Posted by The Weeknd has finally done it. His smash hit “Blinding Lights” off his fourth studio album, After Hours, is officially the number one song on Billboard‘s Greatest Songs of All Time Hot 100 Chart. The announcement was made via Billboard on Tuesday (November 23).
“Blinding Lights” entered the Billboard Hot 100 on December 14, 2019, and went on a hell of a run for the next two years. The song was No. 1 for four weeks in 2020 and spent the most weeks in the Hot 100 Top Five (43), Top Ten (57) and Top 40 (86).
Overall, “Blinding Lights” spent a record 90 weeks on the Hot 100 chart surpassing Chubby Checker’s 1960s rock-n-roll classic “The Twist” as the all-time number one song. Checker and his hit “The Twist” held the position since 2008. According to a statement, Billboard had a unique way of determining the standings.
.@theweeknd’s "Blinding Lights" has officially been crowned the #1 biggest Hot 100 hit in @billboard chart history.
— chart data (@chartdata) November 23, 2021
“A designation that factors in total weeks on the chart as well as exact chart positions, with weeks at No. 1 earning the greatest value and weeks at No. 100 earning the least,” Billboard said in a statement.
Billboard is also offering fans the chance to purchase a special gift to celebrate The Weeknd’s achievement. Fans will be able to get their hands on a special collection of trading card packs available for purchase for $100 on shop.theweeknd.com and a limited-edition NFT featuring The Weeknd in partnership with Autograph, the brand co-founded by NFL legend Tom Brady.
.@theweeknd's "Blinding Lights" is officially the GOAT #Hot100 song ?
Celebrate with a special collection of trading cards, including a set autographed by The Weeknd, made in partnership with @Autograph and The Infinite. https://t.co/5IuVGhTwPR pic.twitter.com/53PhZHdqRW
— billboard (@billboard) November 23, 2021
The Weeknd also spoke on the monumental win in a new Billboard cover story. According to the Toronto crooner, it hasn’t really hit him yet that “Blinding Lights” has become this big of a song.
“I’ve always been tinkering with the [sounds of the] ’80s,” The Weeknd said about the nostalgic feel of the record. “It was much more subtle before, but I’ve always wanted to completely dive into it. And 10 years in, I think I’ve earned it.”
He added, “[There were] songs that transcended into pop culture, like “The Hills.” But by the time “Blinding Lights” happened, I was 10 years into my career and established as a music figure in the industry already. So I’m glad “Blinding Lights” happened when it happened as opposed to it being the first single I’ve ever dropped. That’d be scary for me. I don’t think [the success of “Blinding Lights”] has hit me yet. I try not to dwell on it too much. I just count my blessings, and I’m just grateful.”
As if the Billboard news wasn’t enough, HBO just picked up The Weeknd’s new series The Idol. The Weeknd teamed up with the creator of Drake’s hit show Euphoria Sam Levinson to tell the story of a rising female pop star who gets romantically involved with a mysterious Los Angeles club owner who also happens to be the leader of a secret cult.
The Weeknd’s ‘Blinding Lights’ Makes Case For G.O.A.T. Song With Billboard Hot 100 Milestone
The Idol will star The Weeknd, Lily-Rose Depp, and just added new cast members Troye Sivan, TV on the Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe, Anne Heche, Suzanna Son, Melanie Liburd, Steve Zissis, Elizabeth Berkley Lauren, and Nico Hiraga.
Relive The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” below.