Miley Cyrus makes four weeks at Number 1

Miley Cyrus makes four weeks at Number 1 with her international hit single “Flowers”. Over the past few weeks, it has become Cyrus her best-performing single to date, topping every major chart. It also earned a big record-breaking 100 million streams on Spotify in its opening week. “Flowers” is the lead single to Miley Cyrus her upcoming eighth studio album, set to be released in March. Although the song has enjoyed a very steady chart run so far, this week “Flowers” its reign is promptly challenged by Raye her “Escapism”, which rebounds to #2. The single previously spent two weeks at Number 1, but it now receives a lift back up supported by the release of Raye her debut album, My 21^st Century Blues, which was met with acclaim from critics. With just a few more streams, Raye could reclaim Number 1 from Cyrus soon.

“Escapism” is not the only single to gain upwards momentum due to the parent album’s release: Raye her previous single “The Thrill is Gone” also moves up, reaching an all new peak at #9. Its streams have steadily increased since My 21^st Century Blues was released last week. “The Thrill is Gone” was initially released in October last year and it failed to chart, until “Escapism” shot to Number 1 a few weeks ago. It has since then enjoyed a steady climb, finishing in the Top 10 this week. It marks Raye her fifth Top 10-hit to date and her very first as a soloist; on her previous Top 10s she was joined by 070 Shake, Joel Corry, Jax Jones and Disclosure – proving Raye indeed can do it all on her own.

Break-up anthems are dominating this week; “Flowers” up at #1, “Kill Bill” and “Paracetamollen” inside the Top 10. Pop icon Shakira adds another big break-up hit into the mix, as her eponymous collaboration with Argentinian producer Bizarrap peaks at #10 this week. The song is very clear and upfront response song directed towards Shakira’s ex Gerard Piqué, who very foolishly cheated on her. The collaboration has become an immediate success upon release and received wide praise. On my personal list, “Shakira” marks the Colombian pop diva her twenty-second Top 10-song, and her first since 2018’s “Clandestino”. It is the very first Top 10 for producer Bizarrap.

Ellie Goulding scores the highest debut of the week with her latest single “Like a Saviour”, debuting at #24. The song is the fourth single taken from her upcoming fifth album Higher Than Heaven, which is set to be released in March. The album has been postponed to make some significant changes which are yet to be disclosed. “Like a Saviour” was preceded by “Easy Lover” and “Let it Die”, which ultimately became minor sleeper hits on my personal list, although they failed to make an international impact. The new “Like a Saviour” marks Goulding her twenty-third Top 40-apperance.

Further down, Sam Smith debuts at #29 with his latest single “I’m Not Here to Make Friends”. The song is a queer celebration produced by Calvin Harris and features Jessie Reyez. Its graphic music video has received much negative criticism online. Top 40-newcomers Stephen Sanchez and Em Beihold debut at #34 with the TikTok-hit “Until I Found You”, which is quite the radio earworm. Australian rapper The Kid LAROI rounds out the debuts at #37 with “Love Again”. It marks his first chart appearance since last year’s flop “Thousand Miles”.

Newly certified songs

“Flowers” – Miley Cyrus GOLD

“Stiekem” – Maan & Goldband 3 X PLATINUM