place for the Most Hot 100 Leaders Ever

Taylor Swift has matched Rihanna's record for the second-most Billboard Hot 100 chart-toppers in history, securing her 14th career No. 1 with "Opalite." This milestone, achieved in the song's 20th week, cements her status among pop music's most prolific hitmakers. Only two acts now stand ahead: The Beatles, with 20 No. 1 singles, and Mariah Carey, with 19. "Opalite" is the second leader from her album 'The Life of a Showgirl,' following the earlier success of "The Fate of Ophelia."

The track's path to the summit was a calculated, long-game strategy. After debuting at No. 2 on the strength of album release streams, its official single push was strategically delayed. The campaign kicked off with a cinematic music video premiere on February 6, but a full chart assault was then held to avoid the catalog surge that typically follows the Super Bowl halftime show, this year headlined by global superstar Bad Bunny. The tactic paid off. While its streaming momentum has moderated—it falls to No. 17 on the Streaming Songs chart—"Opalite" ascended thanks to a colossal 2,290% surge in sales and a 17% increase in radio airplay.

This sales spike, totaling 168,000 units for the week, marks the highest for any song since Jason Aldean's "Try That in a Small Town" sold 175,000 in August 2023. According to data firm Luminate, a dominant 144,000 of those units were physical copies from limited-edition vinyl and CD variants, which shipped in mid-February after a January pre-order window. This method highlights Swift's unique mastery in using fan collectibles to drive chart performance well beyond a song's initial digital release. As music industry analyst Dr. Lena Shaw notes, "Swift has essentially rewritten the playbook for sustained chart relevance. By staggering physical product releases, she can engineer a return to No. 1 months later, turning her dedicated fanbase into a powerful, on-demand chart force." This model was previously refined during her 'Midnights' and '1989 (Taylor's Version)' eras, where strategic variant releases repeatedly reignited chart campaigns.

Evolving chart rules also played a role in the strategy. A recent Billboard policy change that excludes free YouTube streams from Hot 100 calculations likely influenced the decision to grant the "Opalite" video a two-day exclusive on subscription-based platforms like Spotify Premium and Apple Music. This maneuver ensured fan engagement was directed toward services whose streams still count toward the chart, effectively navigating around potential formulaic obstacles. The result was a masterclass in fanbase mobilization, rewarding the patience of her devoted Swifties with a coordinated victory.

The broader Top 10 this week underscores the strong chart presence of artists with Nashville ties. Swift, who launched her career as a country sensation in Music City before her global pop crossover, leads at No. 1. She is followed directly at No. 2 by rising country artist Ella Langley, whose "Choosin' Texas" enjoys a powerful rebound. The remainder of the region features Olivia Dean at No. 3, Bad Bunny's "DtMF" at No. 4, and Alex Warren at No. 5. Bad Bunny maintains a strong showing with two additional entries in the Top 10, while Swift's earlier hit "The Fate of Ophelia" holds steady at No. 8, giving her two tracks in the upper tier and demonstrating the enduring impact of her current album cycle.