Pop Airplay

History

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. 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. 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. The first number-one song on the chart was "End of the Road" by Boyz II Men.

Chart criteria

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.

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All-time achievements

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. 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. Shown below are the top 10 songs and the top 10 artists from the most recent chart.

Top 10 Pop Songs of all time (1992–2017)

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Top 10 Pop Songs artists of all time (1992–2017)

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Song records

Most weeks at number one

Most weeks in the top 10

Most weeks on the chart

*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.

Highest debut

Shortest climbs to number one

Longest climbs to number one

Shortest climbs to top 10

Longest climbs to the top 10

Artist records

Most number-one singles

• Beyoncé (7)
• Britney Spears (6)
• Mariah Carey (6)
• Post Malone (6) --

Most cumulative weeks at number one

• Beyoncé (26)
• Justin Timberlake (26)
• Christina Aguilera (25)
• Doja Cat (25)
• Boyz II Men (23)
• Nelly (23)
• Lady Gaga (23)
• Post Malone (22)
• Adele (21)
• Kelly Clarkson (21)
• The Black Eyed Peas (21) --

Most top 10 singles

• Usher (16)
• Beyonce (16)
• Britney Spears (16)
• Lady Gaga (16)
• Ed Sheeran (15)
• Nelly (14)
• Madonna (14)
• Christina Aguilera (14) --

Most chart entries

• Lil Wayne (33)
• Mariah Carey (32)
• The Weeknd (31)
• Eminem (31)
• Usher (31)
• Pink (31)
• Maroon 5 (30)
• Madonna (30)
• Katy Perry (30)
• Bruno Mars (26) --

Simultaneously occupying the top two positions

• Mariah Carey: December 9, 1995

1. "One Sweet Day" (with Boyz II Men)
2. "Fantasy"

• OutKast: January 31 - February 7, 2004

1. "Hey Ya!"
2. "The Way You Move" (featuring Sleepy Brown)

• Pharrell Williams: July 27 - August 3, 2013

1. "Blurred Lines" (Robin Thicke featuring T.I. and Pharrell)
2. "Get Lucky" (Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams and Nile Rogers)

• Iggy Azalea: June 28 - July 12, 2014

1. "Fancy" (featuring Charli XCX)
2. "Problem" (Ariana Grande featuring Iggy Azalea)

• Halsey: February 23 - March 9, 2019

1. "Without Me"
2. "Eastside" (with Benny Blanco and Khalid)

• Ariana Grande: February 20, 2021

1. "34+35"
2. "Positions"

• Olivia Rodrigo: August 7–28, 2021

1. "Good 4 U"
2. "Deja Vu"

• Doja Cat: October 15–22, 2022

1. "I Like You (A Happier Song)" (Post Malone featuring Doja Cat)
2. "Vegas"

• Bruno Mars: February 8 - March 8, 2025

1. "Apt." (Rosé and Bruno Mars)
2. "Die with a Smile" (Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars)

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Simultaneously three or more songs in the top 10

• Ariana Grande: May 15–22, 2021
  • "Positions"
  • "34+35"
  • "POV"
• Doja Cat: October 23–30, 2021
  • "Kiss Me More" (featuring SZA)
  • "You Right" (with The Weeknd)
  • "Need to Know"
• Harry Styles: October 15–29, 2022
  • "As It Was"
  • "Late Night Talking"
  • "Music for a Sushi Restaurant"
• Sabrina Carpenter: November 2–9, 2024
  • "Espresso"
  • "Please Please Please"
  • "Taste"

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Self-replacement at number one

• Mariah Carey — "Fantasy" → "One Sweet Day" (Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men) (December 9, 1995)
• OutKast — "Hey Ya!" → "The Way You Move" (OutKast featuring Sleepy Brown) (February 14, 2004)
• Iggy Azalea — "Fancy" (Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX) → "Problem" (Ariana Grande featuring Iggy Azalea) (July 12, 2014) †
• Halsey — "Without Me" → "Eastside" (Benny Blanco, Halsey and Khalid) (March 2, 2019)
• Ariana Grande — "Positions" → "34+35" (February 13, 2021) ††
• Doja Cat — "I Like You (A Happier Song)" (Post Malone featuring Doja Cat) → "Vegas" (October 22, 2022)
• Bruno Mars — "APT." (Rosé and Bruno Mars) → "Die with a Smile" (Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars) (March 8, 2025)

† 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.

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Additional artist achievements

• Lady Gaga is the only artist to have her first six singles reach No. 1.
• JoJo became the youngest (13) solo artist to have a number-one single on the chart with "Leave (Get Out)".
• Rihanna is the youngest (22) artist to attain at least seven No. 1 singles on the chart.
• Justin Bieber became the youngest (26) male artist to attain at least seven No. 1 singles on the chart with "Intentions" (featuring Quavo).
• Kate Bush broke the record for the oldest song to have ever charted on the Mainstream Top 40 chart with "Running Up That Hill", originally released in 1985. It charted in 2022 after its use in the fourth season of Stranger Things. The previous record holder was Empire of the Sun, whose song "Walking on a Dream", originally released in 2008, charted in 2016 after its use in a Honda commercial.

