Taylor Swift’s The Fate of Ophelia holds firm at No. 1 as the season shifts. Michael Jackson is back in the Top 10 with “Thriller,” while Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” re-enters early at #31 — a signal that the holiday wave is arriving ahead of schedule.

We break down the early Christmas surge, the confusing Grammy nominations, and Sombr’s push for the Top 10 on both the Hot 100 and Billboard 200. Plus: Olivia Dean’s continued rise, Billie Eilish’s "Wildflower" finally leaving the Hot 100.

Taylor Swift and HUNTR/X go head-to-head again this week as “Golden” benefits from Halloween momentum, but “The Fate of Ophelia” still holds the crown for now — with Taylor’s possible drops possibly securing another week at No.1.

Meanwhile, rap tries to come back on charts with Megan Thee Stallion as R&B steps into the space — with Kehlani scoring her breakthrough Top 10 with “Folded,” Leon Thomas inside the Top 10, and Olivia Dean rising into the Top 5.

We also cover the arrival of new AI artist Xania Monet on Billboard’s R&B and Gospel charts, radio’s continued outsized influence on Top 15 stability, looming Grammy nominations, Rosalía and Katy Perry returning, and the early Christmas takeover creeping in right after Halloween.

“The Fate of Ophelia” still holds at #1, but “Golden” has suddenly closed the gap with a major airplay surge. Predictions have them neck-and-neck — and with Halloween week ahead, this is shaping up to be one of the most suspenseful chart races of the year.

We break down how this happened so quickly, what might come next, and how seasonal returns could disrupt everything. We also look at Olivia Dean and Leon Thomas earning their first Top 10 hits, Olivia’s rising momentum in the U.S., Kehlani’s Folded pushing toward the Top 10, and what the current R&B surge says about shifting listener tastes.

Plus, the holiday season is to begin with Mariah Carey officially calling it soon, TikTok-first promo strategies continue to reshape the industry, and KATSEYE pays a thoughtful homage to Mariah’s iconic videos after that VMA moment.

Episode 30 — and our first on video. The chart games are officially underway.

Billboard just hit refresh — and it’s already changing the game.

In this week’s episode, we dive into the new recurrent rule reshaping the Hot 100, the songs finally making their exits, and the fresh faces stepping into the spotlight. Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” still reigns supreme, but the “Golden” showdown we’ve been waiting for hasn’t arrived… yet.

We talk Olivia Dean and Leon Thomas finally breaking into the Top 10 and Kehlani’s steady climb with Folded. Plus, the inevitable rise of Dracula by Tame Impala, Sabrina Carpenter’s When Did You Get Hot, and an upcoming Halloween boost led by Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, and more.

And yes — we unpack sombr's concert controversy, and why sometimes, the best clapback is simply a great performance.

Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” continues its historic run, holding the No.1 spot and extending The Life of a Showgirl’s dominance for a second week — but the countdown to a “Golden” showdown is officially on. With K-Pop Demon Hunters ramping up their promo ahead of Halloween and aiming for a November takeover, the next Hot 100 battle could be one of the year’s biggest.

We break down the sustainability of Taylor’s numbers, how long this era can keep the top spot locked, and why “Golden” is poised to become her first real challenger. Plus: Olivia Dean’s infectious rise and Grammy buzz, the global impact of RAYE and the new wave of U.K. talent, and our tribute to D’Angelo — the king of neo-soul whose influence continues to shape the genre.

Taylor Swift rewrites the record books: The Life of a Showgirl storms past 4M+ first-week units (and sets a new pure-sales mark) while “The Fate of Ophelia” logs the biggest streaming week ever. We break down the sales math, platform records, and the looming Hot 100 sweep (12-for-12)— plus how Taylor stands up for her work vibrantly despite the variants strategy and the criticism around her album.

Elsewhere, sombr shines in New York; HUNTR/X step further into the spotlight off “Golden”; Olivia Dean and Leon Thomas get squeezed out of likely top-10s in the Swift-quake; and the push behind Tate McRae’s “Tit for Tat” raises eyebrows. Plus: quick hits on JISOO & ZAYN’s team-up, where Khalid’s new era sits for 2010s stars in 2025, early Grammy buzz (Nov 7), a Bad Bunny Super Bowl surge, and our Week-2 outlook—what Showgirl tracks hold, which slide, and who sneaks back into the top tier.

Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl has turned release week into a global spectacle — breaking streaming and sales records across every platform and setting sights on Adele’s all-time debut. But behind the glitter and the variants, we ask: is this pure dominance or a perfectly engineered record-breaking machine?

This week, Can and Murat don’t entirely see eye to eye — diving into the balance between artistry and strategy, authenticity and ambition. Murat reports live from New York, sharing his experiences from record stores and Showgirl screenings, as the era unfolds in real time.

We also celebrate Olivia Dean’s historic UK chart double, Mariah Carey’s Here For It All topping the physical sales chart, Doja Cat’s underperforming but critically acclaimed Vie, and the anticipation around Bad Bunny’s upcoming Super Bowl takeover.

The divas are here — and they’re running the charts. 🎤 Cardi B storms back with Am I the Drama? debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200, Doja Cat experiments with an ‘80s-inspired vibe, and Mariah Carey makes a triumphant return with Here For It All. Olivia Dean drops a new album as Man I Need conquers streaming, while Kehlani sparks a career resurgence with two singles climbing fast.

Plus: K-Pop Demon Hunters extend Golden’s reign as the longest-running soundtrack #1 in over a decade, Tate McRae scores a strong new debut, and Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl looms — ready to shake everything up.

Cardi B storms back with Am I the Drama?, a savvy rollout mixing new tracks with past hits that’s powering her toward a #1 debut on the Billboard 200 and a flood of Hot 100 entries. K-Pop Demon Hunters extend their dominance as both Golden and the soundtrack album reign at the top, while Olivia Dean and sombr keep climbing with fresh peaks.

We also touch on Ed Sheeran’s Play bowing modestly in the U.S. despite a U.K. #1 — and look ahead to a massive release week, with Doja Cat, Mariah, Olivia Dean, and Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl set to light up theaters and shake the charts.

K-Pop Demon Hunters make history as the soundtrack rises to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 while “Golden” is to hold strong on the Hot 100, scoring a rare double crown. We look at how long Golden can reign before Taylor Swift arrives, and what this moment means for the soundtrack’s legacy.

We also dive into Sabrina Carpenter’s second week as “Tears” slips behind “Manchild,” and why timing matters so much for a No. 1 hit. Plus sombr’s steady climb with “12 to 12,” Olivia Dean’s breakthrough, and Ed Sheeran’s new album — decent numbers but far from his past highs, raising the question: is he moving into his legacy era while still filling stadiums? And of course, new drops from Drake, Twenty One Pilots, and an upcoming release from Cardi B.

Justin Bieber reloads with Swag II and enters a three-way fight for the Billboard 200 crown against Sabrina Carpenter and K-Pop Demon Hunters. We look at Sabrina’s No. 1 debut and why, despite strong reviews, it feels less impactful than her breakout year. We also dig into the “changing” VMAs and what this shift says about the state of music videos.

Plus Taylor Swift’s Target midnight rollout, Olivia Dean’s rise, fresh moves from Gunna and Burna Boy, and the Song of the Summer debate: was Ordinary really it, or should Golden have worn the crown?

Sabrina Carpenter storms in with Man’s Best Friend, breaking records and securing her biggest week yet — but the glow comes with cracks. Her single Tears opens at No. 1 before quickly slipping, and the album itself is met with mixed reviews. At the same time, K-Pop Demon Hunters extend their golden run with four simultaneous Top 10 hits, while Morgan Wallen looks to hold on through a crowded fall release season. We also dive into the ripple effects of Taylor Swift’s engagement news and upcoming album hype, and the rise of new voices like Mariah the Scientist, Laufey, Olivia Dean, and sombr, each finding their own corner of streaming success.

Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl has already crossed a million preorders, with new colors and covers fueling demand ahead of its October 3 release. We look at the frenzy around her variants and what it means for another record-breaking rollout.

On the Hot 100, Alex Warren’s Ordinary logs a 10th week at #1, but Golden looks ready to retake the crown as K-Pop Demon Hunters score their fourth Top 10 hit, joining an elite soundtrack club.

