Taylor Swift Surges to No. 1 on iTunes, Ousts Morgan Wallen

For over three months, Morgan Wallen’s One Thing at a Time seemed unstoppable.

Every week, it sat confidently at No. 1 on the Billboard chart. It withstood releases from some of the biggest names in music, including Metallica, Ed Sheeran, and even solo efforts from two BTS members.

Fans and industry watchers were impressed by Wallen’s consistency.

But in true Taylor Swift fashion, she returned like a tidal wave, this time with an updated twist on her already beloved album Midnights. And just like that, Wallen’s 12-week reign came to an end.

Swift’s Secret Weapon

So what sparked this sudden shift? Taylor Swift re-released Midnights in two deluxe editions, giving fans more of what they loved and something new to get excited about.

One version in particular, The Late Night Edition, was primarily sold as a CD during her much-talked-about stadium Eras Tour. For a brief 24 hours, it was also available as a digital download on her website.

That limited-time availability turned out to be a masterstroke.

By the end of the week, Swift had racked up the equivalent of 282,000 sales in the U.S. That figure includes 196,000 copies sold as complete albums and a staggering 108 million streams, according to data from the tracking service Luminate.

Her fans didn’t just show up. They showed up big time.

Midnights Keeps Shining

Taylor’s Midnights album isn’t exactly new. It was originally released in October of last year. But since then, it has proven to be more than just a flash in the pan.

Midnights debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and remained in the Top 10 for its first 64 weeks, making it one of the longest-running Top 10 albums in recent history.

With the recent boost from the deluxe editions, Midnights has now hit No. 1 for the sixth time.

The numbers tell the story. In the United States alone, the album has sold the equivalent of nearly five million copies and been streamed an astonishing 3.2 billion times.

Swift’s Catalog Dominates

While Midnights leads the way, it’s far from the only Taylor Swift album making waves. Her entire catalog seems to be experiencing a renaissance.

Taylor Swift had nine albums simultaneously charting on the Billboard 200, with Lover re-entering the Top 10 at No. 9.

And if that wasn’t enough Swift content for fans to process, she also recently announced that her 2010 album Speak Now will be getting the re-recording treatment.

The new version, titled Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), is set to release in July. It will feature updated renditions of fan favorites like Mine, Back to December, and Mean.

For Swifties, this is shaping up to be a golden era.

Wallen’s Streak Comes to a Close

Let’s not forget just how impressive Morgan Wallen’s run has been. One Thing at a Time managed to stay at No. 1 for 12 consecutive weeks. That’s no small feat.

In fact, it came within a single week of tying the record set by Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life back in 1977 for albums that debuted at No. 1 and remained there.

Dangerous: The Double Album has spent over 158 weeks in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200, making it one of the longest-running Top 10 albums in chart history.

That kind of longevity is rare and shows just how deeply his music resonates with fans.

Other Noteworthy Chart Moves

It wasn’t just Taylor Swift and Morgan Wallen making headlines this week. Lil Durk also made a strong showing with his new release Almost Healed, which debuted at No. 3.

The Chicago rapper’s latest album includes collaborations with Alicia Keys, 21 Savage, and even Wallen himself.

Almost Healed brought in the equivalent of 125,000 sales. That includes a whopping 168 million streams and 2,000 complete album purchases. It’s a solid debut that reflects Lil Durk’s growing influence in the music world.

Right behind him, SZA’s critically acclaimed album SOS is still doing well, landing at No. 4 this week.

The Power of Strategy and Fan Connection

Taylor Swift’s resurgence to the top wasn’t just about new tracks. It was about timing, exclusivity, and a deep understanding of her fan base.

By releasing deluxe versions and making one of them available only during her tour or for a limited time online, she created a sense of urgency. That move paid off in a massive way.

What’s more, her Eras Tour has become a cultural moment all on its own. Every night, stadiums are packed with fans dressed in themed outfits, singing along to every lyric.

That kind of cultural energy inevitably spills over into album sales and streams.

As the tour continues, don’t be surprised if Swift’s music continues to rise up the charts, even albums from past years.

Final Thoughts

This week’s shake-up at the top of the Billboard chart is a reminder of just how influential Taylor Swift remains.

After months of dominance by Morgan Wallen, it took something special to knock him off the throne. And Swift delivered just that.

With Midnights back at No. 1, nine albums in the Top 40, and Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) on the horizon, it’s clear that Swift isn’t just riding a wave; she’s the one creating it.

TL;DR

• Taylor Swift’s Midnights returns to No. 1 on the Billboard chart, ending Morgan Wallen’s 12-week reign with One Thing at a Time.
• Swift released two deluxe editions of Midnights, including The Late Night Edition, which was sold during her Eras Tour and briefly online.
• The album earned 282,000 equivalent sales in one week, with 196,000 in full album sales and 108 million streams.
• Midnights has remained in the Billboard Top 10 for 32 consecutive weeks, with nearly 5 million sales and 3.2 billion streams in the U.S.
• Nine Taylor Swift albums currently sit in the Billboard Top 40; Lover is at No. 6.
• Swift recently announced the upcoming release of Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) in July, featuring re-recorded versions of her 2010 hits.
• Morgan Wallen’s album drops to No. 2, narrowly missing a record set by Stevie Wonder for the longest No. 1 run after debut.
• Wallen’s previous album, Dangerous, is still charting at No. 5, now in its 122nd week in the Top 10.
• Lil Durk debuts at No. 3 with Almost Healed, featuring Alicia Keys, 21 Savage, and Wallen, with 125,000 sales and 168 million streams.
• SZA’s SOS holds steady at No. 4, continuing its strong chart performance.
• Taylor Swift’s strategy of exclusive releases and fan engagement through her tour has been key to her chart success.

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.