Setting a New Solo Artist Record
Taylor Swift has recently surpassed Elvis Presley’s record for the most weeks spent at number one on the Billboard album chart as a solo artist. Her album “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” climbed to the top spot on the US album chart for the fifth time in the last week of 2023, bringing her total to 68 weeks at number one.
This achievement places Swift second overall, behind the Beatles, who hold the record with 132 weeks at the top.
Elvis Presley’s Legacy and Swift’s Milestones
Elvis Presley, now second among solo artists, had his albums at number one for a total of 67 weeks, spanning from 1956 to 2002. His most successful album was the “Blue Hawaii” soundtrack, which dominated the chart for 20 weeks between 1961 and 1962. Swift, on the other hand, has a unique achievement of having 13 albums debut at number one consecutively.
This feat was partly due to her decision to re-record her albums following a dispute with her former talent manager, Scooter Braun, over the rights to her original recordings.
Swift’s Chart-Topping Albums
Taylor Swift’s journey to this record began with her album “Fearless,” which topped the chart for 11 weeks in 2008-2009. She continued this trend with multiple albums, including “Speak Now,” “Red,” “1989,” “Reputation,” “Lover,” “Folklore,” “Evermore,” and various versions of her earlier albums.
Notably, Swift is the first living artist to have five albums in the Top 10 simultaneously, a record previously achieved posthumously by Prince.
Breaking Records and Making History
In addition to her Billboard achievements, Swift broke Barbra Streisand’s record to become the female artist with the most number one albums in history. With 13 number one albums, she follows closely behind The Beatles, who have 19, and Jay-Z with 14.
Swift and Presley are tied for achieving the most number one albums in a single year, a record they both accomplished twice.
Taylor Swift’s record-breaking achievements not only highlight her prolific career but also signify a shift in the music industry, where contemporary artists are redefining success and legacy.
