Picture this: A catchy tune from a wildly popular Netflix animated series clinging to the top spot on the world's biggest music charts for an astonishing 12 weeks in a row. That's the incredible story of HUNTR/X's 'Golden' from 'KPop Demon Hunters,' and it's got everyone talking about the power of crossover hits. But here's where it gets controversial – is this dominance a sign of genuine global appeal, or just the magic of a viral tie-in? Stick around, because we're diving deep into the latest chart shake-ups, and trust me, there's more drama than you might expect.
Dated October 6, 2025, we're thrilled to report that HUNTR/X's 'Golden' continues its reign as the undisputed leader on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts for a full 12 weeks. This track, which kicked off its chart-topping run in July, marks a historic first for the group, whose vocals are brought to life by talented artists EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI. For newcomers to the music scene, these charts are like the ultimate scoreboard for songs worldwide, measuring success through streams, downloads, and sales from over 200 countries. The Global 200 includes data from everywhere, including the U.S., while the Global Excl. U.S. focuses on international territories only, giving us a clearer picture of how tunes perform outside American borders.
To break it down simply for those just getting into chart analytics, these rankings aren't just random – they're calculated using a smart formula that weighs official streams from both paid and free music platforms (think Spotify, YouTube, and more), plus digital sales from retailers around the globe. Importantly, direct purchases from artists' own sites aren't counted, ensuring the data stays fair and focused on broader market activity. Compiled by the reliable data experts at Luminate, this system helps spotlight true hits without the noise of unofficial buzz.
'Golden' isn't just holding steady; it's powering ahead with 126.4 million streams worldwide (a slight 4% dip from last week) and 14,000 units sold (down 11%) in the tracking period ending October 2. Meanwhile, on the Global Excl. U.S. side, it racks up 95.5 million streams (also down 4%) and 7,000 sales (down 10%), proving its international pull.
But here's the part most people miss – the competition is fierce, and new contenders are shaking things up. Alex Warren's 'Ordinary' stays strong at No. 2 on the Global 200 after a solid 10-week run at the top starting in May, showing how consistency can pay off. From the same 'KPop Demon Hunters' soundtrack, Saja Boys' 'Soda Pop' maintains its peak at No. 3, highlighting the show's impact on multiple tracks. Olivia Dean scores her first top-five hit with 'Man I Need,' climbing from 8 to 4 – a big leap for the rising star. And Kenshi Yonezu's 'Iris Out' holds firm at No. 5, its best showing yet.
Speaking of fresh entries, Tate McRae's 'Tit for Tat' bursts onto the scene at No. 6 on the Global 200, boasting 41.2 million streams and 2,000 sales in its debut week following its September 26 release. This marks her fourth top-10 entry overall and her third this year, building on successes like 'Just Keep Watching' (No. 8 in June) and her feature on Morgan Wallen's 'What I Want' (No. 5 in May). Back in late 2023, she even claimed two weeks at No. 1 with 'Greedy,' proving she's no one-hit wonder.
Shifting to the Global Excl. U.S. chart, 'Iris Out' keeps its No. 2 spot, while 'Ordinary' sits at No. 3 after eight weeks leading the pack from May. 'Soda Pop' holds at No. 4, just off its No. 3 high, and 'Man I Need' rises to No. 5, mirroring its Global 200 success and marking Olivia Dean's inaugural top-five on this list too.
And this is where it gets really intriguing – Kenshi Yonezu and Hikaru Utada's 'Jane Doe' makes a massive jump from 30 to 10 on Global Excl. U.S., fueled by 21.6 million streams outside the U.S. in its complete first tracking week (September 26 to October 2). Released on September 22, it had already notched 12.4 million streams through September 25, showing explosive early momentum. Both this track and 'Iris Out' hail from the film 'Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc,' which dropped on September 19. For Yonezu, it's his third top-10 hit on this chart, while Utada earns her very first – a collaboration that's sparking debates about whether superstar pairings like this give songs an unfair edge in global rankings.
The full Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts for the week dated October 11, 2025, will be live on Billboard.com tomorrow, October 7. Free users can access the top 100 songs, but the complete top 200 requires a Billboard Pro subscription. Stay updated by following @billboard and @billboardcharts on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for all the latest chart news.
To ensure accuracy, Luminate – Billboard's independent data partner – conducts rigorous checks on all submissions, verifying and removing any suspicious or unconfirmed data before finalizing the charts. This process keeps things transparent and trustworthy.
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Now, let's stir the pot a bit: With songs from movies and TV shows like 'KPop Demon Hunters' and 'Chainsaw Man' dominating, are we seeing a shift where entertainment tie-ins overshadow standalone music? Or is this just the natural evolution of pop culture? Do you agree that collaborations between big names like Yonezu and Utada deserve their chart success, or do they sometimes feel manufactured? And here's a controversial take – could the exclusion of U.S. data in some charts be hiding American hits from global glory? We'd love to hear your opinions! Drop your thoughts in the comments below – agree, disagree, or share your own hot takes. What's your favorite chart-topper right now?
