#1 Song of the YearThe top song according to our Chartcrush ranking of all songs that earned the majority of their chart ranking points in the year
50 Cent – In da Club
Artists of the YearThe top three artists based on all charted songs during the calendar year
50 Cent
R. Kelly
Christina Aguilera
Artist with Most Charting SongsArtist(s) with the most charting songs during the year (song count in parentheses)
Tie: 50 Cent/R. Kelly
Average #1 Artist AgeThe average of how old artists who scored #1 hits during the year were when their songs first reached #1
26.3 years
#1 SongsList of #1 songs that earned the majority of their chart ranking points in the year, and (in parentheses), the month the song first hit #1 and the total number of weeks it was #1
#1 Song of the YearThe top song according to our Chartcrush ranking of all songs that earned the majority of their chart ranking points in the year
Dinah Shore & Her Happy Valley Boys – Buttons and Bows
Artists of the YearThe top three artists based on all charted songs that spent most of their chart runs in the year
Dick Haymes
Art Mooney & His Orchestra
Vaughn Monroe & His Orchestra
Artist with Most Charting SongsArtist(s) with the most charting songs during the year (song count in parentheses)
The Andrews Sisters (7)
Average #1 Artist AgeThe average of how old artists who scored #1 hits during the year were when their songs first reached #1
35.7
#1 SongsList of #1 songs that earned the majority of their chart ranking points in the year, and (in parentheses), the month the song first hit #1 and the total number of weeks it was #1
Vaughn Monroe & His Orchestra, vocal Vaughn Monroe & The Moon Maids – Ballerina (December ’47, 8 wks)
Art Mooney & His Orchestra – I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover (February, 4 wks)
Peggy Lee with Dave Barbour & The Brazilians – Mañana (Is Soon Enough for Me) (March, 9 wks)
Ken Griffin at the Organ, vocal Jerry Wayne – You Can’t Be True Dear (May, 1 wk)
King Cole – Nature Boy (May, 6 wks)
Kay Kyser & His Orchestra, vocal Gloria Wood – Woody Wood-Pecker (July, 7 wks)
Al Trace & His New Orchestra, vocal Bob Vincent – You Call Everybody Darlin’ (August, 6 wks)
Pee Wee Hunt & His Orchestra – Twelfth Street Rag (August, 6 wks)
Margaret Whiting – A Tree in the Meadow (October, 1 wk)
Dinah Shore & Her Happy Valley Boys – Buttons and Bows (November, 10 wks)
Post-Grunge and Smooth R&B Slow Jams hang on as Millennial Teen Pop ramps up, Total Request Live debuts on MTV, Apple ships the iMac and Drudge breaks the Clinton-Lewinski scandal, the first online news coup. Meanwhile, Retro Kitch conquers radio, matchbox 20 gets sued by their old Band and Titanic breaks box office records while supplying ’90s Pop Divadom’s spectacular chart finale.
#1 Song of the Year   The top song according to our Chartcrush ranking of all Billboard Radio Songs entries that earned the majority of their chart ranking points in the year
Goo Goo Dolls – Iris
Artists of the Year   The top three artists based on all charted songs (on the Billboard Radio Songs chart) during the calendar year
Matchbox Twenty
Backstreet Boys
Usher
Artist with Most Charting Songs   Artist(s) with the most charting songs on the Billboard Radio Songs chart during the year (song count in parentheses)
Average #1 Artist Age   The average of how old artists who scored #1 Billboard Radio Songs hits during the year were when their songs first reached #1
27.4 years
#1 Songs   List of Billboard Radio Songs #1's that earned the majority of their chart ranking points in the year, and (in parentheses), the month the song first hit #1 and the total number of weeks it was #1
Celine Dion – My Heart Will Go On (January, 10 wks)
Savage Garden – Truly Madly Deeply (April, 5 wks)
Natalie Imbruglia – Torn (May, 11 wks)
Goo Goo Dolls – Iris (August, 18 wks)
Aerosmith – I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing (October, 1 wk)
Madonna takes center stage and becomes an icon, George Michael grows up and goes solo, and video fuels a surge of over-the-top melodrama on the charts as President Reagan starts his second term with a massive mandate, Rock turns 30, and a who’s who of Pop’s biggest stars raise millions for Africa with “We Are the World” and the Live Aid benefit. But where is Prince?
