Just three weeks ago, BTS ruled over the Hot 100 with their latest single “Life Goes On,” and now the song is not present on the chart at all
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For decades, songs had to work their way up to No. 1 on the Hot 100, taking weeks or possibly even months before eventually reaching the throne. Now, the way Americans consume music has changed, and more and more tracks are debuting atop the tally, proving themselves to be instant champions. But, just because a tune makes it to the top, that doesn’t mean there is sustained interest in the title. This frame, a recent leader has disappeared after a shockingly short stay on the list.
Just three weeks ago, BTS ruled over the Hot 100 with their latest single “Life Goes On,” and now the song is not present on the chart at all. It’s possible that no No. 1 hit has ever fallen off the list faster, and the South Korean vocal band’s historic win may have just broken the record for the fewest number of frames spent on the Hot 100 for a chart-topper ever.
The week after “Life Goes On” vacated the No. 1 spot on the Hot 100 it slipped to No. 28, a large enough tumble to earn it the second-greatest dip from the penthouse of all time (the record is held by 6ix9ine and Nicki Minaj’s “Trollz,” which dipped from the peak to No. 34 in one fell swoop). It looked for a while like the Korean-language win might not earn a third stay on the tally, but it did end up landing at No. 93.
Three weeks from No. 1 to off the chart completely is nearly unheard of, and while it’s tough to pinpoint if a trio of frames spent on the tally is actually the record for shortest presence by a one-time leader, it very well might be, and it bests another potential record set earlier this year.
6ix9ine and Minaj’s previously-mentioned “Trollz” experienced a similar journey on the Hot 100 just a few months ago, as it debuted at No. 1 and then was gone within a month. The track gave both acts an important ruler, and then it set the record for the biggest decline from the highest rung, as it dropped to No. 34. In week three the single stepped back another 20 spaces, landing at No. 54. In its fourth and final stay on the chart, it appeared at No. 83, and then it slipped off for good.
If a song reaches No. 1, it’s generally in for a lengthy stay on the Hot 100, as it means millions of people are interested in buying it, streaming it and hearing it on the radio. However, in today’s new musical economy, when a star shares a new anticipated cut, their entire fanbase can rush to play it over and over again on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube, and tens of thousands can buy it at once...and all of a sudden it rules over all other titles. But if it doesn earn radio adoption, and if fans move on quickly, deciding it’s not actually a favorite of theirs, it will vanish rapidly, just as a handful of leaders have in 2020 alone.
