The Weeknd’s breakthrough track Blinding Lights has now dethroned Chubby Checker’s 1960s classic the Twist as the all-time No. 1 song on the Billboard single charts.

The song, an immediate synth-pop hit, premiered in late November 2019 and spent four weeks at the top of the weekly Billboard Hot 100 in April and May 2020, setting a new record of 90 weeks on the chart.

Blinding Lights has officially been named the No. 1 song on Billboard’s Greatest Songs of All Time Hot 100 Chart, which was released on Tuesday.

The track, which is from the Following Hours album, dethrones Checker’s classic the Twist, which won the title in 2008 after chart runs in 1960 and 1962.

After learning of the song’s new status, Abel Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd, told Billboard, “I don’t think [it] has hit me yet.” “I make an effort not to think about it too much.” I just consider my blessings and express my gratitude.”

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Blinding Lights was the largest single of 2020, both in terms of sales and in terms of size, solidifying the Canadian singer’s standing as a worldwide pop sensation a decade after he originally rose to prominence with pensive R&B and dark ballads.

“I was ten years into my career and established as a music figure in the industry by the time Blinding Lights happened,” Tesfaye stated. “I’m glad Blinding Lights came out when it did instead of being the first single I’ve ever released.” That would be terrifying for me.”

The Billboard charts are ranked based on total weeks on the chart as well as actual chart positions, with modifications made to account for chart turnover rates throughout time.

Hank Ballard and the Midnighters wrote and released the Twist as a B-side to Teardrops on Your Letter in 1958, and it became an instant hit. It was a mild hit, but it wasn’t until Chubby Checker produced a cover version in July 1960 that it became a classic.

The song went on to become the first and only single to reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100 on two distinct occasions. The singer, who is now 80 years old, continues to tour around the United States.

Meanwhile, the Beatles maintain their No. 1 position on Billboard’s Greatest of All-Time Hot 100 Artists list, with a total of 20 No. 1 songs among their 34 top 10s on the weekly Hot 100. Madonna is in second place with 38 top tens on the Hot 100.

Thanks to Samantha Lock at The Guardian whose reporting provided the original basis for this story.