Madonna made a triumphant return to the Hot 100 earlier in 2023, marking her first appearance on the chart in years. The singer’s latest song, “Popular,” a collaboration with The Weeknd and Playboi Carti, debuted on the ranking of the most-consumed tracks in the U.S., bringing her back to the coveted tally after a lengthy absence. Now, the tune’s staying power has defied expectations, solidifying its place as one of her most enduring hits in recent memory.
“Popular” continues to hold its position at No. 67 on this week’s Hot 100, where it sat last time around. While this may not be a particularly high rank, and it’s a far cry from the tune’s peak at No. 43, the significance lies not in the current spot it occupies. Madonna’s song has managed to maintain its presence on the chart for a streak of 11 consecutive weeks.
This accomplishment may not be historically groundbreaking, but for Madonna, it signifies a notable achievement, as she hasn’t seen one of her tracks spend this much time on the list in quite a while.
In fact, “Popular” has now earned the distinction of becoming Madonna’s longest-running Hot 100 hit in the past 15 years. The last time one of her songs remained on the chart for such an extended period was back in 2008. The collaborative effort “4 Minutes,” featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland, held on for 13 weeks on the Hot 100.
A number of Madonna’s recent singles have managed to enter the Hot 100, but most of them experienced short-lived tenures. Tracks like “Celebration,” “Give Me All Your Luvin’,” and “Bitch I’m Madonna,” despite being newer than “4 Minutes,” each only spent a mere week or two on the tally. These songs enjoyed swift popularity, yet they disappeared just as quickly. In contrast, “Popular” is proving to be a genuine hit that is taking its time descending down the Hot 100.
Of course, “Popular” still has a ways to go before it can rival the enduring longevity of some of Madonna’s most cherished singles. Two of her tunes currently share the title for her longest-charting placements on the Hot 100. Both “Borderline” and “Take a Bow” managed an impressive 30 weeks on the chart before eventually dropping off.
Whether “Popular” has the potential to reach or even approach such a milestone remains uncertain. But, considering the song’s gradual descent, it’s plausible that Madonna, The Weeknd, and Carti will continue to secure a spot on the chart for a few more weeks, and possibly even several months to come.
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