Only 40 songs have debuted at No. 1 in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 and ETI has them all

In the history of modern music rankings, only a handful of songs have ever debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The Hot 100 is widely considered the definitive all-genre singles chart in the US. Although it was officially launched in 1958, Billboard began using modern airplay and sales data in 1991 — allowing for more time-sensitive calculations and accurate rankings.

Moreover, Billboard began incorporating digital sales data in 2005 and YouTube data in 2013. The chart methodology is updated at least once a year, to reflect rapidly evolving listening trends.

Although more than 1,000 songs have reached the coveted No. 1 spot, it’s far more difficult for a song to debut in the top position; it typically means a much-promoted single has met high expectations, or at least that an artist is supported and beloved by a legion of fans.

Only 40 songs in history have achieved the rare feat. Keep scrolling for the complete list, in chronological order.

1. “You Are Not Alone” by Michael Jackson

you are not alone michael jackson
“You Are Not Alone” was released in 1995. 
Michael Jackson/YouTube

“You Are Not Alone” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated September 2, 1995. It was the second single from Jackson’s ninth studio album “HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I.”

2. “Fantasy” by Mariah Carey

fantasy mariah carey
“Fantasy” was released in 1995. 
Mariah Carey/YouTube

“Fantasy” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated September 30, 1995. It was the lead single from Carey’s fifth studio album “Daydream.”

3. “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” by Whitney Houston

whitney houston exhale
“Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” was released in 1995. 
Whitney Houston/YouTube

“Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated November 25, 1995. It was the lead single from the soundtrack for the film “Waiting to Exhale.”

4. “One Sweet Day” by Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men

one sweet day mariah carey
“One Sweet Day” was released in 1995. 
Mariah Carey/YouTube

“One Sweet Day” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated December 2, 1995. It was the second single from Carey’s fifth studio album “Daydream.”

5. “I’ll Be Missing You” by Puff Daddy & Faith Evans, featuring 112

i'll be missing you puff daddy
“I’ll Be Missing You” was released in 1997. 
Bad Boy Entertainment/YouTube

“I’ll Be Missing You” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated June 14, 1997. It was the second single from “No Way Out,” the debut album from Diddy, then known as Puff Daddy.

6. “Honey” by Mariah Carey

honey mariah carey
“Honey” was released in 1997. 
Mariah Carey/YouTube

“Honey” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated September 13, 1997. It was the lead single from Carey’s sixth studio album “Butterfly.”

7. “Candle in the Wind 1997/Something About The Way You Look Tonight” by Elton John

elton john something about the way you look tonight
“Candle in the Wind” was re-released as a double A-side single in 1997 as a tribute to Princess Diana. 
Elton John/YouTube

“Candle in the Wind 1997/Something About The Way You Look Tonight” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated October 11, 1997. The double A-side single later became the first song ever to be certified diamond.

8. “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion

titanic ftr
“My Heart Will Go On” was released in the US on February 10, 1998. 
Paramount Pictures

“My Heart Will Go On” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated February 28, 1998.

The famous ballad was written for the soundtrack of “Titanic” and served as the movie’s main romantic theme. It was also released as a single from Dion’s fifth English-language album “Let’s Talk About Love.”

9. “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith

aerosmith i don't wanna miss a thing
“I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” was released in 1998. 
Aerosmith/YouTube

“I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated September 5, 1998. It was recorded for the film “Armageddon,” starring Liv Tyler.

10. “Doo Wop (That Thing)” by Lauryn Hill

doo wop that thing lauryn hill
“Doo Wop (That Thing)” was released in 1998. 
Ms. Lauryn Hill/YouTube

“Doo Wop (That Thing)” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated November 14, 1998. It was the lead single from Hill’s debut album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.”

11. “This Is the Night” by Clay Aiken

clay aiken american idol season 2
Clay Aiken was the runner-up on season two of “American Idol” in 2003. 
SGranitz/WireImage

“This Is the Night” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated June 28, 2003. It was Aiken’s debut single after competing on season two of “American Idol.”

