Work is #1 for eight week; Rihanna ties The Beatles

Rihanna’s “Work,” featuring Drake, posts an eighth week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (dated April 23). With her latest frame on top, Rihanna has now tied The Beatles for the second-most total weeks spent at No. 1 (59) and trails only Mariah Carey, the leader with 79.

Just like on the Hot 100, “Work,” released on Westbury Road/Roc Nation, spends an eighth week at No. 1 on the Streaming Songs chart with 27 million U.S. streams, down 6 percent, in the week ending April 7, according to Nielsen Music. “Work” also tops the subscription services-based On-Demand Songs chart (12.4 million, down 7 percent) for a ninth frame. It dips from its No. 2 high on Radio Songs to No. 3 (112 million in airplay audience, down 7 percent) and 5-12 on Digital Songs (63,000 downloads sold, down 29 percent), which it led for two weeks.

“Work” also tops Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for a 10th nonconsecutive week and Rhythmic Songs for a sixth week. It additionally rises 2-1 on Dance Club Songs, where it’s Rihanna’s 24th No. 1; only Madonna, with 46, has notched more Dance Club Songs leaders.

As reported when the song reached No. 1, “Work” is Rihanna’s 14th Hot 100 leader, lifting her into a solo share of the third-most No. 1s all-time, ahead of Michael Jackson (13). The Beatles lead with 20 No. 1s, followed by Mariah Carey (18). “Work” is also the record-breaking ninth Hot 100 No. 1 in a row by non-U.S.-born acts (Rihanna is from Barbados and Drake, from Canada), while this week marks the record-extending 40th straight week that non-American talent has led the Hot 100.

More about The Beatles and Carey: As Rihanna has now spent 59 total weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100 via her 14 leaders, she has tied The Beatles for the second-most weeks at No. 1. Here is an updated look at the acts that have spent the most time atop the Hot 100 since the chart’s 1958 inception:

79 weeks, Mariah Carey
59 weeks, Rihanna
59 weeks, The Beatles
50 weeks, Boyz II Men
47 weeks, Usher

Meanwhile, “Work” is now Rihanna’s second-longest-leading Hot 100 No. 1 outright, breaking a tie with her seven-week No. 1s “Umbrella” (2007) and Eminem’s “Love the Way You Lie,” on which she’s featured (2010). Only her “We Found Love,” featuring Calvin Harris, spent more time on top: 10 weeks in 2011-12.