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These Are The Longest Billboard Number 1 Hit Songs

Highlights

  • The duration of songs on the Billboard Top One hundred has lowered through about 20 seconds in the previous 5 years, with the average now standing at round Three mins and 30 seconds.
  • There have been notable fluctuations in song lengths over the years, with a time when 3-minute-and-30-second songs have been the norm because of vinyl document restrictions, and longer songs like "November Rain" and "Free Bird" changing into novelties.
  • Some of the longest songs to ever best the charts come with "I Would Do Anything For Love" by means of Meatloaf (12 mins), "We Are The World" via USA for Africa (6:22 mins), and "Hey Jude" by way of The Beatles (7 mins and Eleven seconds). Taylor Swift just lately set a brand new file with a 10-minute tune called "All Too Well."

According to a work revealed in 2019 in Digital Music News, the average length of a song on the Billboard Top A hundred has decreased by about 20 seconds in the past five years. Rappers are shortening their songs an increasing number of these days, and the moderate stood, in 2019, at around Three minutes and 30 seconds. But track lengths were fluctuating for years now, and though we would possibly not give a second idea to one thing as seemingly mundane as a tune's runtime, there are definite, observable trends in the music international which have been documented over the previous a number of decades.

There used to be a time when a 3-minute-and-30-second tune used to be the norm, and this was for a particular explanation why: it used to be dictated by the quantity of song a vinyl record may just cling. When groups started to now not be certain via those restrictions, 7-minute singles started to hit the airwaves and achieve notoriety. Now, a long runtime may also be noticed as a novelty in a tune; assume Guns 'N Roses' "November Rain" or Lynard Skynard's "Free Bird." We promise you'll recognize no less than a few from this listing, so right here are all the longest songs to ever reach #1 on the charts.

Related: Taylor Swift And These Celebrities Wrote These Hit Songs In Under 30 Minutes

7 'I Would Do Anything For Love' (But I Won't Do That) - Meatloaf

1993 used to be Meatloaf's 12 months for a run at the throne of the longest track to ever top the charts. While the radio version of "I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)," ran for simply over 5 minutes and Sixteen seconds, as noted through Billboard itself, the original version on the album ran for no less than 12 minutes. The period of the track was once slightly its most attention-grabbing characteristic, although; other folks were more ate up with the question the tune name begs: what is that one thing he may not do for romance?

6 'We Are The World' - USA For Africa

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One of the longest songs to ever top the charts is not even through one artist; it's by way of many. 1985's "We Are the World" was a charity song to raise cash for sufferers of the Ethiopian famine, led through pop legend Michael Jackson. Other than MJ, the music featured 46 singers, including stars like Willie Nelson, Cyndi Lauper, Tina Turner, and Stevie Wonder. Given just how many icons had been involved, it is sensible that this music's run time is a whopping 6:22 minutes.

5 'Rapture' - Blondie

Blondie's "Rapture" is now remembered for the iconic music video, but it is clinched its spot in historical past for other reasons. Back when it used to be released in 1980, it was the longest track to ever hit #1 at its time. With a runtime of 6 minutes and 31 seconds, much more standard of a chart-topping music at the time - but nonetheless an outstanding feat.

4 'Papa Was A Rolling Stone' - The Temptations

Detroit spawned the five-part vocal workforce The Temptations in the Nineteen Sixties, and the team changed into pioneers of Motown with 38 data in the pop top 40. In 1972, The Temptations launched a 6 minute, 54 moment edit of their song “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” down from its unique 12 minutes in the unique model. It cinched the #1 spot, and it used to be massive industrial successes. In fact, it was once information like this that got The Temptations inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.

3 'Hey Jude' - The Beatles

At 7 mins and 11 seconds, "Hey Jude" via The Beatles was the longest single to most sensible the charts when it came out in 1968. It would pass on to stay the document holder for moderately some time.

RELATED: Surprising Facts Behind Some Of The Beatles' Most Famous Lyrics

Paul McCartney was once the one gunning for the tune to be long, while Beatles manufacturer George Martin insisted this is able to work towards them, as radio DJs would not play it if it was too long. Paul McCartney's cocky (however not unsuitable) reaction? "They will if it's us."

2 'American Pie' - Don McLean

Until not too long ago, Don McLean held an attractive impressive file: for just about 50 years, "American Pie" used to be the longest music to ever hit #1. Per Billboard, the song runs 8 minutes and 42 seconds, virtually thrice the norm for songs at the moment, which was once proper around three minutes. When the tune used to be released as a unmarried on vinyl in 1971, it had to be split into two parts, taking over all sides of the document and preventing Don McLean from together with a B-side on the document, as was commonplace for singles at the time.

1 'All Too Well (10 Minute Version)' - Taylor Swift

Back in 2021, Taylor Swift made history when the 10 minute model of "All Too Well." Taylor Swift's "All Too Well" debuted at #1 on the charts remaining week, immediately making it the longest track to ever hit the best spot, clocking in at 10:13. Setting information is, in the phrases of any other song on her most up-to-date album, "nothing new" for Taylor. She holds many other world records, including Most Album of the Year Awards Won at the Grammys by means of a Vocalist and Most Weeks at #1 on Billboard's Artist 100 Chart.

As for the previous report holder she unseated, sure enough, Don McLean has been asked about his feelings relating to the state of affairs. However, his resolution proved he is a relax man: "Let’s face it, nobody ever wants to lose that #1 spot, but if I had to lose it to somebody, I sure am glad it was another great singer/songwriter such as Taylor." Taylor has had nothing however excellent sort phrases for her predecessor, herself. As Don printed in an Instagram put up, she sent him both flowers and a sweet note thanking him for his impact on her life. "Sending love one writer of LONG songs to another," she signed off.

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Zora Stowers

Update: 2024-04-27