"In the rarefied world of smash pop singles, there are No. 1s-and there are No. 1 debuts. Entering Billboard 's Hot 100 at the top is one of the hardest tricks in music. In fact, it wasn't possible in the U.S. until 1995. That's when the record labels hacked the Hot 100 and figured out how to send new singles straight into the chart penthouse."
"But scoring a No. 1 in Week One doesn't mean it's built to last. For every enduring hit like "Fantasy," "Shake It Off" or "Hello," there are plenty of one-off oddities, coronation pabulum from American Idol finalists, and even a few missteps from chart luminaries. Within a couple of years these fast-breaking hits may be forgotten-never to be spun on the radio or streamed on Spotify."
"Join Chris Molanphy as he explores the chart calculus, superfan interventions, and fluky conditions that create a perfect storm of pop-chart insta-success. It's a parade of pop bangers that scored a fast pass to the front of the line. Get more Hit Parade with Slate Plus! Join for monthly early-access episodes, bonus episodes of "The Bridge," and ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Visit slate.com/hitparadeplus to get access wherever you listen."
Entering Billboard's Hot 100 at No. 1 only became possible in the United States in 1995 after record labels changed chart practices to send new singles straight to the top. Many debut No. 1s are ephemeral; enduring examples like Fantasy, Shake It Off, and Hello contrast with one-off oddities, American Idol coronation songs, and high-profile missteps. Chart calculus, superfan interventions, and fluky conditions can combine to produce instant No. 1 success. Several fast-breaking hits lose radio play and streaming presence within a few years, fading from popular listening despite initial coronation-level attention.
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