Pop Airplay (also called Mainstream Top 40, Pop Songs, and Top 40/CHR ) is a 40-song music chart published weekly by Billboard Magazine that ranks the most popular songs of pop music being played on a panel of Top 40 radio stations in the United States. The rankings are based on radio airplay detections as measured by Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems (Nielsen BDS), a subsidiary of the U.S.' leading marketing research company. Consumer researchers, Nielsen Audio (formerly Arbitron), refers to the format as contemporary hit radio (CHR). The current number-one song on the chart is "Good Luck, Babe!" by Chappell Roan. [1]
The chart debuted in Billboard Magazine in its issued date October 3, 1992, with the introduction of two Top 40 airplay charts, Mainstream and Rhythm-Crossover. Both Top 40 charts measured "actual monitored airplay" from data compiled by Broadcast Data Systems (BDS). The Top 40/Mainstream chart was compiled from airplay on radio stations playing a wide variety of music, while the Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover chart was made up from airplay on stations playing more dance and R&B music. [2] Both charts were "born of then-new BDS electronic monitoring technology" as a more objective and precise way of measuring airplay on radio stations. This data was also used as the airplay component for Hot 100 tabulations. [2] American Top 40 with Shadoe Stevens used this chart for their show from January 1993 to January 1995.
Top 40/Mainstream was published in the print edition of Billboard from its debut in October 1992 through May 1995, when both Top 40 charts were moved exclusively to Airplay Monitor, a secondary chart publication by Billboard. They returned to the print edition in the August 2, 2003, issue. [3] The first number-one song on the chart was "End of the Road" by Boyz II Men. [4]
There are forty positions on this chart. Songs are ranked based on its total number of spins per week. This is calculated by electronically monitoring Mainstream Top 40 radio stations across the U.S. 24 hours a day, seven days a week by Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems.
Songs receiving the greatest growth receive a "bullet", although there are tracks that also get bullets if the loss in detections doesn't exceed the percentage of downtime from a monitored station. "Airpower" awards are issued to songs that appear on the top 20 of both the airplay and audience chart for the first time, while the "greatest gainer" award is given to song with the largest increase in detections. A song with six or more spins in its first week is awarded an "airplay add". If two songs are tied in spins in the same week, the one with the biggest increase that week ranks higher.
Since the introduction of the chart until 2005, songs below No. 20 were moved to recurrent after 26 weeks on the chart. Beginning the chart week of December 3, 2005, songs below No. 20 were moved to recurrent after 20 weeks on the chart. Since the chart dated December 4, 2010, songs below No. 15 are moved to recurrent after 20 weeks on the chart
Whereas the Pop Airplay and Pop 100 Airplay charts both measured the airplay of songs played on Mainstream stations playing pop-oriented music, the Pop 100 Airplay (like the Hot 100 Airplay) measured airplay based on statistical impressions, while the Top 40 Mainstream chart used the number of total detections.
Source: [5]
In 2012, for the 20th anniversary of the chart, Billboard compiled a ranking of the 100 best-performing songs on the chart over the 20 years, along with the best-performing artists. "Iris" by Goo Goo Dolls ranked as the #1 song on that list. [6] [7] In 2017, Billboard revised the rankings, including the methodologies for how they are calculated. "Another Night" by Real McCoy was the new #1 song, while the previous #1 song, "Iris", dropped to #8. Rihanna ranked as the top artist on both all-time charts. [8] Shown below are the top 10 songs and the top 10 artists from the most recent chart.