And it’s not just chart titans — Laufey, Sombr, and Mariah the Scientist inject fresh energy with new albums, Doja Cat returns with Jealous Type, and Sabrina Carpenter lines up Man’s Best Friend. Plus: Morgan Wallen’s Grammy no-show and Mariah Carey’s upcoming MTV Video Vanguard honor at the 2025 VMAs.

Taylor Swift breaks the internet with The Life of a Showgirl — a 12-track announcement already shaking up the chart climate ahead of its October 3 release — and we dig into what records might fall, how Golden continues its rise against Ordinary as Warren pushes to reclaim the No. 1 spot, why Shaboozey’s Good News is moving toward the top 10 on radio power alone, and how Cardi B’s Imaginary Playerz is struggling to match the momentum of Outside, plus what a crowded release slate in August through October means for the months to come.

This week, we dive into Golden’s continued rise as it secures another week of big gains in streaming, sales, and airplay, solidifying one of the year’s most remarkable chart runs. We look at the numbers behind its climb, what it means for the Hot 100 race, and its place among 2025’s standout hits.

Plus, Chappell Roan is about to score her highest Hot 100 peak yet, the UK vs. US chart gap widens, Shaboozey inches closer to an all-time record, the VMAs deliver a fresh batch of nominations and surprises, and Taylor Swift once again makes headlines with new album release speculation.

Episode 17 of Hits of Our Lives dives into the raw, rising momentum of Chappell Roan’s “The Subway” — a heart-wrenching release that’s turning heads and shifting charts.

We unpack the emotional weight behind the track, its historic Spotify debut, and whether it can challenge the ongoing dominance of Alex Warren’s Ordinary and HUNTR/X’s Golden in this week’s tight chart race.

We also reflect on the viral Drake backlash that shook our mentions, Morgan Wallen’s chart climb into Billboard history, and Mariah Carey’s Brighton glow-up (yes, Sugar Sweet is finally blooming).

Episode 16 of Hits of Our Lives breaks down the week Tyler, the Creator claimed the Billboard 200 with Don’t Tap the Glass — a #1 album pulled off in just four days, with ten Hot 100 entries but no breakout single.

While Tyler wins the album chart, Alex Warren continues his radio-fueled reign atop the Hot 100, and K-pop Demon Hunters’ Golden proves it's more than just a trend — it’s the song of the summer.

We also talk about Drake’s one-week wonders, Mariah’s Sugar Sweet rollout, Ozzy Osbourne’s posthumous chart return, and Coldplay’s unexpected kiss-cam bump.

Episode 15 of Hits of Our Lives unpacks a chaotic week of chart ambition, streaming wars, and public shade. Drake takes aim at Alex Warren after landing at #2, Bieber returns with SWAG and 18 Hot 100 entries but still might not reclaim the crown, and Warren casually twirls on both.We also dive into the continued rise of K-pop Demon Hunters, Ravyn Lenae’s "Love Me Not" turning into her biggest moment yet, and the “seismic rumblings” teasing a new Taylor Swift era — plus our take on Billboard’s very stan-bait Grammy predictions.The numbers are big, but the drama is bigger.

Episode 14 of Hits of Our Lives dives into a blockbuster New Music Friday as Justin Bieber returns with his surprise album SWAG, Travis Scott drops JackBoys 2, and Drake continues his What Did I Miss run. But even with all this firepower, the #1 spots remain fiercely guarded by Morgan Wallen and Alex Warren.

We break down the numbers, the impact of Bieber’s new strategy, Blackpink’s “Jump” moment, KPop Demon Hunters and why the chart titans might not be as unstoppable as they used to be.

Morgan Wallen’s reign continues, Drake makes a surprise return, and Ravyn Lenae climbs with quiet force — but the biggest debate this week? Apple Music’s Top 500 all-time list.

In Episode 13, we break down what Apple’s decade-in-review reveals (and what it misses), why Spotify tells a different story, and how the streaming giants shape chart success. Plus: sombr hits No. 1 on US Spotify, Lorde scores big in the UK, and Benson Boone’s “Mystical Magical” finally gets its radio moment.