Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department set for Number 1 return

Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department has reclaimed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart, marking its 16th non-consecutive week at the summit. This resurgence follows the release of the deluxe “Anthology” edition, which includes 31 tracks and four bonus acoustic songs. The physical release, available exclusively at Target, propelled the album from No. 8 to No. 1, with 405,000 equivalent album units sold in the week ending December 5—a staggering 839% increase from the previous week.​

Upon its initial release in April 2024, The Tortured Poets Department debuted with 2.61 million equivalent album units in the U.S., including 1.91 million in traditional album sales and 891.34 million on-demand streams. This achievement set records for the largest streaming week for any album and the highest vinyl sales in modern history, with 859,000 units sold .

The album’s success was further bolstered by Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour, which concluded on December 8, 2024. The tour grossed $2.2 billion and attracted over 4.35 million attendees, contributing to the album’s sustained popularity .​

Internationally, The Tortured Poets Department achieved significant milestones. In the UK, it secured the biggest opening week in seven years, with 270,000 chart units sold, surpassing Adele’s 30. The album also tied Swift with Madonna for the most No. 1 albums by a female artist in UK chart history, each boasting 12 chart-toppers .​

Critically, the album received a mixed reception upon release, with praise for its emotional depth and songwriting, though some critics found it lengthy. Over time, appreciation for its musical and lyrical nuances has grown, leading to accolades such as the 2025 Premios Odeón for Best International Album and a nomination for Album of the Year at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards .​

With its return to the top of the charts, The Tortured Poets Department continues to solidify Taylor Swift’s status as a dominant force in the music industry, showcasing her ability to connect with audiences and achieve commercial success across multiple formats and markets.​

Newsdesk