Rank | Single | Year released | Artist(s) | Peak and duration |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Another Night" | 1994 | Real McCoy | #1 for 6 weeks |
2. | "Smooth" | 1999 | Santana featuring Rob Thomas | #1 for 8 weeks |
3. | "Hanging by a Moment" | 2000 | Lifehouse | #2 for 12 weeks |
4. | "Apologize" | 2007 | Timbaland featuring OneRepublic | #1 for 8 weeks |
5. | "How You Remind Me" | 2001 | Nickelback | #1 for 10 weeks |
6. | "Here Without You" | 2003 | 3 Doors Down | #1 for 6 weeks |
7. | "Don't Speak" | 1996 | No Doubt | #1 for 10 weeks |
8. | "Iris" | 1998 | Goo Goo Dolls | #1 for 4 weeks |
9. | "Closer" | 2016 | The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey | #1 for 11 weeks |
10. | "I Love You Always Forever" | 1996 | Donna Lewis | #1 for 11 weeks |
Source: [9]
Rank | Artist |
---|---|
1. | Rihanna |
2. | Pink |
3. | Maroon 5 |
4. | Katy Perry |
5. | Justin Timberlake |
6. | Britney Spears |
7. | Taylor Swift |
8. | Kelly Clarkson |
9. | Mariah Carey |
10. | Bruno Mars |
Source: [10]
Number of weeks | Artist | Song | Year(s) | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
14 | Ace of Base | "The Sign" | 1994 | [11] |
13 | The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber | "Stay" | 2021 | [12] |
11 | Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men | "One Sweet Day" | 1995–96 | [11] |
Donna Lewis | "I Love You Always Forever" | 1996 | [11] | |
Natalie Imbruglia | "Torn" | 1998 | [11] | |
Nelly featuring Tim McGraw | "Over and Over" | 2004–05 | [11] | |
The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey | "Closer" | 2016 | [11] | |
10 | Dionne Farris | "I Know" | 1995 | [11] |
No Doubt | "Don't Speak" | 1996–97 | [11] | |
Céline Dion | "My Heart Will Go On" | 1998 | [11] | |
'N Sync | "Bye Bye Bye" | 2000 | [11] | |
Nickelback | "How You Remind Me" | 2001–02 | [11] | |
Mariah Carey | "We Belong Together" | 2005 | [11] | |
Robin Thicke featuring T.I. and Pharrell | "Blurred Lines" | 2013 | [11] | |
Post Malone | "Circles" | 2019–20 | [11] | |
Miley Cyrus | "Flowers" | 2023 | [13] | |
Taylor Swift | "Cruel Summer" | [14] |
Number of weeks | Artist | Song | Year(s) | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
45 | Rema and Selena Gomez | "Calm Down" | 2023–24 | [15] |
41 | Harry Styles | "As It Was" | 2022–23 | |
40 | The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber | "Stay" | 2021–22 | |
39 | The Weeknd | "Blinding Lights" | 2020 | |
35 | Post Malone | "Circles" | 2019–20 | [16] |
33 | The Weeknd | "Die for You" | 2022–23 | |
32 | Harry Styles | "Adore You" | 2020 | |
Lil Nas X | "Thats What I Want" | 2021–22 | ||
Taylor Swift | "Cruel Summer" | 2023–24 | ||
30 | Dua Lipa | "Levitating" | 2020–21 |
Number of weeks | Artist | Song | Year* | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
71 | Rema and Selena Gomez | "Calm Down" | 2024 | [17] |
63 | Harry Styles | "As It Was" | 2023 | [18] |
60 | The Weeknd | "Blinding Lights" | 2021 | [19] |
54 | Glass Animals | "Heat Waves" | 2022 | [19] |
50 | The Weeknd | "Die for You" | 2023 | [20] |
48 | The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber | "Stay" | 2022 | [19] |
47 | Lewis Capaldi | "Before You Go" | 2020 | [19] |
45 | Dua Lipa | "New Rules" | 2018 | [19] |
Khalid and Normani | "Love Lies" | 2019 | [19] | |
Benny Blanco, Halsey, and Khalid | "Eastside" | [19] | ||
Post Malone | "Circles" | 2020 | [19] | |
Harry Styles | "Adore You" | [19] | ||
Lil Nas X | "Thats What I Want" | 2022 | [19] | |
Taylor Swift | "Cruel Summer" | 2024 | [14] |
*Year when the songs ended their respective chart runs.
