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Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift's Battle for Adult Contemporary Supremacy

Miley Cyrus arrives at the LACMA Art + Film Gala in Los Angeles on Nov. 6, 2021. Cyrus' "Flowers" was named one of the top songs of the year by The Associated Press. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invisio

For the past month, two powerhouses of the music industry, Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus, have been battling it out for the top spot on Billboard's radio charts. In a rather intriguing display, these superstars have been exchanging the coveted No. 1 position with lightning speed, and the cycle has repeated itself once again.

This week, it's Taylor Swift who reigns supreme on the Adult Contemporary chart with her single 'Cruel Summer.' This track has now spent two weeks atop the list of the most popular tunes on adult contemporary radio stations across the nation—though not consecutively.

Last time around, it was Miley Cyrus who held the reins, dominating the chart for an impressive thirty-eighth week with her hit song 'Flowers.' The recent Grammy winner extended her lead for the longest-running No. 1 of all time when she returned to the summit with the biggest hit of her career.

Just before Swift's comeback, 'Cruel Summer' had reached No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart for the first time ever. Swift had to dethrone Cyrus to claim the top spot, right after the latter had etched her name in the history books.

On the chart dated January 20, Cyrus accomplished a remarkable feat. Her song 'Flowers' officially broke the all-time record for the most weeks spent at No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart. By surpassing Maroon 5's 'Girls Like You,' Cyrus solidified her place in music history.

Currently, Swift may occupy the No. 1 position on the Adult Contemporary chart, but given the pattern of the past few weeks, she may not want to get too comfortable. This could just be the beginning of a long streak for 'Cruel Summer,' and it might continue to dominate for several weeks, if not months. However, it wouldn't be surprising if Cyrus manages to reclaim her throne, as it appears that Americans are still not tired of listening to 'Flowers.'

Adding to Cyrus' achievements is her recent Grammy success. Her single just snagged two Grammys, including the prestigious Record of the Year award, which is considered the ultimate prize in the music world. This triumph could potentially propel the singer's chart performance, as radio programmers and DJs may decide to put 'Flowers' back into heavy rotation—or even heavier than before. It wouldn't be unusual to witness a surge in its consumption, and if that happens, it would be yet another intriguing sight to behold if she manages to overthrow Swift once more.

The battle for the top spot on the Adult Contemporary chart between Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus continues to captivate music enthusiasts. With each passing week, it remains uncertain who will emerge victorious, but one thing's for sure—the competition is fierce, and these talented artists are leaving their mark on Billboard's charts.

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