12. “I Believe” by Fantasia

fantasia american idol season 3
Fantasia won season three of “American Idol” in 2004. 
Frank Micelotta/Getty Images

“I Believe” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated July 10, 2004. It was Fantasia’s debut single after winning season three of “American Idol.”

13. “Inside Your Heaven” by Carrie Underwood

carrie underwood american idol
Carrie Underwood won season four of “American Idol” in 2005. 
Kevin Winter/Getty Images

“Inside Your Heaven” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated July 2, 2005. It was Underwood’s debut single after winning season four of “American Idol.”

Underwood remains the only country artist ever to have a No. 1 debut on the Billboard Hot 100.

14. “Do I Make You Proud” by Taylor Hicks

taylor hicks american idol
Taylor Hicks won the fifth season of “American Idol” in 2006. 
Jason Merritt/FilmMagic

“Do I Make You Proud” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated July 1, 2006. Hicks first performed the song on the fifth season finale of “American Idol,” and it was released as a single shortly after his victory.

15. “3” by Britney Spears

britney spears 3
“3” was released in 2009. 
Britney Spears/YouTube

“3” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated October 24, 2009. It was the lead (and only) single from Spears’ second greatest hits album “The Singles Collection.”

16. “Not Afraid” by Eminem

eminem not afraid
“Not Afraid” was released in 2010. 
Eminem/YouTube

“Not Afraid” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated May 22, 2010. It was the lead single from Eminem’s seventh studio album “Recovery.”

17. “We R Who We R” by Ke$ha

kesha we r who we r
“We R Who We R” was released in 2010. 
Kesha/YouTube

“We R Who We R” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated November 13, 2010. It was the lead single from Kesha’s debut EP “Cannibal.”

18. “Hold It Against Me” by Britney Spears

britney spears hold it against me
“Hold It Against Me” was released in 2011. 
Britney Spears/YouTube

“Hold It Against Me” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated January 29, 2011. It was the lead single from Spears’ seventh studio album “Femme Fatale.”

19. “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga

born this way lady gaga
“Born This Way” was released in 2011. 
Lady Gaga/YouTube

“Born This Way” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated February 26, 2011. It was the lead single from Gaga’s second studio album of the same name.

20. “Part Of Me” by Katy Perry

katy perry part of me
“Part of Me” was released in 2012. 
Katy Perry/YouTube

“Part of Me” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated March 3, 2012. It was the lead single from “Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection,” a reissue of Perry’s third studio album.

21. “Harlem Shake” by Baauer

baauer
Baauer is an American producer and DJ, best known for his 2012 hit “Harlem Shake.” 
Michael Hickey/Getty Images

“Harlem Shake” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated March 2, 2013. The viral hit benefitted from a recent adjustment to the Hot 100’s formula, when the chart began incorporating YouTube data.

22. “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift

taylor swift shake it off
“Shake It Off” was released in 2014. 
Taylor Swift/YouTube

“Shake It Off” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated September 6, 2014. It was the lead single from Swift’s fifth album “1989.”

23. “What Do You Mean?” by Justin Bieber

justin bieber what do you mean
“What Do You Mean?” was released in 2015. 
Justin Bieber/YouTube

“What Do You Mean?” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated September 19, 2015. It was the lead single from Bieber’s fourth studio album “Purpose.”

24. “Hello” by Adele

hello adele
“Hello” was released in 2015. 
Adele/YouTube

“Hello” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated November 14, 2015. It was the lead single from Adele’s third studio album “25.”

25. “Pillowtalk” by Zayn

pillowtalk zayn
“Pillowtalk” was released in 2016. 
Zayn/YouTube

“Pillowtalk” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated February 20, 2016. It was the lead single from Zayn’s debut solo album “Mind of Mine.”