Prior to 2018, the song with the most weeks on the chart was "I'll Be" by Edwin McCain, which spent 41 weeks on the chart in 1998. This record run held for almost two decades, but has been surpassed many times since then. Radio stations having more data points, such as streaming, to increase their accuracy at measuring what radio listeners want to hear, have made longer runs more commonplace. [21]
Debut Position | Artist | Song | Debut Date | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
No. 12 | Mariah Carey | "Dreamlover" | August 14, 1993 | [22] |
Taylor Swift | "Shake It Off" | September 6, 2014 | [23] | |
No. 13 | Taylor Swift featuring Kendrick Lamar | "Bad Blood" | June 6, 2015 | [24] |
Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone | "Fortnight" | May 4, 2024 | [25] | |
No. 14 | Lady Gaga | "Born This Way" | February 26, 2011 | [22] |
Justin Timberlake featuring Jay-Z | "Suit & Tie" | February 2, 2013 | [26] | |
No. 16 | Madonna | "Frozen" | March 7, 1998 | [22] |
Britney Spears | "Hold It Against Me" | January 29, 2011 | [22] | |
Miley Cyrus | "Flowers" | January 28, 2023 | [27] | |
NSYNC | "Better Place" | October 14, 2023 | [28] | |
Dua Lipa | "Houdini" | November 25, 2023 | [29] |
Week reached number one | Artist | Song | Date reached number one | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
37th week | Lewis Capaldi | "Before You Go" | September 26, 2020 | [30] |
32nd week | Glass Animals | "Heat Waves" | January 29, 2022 | [31] |
31st week | Benny Blanco, Halsey and Khalid | "Eastside" | March 2, 2019 | [32] |
28th week | Trevor Daniel | "Falling" | July 25, 2020 | [33] |
Rema and Selena Gomez | "Calm Down" | May 13, 2023 | [34] | |
27th week | Dua Lipa featuring DaBaby | "Levitating" | June 19, 2021 | [35] |
26th week | Alessia Cara | "Here" | February 6, 2016 | [36] |
25th week | CeeLo Green | "Forget You" | April 16, 2011 | [36] |
Demi Lovato | "Give Your Heart a Break" | September 15, 2012 | [36] | |
24th week | Alessia Cara | "Scars to Your Beautiful" | February 4, 2017 | [37] |
Khalid and Normani | "Love Lies" | September 22, 2018 | [38] | |
The Weeknd | "Die for You" | February 11, 2023 | [39] |
Week reached top 10 | Artist | Song | Date reached top 10 | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
35th week | Lauv | "I Like Me Better" | June 23, 2018 | [21] |
31st week | Edwin McCain | "I'll Be" | October 17, 1998 | [21] |
27th week | MAX featuring Gnash | "Lights Down Low" | February 3, 2018 | [21] |
Lewis Capaldi | "Before You Go" | July 18, 2020 | [40] | |
AJR | "Bang!" | December 12, 2020 | [41] | |
25th week | MKTO | "Classic" | July 12, 2014 | [21] |
Daya | "Sit Still, Look Pretty" | October 15, 2016 | [21] | |
Jon Bellion | "All Time Low" | March 11, 2017 | [21] | |
Madison Beer | "Make You Mine" | September 7, 2024 | [42] | |
24th week | Saweetie featuring Doja Cat | "Best Friend" | July 3, 2021 | [43] |
Number of singles | Artist | Source |
---|---|---|
13 | Taylor Swift | [44] |
11 | Rihanna | [46] |
Katy Perry | [46] | |
Maroon 5 | [46] | |
10 | Justin Bieber | [46] |
Ariana Grande | [47] | |
9 | Bruno Mars | [46] |
Pink | [46] | |
8 | Justin Timberlake | [48] |
Doja Cat | [49] | |
7 | Beyonce | [48] |
Lady Gaga | [48] |
Number of weeks | Artist | Source |
---|---|---|
47 | Katy Perry | [45] |
45 | Mariah Carey | [50] |
43 | Taylor Swift | [14] |
39 | Maroon 5 | [51] |
38 | Justin Bieber | [52] |
32 | Pink | [50] |
Rihanna | [50] | |
30 | Ariana Grande | [47] |
29 | Ace of Base | [50] |
28 | Bruno Mars | [53] |
Number of singles | Artist | Source |
---|---|---|
30 | Rihanna | [54] |
24 | Taylor Swift | [14] |
22 | Maroon 5 | [51] |
Ariana Grande | [47] | |
20 | Justin Bieber | [52] |
19 | Pink | [54] |
Justin Timberlake | [55] | |
17 | Mariah Carey | [56] |
Katy Perry | [45] | |
Bruno Mars | [53] |
Number of entries | Artist | Source |
---|---|---|
51 | Rihanna | [57] |
47 | Nicki Minaj | [58] |
45 | Taylor Swift | [14] |
41 | Justin Bieber | [52] |
40 | Chris Brown | [59] |
39 | Drake | [60] |
38 | Pitbull | [61] |
37 | Britney Spears | [62] |
34 | Justin Timberlake | [55] |
Ariana Grande | [47] | |
† Iggy Azalea is the only act in Mainstream Top 40 history to replace herself at number one with her first two chart entries.