#1 Song of the YearThe top song according to our Chartcrush ranking of all Hot100 songs that earned the majority of their chart ranking points in the year
Madonna – Like a Virgin
Artists of the YearThe top three artists based on all charted songs during the calendar year
Madonna
Bryan Adams
Phil Collins
Artist with Most Charting SongsArtist(s) with the most Hot100 charting songs during the year (song count in parentheses)
3-WAY TIE: Madonna/Bryan Adams/Prince (5)
Average #1 Artist AgeThe average of how old artists who scored #1 Hot100 hits during the year were when their songs first reached #1
30.0 years
#1 SongsList of Hot100 #1 songs that earned the majority of their chart ranking points in the year, and (in parentheses), the month the song first hit #1 and the total number of weeks it was #1
Madonna – Like a Virgin (December ’84, 6 wks)
Foreigner – I Want to Know What Love Is (February, 2 wks)
Wham! feat. George Michael – Careless Whisper (February, 3 wks)
REO Speedwagon – Can’t Fight This Feeling (March, 3 wks)
Phil Collins – One More Night (March, 2 wks)
USA for Africa – We Are the World (April, 4 wks)
Madonna – Crazy for You (May, 1 wk)
Simple Minds – Don’t You (Forget About Me) (May, 1 wk)
Wham! – Everything She Wants (Remix) (May, 2 wks)
Tears for Fears – Everybody Wants to Rule the World (June, 2 wks)
Bryan Adams – Heaven (June, 2 wks)
Phil Collins – Sussudio (July, 1 wk)
Duran Duran – A View to a Kill (July, 2 wks)
Paul Young – Everytime You Go Away (July, 1 wk)
Tears for Fears – Shout (August, 3 wks)
Huey Lewis & the News – Power of Love (August, 2 wks)
John Parr – St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion) (September, 2 wks)
Dire Straits – Money for Nothing (September, 3 wks)
Ready for the World – Oh Sheila (October, 1 wk)
A-Ha – Take on Me (October, 1 wk)
Whitney Houston – Saving All My Love for You (October, 1 wk)
Stevie Wonder – Part-Time Lover (November, 1 wk)
Jan Hammer – Miami Vice Theme (November, 1 wk)
Starship – We Built This City (November, 2 wks)
Phil Collins & Marilyn Martin – Separate Lives (November, 1 wk)
#1 Song of the YearThe top song according to our Chartcrush ranking of all Hot100 songs that earned the majority of their chart ranking points in the year
Barbra Streisand – The Way We Were
Artists of the YearThe top three artists based on all charted songs during the calendar year
Elton John
Gladys Knight & The Pips
Charlie Rich
Artist with Most Charting SongsArtist(s) with the most Hot100 charting songs during the year (song count in parentheses)
3-WAY TIE: Gladys Knight & Pips/Charlie Rich/James Brown (5)
Average #1 Artist AgeThe average of how old artists who scored #1 Hot100 hits during the year were when their songs first reached #1
30.5 years
#1 SongsList of Hot100 #1 songs that earned the majority of their chart ranking points in the year, and (in parentheses), the month the song first hit #1 and the total number of weeks it was #1
Jim Croce – Time in a Bottle (December ’73, 2 wks)
Steve Miller Band – The Joker (January, 1 wk)
Al Wilson – Show and Tell (January, 1 wk)
Ringo Starr – You’re Sixteen (January, 1 wk)
Barbra Streisand – The Way We Were (February, 3 wks)
Love Unlimited Orchestra – Love’s Theme (February, 1 wk)
Terry Jacks – Seasons in the Sun (March, 3 wks)
Cher – Dark Lady (March, 1 wk)
John Denver – Sunshine on My Shoulders (March, 1 wk)
Blue Swede – Hooked on a Feeling (April, 1 wk)
Elton John – Bennie and the Jets (April, 1 wk)
MFSB feat. The Three Degrees – TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia) (April, 2 wks)
Grand Funk – The Loco-Motion (May, 2 wks)
Ray Stevens – The Streak (May, 3 wks)
Paul McCartney & Wings – Band on the Run (June, 1 wk)
Bo Donaldson & the Heywoods – Billy, Don’t Be a Hero (June, 2 wks)
Gordon Lightfoot – Sundown (June, 1 wk)
The Hues Corporation – Rock the Boat (July, 1 wk)
George McCrae – Rock Your Baby (July, 2 wks)
John Denver – Annie’s Song (July, 2 wks)
Roberta Flack – Feel like Makin’ Love (August, 1 wk)
Paper Lace – The Night Chicago Died (August, 1 wk)
Paul Anka with Odia Coates – (You’re) Having My Baby (August, 3 wks)
Eric Clapton – I Shot the Sheriff (September, 1 wk)
Barry White – Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe (September, 1 wk)
Andy Kim – Rock Me Gently (September, 1 wk)
Olivia Newton-John – I Honestly Love You (October, 2 wks)
Billy Preston – Nothing from Nothing (October, 1 wk)
Dionne Warwicke & The Spinners – Then Came You (October, 1 wk)
Stevie Wonder – You Haven’t Done Nothin’ (November, 1 wk)
Bachman-Turner Overdrive – You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet (November, 1 wk)
John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Nuclear Band – Whatever Gets You Thru the Night (November, 1 wk)
Billy Swan – I Can Help (November, 2 wks)
Carl Douglas – Kung Fu Fighting (December, 2 wks)
Harry Chapin – Cat’s in the Cradle (December, 1 wk)
Streaming playlists revolutionize music discovery for the first time since Top 40 radio, and labels and platforms pounce to regain control of Pop from unpredictable fans and their chaotic clicks and taps. Meanwhile, breakthroughs by Trap Hip-Hop and The Weeknd steer things toward darker, more ominous waters and Taylor Swift leaves Nashville, goes full Pop, conquers the charts and powers two of the year’s biggest Male Singer-Songwriters.