26. “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake

can't stop the feeling justin timberlake
“Can’t Stop the Feeling!” was released in 2016. 
Justin Timberlake/YouTube

“Can’t Stop the Feeling!” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated May 28, 2016. It was the lead single for the soundtrack of the film “Trolls.”

27. “Shape Of You” by Ed Sheeran

ed sheeran shape of you
“Shape of You” was released in 2017. 
Ed Sheeran/YouTube

“Shape of You” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated January 28, 2017. It was one of the lead singles, along with “Castle on the Hill,” from Sheeran’s third studio album “Divide.”

28. “I’m The One” by DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, and Lil Wayne

i'm the one music video
“I’m the One” was released in 2017. 
DJ Khaled/YouTube

“I’m the One” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated May 20, 2017. It was the second single from Khaled’s 10th studio album “Grateful.”

29. “God’s Plan” by Drake

drake god's plan
“God’s Plan” was released in 2018. 
Drake/YouTube

“God’s Plan” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated February 3, 2018. It was the lead single from Drake’s fifth studio album “Scorpion.”

30. “Nice for What” by Drake

nice for what drake
“Nice for What” was released in 2018. 
Drake/YouTube

“Nice for What” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated April 21, 2018. It was the second single from “Scorpion.”

31. “This Is America” by Childish Gambino

this is america
“This Is America” was released in 2018. 
Donald Glover/YouTube

“This Is America” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated May 19, 2018. It was released as a standalone single.

32. “Thank U, Next” by Ariana Grande

ariana grande thank u next
“Thank U, Next” was released in 2018. 
Ariana Grande/YouTube

“Thank U, Next” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated November 17, 2018. It was the lead single from Grande’s fifth studio album of the same name.

33. “7 Rings” by Ariana Grande

ariana grande 7 rings
“7 Rings” was released in 2019. 
Ariana Grande/YouTube

“7 Rings” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated February 2, 2019. It was the second single from “Thank U, Next.”

34. “Sucker” by the Jonas Brothers

jonas brothers sucker
“Sucker” was released in 2019. 
Jonas Brothers/YouTube

“Sucker” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated March 16, 2019. It was the lead single from the Jonas Brothers’ fifth studio album “Happiness Begins.”

35. “Highest In The Room” by Travis Scott

travis scott highest in the room video
“Highest In The Room” was released in 2019. 
Travis Scott/YouTube

“Highest in the Room” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated October 19, 2019. It was featured on “JackBoys,” a compilation EP by Scott and other members of his label.

36. “Toosie Slide” by Drake

drake toosie slide
“Toosie Slide” was released in 2020. 
Drake/YouTube

“Toosie Slide” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated April 18, 2020. It was the lead single from Drake’s compilation mixtape “Dark Lane Demo Tapes.”

37. “The Scotts” by The Scotts

travis scott fortnite event
“The Scotts” was released in 2020. 
Travis Scott/YouTube

“The Scotts” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated May 9, 2020. It was the debut single from newly formed hip-hop duo The Scotts, aka Travis Scott and Kid Cudi.

38. “Stuck With U” by Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber

ariana grande stuck with u
“Stuck With U” was released in 2020. 
Ariana Grande/YouTube

“Stuck With U” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated May 23, 2020. It was released as a charity single to raise money for the First Responders Children’s Foundation.

39. “Rain On Me” by Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande

rain on me video lady gaga ariana grande
“Rain On Me” was released in 2020. 
Lady Gaga/YouTube

“Rain On Me” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated June 6, 2020. It was the second single from Gaga’s sixth studio album “Chromatica.”

40. “Trollz” by 6ix9ine and Nicki Minaj

6ix9ine nicki minaj trolls
“Trollz” was released in 2020. 
Tekashi 6ix9ine/YouTube

“Trollz” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated June 27, 2020. It became the fifth No. 1 debut in 2020 alone, marking a new single-year high.

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