At this point, it is not unusual to see BTS on the Billboard Hot 100, especially when the band has a new album to promote. The group is so popular that at this point, every collection is expected to debut at No. 1 on rankings such as the Billboard 200 and the Top Album Sales chart, while many — sometimes all — of the songs featured on those projects reach the main singles tally as well.
Several tracks from BTS’s comeback album Arirang, which arrived this spring, remain present on Billboard’s global rosters, though only one still lives on any major American ranking. “Swim,” the set’s lead single, appears to be nearing the end of its Billboard Hot 100 run, but by surviving for another frame, it rises within the Grammy-nominated band’s discography and matches one of its most beloved collaborations.
BTS Barely Holds On to the Billboard Hot 100
“Swim” has now lived on the Billboard Hot 100 for 17 weeks. The all-encompassing ranking measures the most popular songs in the United States with a combination of streaming activity, sales and radio airplay.
This frame, “Swim” tumbles from No. 84 to No. 100. The single barely manages to remain on the tally, as it lands in last place.
“Swim” Matches “My Universe” in Longevity
With its seventeenth frame on the Billboard Hot 100, “Swim” ties as BTS’s third-longest-charting hit. It matches “My Universe,” the band’s collaboration with Coldplay, which appeared on the English pop-rock outfit’s album Music of the Spheres. Like “Swim,” the team-up debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and controlled the ranking for one week.
“Dynamite” Remains BTS’s Longest-Running Hit
“Dynamite” continues to rank as BTS’s longest-charting Hot 100 smash. The single spent 32 weeks — more than half a year — on the roster.
“Butter” follows with an even 20 periods as one of the 100 most-consumed songs in the United States. The track enjoyed a much longer stay at No. 1 than any other BTS release, even though “Dynamite” ultimately remained on the ranking for a much longer stay.
One Other Track Held on for Double-Digit Weeks
“Mic Drop,” which features hip-hop musician Desiigner, also managed a double-digit run. The tune spent 10 weeks on the Hot 100 nearly a decade ago. “Mic Drop” peaked at No. 28, but it still became one of BTS’s earliest American chart wins and a major commercial success for K-pop.
“Savage Love” Nearly Matched “Dynamite”
Another song that once credited BTS lasted almost as long as “Dynamite.” “Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)” spent 31 weeks rising and falling on the Billboard Hot 100. The track was originally a hit for Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo. Once BTS joined the musicians for a remix, “Savage Love” vaulted to No. 1.
BTS was not credited during much of the song’s lengthy Hot 100 run, so those 31 weeks should not count entirely toward the band’s own discography. The group’s involvement did, however, help the single surge all the way to the list’s summit.
BTS Has Scored Seven No. 1 Hits on the Billboard Hot 100
“Swim” is one of BTS’s seven No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Five of those champions – “Swim,” “Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat),” My Universe,” “Permission to Dance” and “Life Goes On” – spent only one frame in charge. “Dynamite” became the first BTS smash to hold in the top spot for multiple periods. Beginning in September 2020, it controlled the ranking for three weeks.
“Butter” later far exceeded that run. The single became a milestone 10-week champion during the summer of 2021, giving BTS its longest-leading No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.