†† Ariana Grande became the first artist to succeed herself at number one as the only act credited on both tracks.
Number of Singles | Artist | Album | Year (s) | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
6 | Katy Perry | Teenage Dream | 2010-12 | [75] |
5 | Taylor Swift | 1989 | 2014-15 | [75] |
4 | Justin Timberlake | FutureSex/LoveSounds | 2006-07 | [75] |
Lady Gaga | The Fame | 2009 | [75] | |
3 | Ace of Base | The Sign | 1993-94 | [75] |
Alanis Morissette | Jagged Little Pill | 1996 | [75] | |
Avril Lavigne | Let Go | 2002-03 | [75] | |
Maroon 5 | Overexposed | 2012-13 | [75] | |
Justin Bieber | Purpose | 2015-16 | [75] | |
Selena Gomez | Revival | 2015-16 | [75] | |
Dua Lipa | Future Nostalgia | 2020-21 | [75] | |
Lil Nas X | Montero | 2021-22 | [75] | |
Doja Cat | Planet Her | 2021-22 | [75] |
The Digital Songs or Digital Song Sales chart ranks the best-selling digital songs in the United States, as compiled by Nielsen SoundScan and published by Billboard magazine. Although it originally started tracking song sales the week of October 30, 2004, it officially debuted in the issue dated January 22, 2005, and merged all versions of a song sold from digital music distributors. Its data was incorporated in the Hot 100 three weeks later. Since October 2004, digital sales have been incorporated into many of Billboard's music singles charts. The decision was based on the dramatic increase of the digital market while commercial single sales in a physical format were becoming negligible.
The Radio Songs chart is released weekly by Billboard magazine and measures the airplay of songs being played on radio stations throughout the United States across all musical genres. It is one of the three components, along with sales and streaming activity, that determine the chart positions of songs on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Adult Pop Airplay chart is published weekly by Billboard magazine and ranks "the most popular adult top 40 as based on radio airplay detections measured by Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems."
The American singer, songwriter, and actress Ariana Grande has released seven studio albums, one reissue, two compilation albums, one live album, two extended plays (EPs), fifty-four singles, and fifteen promotional singles. Throughout her career thus far, Grande has sold over 90 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), she has sold over 131 million units, across albums, singles, and features, and 12 million albums and 93.5 million digital singles units as a lead artist. In the U.S., Grande has moved 22.4 million album units, and garnered over 23.6 billion streams across lead artist credits, according to Luminate. Having amassed over 105 billion consumed streams thus far, Grande is the most streamed female artist ever. She is also the most streamed female artist of the 2010s on Spotify and Apple Music. She has amassed 85 chart entries on the Billboard Hot 100—the third most entries for a female artist—including nine number ones and 22 top-10 hits altogether so far. Grande was named the sixth top female artist of the 2010s decade, and was ranked among Billboard's Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Artists, at number 78. Grande is also one of the most certified artists in the UK, with over 30 million units.
"Fancy" is a song by Australian rapper Iggy Azalea featuring British singer Charli XCX, taken from the former's debut studio album, The New Classic (2014). It was released on 17 February 2014 by Def Jam Recordings as the fourth single from the album. "Fancy" was described as an electro-hop, electropop, and pop rap song. It was written by Azalea and XCX, composed and produced by production team the Invisible Men, alongside additional producers the Arcade. It was leaked under the title "Leave It" in December 2013.
"Black Widow" is a song by Australian rapper Iggy Azalea featuring British singer Rita Ora. Released through Def Jam Recordings, the song impacted on mainstream radio stations in the US on 8 July 2014, as the fifth single from her debut studio album, The New Classic (2014). It was written by Azalea, Katy Perry, Sarah Hudson, Benny Blanco, and duo Stargate, while the latter also produced the song. Lyrically, it addressed revenge after a failed romantic relationship. An accompanying music video for the song was released on 13 August 2014.
