Taylor Swift's Patient Zero ends Choosin' Texas run at No. 1
Taylor Swift's "Patient Zero" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, ending Ella Langley's record 24-week run with "Choosin' Texas." It is Swift's 16th No. 1. Three more new songs from her Encore album hold Nos. 3, 4 and 5.
Taylor Swift is back on top of the Billboard Hot 100. Her song "Patient Zero" debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated Oct. 10, Billboard reported. It ended Ella Langley's record 24-week run at No. 1 with "Choosin' Texas," which slipped to No. 2.
The song is Swift's 16th No. 1. Only the Beatles, with 20, and Mariah Carey, with 19, have more, Variety noted.
It is also her 10th song to debut at No. 1. That ties the record held by Drake, Billboard said.
"Patient Zero" is one of four new songs on The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore, a deluxe version of her album released Sept. 25. The other new tracks also landed near the top. "Cleveland!," "Babylon" and "Pink Clouding" debuted at Nos. 3, 4 and 5, so Swift holds four of the top five spots.
In its first week, "Patient Zero" drew 34.5 million streams, reached a 28.5 million radio audience and sold 65,000 copies, Billboard reported. Swift wrote and produced it with Max Martin and Shellback. Its music video, starring Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell, premiered at the VMAs on Sept. 27.
The album is doing well too. The Life of a Showgirl returned to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for a 13th week, its first time back on top since January, Variety said.
Langley may not be done. Variety noted that "Choosin' Texas" could return to No. 1 once Swift's song cools off. Mariah Carey's holiday classic usually climbs back each December, which could shape the race for the most weeks at No. 1.
What we know: "Patient Zero" debuted at No. 1, Swift's 16th chart-topper.
What we don't: Whether the song can hold No. 1 for a second week.
Where outlets agree Billboard and Variety both report "Patient Zero" is Swift's 16th Hot 100 No. 1 and ended the 24-week run of "Choosin' Texas."
Where they differ Variety says Swift has a strong chance at a second week on top as preordered singles ship, while Billboard's report does not predict next week's chart.