Taylor Swift’s ‘Cruel Summer’ Tops Billboard Hot 100 Four Years After Release

    Taylor Swift has earned her 10th No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with ‘Cruel Summer’, four years after it was released on the album Lover. The fan-favourite, which originally debuted at No. 29 on the chart on September 7, 2019, wasn’t promoted as a single until this year, when it experienced a resurgence thanks to the Eras Tour and its accompanying concert film. Last week, Swift also shared a live version of ‘Cruel Summer’ along with a remix by LP Giobbi.

    “One of my favorite things you’ve done was when you supported Cruel Summer SO much, I ended up starting The Eras Tour show with it,” Swift wrote on Instagram. “For old times sake, I’m releasing the live audio from the tour so we can all shriek it in the comfort of our homes and cars PLUS a brand new remix by @lpgiobbi. Thank you, so much, forever, wow, just thank you!!!”

    Swift and Antonoff have since celebrated the achievement on X, formerly Twitter, calling ‘Cruel Summer’ “our favourite song from Lover” and “our secret best song.” Swift added, “We just wanted to say thank you so much for making ‘Cruel Summer’ a Hot 100 Number One, and it’s not even the summer anymore. It’s deep Fall, I’m wearing a sweater, we love you guys.”

    Swift is now tied with Stevie Wonder and Janet Jackson for ninth place for the most No. 1 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, behind the Beatles (20), Mariah Carey (19), Rihanna (14), Drake (13), Michael Jackson (13), Madonna (12), the Supremes (12), and Whitney Houston (11).

    Konstantinos Pappis
    Konstantinos Pappis
    Konstantinos Pappis is a writer, journalist, and music editor at Our Culture. His work has also appeared in Pitchfork, GIGsoup, and other publications. He currently lives in Athens, Greece.

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