Taylor Swift’s triumphant return to the pinnacle of the Billboard 200 sees “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” reclaiming the top spot, displacing Nicki Minaj’s “Pink Friday 2” to a respectable No. 2 in its second week on the chart. Swift’s resurgence at No. 1, marking its fourth non-consecutive week, strategically aligns with the pre-Christmas period, where her vinyl editions have experienced a surge in sales, captivating the hearts of gift buyers.
The recent Luminate data underscores Swift’s potential to etch her name in history, tying her with the legendary Elvis Presley at 67 weeks at the No. 1 position on the Billboard 200. If “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” maintains its stronghold in the upcoming chart, an outcome seemingly inevitable, Swift is poised to surpass Elvis and establish a solo artist record for the most weeks atop the chart.
While Swift’s accomplishment is remarkable, she has a ways to go before reaching the Beatles’ unparalleled record of 132 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The Beatles’ enduring legacy presents a formidable challenge, but with Swift’s prolific output and age advantage at 34, the possibility of her challenging the Beatles’ supremacy cannot be dismissed.
Swift and Presley’s joint feat of 67 weeks at No. 1 places them well ahead of their peers. Garth Brooks follows in fourth place with 52 weeks, while Michael Jackson secures the fifth spot with 51 weeks at the chart summit.
The latest chart data from Luminate reveals that Swift’s chart-topping juggernaut, “1989 (Taylor’s Version),” moved an impressive 136,000 units in the current week, combining album sales and equivalent streaming data. This reflects a notable 25% increase from the previous week. Minaj’s “Pink Friday 2” continues to hold ground with 100,000 units in its second week, following its initial debut at 220,000 units.
Swift’s chart dominance extends beyond her leading album, with a total of three albums in the current top 10. Alongside “1989,” “Midnights” claims the No. 3 spot with 75,000 units, and “Lover” secures the No. 7 position with 60,000 units.
The remainder of the top 10 showcases Michael Buble’s “Christmas” at No. 4 with 70,000 units, followed by Morgan Wallen, Drake, and Nat King Cole at Nos. 5, 6, and 8, respectively. SZA and Mariah Carey round out the top 10.
While Billboard did not immediately provide a breakdown of Swift’s vinyl or overall album sales, Hits Daily Double offers projections for the latest chart week. “1989” reportedly sold approximately 85,000 copies as a full album, with a significant portion likely in the vinyl format favored by Swift’s devoted fanbase. “Midnights” and “Lover” achieved sales of 38,000 and 27,000, respectively, further solidifying Swift’s robust presence in the music landscape.
“1989 (Taylor’s Version)” made a resounding impact upon its release, boasting Swift’s highest first-week sales ever on October 27. The album debuted with a staggering 1.653 million units, with 1.359 million attributed to pure album sales—an unforeseen achievement in an era where streaming typically dominates new album debuts.
