BTS Billboard Hot 100 Number One Debut

BTS (RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, Jungkook) has once again etched their name at the pinnacle of the U.S. Billboard charts. Following their triumph on the ‘Billboard 200’, they have now conquered the ‘Hot 100’, demonstrating their global impact.

According to a chart preview article posted on the official website of Billboard, the American music media outlet, on March 31st, BTS’s title track “SWIM” from their 5th full-length album “ARIRANG” has debuted straight at number one on the main song chart ‘Hot 100’ (dated April 4th). This marks their seventh number-one hit as a team, following “Dynamite”, “Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat) (BTS Remix)”, “Life Goes On”, “Butter”, “Permission to Dance”, and “My Universe (Coldplay X BTS)”. Additionally, “SWIM” becomes the 1190th song to reach number one on the ‘Hot 100’ and the 89th song to debut at the top, a rare feat representing only 7% of all number-one songs.

Billboard stated, “This marks the most number-one hits for a group in nearly half a century, since the Bee Gees recorded nine number-one songs from 1971 to 1979.” Furthermore, BTS now holds the fifth-highest number of number-one songs among groups since the ‘Hot 100’ chart began in August 1958. According to the media outlet, The Beatles hold the record for the most number-one hits by a group (20 songs), followed by the Supremes (12 songs), the Bee Gees, The Rolling Stones (8 songs), and then BTS.

“SWIM,” released on March 20th, recorded 15.3 million streams, 25.8 million radio airplay audience impressions, and a total of 154,000 digital and physical single sales as of March 26th. It debuted at number two on the Billboard ‘Streaming Songs Chart,’ marking the team’s highest ranking to date. It also debuted at number 18 on the ‘Radio Songs Chart,’ which is also the team’s highest debut ranking. It reached number one on the ‘Digital Song Sales Chart,’ becoming BTS’s 13th number-one song. They have now become the group with the most number-one songs on that chart.

BTS shared their heartfelt feelings through their agency, Big Hit Music. “After a long wait of 3 years and 9 months, we are honored to achieve the great glory of ‘Billboard #1’ with this album. We are deeply grateful to ARMY, who always send us unwavering love and support, and to everyone who listened to our music and shared their hearts with us.” They continued, “While preparing the new album, we pondered on how to capture universal emotions that many people could relate to. The title track ‘SWIM,’ which represents this, is a song that speaks of moving forward even in the face of difficulties. We hope that this song provides small courage and comfort to many people across borders. We are grateful for the unwavering belief and support over a long period of time, and we will continue to repay you with music that is sincere.”

Billboard announced in a chart preview article released on March 30th that ‘ARIRANG’ had reached the top of the main album chart ‘Billboard 200’ (dated April 4th). It has been approximately 6 years since BTS simultaneously topped both the ‘Billboard 200’ and ‘Hot 100’ charts, following their 7th mini album ‘BE’ and title track ‘Life Goes On’ in 2020. Artists who have conquered both charts in the same week include Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and Drake. BTS stands shoulder to shoulder with these artists, solidifying their position as musicians who bring inspiration to music fans worldwide.

Meanwhile, ‘ARIRANG’ is an album entirely produced by Chairman Bang Si-hyuk. It is receiving widespread love for incorporating universal emotions that many people can relate to into the music. The title track ‘SWIM’ sings about the will to keep swimming forward in the waves of life. RM took charge of writing the lyrics, capturing the most sincere stories of ‘the current BTS’.