Over three months after its release, Taylor Swift pushes “The Fate of Ophelia” to Number 1

The 2020s have been defined by the rise of “sleeper hits”; songs that become majorly successful many months after its release, often thanks to a viral resurgence on TikTok or usage in a popular tv-series. In 2025, examples include: Lola Young’s “Messy”, Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” or Sef his “Voor Alles Bang”. But when one thinks of sleeper hits, you do not quickly think of Taylor Swift. The singer is one of the most successful and most influential artists of all time. She’s the only artist to have been named the IFPI Global Recording Artist of the Year five times. A record eight of her albums have each sold over a million copies first-week in the US. And her recent Eras Tour has been cited to boost local economies with its tourism and sales. Her new song “The Fate of Ophelia” was a runaway hit across the entire world upon release, setting the single-day streaming record for any song on Spotify, becoming the first song to accumulate over 30 million streams in a single day. Yet on here, “The Fate of Ophelia” had to settle for a #27-debut and hadn’t cracked the Top 5 until just last week. But as “Cruel Summer” proved in 2023, Taylor Swift can also be the Queen of the Sleeper Hit. This week, over three months after its release, Taylor Swift finally pushes “The Fate of Ophelia” to Number 1. It becomes the American showgirl her sixth chart-topping single to date, joining the likes of “Blank Space” and “Anti-Hero”. It marks Taylor Swift her longest ascend to my top position, finally reaching #1 in its fourteenth week in the Top 40. 

Tyla starts off 2025 right as her new song “Chanel” soars into the Top 10. The South-African star was a breakout artist in 2023 when “Water” went viral and took over the global charts. Since then, she has released self-titled debut album and collaborated with artists such as Gunna, Sean Paul and LISA. Last year, Tyla worked with WizTheMc on “Show Me Love” which peaked at  Number 1 on my this chart. On the new abrasive “Chanel”, Tyla demands her lover to meet her expectations and put her in Chanel if he wants her for real. It’s the type of empowerment that made “Water” and “Push 2 Start” big songs. “Chanel” peaks at #7 this week, earning Tyla her fifth Top 10-hit to date. It extends Tyla’s record as the African artist with the most Top 10-hits of all time.

Doechii is back in the Top 40 since her explosive breakout in January last year. Her song “Denial Is A River” went viral and launched the young rapper into the limelight. Her acclaimed mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal, peaked in the Top 10 of The Billboard Hot 200 and won Best Rap Album at the 67^th Grammy Awards. It all went a bit sour when “Anxiety”, a reworking of Gotye’s hit “Somebody That I Used To Know”, went viral and was massively overexposed on radio and online media. Though it’s a novel idea to rap over a pre-existing beat and make it your own, it also got old and annoying real quick and it undersold Doechii’s abilities a bit. Ofcourse, she also received a ton of criticism. Doechii’s now back to defend herself and explore her newfound fame on the heartfelt “Girl, Get Up”. She is joined by SZA, who lifts the chorus to ethereal levels. We last saw SZA on the charts with 2024’s “Drive”. The team-up is the highest new entry of the week at #26.

Further down, Sabrina Carpenter launches “Such a Funny Way” as the third single off her latest album Man’s Best Friend”. It earlier spawned the Number 1-hit “Manchild” and the #2-song “Tears”. “Such a Funny Way” starts off at a understated #29 – Sabrina’s lowest debut since 2024’s “Feather” and her breakthrough. Girl group KATSEYE debut at #29 with their new song “Internet Girl”, following their first hit “Gabriela” last year. The song had already been teased during their world tour and features the questionable lyrics that have now become KATSEYE’s trademark, this time about eating zucchini. Dutch young rapper Christian D. pulls a Doechii and reworks Rihanna’s “Rude Boy” with his own lyrics on “Single In The Club” at #36. It’s a belter for sure. Djo – aka Steve – re-enters the Top 40 with “End of Beginning” thanks to the Strangers Things’ controversial finale. Dutch singer-and-producer-and-alround-genius Joost finally moves past the Eurovision debacle with his new song “Radio” at #40, following the new album Kleinkunst.

Newly certified

“The Fate of Ophelia” – Taylor Swift GOLD

“Die On This Hill” – Sienna Spiro GOLD

“Nog Even Blijven” – Meau & Douwe Bob GOLD

“Tears” – Sabrina Carpenter PLATINUM

“Man I Need” – Olivia Dean 4 X PLATINUM