Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” Becomes Longest No. 1 Run Among Women on Adult Pop Airplay Chart

Miley Cyrus’ hit single “Flowers” continues its impressive run, reclaiming the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Adult Pop Airplay chart for a remarkable 17th week. This achievement now secures the record for the longest reign by a song from a female artist in the chart’s history.

Released under Smiley Miley/Columbia Records, “Flowers” surpasses the previous record holder, Avril Lavigne’s debut hit “Complicated,” which held the top position for 16 weeks starting in August 2002. Cyrus’ song has now etched its place in history, solidifying its popularity and lasting appeal on the Adult Pop Airplay chart.

Introduced in March 1996, the Adult Pop Airplay chart, featured in Billboard’s publication, tracks the airplay data provided to Billboard by Luminate, as compiled by Mediabase. It encompasses the airplay statistics from around 80 adult top 40 terrestrial and satellite radio stations in the United States.

Regarding all artists, “Flowers” now shares the distinction of being the sixth-longest reigning No. 1 on the Adult Pop Airplay chart. This achievement highlights the enduring success and popularity of the track. As the chart has evolved over the years, transitioning from a hot adult contemporary focus during its inception to a more alternative direction in the late ’90s and 2000s, and subsequently shifting back towards a purer pop sound in recent times, it’s interesting to see the list of its lengthiest chart-toppers.

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Cyrus achieved her first No. 1 on the Adult Pop Airplay chart with “Flowers,” which joins her three previous Top 10 hits on the same chart. The song is featured on her album, Endless Summer Vacation, which has produced two additional top 20 tracks on the chart: “River” peaking at No. 17 in April, and “Jaded” reaching No. 13 in June. Notably, “Jaded” continues to gain momentum, hitting a new peak in weekly plays at No. 15 on the July 8 chart.

“Flowers” dominated the all-encompassing Billboard Hot 100 chart for a remarkable eight weeks and has consistently remained within the top five throughout its entire chart run, currently sitting at No. 4 on the July 8-dated survey. Simultaneously, the song reclaims the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Global 200 chart, further solidifying its global appeal and success.

Most Weeks at No. 1 on Adult Pop Airplay Chart:

• 25, “Smooth,” Santana feat. Rob Thomas, beginning Oct. 23, 1999
• 23, “Wherever You Will Go,” The Calling, Dec. 22, 2001
• 20, “Blinding Lights,” The Weeknd, May 23, 2020
• 18, “Unwell,” Matchbox Twenty, May 3, 2003
• 18, “Photograph,” Nickelback, Oct. 29, 2005
• 17, “Iris,” Goo Goo Dolls, Aug. 1, 1998
• 17, “Flowers,” Miley Cyrus, March 4, 2023
• 16, “Complicated,” Avril Lavigne, Aug. 3, 2002
• 15, “How To Save a Life,” The Fray, Nov. 4, 2006
• 15, “Don’t Speak,” No Doubt, Dec. 28, 1996
• 15, “High Hopes,” Panic! At the Disco, Dec. 8, 2018

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