There are few chart feats more elite than a #1 debut on the Billboard Hot 100. In the survey’s nearly seven decades of existence – through some 3,500 weekly rankings and 1,184 chart-toppers – only 86 entries have begun their runs in the summit. It was just thirty years ago, after the introduction of SoundScan provided more accurate tracking and record labels began releasing physical singles at retail on Tuesdays to maximize their first-week sales, that Michael Jackson first showed it was possible when “You Are Not Alone” bowed atop the Hot 100 for Sept. 2, 1995.

It has since been succeeded by record-breaking classics (Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men’s “One Sweet Day”), “American Idol” winners (Fantasia, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Hicks) and merchandise-boosted novelties (“Franchise” by Travis Scott ft. Young Thug and M.I.A.). Following a five-year drought, brought on by a rule change that allowed songs without physical singles onto the Hot 100, the phenomenon became increasingly common during the digital and, especially, the streaming eras, where instant gratification rules the day and stans have eventized what was once a largely an industry reference tool. Nearly every major new release by superstars such as Drake, Taylor Swift and BTS now launches at #1.

But even in 2025, a #1 debut still makes a statement – though of what, it’s become less clear. The monoculture well behind us, no longer does it announce another zeitgeist-defining smash by the biggest acts of their day. (Hello, Céline Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On”!) Rather, it may now serve more as a measure of the power and devotion of a fandom — or, in the case of a couple of history-making diss tracks by Megan Thee Stallion and Kendrick Lamar, their opps’ haters. And because politics in our country has essentially devolved into stan culture, in at least one instance (Oliver Anthony Music’s “Rich Men North of Richmond”) that fandom was more ideological than artistic.

Regardless of the sometimes meager legacies of these songs – raise your hand if you remember how “Trollz” by 6ix9ine and Nicki Minaj goes! – all left their mark in the annals of the Hot 100. And to quote the one and only Mariah Carey, who has three #1 debuts to her name, they can try but they can’t take that away.

So in honor of the latest title to join the list (Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia,” her eighth instant chart-topper when it arrived last month), we’re deciding which #1 debut is the greatest of them all. You can help choose the winner by ranking each of these 87 songs on a scale of 1-10 and then sending me your ballot by Sunday, November 30. (Yes, it’s actually 87, because of Elton John’s double A-side “Candle In the Wind 1997/Something About the Way You Look Tonight.”) Please listen to everything again at least once before submitting. I want honest assessments, not scores based on your memory or biases. Up to two decimal points are allowed. Feel free to include commentary if you are so moved. And no troll(z)ing or your vote will be tossed. Happy listening!

Spotify | Apple Music

 

Countdown

1. “Fantasy” Mariah Carey

2. “Doo Wop (That Thing)” Lauryn Hill

3. “My Heart Will Go On” Céline Dion

4. “Honey” Mariah Carey

5. “Good 4 U” Olivia Rodrigo

6. “WAP” Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion

7. “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love)” Ariana Grande

8. “Not Like Us” Kendrick Lamar

9. “Born This Way” Lady Gaga

10. “Hiss” Megan Thee Stallion

11. “Rain On Me” Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande

12. “We R Who We R” Ke$ha

13. “Positions” Ariana Grande

14. “Hold It Against Me” Britney Spears

15. “Thank U, Next” Ariana Grande

16. “7 Rings” Ariana Grande

17. “3” Britney Spears

18. “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” Aerosmith

19. “Hello” Adele

20. "Cardigan" Taylor Swift

21. “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” Lil Nas X

22. “Yes, And?” Ariana Grande

23. “Drivers License” Olivia Rodrigo

24. “Vampire” Olivia Rodrigo

25. “One Sweet Day” Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men

26. "Exhale (Shoop Shoop) Whitney Houston

27. “Willow” Taylor Swift

28. “What Do You Mean?” Justin Bieber

29. "Squabble Up" Kendrick Lamar

30. “As It Was” Harry Styles

31. “All Too Well (10-Minute Version)” Taylor Swift

32. “I Remember Everything” Zach Bryan ft. Kacey Musgraves

33. “Nice For What” Drake

34. “Pillowtalk” Zayn

35. “Manchild” Sabrina Carpenter

36. “Anti-Hero” Taylor Swift

37. “I’ll Be Missing You” Puff Daddy and Faith Evans ft. 112

38. "The Fate of Ophelia" Taylor Swift

39. "Flowers" Miley Cyrus

40. "You Are Not Alone" Michael Jackson

41. "Something About the Way You Look Tonight" Elton John

42. "Fortnight" Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone

43. "Part of Me" Katy Perry

44. "This Is America" Childish Gambino

45. "Candle In the Wind 1997" Elton John

46. "Sucker" Jonas Brothers

47. “Peaches” Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar and Giveon

48. “Like That” Future, Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar

49. "Is It Over Now?" Taylor Swift

50. “Shake It Off” Taylor Swift

51. "Super Freaky Girl" Nicki Minaj

52. "Seven" Jung Kook ft. Latto

53. "I Believe" Fantasia

54. "God's Plan" Drake

55. "Not Afraid" Eminem

56. "Dynamite" BTS

57. “I Had Some Help” Post Malone ft. Morgan Wallen

58. "First Class" Jack Harlow

59. "Like Crazy" Jimin

60. “Wait For U” Future ft. Drake and Tems

61. “My Universe” Coldplay and BTS

62. “Rapstar” Polo G

63. “Highest In the Room” Travis Scott

64. “Shape of You” Ed Sheeran

65. “First Person Shooter” Drake ft. J. Cole

66. "Inside Your Heaven" Carrie Underwood

67. “Stuck With U” Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber

68. “I’m the One” DJ Khaled ft. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne

69. "Butter" BTS

70. "Can't Stop the Feeling!" Justin Timberlake

71. “Slime You Out” Drake ft. SZA

72. “Franchise” Travis Scott ft. Young Thug and M.I.A.

