BTS has once again topped the US Billboard charts, with its latest track “Swim” debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking the group’s seventh chart-topping hit.
According to Billboard’s chart preview, the lead track from BTS’ fifth LP “Arirang” entered the Hot 100 dated April 4 at No. 1, outpacing Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” and Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need."
BTS’ latest triumph adds “Swim” to its other list of songs that topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart, following “Dynamite,” “Savage Love,” “Life Goes On,” “Butter,” “Permission to Dance” and “My Universe.”
Billboard added that the track recorded 15.3 million streams, 25.8 million radio audience impressions and 154,000 combined digital and physical album sales during the tracking period ending March 26. “Swim” debuted at No. 2 on the Streaming Songs chart and No. 18 on the Radio Songs chart — both the group’s highest entries to date — while also topping the Digital Song Sales chart for the 13th time.
With seven No. 1 hits on the Hot 100 chart, BTS ranks among other groups with the most chart-toppers in the chart’s history. The Beatles hold the record with 20 No. 1 songs, followed by the Supremes with 12, as well as the Bee Gees and the Rolling Stones with eight each.
As of Sunday, "Arirang" topped the Billboard 200 albums chart to become the group’s seventh No. 1 album. This marked the group’s first simultaneous No. 1 on both the Hot 100 and Billboard 200 charts since 2020, when “Life Goes On” and the album “Be” led the charts in the same week.
Other than BTS, artists who have achieved simultaneous No. 1 placements on both charts include Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber and Drake.
“Arirang,” released on March 20, ended BTS' three-year hiatus from full-group activities. The 14-track album explores BTS’ identity as a group that began its musical journey in Korea, and the universal emotions the members have encountered throughout the years. “Swim” speaks to navigating life’s challenges, with lyrics co-written by member RM.
lee.jungjoo@heraldcorp.com