"Problem" is a song by American singer Ariana Grande, featuring Australian rapper Iggy Azalea. It was released by Republic Records on April 28, 2014 as the lead single from Grande's second studio album, My Everything (2014). It was written by both alongside Savan Kotecha, Ilya and Max Martin, being produced by the latter two with Shellback, with Peter Carlsson serving as a vocal producer. "Problem" is an uptempo dance-pop and R&B song with influences of funk music, which comprises a melody based on drums, saxophone loops, and trumpets. The chorus features uncredited background vocals from American hip-hop artist Big Sean. Lyrically, Grande has stated that the song is about "the feeling of being absolutely terrified to re-approach a relationship that's gone sour – but you want to more than anything."
My Everything is the second studio album by American singer Ariana Grande, released on August 22, 2014, by Republic Records. In the album's production, Grande worked with a host of producers and co-writers, including Max Martin, Shellback, Benny Blanco, Ryan Tedder, Darkchild, Ilya Salmanzadeh, Zedd, and David Guetta.
"Santa Tell Me" is a Christmas song by American singer Ariana Grande. It was released by Republic Records on November 24, 2014, and was included on the Japanese exclusive reissue of Grande's first EP Christmas Kisses (2013), as well as a "naughty version" on Grande's second EP Christmas & Chill (2015). The song was written by Grande, Savan Kotecha, and Ilya Salmanzadeh, who also served as its producer.
"Side to Side" is a song by American singer Ariana Grande, featuring rapper Nicki Minaj. It was released on August 30, 2016 by Republic Records as the third single from Grande's third studio album Dangerous Woman (2016). Grande co-wrote the song with Savan Kotecha, Alexander Kronlund, and Minaj along with its producers Max Martin and Ilya. It is a reggae-pop song.
"Die for You" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd, from his third studio album, Starboy (2016). The song was sent to US rhythmic contemporary radio on September 19, 2017, as the seventh single from the album. It was written by the Weeknd, Doc McKinney, Cirkut, Prince 85, Cashmere Cat, Dylan Wiggins, and Billy Walsh, and produced by the former five.
"God Is a Woman" is a song by American singer Ariana Grande. It was released on July 13, 2018, by Republic Records as the second single from her fourth studio album Sweetener (2018). The song was written by Grande, Max Martin, Savan Kotecha, Rickard Göransson and its producer Ilya.
"Save Your Tears" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd from his fourth studio album, After Hours (2020). It was released to Dutch contemporary hit radio on August 9, 2020, as the album's fourth and final single. The song was written and produced by the Weeknd, Max Martin, and Oscar Holter, with Belly and DaHeala receiving additional writing credits.
"Positions" is a song by American singer Ariana Grande. It was released on October 23, 2020, by Republic Records as the lead single from Grande's sixth studio album of the same name (2020). The song was written by Grande, Angelina Barrett, Brian Vincent Bates, Nija Charles, James Jarvis, Tommy Brown, London on da Track, and Mr. Franks, and produced by the last three.
Positions is the sixth studio album by American singer Ariana Grande. It was released by Republic Records on October 30, 2020. Grande worked with numerous producers on Positions, including frequent collaborator Tommy Brown, accompanied by longtime co-writers Victoria Monét and Tayla Parx. Inspired by her "emotional healing", Grande desired to emphasize her vocals on the album.
"34+35" is a song by American singer Ariana Grande, released on November 3, 2020 by Republic Records as the second official single from her sixth studio album Positions (2020). Written by Grande, Albert Stanaj, Courageous Xavier Herrera, Scott Nicholson, Steven Franks, Tayla Parx, Victoria Monét, and its producers Peter Lee Johnson and Tommy Brown, the song has a title and chorus that both reference the 69 sex position, while the rest of its lyrics feature several sexual puns, double entendres, and sex jokes.
"POV" is a song by American singer Ariana Grande. It was released on March 23, 2021 by Republic Records as the third single from her sixth studio album Positions (2020). Grande wrote the song with Tayla Parx, and it was produced by Mr. Franks, Oliver "Junior" Frid and Tommy Brown.