73. “The Scotts” The Scotts, Travis Scott and Kid Cudi

74. “Jimmy Cooks” Drake ft. 21 Savage

75. “4x4” Travis Scott

76. “Life Goes On” BTS

77. “This Is the Night” Clay Aiken

78. “Love Somebody” Morgan Wallen

79. “What’s Next” Drake

80. “Permission to Dance” BTS

81. “Harlem Shake” Baauer

82. “What I Want” Morgan Wallen ft. Tate McRae

83. “Do I Make You Proud” Taylor Hicks

84. “Toosie Slide” Drake

85. “Way 2 Sexy” Drake ft. Future and Young Thug

86. “Rich Men North of Richmond” Oliver Anthony Music

87. “Trollz” 6ix9ine and Nicki Minaj

Participants

@NEX @Inner Insanity @slw84 @David_Greengrass97 @EJQL8 @Album Leak @HarajukuPrincess @Technicolor @Icarus @Genie in a Bottle @naval23 @Florence Belch @SupremeGoddess @Johnny Jacobs @McNulty @Peroxide @Luckitty @MP2K @Maroonx @Hyune @Frozen99 @greento @Graves @Ewan Chaos @Mythical @Invisibility @DiamondHeart @Dark Miracles @Soda Pop Queen @conatus @allforyou @jacklovesyou1 @ChooseyLover @Indie Go Mind @OrbitNumber1 @Quicksand @Rev8 @Ghibli @makeawish @Queen Conchita @Ace Reject @sparrowblue @KillingYourCareer @Norte @andresg770 @MusicLoverDude @Taylor fanboy @Taemira @blown away @suburbannature @Eeveelution @Achilles. @glitch @Diarrhoea @Ken Lee @theblackestday

Definitely some of the songs of all time here.

The way half of those are fraudulent and forgotten I'll be joining!

Edited November 1, 2025Nov 1 by KillingYourCareer

1 minute ago, KillingYourCareer said:

The way half of those are fraudulent and forgotten I'll be joining!

I honestly had never even heard of some of these before I started compiling the list. And more than half are just since 2020!

I just know it will be a struggle but I'm supporting my good sis' rate.

Like a quarter of these songs being Drake or BTS...

 

this is going to be the first time anyone's listened to candle in the wind 97 since 97

3 minutes ago, ChooseyLover said:

I just know it will be a struggle but I'm supporting my good sis' rate.

Thank you for your sacrifice

Just now, makeawish said:

this is going to be the first time anyone's listened to candle in the wind 97 since 97

For some reason, it’s not even on the Spotify playlist that Business Insider put together, but I’m taking shortcuts like Travis Scott. You all know how to google that one.

4 minutes ago, conatus said:

Like a quarter of these songs being Drake or BTS...

 

Babe, “Nice For What” should be at least top ten!

The amount of sub 3 scores I'm seeing 

 

9 minutes ago, supaspaz said:

I honestly had never even heard of some of these before I started compiling the list. And more than half are just since 2020!

I'll have to listen to some of those for the first time. Like, who is Polo G? Kendrick Lamar has a song called "Squabble Up"? Is Oliver Anthony Music a real person?

I know we won’t be breaking a 6 average until like the top 30 of this countdown, but please try to enjoy yourselves. This will be fun! You have an excuse to listen to “Hold It Against Me” (an easy 10)!

Just now, KillingYourCareer said:

Kendrick Lamar has a song called "Squabble Up"?

Oh, now this is a banger! His GNX lead, but it quickly got overshadowed by “Luther.” We will be bopping, though!

gay aiken had a #1?  chile the example of #1s not meaning a thing 

21 minutes ago, supaspaz said:

"Rich Men North of Richmond" Oliver Anthony Music

the memories this unlocked. this was truly the most random thing ever

1 minute ago, Bussea said:

gay aiken had a #1?  chile the example of #1s not meaning a thing 

And this is why I’m excited for this rate! The history lessons I will get to teach. Once upon a time “American Idol” was the most important music platform in the country. That Clay Aiken song sold almost 400,000 copies its first week! That’s physical singles. These streaming era fraudsters could never.

3 minutes ago, KatyPrismSpirit said:

the memories this unlocked. this was truly the most random thing ever

And that Jason Aldean abomination around the same time. Thankfully he debuted at #2 before rising to the top.

I hope it's not against the rules to give about 70 1s

 

Just now, Almighty Gaga said:

I hope it's not against the rules to give about 70 1s

 

Listen with an open heart…but I couldn’t necessarily blame you

10 minutes ago, supaspaz said:

Babe, "Nice For What" should be at least top ten!

Considering the competition it might end up being so

 

2 minutes ago, conatus said:

Considering the competition it might end up being so

 

You all are too bitter when I’m giving you a rate with both “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” and “Thank U, Next”!

 

I see 12 songs that I will score higher than 5. No, not all of them are by my fave.  

18 minutes ago, makeawish said:

this is going to be the first time anyone's listened to candle in the wind 97 since 97

I hear it on the radio sometimes actually. 

I will participate in 🤗 count me in