BMLG/Mert & MarcusSwifties everywhere are beside themselves with joy at the news their queen is releasing a new single this week. But one person who may not be too excited is Luis Fonsi. As Billboard speculates, Taylor Swift‘s new single may rob his song, “Despacito,” of the chance to set an all-time record.
Because Taylor’s new single arrives midnight Friday, it will have one full week of sales before it debuts on the Hot 100 on September 5. Given Taylor’s previous track record, that means the song is very likely to enter the chart at #1.
And that’s “Despacito’s” problem.
If the Spanglish smash can hold on to the #1 spot for one more week — until August 28 — it’ll be tied with Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men‘s “One Sweet Day” as the longest-running chart-topper in history, with 16 weeks. And then, if it can hang on for one more week — until September 5 — it’ll pass “One Sweet Day” and set the all-time record of 17 weeks on top.
But if Taylor’s new single debuts at #1 on September 5 instead, then “Despacito” loses its chance to spend 17 straight weeks at #1.
Billboard notes, however, that if Taylor knocks “Despacito” off the top of the chart, it could still return and rack up that crucial 17th week at a later date. Still, it’d be nice to make it 17 in a row.
The two lead singles from Taylor’s last two albums — “Shake It Off” from 1989 and “We Are Never Getting Back Together,” from Red — both debuted hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 after their first full sales weeks.
Stay tuned.
Copyright © 2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
