Pop star Katy Perry made history this week as she became the first artist in history to spend an entire year – 52 consecutive weeks – on the Billboard Hot 100 top ten music chart.
One year ago, Perry’s California Gurls debuted at number two on May 29, 2010. Her breakthrough single would go on to take the number one spot and keep it for six consecutive weeks, remaining in the top ten for a total of 12 weeks.
By the time California Gurls fell below tenth place, Perry’s next single, Teenage Dream, had jumped from 20th to seventh and eventually went on to number one.
The very week that Teenage Dream dropped to number 12, Firework swooped in to save the day, rising to tenth place on November 20, 2010. By January 8, 2011, Firework was in first place, where it would remain for four straight weeks.
When E.T. rose to number eight on March 12, it took the torch from Firework and has been running with it ever since. After spending the past five weeks at number one, E.T. finally dropped to second on the May 21 chart.
Before Perry, Ace of Base held the record for longest consecutive period in the top ten with 48 straight weeks of top ten hits. Santana follows with 42 weeks and Mariah Carey in fourth at 41 straight weeks.