“Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters has now led the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. for 18 weeks — one frame shy of the all-time record. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 02: (L-R) Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars accept the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance Award for “Die with a Smile” onstage during the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 02, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
The first No. 1 song on both of Billboard’s global charts of 2025 was “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey. The tune typically appears atop a number of important rankings in very early January, as holiday listening stretches beyond Christmas Day and the lists reflect consumption from days or even a week before they are published.
It is likely that “All I Want for Christmas Is You” will return to the top spot on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. before 2026 rolls around, but for the moment, Carey has yet to reconquer the rosters. KPop Demon Hunters smash “Golden” finds its way back to No. 1 on the two worldwide tallies, and as the cut surges once more, it stands out as the second-longest-running leader on the charts — though the Grammy-nominated makes history in that manner in different ways.
How Long Has “Golden” Led Billboard’s Global Charts?
“Golden” has now ruled both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. for 18 nonconsecutive weeks. Those frames running the show are spread out across four separate runs at No. 1.
“Golden” first reached the summit on the two rankings back in mid-July, pushing “Ordinary” by Alex Warren from the top spot. Just one frame later, one K-pop girl group replaced another, as Blackpink took over from Huntr/x when “Jump” debuted in first place…and then “Golden” ruled again for several months.
Taylor Swift broke up the upbeat cut’s run with “The Fate of Ophelia,” which spent its first two weeks at No. 1 on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. Then, once more, “Golden” danced its way back to the top spot. Last week, “The Fate of Ophelia” was crowned the champion once more, only for “Golden” to topple it a few days later.
“Golden” Matches “Die With a Smile” – And Beats It, Too
As “Golden” reaches 18 weeks atop the Billboard Global 200, it matches “Die With a Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars as the second-longest-running winner ever.
Los Angeles, CA – February 2, 2025: Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars at the 67th Grammys Awards held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Over on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart — which uses the same methodology as the Billboard Global 200 except streams and sales from American consumers are completely left out of the weekly calculation — “Golden” passes “Die With a Smile” this week. The Gaga/Mars collaboration racked up 17 stays at No. 1 during its run, and “Golden” is now up to 18.
What Are The Longest-Running No. 1 Songs on the Global Charts?
On both charts, the longest-running No. 1 ever has accumulated 19 weeks in the penthouse, though the record is owned by different tracks. On the Billboard Global 200, Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” is in the lead and will likely add to that sum soon. Over on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S., “Apt.” by Rosé and Mars spent 19 nonconsecutive turns ruling.
“Golden” Stands Out as the Biggest Non-Christmas Hit in America
As “Golden” improves on the global charts, the track begins to fall — perhaps for good — on American-based rankings. This week, holiday classics dominate the Hot 100 as the biggest four tracks in the U.S. are all related to the upcoming celebration. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” earns its record-tying nineteenth week ruling the list, while fellow seasonal favorites like “Last Christmas” by Wham!, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee, and “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms appear at Nos. 2, 3, and 4, respectively.
“Golden” is, however, the highest-ranking non-yuletide cut in America. The Golden Globe–nominated smash slips a few rungs to No. 5, outpacing even Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia,” which tumbles from No. 1 to No. 6.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2025/12/10/bruno-mars-and-lady-gagas-chart-record-beaten-by-kpop-demon-hunters/