Album records

Most number-one singles from an album

References

References

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2. (November 1, 1994). "Chart Histories—Top 40 Airplay". Billboard 100th Anniversary Issue 1894–1994.
3. Girard, Keith. (August 2, 2003). "The Evolution Continues".
4. "Pop Songs Chart, October 3, 1992".
5. "Mainstream Top 40 National Airplay - Powered by Nielsen BDS".
6. "The Top 100 Pop Songs 1992-2012, From No. 100 To No. 1".
7. "The Top 40 Pop Songs Artists 1992-2012, From No. 40 To No. 1".
8. "Rihanna Rules as No. 1 Artist In Pop Songs Chart's 25-Year History".
9. (October 19, 2017). "Greatest of All Time Pop Songs". Nielsen Business Media, Inc.
10. (November 12, 2017). "Greatest of All Time: Pop Songs Artists". Nielsen Business Media, Inc.
11. "Alex Warren Chart History (Pop Airplay)".
12. (February 17, 2020). "Post Malone's 'Circles' Scores Historic 10th Week at No. 1 on Pop Songs Chart".
13. (November 29, 2021). "Adele's 'Easy on Me' Rebounds for Fifth Week Atop Billboard Hot 100, 'Oh My God' Debuts at No. 5".
14. "Miley Cyrus Chart History (Pop Airplay)".
15. "Taylor Swift Chart History (Pop Airplay)".
16. "Rema & Selena Gomez's 'Calm Down' Breaks Record for Most Weeks Ever on Pop Airplay Chart".
17. "The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' Leads Hot 100 for 4th Week, DaBaby & Roddy Ricch's 'Rockstar' Launches in Top 10".
18. "Selena Gomez Chart History (Pop Airplay)".
19. "Harry Styles Chart History (Pop Airplay)".
20. (May 26, 2023). "Harry Styles' 'As It Was' Breaks Longevity Record With 61st Week on Pop Airplay Chart". Billboard Music.
21. "Benson Boone Chart History (Pop Airplay)".
22. "Hozier Chart History (Pop Airplay)".
23. "The Weeknd Chart History (Pop Airplay)".
24. "Billie Eilish Chart History (Pop Airplay)".
25. "Lady Gaga Chart History (Pop Airplay)".
26. "Chappell Roan Chart History (Pop Airplay)".
27. (June 18, 2018). "Lauv's 'I Like Me Better' & Dua Lipa's 'New Rules' Set Longevity Records on Pop Songs Chart".
28. Trust, Gary. (October 10, 2025). "Taylor Swift’s ‘The Fate of Ophelia’ Makes Record Start on Billboard’s Radio Charts".
29. Trust, Gary. (February 14, 2011). "Lady Gaga's 'Born' Blasts Off With Huge Sales & Radio Start".
30. Trust, Gary. (August 25, 2014). "Taylor Swift's 'Shake It Off' Makes Record Start At Radio".
31. Trust, Gary. (May 25, 2015). "Chart Highlights: Taylor Swift Blasts Onto Pop Songs With 'Bad Blood'".
32. Trust, Gary. (April 26, 2024). "Taylor Swift & Post Malone's 'Fortnight' Makes Record-Tying Start on Adult Pop Airplay Chart".
33. Trust, Gary. (January 21, 2013). "Justin Timberlake Makes Historic Debut On Pop Songs Chart".
34. (January 25, 2023). "Pop Airplay Week of January 28, 2023".
35. (October 14, 2023). "Pop Airplay Week of October 14, 2023".
36. (November 25, 2023). "Pop Airplay Week of November 25, 2023".
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42. (October 30, 1993). "Pop Airplay".
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45. (December 9, 1995). "Pop Airplay".
46. (July 4, 2015). "Pop Airplay".
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48. (June 18, 2016). "Pop Airplay".
49. (March 4, 2023). "Pop Airplay".
50. "Lewis Capaldi's 'Before You Go' Wraps Record Run to No. 1 on Pop & Radio Songs Charts".
51. "Glass Animals' 'Heat Waves' Completes Slow Burn to No. 1 on Pop Airplay Chart".
52. "Benny Blanco, Halsey & Khalid Complete Record Rise to No. 1 on Pop Songs Chart With 'Eastside'".
53. (July 7, 2020). "Trevor Daniel's Breakthrough Hit 'Falling' Rises to No. 1 on Pop Songs Airplay Chart".
54. "Selena Gomez Chart History (Pop Airplay)".
55. (June 14, 2021). "Dua Lipa's 'Levitating' Lifts to No. 1 on Pop Airplay & Adult Pop Airplay Charts".
56. "Alessia Cara's 'Here' Completes Record Climb to No. 1 on Pop Songs Chart".
57. "Pop Songs Week of February 4, 2017". Billboard Music.
58. Trust, Gary. (September 17, 2018). "Khalid and Normani's 'Love Lies' Lifts to No. 1 On Pop Songs Airplay Chart".
59. "The Weeknd Chart History (Pop Airplay)".
60. (April 6, 2024). "Pop Airplay".
61. (March 29, 2025). "Pop Airplay".
62. (May 8, 1993). "Pop Airplay".