#1 Song of the YearThe top song according to our Chartcrush ranking of all Hot100 songs that earned the majority of their chart ranking points in the year
Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk
Artists of the YearThe top three artists based on all charted songs during the calendar year
Taylor Swift
The Weeknd
Fetty Wap
Artist with Most Charting SongsArtist(s) with the most Hot100 charting songs during the year (song count in parentheses)
Drake (23)
Average #1 Artist AgeThe average of how old artists who scored #1 Hot100 hits during the year were when their songs first reached #1
27.7 years
#1 SongsList of Hot100 #1 songs that earned the majority of their chart ranking points in the year, and (in parentheses), the month the song first hit #1 and the total number of weeks it was #1
Taylor Swift – Shake It Off (September ’14, 4 wks)
Taylor Swift – Blank Space (November ’14, 7 wks)
Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk! (January, 14 wks)
Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth – See You Again (April, 12 wks)
Taylor Swift – Bad Blood (June, 1 wk)
OMI – Cheerleader (July, 6 wks)
The Weeknd – Can’t Feel My Face (August, 3 wks)
Justin Bieber – What Do You Mean? (September, 1 wk)
TV passes 50% of households, Ike ends the Korean War, Playboy debuts and the Supreme Court tackles school segregation in a year of positive thinking and aggressive envelope-pushing, but Pop doubles down on its proven formulas with lusher strings, Country/Western covers and even barking dogs! Meanwhile, girls are ordering “Eddie Fishers” at soda fountains, boys are sleuthing out R&B in the ‘hood and a New York DJ has to eat a record after it’s a leftfield hit.
#1 Song of the YearThe top song according to our Chartcrush ranking of all songs that earned the majority of their chart ranking points in the year
Les Paul & Mary Ford – Vaya Con Dios (May God Be with You)
Artists of the YearThe top three artists based on all charted songs that spent most of their chart runs in the year
Perry Como
Joni James
Les Paul & Mary Ford
Artist with Most Charting SongsArtist(s) with the most charting songs during the year (song count in parentheses)
Joni James (8)
Average #1 Artist AgeThe average of how old artists who scored #1 hits during the year were when their songs first reached #1
32.0
#1 SongsList of #1 songs that earned the majority of their chart ranking points in the year, and (in parentheses), the month the song first hit #1 and the total number of weeks it was #1
Joni James – Why Don’t You Believe Me (December ’52, 5 wks)
Perry Como with The Ramblers – Don’t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes (January, 5 wks)
Teresa Brewer – Till I Waltz Again with You (February, 6 wks)
Patti Page – The Doggie in the Window (March, 7 wks)
Percy Faith & His Orchestra feat. Felicia Sanders – Song from “Moulin Rouge” (Where Is Your Heart) (May, 9 wks)
Eddie Fisher feat. Sally Sweetland – I’m Walking Behind You (July, 3 wks)
Les Paul & Mary Ford – Vaya Con Dios (May God Be with You) (August, 11 wks)
The Ames Brothers – You, You, You (October, 7 wks)
#1 Song of the YearThe top song according to our Chartcrush ranking of all Hot100 songs that earned the majority of their chart ranking points in the year
Black Eyed Peas – “I Gotta Feeling”
Artists of the YearThe top three artists based on all charted songs during the calendar year
Artist with Most Charting SongsArtist(s) with the most Hot100 charting songs during the year (song count in parentheses)
TIE: Glee Cast (25)
Average #1 Artist AgeThe average of how old artists who scored #1 Hot100 hits during the year were when their songs first reached #1
28.9 years
#1 SongsList of Hot100 #1 songs that earned the majority of their chart ranking points in the year, and (in parentheses), the month the song first hit #1 and the total number of weeks it was #1
