In the latest cinematic sensation, “A Minecraft Movie,” audiences are transported to the enchanting Overworld, a realm where everything is constructed from cubes and right angles. Here, the whimsical rules of “Minecraft” come to life, allowing for surreal experiences, such as placing a live chicken beneath a lava flow to conjure a perfectly cooked rotisserie chicken dinner. Steve, voiced by the charismatic Jack Black, takes great delight in showcasing this culinary magic through his fast-food venture, aptly named Steve’s Lava Chicken.
In a charming display of creativity, Steve even performs a spontaneous 34-second jingle for his culinary creation, reminiscent of the improvisational spirit found on shows like “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” This catchy tune has quickly become a favorite among “Minecraft” enthusiasts, leading to its availability for streaming and download across various music platforms. Fans have embraced “Steve’s Lava Chicken” with enthusiasm, propelling it to a notable position on the Billboard Hot 100, where it recently debuted at #77. This achievement marks a significant milestone, as it now holds the record for the shortest song ever to grace the Hot 100.
Jack Black’s foray into the music charts is not unprecedented; he previously made waves with “Peaches,” a song from “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which peaked at #56 earlier this year. According to Billboard, “Steve’s Lava Chicken” surpasses Kid Cudi’s 2020 track “Beautiful Trip,” which ran for 37 seconds, making it the shortest song to chart. While Cudi’s piece was more of a mood piece, “Lava Chicken” has secured its place in the spotlight with a higher chart position.
Other fun length records from the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard’s archives reveal a fascinating collection of notably short songs that have made their mark on the Hot 100. Among these is Piko-Taro’s viral hit “PPAP (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen),” which peaked at #77 in 2016 and runs for just 44 seconds. These three tracks represent the only charting hits under one minute. Looking back further, “Little Boxes” by The Womenfolk, a classic from 1964, reached #83 with a runtime of one minute and two seconds. The shortest song to ever reach #1 is Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs’ 1960 single “Stay,” clocking in at a mere 98 seconds. In contrast, Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, broke records but ran for 113 seconds, making it the shortest #1 hit since 1965.
On the other end of the spectrum, longer charting songs have also made headlines. André 3000 set a record in 2023 with his instrumental piece “I Swear, I Really Wanted to Make a ‘Rap’ Album but This Is Literally the Way the Wind Blew Me This Time,” which spans an impressive 12 minutes and 20 seconds. This track debuted at #90, officially marking it as the longest single to appear on the chart, surpassing Tool’s “Fear Inoculum,” which runs for 10 minutes and 21 seconds. Notably, Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version)” holds the title for the longest song to reach #1 at 10 minutes and 13 seconds.
The whimsical nature of Billboard’s short songs often blends light pop with novelty tunes. The lyrics of “Steve’s Lava Chicken” encapsulate this playful spirit, reminiscent of a heavy metal version of Shel Silverstein:
“La-la-la-lava, ch-ch-ch-chicken
Steve’s Lava Chicken, yeah, it’s tasty as hell.
Ooh, mamacita, now you’re ringin’ the bell.
Crispy and juicy, now you’re havin’ a snack.
Ooh, super spicy, it’s a lava attack!”
In this delightful world of music and creativity, “Steve’s Lava Chicken” stands out as a testament to the power of imagination in both film and song.
