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Justin Bieber Shatters Beatles & Drake’s Billboard Record Amid Masterclass Comeback

By Page Mackinley
Published on: 23:24 PST, Nov 23, 2015

Kudos Justin Bieber. Hot the heels of his new album Purpose debuting at No. 1 on Billboard’s 200 Album Chart and igniting the American Music Awards’ finale on Sunday night, the pop prince has broken a 51-year-old record held by the Beatles, and more recently, Drake.

The Canadian singer officially released his acclaimed new album on November 13. On Monday Billboard reported the 21-year-old has 17 cuts from the 18-track deluxe edition of Purpose on the Hot 100 singles chart (dated December 5) — which is the most simultaneous songs any artist has ever had on the chart in a single week.

In doing so, Bieber breaks a Billboard Hot 100 record previously held by The Beatles and Drake. The Brit band clocked up 14 titles on the chart on April 11, 1964 at the height of Beatlemania, led by “Can’t Buy Me Love” and “Twist and Shout” at Nos. 1 and 2, respectively.

Meanwhile, Drake had 14 songs simultaneously on the Hot 100 this year. First, on the March 7-dated chart with songs from his surprise mixtape, If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, and again on October 17-dated chart this year with and What a Time to Be Alive (with Future).

In sequence, the Biebs’ 17 record-breaking songs on the Hot 100 are: “Sorry” at No 2. New entry “Love Yourself” in at No.4. “What Do You Mean?” at No. 5. “I’ll Show You” at No. 19. “The Feeling,” featuring Halsey at No. 31. “Where Are U Now” at NO. 34. “Mark My Words” at No. 42. “Purpose” at No. 43. “No Pressure,” feat. Big Sean at No. 49. “Company” at No. 53.

“No Sense,” featuring Travi$ Scott at No. 54. “Life Is Worth Living” at No. 67. “Children” at No. 74. “Been You” at No. 81. “We Are,” featuring Nas at No. 88, “Get Used To Me,” at No. 90, and “Trust” at No. 98.

And the records keep on coming. Bieber also joins a rare club of being one of only three acts to chart three songs in the Hot 100’s top five at the same time. Right now, Bieber is No. 2 with “Sorry,” No. 4 with “Love Yourself,” and No. 5 with long player “What Do You Mean?”

The two other acts which have done this include the Beatles (again), for eight weeks in 1964 (when they took over the entire top five on April 4, 1964). The other is rapper 50 Cent, who occupied the top five for two weeks in 2005. So Bieber and 50 Cent are now the only two acts to chart with three songs in the top five as a lead artist.

Bieber’s latest record-beating feats comes after Purpose debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart this week with 649,000 total sales in the U.S. for the November 13-19 week. Of that, 522,000 units were “pure” or traditional album sales.

That 649,000 represents the biggest first week album sales in 2015, until Adele officially posts her record-breaking numbers next week. However, even after that, Bieber’s record as holder of biggest first week sales by a male this year will stand. Bieber’s No. 1 on the 200 is the sixth time atop that chart and, at 21, makes him the youngest artist in history to do so.

Bieber’s Purpose also set a new global streaming record for an album in its debut week with 205 million streams on Spotify. This smashes The Weeknd’s previous record of 90 million streams for Beauty Behind the Madness earlier this year. The Biebs broke the U.S. record with 77 million streams.

On Friday, Bieber set a new record by becoming only the second artist on history to score three top five hits in the history of the U.K.’s Official Singles Top 40 chart since John Lennon in 1981 with “Imagine” (No. 1), “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” (No. 3), and “(Just Like) Starting Over” (No. 5).

The Official Charts Company reports Bieber bagged his second U.K. No. 1 in with “Sorry,” with 104,000 combined chart sales and 5.35 millions streams, which is a new personal best for the Biebs.

He previously hit the No.1 spot five times with “What Do You Mean?” That long-player is now at No. 5 on the U.K.’s Top 40 Chart, while new entry “Love Yourself” debuts at No. 3. “Sorry” also dethrones Adele’s “Hello.”

In addition, every track on Purpose charted in the U.K. Official Top 100. Eight of those jams made the cut on the U.K.’s Official singles Top 40 chart.

It’s the first time “a living act” has achieved this many simultaneous entries on that chart. The last artist to nearly accomplish this was Elvis, 58 years ago, in 1957, with seven entries. The Purpose album debuted at No. 1 on the official charts of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, and the U.S. after topping iTunes charts in over 90 countries.

On Sunday, Bieber’s double platinum “Where Are U Now?” hit with Jack U’s Diplo and Skrillex saw them win the “Best Collaboration of the Year” award at the 2015 American Music Awards. Team Bieber also recently announced an extensive North American tour in support of Purpose, which kicks off in Seattle on March 9 and ends on July 19 at Madison Square Garden.

For Justin Bieber, his record breaking 2015, widespread plaudits for Purpose, greater acceptance from the general public, rejuvenated mindset, and new creative sound completes a masterclass comeback.

[Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for AMAs 2015]

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