63. (August 21, 1993). "Pop Airplay".
64. (June 3, 1995). "Pop Airplay".
65. (March 14, 1998). "Pop Airplay".
66. (June 9, 2001). "Pop Airplay".
67. (October 16, 2004). "Pop Airplay".
68. (February 5, 2011). "Pop Airplay".
69. (March 5, 2011). "Pop Airplay".
70. (September 13, 2014). "Pop Airplay".
71. (June 13, 2015). "Pop Airplay".
72. (May 28, 2016). "Pop Airplay".
73. (September 16, 2017). "Pop Airplay".
74. (May 11, 2019). "Pop Airplay".
75. (July 10, 2021). "Pop Airplay".
76. (July 14, 2020). "Pop Songs Week of July 18, 2020".
77. (December 8, 2020). "Pop Songs Week of December 12, 2020".
78. "Pop Airplay Week of September 7, 2024".
79. "Pop Airplay Week of July 3, 2021".
80. Trust, Gary. (March 8, 2024). "Taylor Swift Scores Her 13th No. 1 on Pop Airplay Chart With 'Is It Over Now?'".
81. "Katy Perry Chart History (Pop Airplay)".
82. Trust, Gary. (November 14, 2025). "Taylor Swift's 'The Fate of Ophelia' Becomes Her Record-Extending 14th No. 1 on Pop Airplay Chart".
83. Trust, Gary. (August 30, 2021). "Extended 'Stay': The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber Top Billboard Hot 100 For Fourth Week".
84. Trust, Gary. (January 24, 2025). "ROSÉ & Bruno Mars' 'APT.' Becomes First No. 1 by a K-Pop Artist on Billboard's Pop Airplay Chart".
85. Trust, Gary. (October 10, 2025). "Justin Bieber Hits No. 1 on Pop Airplay Chart With ‘Daisies,’ Ties This Bruno Mars Record".
86. Trust, Gary. (May 17, 2024). "Ariana Grande's 'We Can't Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)' Hits No. 1 on Pop Airplay Chart".
87. Trust, Gary. (February 3, 2020). "Making More 'Memories': Maroon 5 Scores Record-Tying No. 1 on Pop Songs Airplay Chart".
88. Trust, Gary. (February 23, 2024). "Doja Cat Extends Record for Most Pop Airplay Chart No. 1s This Decade With 'Agora Hills'".
89. Trust, Gary. (November 15, 2024). "Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars' 'Die With a Smile' Hits No. 1 on Pop Airplay Chart".
90. "Mariah Carey Chart History (Pop Airplay)".
91. "Justin Bieber Chart History (Pop Airplay)".
92. "Maroon 5 Chart History (Pop Airplay)".
93. "Bruno Mars Chart History (Pop Airplay)".
94. "Katy Perry Sets Record On Pop Songs Chart".
95. "Ariana Grande Chart History (Pop Airplay)".
96. Trust, Gary. (July 22, 2019). "Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber's 'I Don't Care' Hits No. 1 On Pop Songs Airplay Chart".
97. "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Pop Airplay)".
98. (June 11, 2018). "BTS Becomes First K-Pop Act With Two Hits on the Pop Songs Chart as 'Fake Love' Debuts".
99. "Rihanna Chart History (Pop Airplay)".
100. "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Pop Airplay)".
101. "Chris Brown Chart History (Pop Airplay)".
102. "Drake Chart History (Pop Airplay)".
103. "Pitbull Chart History (Pop Airplay)".
104. "Britney Spears Chart History (Pop Airplay)".
105. Trust, Gary. (February 18, 2019). "Halsey Holds Top Two Spots on Pop Songs Chart With 'Without Me' & 'Eastside'".
106. "Billboard Pop Airplay Chart (Week of February 20, 2021)".
107. "Billboard Pop Airplay Chart (Week of August 7, 2021)".
108. "Billboard Pop Airplay Chart (Week of October 15, 2022)".
109. "The History Made on Billboard's Charts in 2021: The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' & More".
110. "Billboard Pop Airplay Chart (Week of October 15, 2022)".
111. (May 19, 2021). "'She's Perfect Right Now for Top 40': How Ariana Grande Made History at Pop Radio".
112. "Billboard Pop Airplay Chart (Week of November 2, 2024)".
113. Trust, Gary. (February 8, 2021). "Ariana Grande 34-35 tops pop airplay chart".
114. Trust, Gary. (October 17, 2022). "Steve Lacy's 'Bad Habit' Tops Hot 100 for Third Week, Doja Cat's 'Vegas' Hits Top 10".
115. Trust, Gary. (March 15, 2010). "Lady Gaga, Beyonce Match Mariah's Record".
116. (January 14, 2014). "JoJo Signs Deal with Atlantic Records".
117. Trust, Gary. (June 22, 2020). "Justin Bieber & Quavo's 'Intentions' Hits No. 1 on Pop Songs Chart".
118. (March 21, 2025). "Sabrina Carpenter's 'Short n' Sweet' Becomes 1st Album With 4 Pop Airplay No. 1s Since Taylor Swift's '1989'".