Taylor Swift’s latest single, “Patient Zero,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
According to Billboard, “Patient Zero” launched with 34.5 million official streams, 28.5 million radio airplay audience impressions, and 65,000 units sold in the United States between September 25 and October 1.
“Patient Zero” marks Taylor’s 16th No. 1 on the Hot 100, giving her the third-most chart-toppers in the ranking’s history, following The Beatles with 20 and Mariah Carey with 19.
The track was released as part of the "encore" version of The Life of a Showgirl, which also returned to No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
Back in September, Taylor Swift shared the inspiration behind “Patient Zero” in an interview with Capital FM.
“I was hanging out with a bunch of friends, and one of my friends told us that she had been reached out to by the new girlfriend of an ex of hers, asking for guidance on if she had had the same experiences with this guy that this new girlfriend was having,” the singer-songwriter shared.
Taylor said the story immediately prompted similar experiences from the rest of the group.
“And everyone in our group just immediately started saying like, ‘Oh, I’ve been through that too’, and telling the stories of when this kind of reach out had happened for them,” she said.
Taylor Swift releases 'Patient Zero' music video, reveals inspiration behind concept
Realizing how common the situation was, Taylor said she became interested in exploring it from the perspective of the ex-partner receiving the call.
“And I thought to myself, if this has happened to all of us, it’s such an interesting kind of angle on humanity and on relationships, and I wonder if I could write something from the perspective of getting this phone call, and really only from the perspective and the side of the phone call of the ex who’s been through it before," she said.
Meanwhile, the music video for “Patient Zero” premiered during the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on September 27.
Directed by Taylor, the music video features Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell alongside the singer.