In a surprising turn of events, the whimsical "Steve's Lava Chicken" from A Minecraft Movie has etched its name in music history as the shortest track ever to enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Clocking in at just 34 seconds, the song — performed by Jack Black—debuted at No. 78 on the chart dated May 3, 2025, breaking the previous record held by Kid Cudi’s 37-second "Beautiful Trip" from 2020. This milestone highlights the viral power of the track, which has captured the imagination of fans worldwide.
A Sizzling Moment from A Minecraft Movie
"Steve's Lava Chicken" is a comedic jingle sung by Jack Black’s character, Steve, in A Minecraft Movie, which hit theaters on April 4, 2025. In the scene, Steve demonstrates to his companions—played by Jason Momoa, Danielle Brooks, Emma Myers, and Sebastian Hansen—how to cook a chicken using lava, resulting in a "lava chicken" dish.
The song’s playful lyrics, like “La-la-la-lava, ch-ch-ch-chicken / Steve’s Lava Chicken, yeah, it’s tasty as hell / Ooh, super spicy, it’s a lava attack,” are paired with Black’s energetic delivery, making it an instant earworm.
Co-written by Black and the film’s director Jared Hess, the track perfectly captures the quirky spirit of the Minecraft universe.
The song’s brevity didn’t hinder its success. According to data tracker Luminate, "Steve's Lava Chicken" racked up over 7 million streams in the U.S. between April 18 and April 24, 2025, fueled by its viral spread on platforms like TikTok. It also climbed to No. 10 on the Hot Rock Songs chart, showcasing its broad appeal beyond the movie’s young fanbase.
Breaking Records and Making History
The Billboard Hot 100, which has tracked the most popular songs in the U.S. since its inception on August 4, 1958, had never seen a track as short as "Steve's Lava Chicken" make the cut.
Before this, the shortest songs to chart included Kid Cudi’s "Beautiful Trip" (37 seconds), Pikotaro’s "PPAP (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen)" (45 seconds), and Ariana Grande’s "Pete Davidson" (1 minute 13 seconds). At just 34 seconds, Black’s track shaves off precious seconds to claim the record, proving that in the streaming era, even the briefest moments can make a big impact.
This isn’t Jack Black’s first foray into chart-topping territory with a video game movie soundtrack. In 2023, his song "Peaches" from The Super Mario Bros. Movie peaked at No. 56 on the Hot 100, staying on the chart for five weeks.
Black, a seasoned musician known for his work with the comedy-rock duo Tenacious D, has a knack for turning meme-worthy moments into musical hits. His earlier Hot 100 entry with Tenacious D’s "POD" in 2006 also reached No. 78, matching the debut position of "Steve's Lava Chicken."
A Cultural Phenomenon
The success of "Steve's Lava Chicken" is tied to the massive popularity of A Minecraft Movie, which has grossed over $816 million globally in its first four weeks, making it the highest-grossing video game film of all time. The movie has sparked a cultural frenzy, with fans embracing its chaotic energy—sometimes too enthusiastically.
The viral "chicken jockey" trend, inspired by the film, has led to rowdy theater behavior, including popcorn-throwing and even bringing live chickens to screenings, prompting some cinemas to issue warnings.
Warner Bros. has leaned into the film’s memeable moments, announcing "Block Party Edition" screenings across North America where fans are encouraged to sing along to "Steve's Lava Chicken" and revel in the film’s absurdity.
The song’s popularity has also transcended borders, debuting at No. 21 on the UK’s Official Singles Chart, where it also set a record as the shortest track to chart.
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A Testament to Streaming and Virality
The rise of "Steve's Lava Chicken" underscores how streaming and social media have reshaped the music industry. In an era where the average Hot 100 top 10 song in 2024 ran for 3 minutes and 40 seconds, a 34-second track breaking into the chart is a testament to the power of virality.
While some might question whether such a brief song deserves the same recognition as longer tracks, its cultural impact is undeniable. Kids and adults alike have embraced the tune, with parents on platforms like X noting how their children can’t stop singing it.
As A Minecraft Movie continues to dominate the box office and cultural conversation, "Steve's Lava Chicken" stands as a quirky footnote in music history—a reminder that sometimes, the shortest songs can leave the biggest impression.
For fans eager to experience the track in all its glory, the extended 1-minute-15-second version is available on the movie’s soundtrack, alongside other Black contributions like "I Feel Alive" featuring Dave Grohl.
