What's the Longest Song Ever to Make It onto the Billboard Hot 100?

Occasionally, everyone has off-days when just hearing some tunes might be enough to lift your spirits. While many people enjoy brief tracks, have you pondered over the sensation of tuning into lengthy compositions? Engaging with extended pieces can be an exhilarating adventure that remains fresh every time. However, do you know which track holds the record for being the most extensive one ever documented?

The typical duration of songs ranges from three to five minutes, yet there isn’t an official rule preventing them from being longer. Ultimately, this depends on what the artist prefers and whom they aim to appeal to with their music. Therefore, it’s unsurprising that several musicians have intentionally created exceptionally long tracks that were so appealing they made it onto the Billboard Hot 100 list.

The longest song ever recorded to enter the Billboard Hot 100

This list of the longest songs ever recorded was compiled using data from Billboard and Guinness World Records. Our analysis covers various factors, the official length of the songs, their popularity and how they captured the hearts and ears of listeners around the world. So, which are the longest songs ever recorded?

Song	Length of songs
All too Well	10 minutes
American Pie	8 minutes
New Blue Sun	12:20 minutes
We are the World	6:22 minutes
Hey Jude	7:11 minutes
Dad was a Rolling Stone	6:53 minutes
Don't Stop Til You Get Enough	5:15 minutes
Hotel California	6:08 minutes
Fear Inoculum	10:21 minutes
Rapture	6:29 minutes
Rise and Fall Of Bossanova	13:23 minutes
I Would Do Everything for Love	12 minutes

1. All Too Well by Taylor Swift - (10 minutes)

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All Too Well It is often considered one of Swift's finest tracks. The song captures her revisiting bits and pieces of memories following a emotionally devastating split.

In 2012, this successful track made appearances on both Canadian and American music charts. The version from Taylor Swift’s “Taylor's Version” series then soared to the top of the Billboard Global 200 and set a record as the longest-running pop song to reach number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Additionally, it claimed the peak position on numerous international charts worldwide.

2. American Pie by Don McLean - (8 minutes)

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American Pie is a folk rock song by American singer Don McLean. It was recorded and released in 1971. At 8 minutes and 42 seconds, it was the sixth-longest song on the Billboard Hot 100 when it was released.

At that time, it was the longest song ever. It was the longest to reach number one for almost 50 years until a song by Taylor Swift broke the record. People have said it's one of the most successful and talked-about songs of the 20th century.

3. New Blue Sun by André 3000 - (12:20 minutes)

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New Blue Sun The first solo track from André 3000 is a jazz composition centered around themes of self-exploration. Launched by Epic Records on November 17, 2023, this single entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart at position No. 90. With a runtime of 12:20 minutes, it stands as the most extended recording to appear on these rankings.

4. "We Are the World" by USA for Africa - (6:22 minutes)

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We Are the World " We Are the World" is a renowned track produced by USA for Africa in 1985. It was penned by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson. The song was taken off the Billboard charts on January 29, 2024, following the debut of the Netflix documentary. The Most Amazing Night in Pop History , where it was featured, it made a comeback to the charts.

5. Hey Jude by The Beatles - (7:11 minutes)

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The composition of this track can be attributed to Paul McCartney, and it was unveiled by the Beatles in August 1968. This musical piece topped charts across numerous nations globally and claimed the distinction as the highest-grossing single of that year in places such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

It stayed at the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for nine weeks, tying the record set in 1968 for the longest stay atop the U.S. music charts. This record remained unbroken for nine years.

6. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone by The Temptations - (6:53 minutes)

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The song made its debut with a Motown release in 1972. Nevertheless, it gained significant popularity when The Temptations released their version of it later in the same year, earning them a Grammy Award.

The latest rendition of this song topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart and managed to reach position 63 on the pop charts as well.

7. Keep Going Until You Have Enough by Michael Jackson - (5:15)

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Keep Going Until You Reach Satisfaction is a single written, recorded, and sung by American singer Michael Jackson released under Epic Records on July 10, 1979. It was Jackson's second single to hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

It remained number one on the Billboard Soul Singles chart for six weeks. The song also succeeded worldwide, reaching number one in nine other countries. It is regarded as one of the greatest and most iconic disco songs ever. The song also won Jackson his first Grammy Award and American Music Awards.

8. Hotel California by Eagles - (6:08)

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Hotel California The song by the Eagles band came out in 1977. It received the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1978. This track holds the record as the longest rock song to appear on the Billboard Hot 100.

Since its debut, this track has earned acclaim as one of the most exceptional rock songs ever created and has been performed by numerous artists. In terms of sales, the single topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart and cracked the top ten on various global music charts.

9. Fear Inoculum by Tool - (10:21)

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Fear Inoculum The track by Tool holds the distinction of being the lengthiest entry on the Billboard Hot 100. Released in August 2019, this composition spans over 10 minutes and 21 seconds. Despite sounding unusually long, it stands out as quite an achievement when contrasted with more concise tracks.

10. Rapture by Blondie - (6:29)

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Rapture "Rapture" is a track by the American rock group Blondie which came out in 1980. This tune blends elements of new wave, disco, and hip-hop, featuring a rapping segment towards the conclusion. In the United States, it achieved sales of one million units, earning Gold status from the RIAA. Additionally, it topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for a fortnight.

11. Rise and Fall Of Bossanova-PC III - (13:23)

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The official record for the longest song ever created belongs to The Emergence and Decline of Bossa Nova As reported by PC III from the United States, according to the Guinness World Records, Kelly and Michael Bostwick surpassed the old record by an impressive 10 hours.

The track, which has a duration of 13 hours 23 minutes 32 seconds, was launched in November 2016 and continues to hold the title (as far as official records indicate).

12. I'll Do Anything for Love - Meat Loaf - (12 minutes)

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I Would Do Everything for Love is a track by American rock vocalist Meat Loaf with Lorraine Crosby. The song was penned by Jim Steinman and dropped in August 1993 via MCA.

This specific song marked Meat Loaf's first appearance on both the Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100 charts. He was awarded a Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Solo, for this track.

Final word

The longest song ever recorded to enter the Billboard Hot 100 is a remarkable achievement in the music industry. It shows the power of music that can captivate listeners for an extended period, breaking the norms of typical song lengths. If you want to listen to some popular songs that are not overwhelmingly long, the above list will suit your needs.

NewsBlog.co.ke published an article about funny walk-up songs. Funny walk-up songs are a big part of baseball. They provide athletes with a platform to express their individuality and engage the audience. By bringing in humour and energy, funny walk-up songs can liven up the game and make it more memorable for all players.

The most humorous walk-up songs accentuate the player’s best qualities and personal style. An upbeat, dynamic track shouldn’t be dismissed lightly. The opening rhythms ought to boost the athlete's energy levels and grab the crowd's focus.