Billboard Explains: Taylor Swift’s Record-Breaking Chart History

Taylor Swift is one of the most acclaimed artists in Billboard‘s history, and we’re celebrating the April 19 release of her 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, by strolling down charts memory lane.

The 33-year-old superstar kicked off her charts journey back in 2006 when her debut single, “Tim McGraw,” arrived on the country charts and peaked at No. 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. Swift’s career kicked into high gear with the release of her 2008 album, Fearless. The title track peaked at No. 4 on the Hot 100, and “You Belong With Me” made its way up to No. 2.

Overall, Swift has 11 Hot 100 chart-toppers under her belt, tying her with Whitney Houston as the fourth most among women in chart history. She has 232 songs on the Hot 100 in total, more than any other female artist and only second to Drake overall. Swift is also the only woman to replace herself on the Hot 100 — and she’s done it three times.

Watch Billboard Explains: Taylor Swift’s Record-Breaking Chart History in the video above.

After the video, catch up on more Billboard Explains videos and learn about Peso Pluma and the Mexican music boom, the role record labels play, origins of hip-hop, how Beyoncé arrived at Renaissance, the evolution of girl groups, BBMAs, NFTs, SXSW, the magic of boy bands, American Music Awards, the Billboard Latin Music Awards, the Hot 100 chart, how R&B/hip-hop became the biggest genre in the U.S., how festivals book their lineups, Billie Eilish’s formula for success, the history of rap battles, nonbinary awareness in music, the Billboard Music Awards, the Free Britney movement, rise of K-pop in the U.S., why Taylor Swift is re-recording her first six albums, the boom of hit all-female collaborations, how Grammy nominees and winners are chosen, why songwriters are selling their publishing catalogs, how the Super Bowl halftime show is booked and more.

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