- Thursday, May 01, 2025
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Jack Black has done it again, with a 34-second song about spicy poultry in a pixelated world. His latest musical effort, “Steve’s Lava Chicken,” featured in the recently released Minecraft Movie, has made history by becoming the shortest track ever to enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The quirky tune debuted at No. 78 on the Hot 100 list for the week of May 3, 2025, Billboard announced on April 28.
The live-action Minecraft Movie, starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa, has been a commercial success at the box office despite lukewarm critical reception. While the film’s visual effects and nostalgic appeal have drawn in families and younger audiences, reviewers have criticized the plot and performances.
Jack Black’s energetic portrayal has also received mixed feedback, with some noting that his over-the-top delivery and slang-heavy lines fall flat. However, where Black truly shines is in his musical numbers—a familiar strength from his past roles.
“Steve’s Lava Chicken” may only be 34 seconds long, but its catchy hook and absurd charm have captured the attention of audiences and social media. The song has not only entered the Hot 100 but also landed in the top 10 on Billboard’s Hot Rock Songs chart, further proving its unexpected popularity. With this achievement, the song dethrones the previous record holder for the shortest track to chart—Kid Cudi’s “Beautiful Trip,” which was 37 seconds long and hit the charts in 2020.
The Minecraft track marks Jack Black’s second major video game-inspired musical hit. In 2023, his ballad “Peaches” from The Super Mario Bros. Movie reached No. 56 on the Hot 100 and quickly became a fan favorite. Although “Peaches” enjoyed greater longevity and chart success, “Steve’s Lava Chicken” sets a new benchmark in terms of brevity, highlighting the evolving nature of viral music in the streaming age.
“Steve’s Lava Chicken” may owe its popularity to a blend of Minecraft mania, Jack Black’s cult following, and the internet’s love for quirky, meme-worthy songs. Kids, teens, and even adult fans have been sharing the tune across platforms like TikTok and YouTube, helping it explode in streams and downloads. Its brevity only adds to its replayability—a common tactic for viral hits in today’s digital music landscape.
Interestingly, this viral success comes amid a broader trend in which ultra-short songs gain massive traction online. Streaming platforms count a play even if a song is under a minute long, encouraging artists and producers to craft quick, catchy pieces that can loop endlessly and rack up listens. In this context, “Steve’s Lava Chicken” is both a product of modern listening habits and a testament to Jack Black’s knack for delivering infectious, offbeat music.
While it’s unlikely that this track will eclipse the popularity of “Peaches,” it has nonetheless carved its place in Billboard history. Whether you find it annoying or amusing, “Steve’s Lava Chicken” is proof that Jack Black can turn even a 34-second joke into a chart-topping moment.
Love it or hate it, the Minecraft movie’s hottest hit isn’t a blockbuster line—it’s a sizzling song about lava chicken.
