Taylor Swift’s ‘Cruel Summer’ Hits No. 1 on Hot 100, Four Years After Release

variety.com:

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic Taylor Swift fans don’t always love delayed gratification, but they have embraced it in the case of “Cruel Summer,” a 2019 song they have finally driven to No.

1 on the Billboard Hot 100, four years and two months after it made its first appearance on the chart. The track from the “Lover” album — or era — first reached the top 10 in early July, and had hovered there since, becoming a consensus pick among many for 2023’s “song of the summer,” even though it came out four autumns ago.

But as recently as last week, “Cruel Summer” had fallen to No. 9, after previously reaching a peak of No. 3. So what not only resuscitated it but finally gave it a turbo boost to the top?

One big factor is obviously the blockbuster theatrical release of “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” lifting all boats. Streaming for her entire catalog rose substantially in the week following the film’s release.