The Songs Holding the Record for Most Weeks at No. 1 on Billboard Airplay Charts

Mariah Careys holiday classic, All I Want for Christmas Is You, has achieved an extraordinary milestone, spending 59 weeks at the top of Billboards Holiday Airplay chart. This record not only sets a benchmark for the seasonal chart but also represents the longest reign on any Billboard radio-based chart.

Reflecting on its impact, Carey remarked in 2021, I had no idea the song would resonate globally the way it has. Im incredibly grateful that so many people continue to enjoy it every year.

In second place, Miley Cyrus Flowers commanded the Adult Contemporary chart for 57 weeks during 2023-24. Jon Zellner, iHeartMedias president of programming operations and digital music, said the song has a timeless appeal across multiple formats, with a hook that feels familiar from the very first listen. Overall, Flowers spent a combined 106 weeks at No. 1 across all Billboard airplay charts, including 18 weeks on Radio Songs, 17 weeks on Adult Pop Airplay, 10 weeks on Pop Airplay, and four weeks on Dance/Mix Show Airplay.

Marvin Sapps gospel hit, Never Would Have Made It, ranks third, dominating the Gospel Airplay chart for 46 weeks in 2007-08.

Below is a list of songs that spent the longest time atop each of Billboards 25 active weekly airplay charts, reflecting the diverse styles and enduring popularity of these tracks (charts updated through Dec. 6, 2025):

• Holiday Airplay: 59 weeks All I Want for Christmas Is You, Mariah Carey (Dec. 13, 2008)
• Adult Contemporary: 57 weeks Flowers, Miley Cyrus (Apr. 15, 2023)
• Gospel Airplay: 46 weeks Never Would Have Made It, Marvin Sapp (Aug. 25, 2007)
• R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay: 37 weeks Snooze, SZA (Jul. 1, 2023)
• Regional Mexican Airplay: 31 weeks No Me Conoces An, Palomo (Jul. 28, 2001)
• Latin Pop Airplay: 30 weeks No Me Doy Por Vencido, Luis Fonsi (Aug. 30, 2008)
• Latin Rhythm Airplay: 29 weeks Danza Kuduro, Don Omar & Lucenzo (Nov. 13, 2010)
• Tropical Airplay: 29 weeks Carita de Inocente, Prince Royce (Mar. 28, 2020)
• Radio Songs (all-format): 27 weeks A Bar Song (Tipsy), Shaboozey (Aug. 10, 2024)
• Adult Pop Airplay: 25 weeks Ordinary, Alex Warren (Jun. 7, 2025) & Smooth, Santana feat. Rob Thomas (Oct. 23, 1999)
• Latin Airplay: 25 weeks La Tortura, Shakira feat. Alejandro Sanz (Jun. 4, 2005)
• Rock & Alternative Airplay: 24 weeks Radioactive, Imagine Dragons (Mar. 16, 2013)
• Christian Airplay: 23 weeks Word of God Speak, MercyMe (Aug. 16, 2003)
• Christian AC Airplay: 21 weeks Word of God Speak, MercyMe (Aug. 16, 2003)
• Mainstream Rock Airplay: 21 weeks Loser, 3 Doors Down (Sep. 9, 2000)
• Rap Airplay: 21 weeks Luther, Kendrick Lamar & SZA (Mar. 1, 2025)
• Alternative Airplay: 20 weeks One More Time, Blink-182 (Oct. 21, 2023) & Feel It Still, Portugal. The Man (Jul. 8, 2017)
• Dance/Mix Show Airplay: 20 weeks Closer, The Chainsmokers feat. Halsey (Sep. 10, 2016)
• Adult R&B Airplay: 18 weeks So in Love, Jill Scott feat. Anthony Hamilton (Jul. 2, 2011) & Fortunate, Maxwell (May 22, 1999)
• Adult Alternative Airplay: 16 weeks Beautiful Day, U2 (Sep. 23, 2000)
• Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay: 16 weeks Wait for U, Future feat. Drake & Tems (Jul. 2, 2022)
• Pop Airplay: 16 weeks Ordinary, Alex Warren (Jun. 21, 2025)
• Smooth Jazz Airplay: 16 weeks What Does It Take (To Win Your Love), Peter White (Jul. 8, 2006)
• Rhythmic Airplay: 15 weeks No Scrubs, TLC (Mar. 13, 1999)
• Country Airplay: 10 weeks World On Fire, Nate Smith (Dec. 23, 2023) & You Proof, Morgan Wallen (Oct. 15, 2022)

Analysis: Billboard Airplay Records Highlight Enduring Hits

The recent update to Billboard's airplay charts underscores how certain songs achieve lasting resonance across audiences. Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas Is You now holds an unparalleled 59 weeks atop the Holiday Airplay chart, setting the longest tenure in any Billboard radio-based ranking. This milestone reflects both the song's seasonal relevance and its global cultural impact over more than a decade.

Miley Cyrus’ Flowers follows closely with 57 weeks at No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart, totaling 106 weeks across all airplay formats. The cross-format performance demonstrates the track's broad appeal and the continued importance of multi-channel radio exposure in building enduring hits. Marvin Sapp’s Never Would Have Made It maintains historical significance with 46 weeks atop Gospel Airplay, illustrating the genre-specific dedication of certain audiences.

Overall, these records reveal patterns in music consumption: holiday classics, pop anthems, and genre-defining tracks can dominate for extended periods, while airplay longevity increasingly serves as a benchmark for both cultural relevance and commercial success. The updated list of longest-running chart-toppers provides a snapshot of how listener preferences evolve, yet also celebrate songs that achieve near-universal recognition over time.

Sources:

• The Songs With the Most Weeks at No. 1 on Every Billboard Airplay Chart