Reflecting that the race to top the Billboard Hot 100 can sometimes be more of a marathon than a sprint, 18 songs debuted at No. 99 and eventually reached No. 1. Teddy Swims' “Lose Control” is the most recent such leader, reaching No. 1 on the chart dated March 30, 2024, after reaching No. 99 on the survey dated August 26, 2023.
The song's steady rise on the Hot 100 – the longest No. 1 ever for a male solo song – largely mirrors its rise across multiple radio formats. Likewise, it debuted on the Adult Pop Airplay chart last August, and this week is in its second week at the top.
“Lose Control” is just the third Hot 100 hit to reach the top after debuting at No. 99 this century, following Camila Cabello's “Havana,” featuring Young Thug (2017-18) and “Whatever You Like” by TI (2008). Before that, Cher's “Believe” completed such a climb (1998-99), since no song had done it since 1976.
Over the course of the Hot 100's history, which dates back to the chart's inception on August 4, 1958, No. 1s have debuted in vastly different positions on average. From the chart's launch until late 1991, when airplay and self-reported sales led the chart, No. 1s debuted, on average, at No. 70. Following the chart's evolution in electronically tracked Luminate data in late 1991 to now, the No. 1 opened, on average, at No. 46.
This decade – with streaming at the heart of Hot 100 hits and high-profile releases often getting first-day prominence on digital providers – No. 1s have climbed, on average, to No. 17. (Before “Lose Control,” and the five songs that spent their first weeks at No. 1 in 2024 all debuted in the top three, including three at No. 1.)
Throughout the history of the Hot 100, No. 1 hits have debuted, on average, at No. 62.
In honor of Teddy Swims' Hot 100 victory with “Lose Control,” below is a look at all 18 songs that debuted at No. 99 and ultimately triumphed.
In terms of Hot 100 chart positions, 76 singles have debuted at No. 1 – the most of any chart (and all since 1995) – and 12 have entered the No. 100.
(In case you're wondering, or only 99% sure: Nena's “99 Luftballoons” debuted on the Hot 100 at No. 74 before reaching No. 2, and Jay-Z's “99 Problems” at No. 94 before peaking at No. 30. Additionally, Drake's “Started at the Bottom” debuted at No. 63 on its way to a No. 6 peak.)
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“Venus”, Frankie Avalon
- Debuted in No. 99: February 9, 1959
- Hit No. 1: March 9, 1959
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“Quarter to Three”, US Bonds
- Debuted in No. 99: May 22, 1961
- Hit No. 1: June 26, 1961
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“Hang On Sloopy,” The McCoys
- Debuted in No. 99: August 14, 1965
- Hit No. 1: October 2, 1965
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“Judy in disguise (with glasses),” John Fred and the Playboys
- Debuted in No. 99: November 25, 1967
- Hit #1: January 20, 1968
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“Love Is Blue (L'amour Est Bleu),” Paul Mauriat and His Orchestra
- Debuted in No. 99: January 6, 1968
- Hit No. 1: February 10, 1968
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“Without You”, Nilsson
- Debuted in No. 99: December 18, 1971
- Hit No. 1: February 19, 1972
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“My Ding-A-Ling”, Chuck Berry
- Debuted in No. 99: August 5, 1972
- Hit No. 1: October 21, 1972
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“I Am Woman”, Helen Reddy
- Debuted in No. 99: June 24, 1972
- Hit No. 1: December 9, 1972
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“You're so vain,” Carly Simon
- Debuted in No. 99: December 2, 1972
- Hit No. 1: January 6, 1973
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“Will It Go Round in Circles”, Billy Preston
- Debuted in No. 99: March 31, 1973
- Hit No. 1: July 7, 1973
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“The Morning After,” Maureen McGovern
- Debuted in No. 99: June 23, 1973
- Hit No. 1: August 4, 1973
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“Seasons in the Sun”, Terry Jacks
- Debuted in No. 99: January 12, 1974
- Hit No. 1: March 2, 1974
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“(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song,” BJ Thomas
- Debuted in No. 99: February 1, 1975
- Hit No. 1: April 26, 1975
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“Kiss and Say Goodbye”, The Manhattans
- Debuted in No. 99: April 17, 1976
- Hit No. 1: July 24, 1976
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“Believe,” Sir
- Debuted at No. 99: December 19, 1998
- Hit #1: March 13, 1999
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“Whatever You Like,” TI
- Debuted at No. 99: August 23, 2008
- Hit #1: September 6, 2008
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“Havana”, Camila Cabello feat. Young Thug
- Debuted at No. 99: August 26, 2017
- Hit #1: January 27, 2018
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“Lose Control,” Teddy Swims
- Debuted at No. 99: August 26, 2023
- Hit #1: March 30, 2024
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/lists/hot-100-number-ones-debuted-number-99/