'Lover got justice': Swifties elated as Taylor Swift's 'Cruel Summer' reaches top spot on Billboard Hot 100 four years after release
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In a triumphant moment for Taylor Swift and her ardent fan base, affectionately known as 'Swifties', the chart-topping sensation has achieved another remarkable milestone.
Swift's 2019 track 'Cruel Summer' has finally secured the number one position on the prestigious Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking an impressive journey spanning four years and two months, as per Variety.
🏆| "Cruel Summer" reaches #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, over 4 years after release! pic.twitter.com/rzLJ4RflBd
— The Swift Society (@TheSwiftSociety) October 23, 2023
'Cruel Summer's resilience in the music charts
'Cruel Summer', a standout hit from Swift's 'Lover' album era, first made its mark in the top 10 back in early July, maintaining a consistent presence in the upper echelons of the chart.
Swifties had embraced it as the unofficial 'song of the summer' for 2023, despite the fact that it was released four years ago during autumn. However, the song recently slipped to number nine, a setback that left fans wondering what would reignite its ascent.
One undeniable catalyst for this resurgence is the release of 'Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour', a blockbuster theatrical experience that gave her entire catalog a substantial boost in streaming numbers.
Yet, Swift took a proactive approach to ensure 'Cruel Summer' claimed its well-deserved crown. On October 18, just two days before the chart's last reporting period, she announced the release of two new versions of the song: 'Cruel Summer (Live from Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour)' and 'Cruel Summer (LP Giobbi Remix)'.
These two renditions were packaged as an EP titled 'The Cruelest Summer'.
Unsurprisingly, the impact of these fresh versions on sales was immense. Download sales surged by a staggering 1,482%, with 41,000 tracks sold during the week, according to Luminate data reported by Billboard.
While the increase in streaming numbers wasn't as remarkable percentage-wise, it was still substantial, with a 35% rise, totaling 18.6 million streams.
Combined with the song's consistent radio presence, which witnessed a 2% increase in airplay audience impressions to 77.8 million, 'Cruel Summer' became unstoppable in its quest for the number one spot.
How are alternate song versions counted in music charts?
For those wondering how alternate versions of a song are factored into Hot 100 rankings, they are typically counted together. If a remix significantly alters the song, it may be counted separately.
However, when the core of the song remains substantially the same, all versions, whether live tracks, remixes, or acoustic renditions, contribute to the same goal. The version with the most consumption points receives credit on the chart for that week.
The duration of time it took 'Cruel Summer' to reach the pinnacle, spanning four years, one month, and three weeks, makes it the fifth-longest wait in the history of the Hot 100.
Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' holds the record, taking nearly 20 years to secure the top spot. The other tracks with chart journeys longer than Swift's include the Weeknd's 'Die for You', Sheriff's 'When I'm With You', and UB40's 'Red Red Wine'.
Swifties elated as 'Cruel Summer' clinches top spot
Swift's announcement of the two new versions of 'Cruel Summer' didn't explicitly signal a race for the number one position, but her most devoted fans were already gearing up to stream and purchase the original song in impressive numbers.
Their commitment to seeing 'Cruel Summer' as a single release and subsequently earning it the status of Swift's tenth Hot 100 chart-topper has been unwavering.
When 'Lover' was released, fans had anticipated that 'Cruel Summer' would follow in the footsteps of other singles like 'Me!', 'You Need to Calm Down', and 'Lover'. With its commercial appeal and potential to dominate the warm-weather months of 2020, it seemed like a natural choice.
Unfortunately, the pandemic altered the trajectory of the album campaign in spring 2020, and Swift swiftly transitioned to 'Folklore', where she achieved a number one hit with 'Cardigan.' In the end, for Swifties, justice delayed is justice embraced.
Fans have expressed their jubilation on various platforms, with one declaring, "Lover got justice." Another enthusiast joyfully exclaimed, "Let's go!"
Taylor Swift's achievement has indeed left her dedicated followers immensely proud, with fans expressing their joy in phrases like "What an achievement" and "Proud of her." The sentiment was summed up by one fan's triumphant proclamation, "YASSS WE DID IT."