In a remarkable feat, Taylor Swift has eclipsed the longstanding record held by Elvis Presley, establishing herself as the solo artist with the most weeks at No. 1 on the esteemed Billboard album chart. The resurgence of her re-released album, “1989 (Taylor’s Version),” propelled the pop sensation to the top spot for the fifth time in the final week of 2023, surpassing Presley’s previous record of 67 weeks at the pinnacle.
At 34 years old, Swift now boasts an impressive 68 weeks at No. 1, securing her status as the solo artist with the most weeks in this coveted position. However, when considering all acts, she ranks second only to The Beatles, who maintain a substantial lead with an astounding 132 weeks at the chart’s zenith.
Swift’s strategic approach to album re-releases has also cemented her legacy, with the artist now holding the record for the most albums to consecutively debut at No. 1, an impressive total of 13.
The singer’s dominance extends beyond album charts, as she became the first living artist to concurrently have five albums within the Top 10. Furthermore, Swift has etched her name in history as the female artist with the highest number of chart-topping albums, surpassing the previous record held by Barbra Streisand, notably achieved with the re-release of “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” in July.
A report by The Guardian highlights a shared achievement between Presley and Swift, as both artists are presently tied for the most No. 1s in a calendar year, each boasting three in a given year twice.
Although Taylor Swift is presently positioned third for the overall record of the most chart-topping albums, trailing behind The Beatles with 19 and Jay-Z with 14, her remarkable accomplishment of 13 No. 1 albums underscores her undeniable impact and enduring success in the music industry.
