Taylor Swift is closing in on The Beatles’ longstanding record for the most No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 after “Patient Zero” debuted at the top of the chart.

The song, released as one of four additional tracks on The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore, gives Swift her 16th Hot 100 No. 1. She now sits behind The Beatles, who hold the all-time record with 20, and Mariah Carey, who has 19.

“Patient Zero” is Swift’s fourth Hot 100 No. 1 of 2026. Earlier this year, she reached the summit with “The Fate of Ophelia,” “Opalite” and “I Knew It, I Knew You.” The latest achievement also extends her record for the most No. 1 debuts in Hot 100 history, tying Drake at 10.

Swift’s latest chart performance came after The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore was released on Sept. 25 with four new songs. All four tracks entered the Hot 100’s top five, with “Cleveland!” debuting at No. 3, “Babylon” at No. 4 and “Pink Clouding” at No. 5.

The new No. 1 also ended Ella Langley’s historic run with “Choosin’ Texas.” Langley’s song had spent 24 weeks at the top of the Hot 100 before Swift’s latest release moved into the No. 1 position.

Swift’s 16 chart-toppers span more than a decade, beginning with “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” in 2012. Her other No. 1s include “Shake It Off,” “Blank Space,” “Bad Blood,” “Look What You Made Me Do,” “Cardigan,” “Willow,” “All Too Well (10 Minute Version),” “Anti-Hero,” “Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version)” and the recent Showgirl singles.

The Beatles reached their 20 No. 1s between 1964 and 1970, with their final chart-topper being “The Long and Winding Road.” Their record has remained untouched for more than five decades.

Swift is now four No. 1 hits away from matching the British group and five away from moving ahead of them. Her current pace has placed the possibility of breaking the record back into discussion as she continues to release new music and achieve major chart debuts.

The latest Hot 100 result also gives Swift 50 total weeks at No. 1 on the chart, making her one of only a small group of artists to reach that milestone. She remains behind The Beatles and Carey in total No. 1 songs but continues to add to her record-setting collection of chart achievements.

With “Patient Zero” leading the latest Hot 100, Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl era has now produced three No. 1 songs from the album and its expanded edition. The chart results keep her within striking distance of The Beatles’ historic 20-song record as she continues her 2026 run.