- Only 82 songs have debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100 since the chart was launched in 1958.
- Kendrick Lamar’s “Squabble Up” is the most recent song to achieve this feat.
- Listen to the complete playlist on Business Insider’s Spotify.
The Billboard 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.
Well over 1,000 songs have reached the coveted No. 1 spot, but 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.
Keep reading for a complete list of instant chart-toppers throughout history.
