Patience pays off, folks, even in pop music.

Lady Gaga‘s debut single, “Just Dance,” featuring Colby O’Donis, first hit radio way back in April of last year. It became a favorite of mine over the summer, and the mixes took it to #2 on the dance chart. But it wasn’t until August that “Just Dance” entered the Billboard Hot 100 and began orbiting the outer reaches of the Top 40.

Not long after Lady Gaga’s live performance on So You Think You Can Dance, I was moved to feature the song. And while I still hoped “Just Dance” would break through, I didn’t expect too much more, especially after a video for her follow-up single, the excellent “Poker Face,” appeared.

Well, as Casey Kasem was fond of saying, Lady Gaga kept reaching for the stars. After much promotion and perseverance, she finally reached the summit of the Billboard Hot 100 three weeks ago. At 22 weeks, “Just Dance” represents the longest climb to the top since Creed took “With Arms Wide Open” in November 2000 (thankfully, the only association that can be made between the two songs).

“Just Dance” wrapped up 419,000 digital downloads the week after Christmas (no doubt benefiting from iTunes gift cards received over the holidays), giving Gaga the second biggest tally of all-time and the highest for a female artist. Grabbing the brass ring from Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It),” Lady Gaga has tenaciously held on to the top spot, moving 400,000 more in the two weeks since, and bringing total sales of the track to over 2.3 million. Couple those big numbers with mucho airplay, and “Just Dance” has remained at #1.

If you’re not among the millions who’ve been moved by “Just Dance,” just see what you’ve been missing:

Nominated for a Grammy for Best Dance Recording, Lady Gaga’s competitors in the category are Madonna (“Give It 2 Me”), Daft Punk (“Harder Better Faster Stronger” – Live), Hot Chip (“Ready For The Floor”), Rihanna (“Disturbia”), and Sam Sparro (“Black And Gold”). Though it’s not a televised category, the winner will be announced during the Grammy Awards airing on CBS on February 3.

Less than a month old, 2009 is likely gonna be a good one for Lady Gaga. Currently supporting The Pussycat Dolls on their European jaunt, Gaga is readying her first headlining tour. Named in part for her debut album, The Fame Ball begins in March.

And while following up a #1 hit can be tough for some, second single “Poker Face” looks to be aces for Lady Gaga (read my take on the song here). The track sits at #48 this week, a jump from its previous #72 position.

Purchase “Just Dance” via iTunes, Amazon.