T.I. feat. Rihanna – Live Your Life (October ’08, 6 wks)
Britney Spears – Womanizer (October ’08, 1 wk)
Beyonce – Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) (December ’08, 4 wks)
Lady Gaga feat. Colby O’Donis – Just Dance (January, 3 wks)
Kelly Clarkson – My Life Would Suck Without You (February, 2 wks)
Eminem, Dr. Dre & 50 Cent – Crack a Bottle (February, 1 wk)
Country crossover surges, Pop is migrating from AM to FM and the charts are a mishmash the year before MTV changes the game. Meanwhile, the Iran hostages are free, Reagan takes office and Americans are choosing confidence and optimism over ’70s malaise, strapping on their Walkmans, hitting the gym and getting “Physical.” And there’s a new spotlight on the dark side of fandom after John Lennon and the President are shot just months apart, Lennon fatally.
#1 Song of the YearThe top song according to our Chartcrush ranking of all Hot100 songs that earned the majority of their chart ranking points in the year
Olivia Newton-John – Phyiscal
Artists of the YearThe top three artists based on all charted songs during the calendar year
Daryl Hall & John Oates
REO Speedwagon
Sheena Easton
Artist with Most Charting SongsArtist(s) with the most Hot100 charting songs during the year (song count in parentheses)
4-WAY TIE: Neil Diamond/Diana Ross/REO Speedwagon/Don McLean (4)
Average #1 Artist AgeThe average of how old artists who scored #1 Hot100 hits during the year were when their songs first reached #1
33.1 years
#1 SongsList of Hot100 #1 songs that earned the majority of their chart ranking points in the year, and (in parentheses), the month the song first hit #1 and the total number of weeks it was #1
John Lennon – (Just Like) Starting Over (December ’80, 5 wks)
Blondie – The Tide Is High (January, 1 wk)
Kool & The Gang – Celebration (February, 2 wks)
Dolly Parton – 9 to 5 (February, 2 wks)
Eddie Rabbitt – I Love a Rainy Night (February, 2 wks)
REO Speedwagon – Keep on Loving You (March, 1 wk)
Blondie – Rapture (March, 2 wks)
Daryl Hall & John Oates – Kiss on My List (April, 3 wks)
A synthy Swedish Reggae-lite outfit is the first act since the Bee Gees to land three of the year’s top hits the year before the internet explodes, but the Pop Diva space delivers big hits and adds a new A-lister. Meanwhile, the first #1 by an unsigned act is a song from a GenX-defining movie, and ever-smoother R&B Vocal Groups prevail on radio and the Hot100 offering an antidote, for the time being, to aggressive Gangsta Rap.
#1 Song of the YearThe top song according to our Chartcrush ranking of all Hot100 songs that earned the majority of their chart ranking points in the year
Boyz II Men – I’ll Make Love to You
Artists of the YearThe top three artists based on all charted songs during the calendar year
Ace of Base
Mariah Carey
Janet Jackson
Artist with Most Charting SongsArtist(s) with the most Hot100 charting songs during the year (song count in parentheses)
TIE: Janet Jackson/Ace of Base (4)
Average #1 Artist AgeThe average of how old artists who scored #1 Hot100 hits during the year were when their songs first reached #1
26.6 years
#1 SongsList of Hot100 #1 songs that earned the majority of their chart ranking points in the year, and (in parentheses), the month the song first hit #1 and the total number of weeks it was #1
Janet Jackson – Again (December ’93, 2 wks)
Mariah Carey – Hero (December ’93, 4 wks)
Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart & Sting – All for Love (January, 3 wks)
Celine Dion – The Power of Love (February, 4 wks)
Ace of Base – The Sign (March, 6 wks)
R. Kelly – Bump N’ Grind (April, 4 wks)
All-4-One – I Swear (May, 11 wks)
Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories – Stay (August, 3 wks)
Boyz II Men – I’ll Make Love to You (August, 14 wks)
Ini Kamoze – Here Comes the Hotstepper (December, 2 wks)