“I Just Might” and “The Fate of Ophelia” are separated by less than one percent in a razor-thin Billboard Hot 100 debut race.

The race for the No. 1 debut on the Billboard Hot 100 is officially coming down to the wire, and it doesn’t get much bigger than this. Bruno Mars’ latest single, “I Just Might,” is neck and neck with Taylor Swift’s The Fate of Ophelia for the top spot on the chart dated January 24, 2026. Early projections suggest the margin separating the two tracks is less than one percent, setting the stage for a race that is tighter than Jim Jones’s pants.

The context surrounding this showdown only heightens the stakes. Bruno Mars is entering the early phase of his The Romantic era, which marks his return to the album cycle after nearly a decade away. With a new project on the horizon and a tour looming, a No. 1 debut would be a massive tone-setter for the era. Mars has always been selective with releases, so when he steps back into the spotlight, expectations are naturally sky-high.

On the other side stands Taylor Swift, the most consistent chart force of the modern era. Her grip on Billboard dominance has been relentless, making it unsurprising to see her once again battling for chart supremacy. However, if Swift were to miss the No. 1 spot here, it would mark the first time she hasn’t held either the Hot 100 or the Billboard 200 since the release of The Life of a Showgirl.

I’m down for a good ole brouhaha on the Billboard charts!

Quincy

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.