Taylor Swift passes Ariana Grande to claim the second-most No. 1 debuts on the Billboard Hot 100 as “I Knew It, I Knew You” launches in first place. NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 11: Taylor Swift attends the Songwriters Hall of Fame 55th Annual Induction and Awards Gala at Marriott Marquis Hotel on June 11, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
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Three musical superstars are competing in the race to collect the most No. 1 debuts on the Billboard Hot 100. It was only a few decades ago that Michael Jackson became the first artist to launch a song atop the most competitive ranking published by Billboard, and these days multiple tracks – sometimes 10 or more per year – can start their time at the summit thanks to massive streaming and sales figures, as well as immediate adoption across radio stations throughout the United States.
Impressively, all three of those artists – Drake, Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande – have scored new No. 1 debuts on the Billboard Hot 100 in the past month. Just one week after one powerhouse tied the other, that match has been broken as Swift once again conquers the tally.
Taylor Swift Rules With “I Knew It, I Knew You”
Swift rules the Billboard Hot 100 this week as “I Knew It, I Knew You,” taken from Toy Story 5, kicks off its time at No. 1. The single marks her fifteenth to dominate the chart, and Swift now sits alone in third place on the ranking of artists that have climbed into the penthouse most frequently. Swift passes both Rihanna and Drake, who sit side-by-side with 14 rulers apiece.
Taylor Swift Passes Ariana Grande’s No. 1 Debut Record
“I Knew It, I Knew You” is Swift’s ninth song to launch at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Just last week, when she claimed eight quick champions, Ariana Grande tied her record. “Hate That I Made You Love Me,” which precedes Grande’s upcoming eighth album Petal, easily stepped onto the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 1, and for only a matter of days, the two women jointly claimed the second-most chart-topping starts. Now, “I Knew It, I Knew You” helps Swift pull ahead, at least for the time being.
Here are all of Taylor Swift’s No. 1 debuts on the Billboard Hot 100.
- “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version)”
- “Anti-Hero”
- “Cardigan”
- “Fortnight” with Post Malone
- “I Knew It, I Knew You”
- “Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)”
- “Shake It Off”
- “The Fate of Ophelia”
- “Willow”
Drake Continues to Lead All Artists
Drake became the first musical act to rack up double-digit No. 1 debuts on the Billboard Hot 100 in late May when the hip-hop musician dropped three albums at once, Iceman, Habibti and Maid of Honour. He sent more than 40 songs to the ranking at once, which now stands as the most that any act has claimed in a single period. One of those tunes, “Janice STFU,” became his milestone tenth No. 1 start on the Billboard Hot 100. “Janice STFU,” featured on Iceman, spent two frames leading the charge before Grande’s “Hate That I Made You Love Me” topped the same list.
Taylor Swift Scores 2026’s Seventh No. 1 Debut
“I Knew It, I Knew You” is the seventh single to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2026 alone. Bruno Mars scored the first of the year with “I Just Might,” which helped hype Americans for his new solo album The Romantic. Harry Styles sent “Aperture” to the top spot in its first frame, and that tune – which preceded his album Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally – ousted “I Just Might.”
BTS returned to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 after a years-long hiatus in April with “Swim.” A month later, Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drop Dead” scored that Grammy-winning singer-songwriter another instant ruler as well. Thanks to Drake, Grande and Swift, the most recent three No. 1s on the Billboard Hot 100 have all started their time on the roster in that position.
Taylor Swift Has Hit No. 1 with Three Songs In 2026
“I Knew It, I Knew You” is Swift’s third No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 of 2026. “The Fate of Ophelia” returned to the top space in January after Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” finished its annual resurgence. In February, “Opalite,” the second single from her latest album The Life of a Showgirl pushed to No. 1, where it held for just one frame.