Chartcrush Countdown Show 1952 Episode Graphic

Overview of 1952 on the Billboard Pop Charts

Crooners and Pop Singers, new and established, rule the charts the year Ike is elected President, Queen Elizabeth II is coronated, the Cold War becomes the new normal and “the ’50s” begin. Patti Page eschews overdubbing, PFC Eddie Fisher scores eight top tens while on active duty in the Army and Emo teen sensation Johnnie Ray pushes the Crooner envelope to the point of self-parody—and scores the year’s top hit.

#1 Song of the Year   

Johnnie Ray & The Four Lads – Cry

Artists of the Year   

  1. Eddie Fisher
  2. Jo Stafford
  3. Leroy Anderson & His Orchestra

Artist with Most Charting Songs   

  • Eddie Fisher (12)

Average #1 Artist Age   

  • 29.8

#1 Songs   

  1. Johnnie Ray & The Four Lads – Cry (January, 11 wks)
  2. Kay Starr – Wheel of Fortune (March, 10 wks)
  3. Georgia Gibbs – Kiss of Fire (May, 3 wks)
  4. Al Martino – Here in My Heart (June, 5 wks)
  5. Vera Lynn – Auf Wiederseh’n Sweetheart (July, 7 wks)
  6. Jo Stafford – You Belong to Me (September, 5 wks)
  7. Patti Page – I Went to Your Wedding (October, 6 wks)
  8. Mills Brothers – The Glow-Worm (November, 3 wks)

Overview of 1978 on the Billboard Pop Charts

Disco peaks with half of the top ten hits of the year by four brothers: Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb (The Bee Gees), and younger brother, Andy. Movies Saturday Night Fever and Grease, both starring John Travolta, yield multiple hits and usher in an era of blockbuster soundtrack albums. Meanwhile, Lionel Richie, still in The Commodores, scores his first #1 hit crossover ballad and Yacht Rock comes into its own.

#1 Song of the Year   

Bee Gees Night Fever 45 label
Bee Gees – Night Fever

Artists of the Year   

  1. Andy Gibb
  2. The Bee Gees
  3. Billy Joel

Artist with Most Charting Songs   

  • Billy Joel (5)

Average #1 Artist Age   

  • 30.4 years

#1 Songs on the Weekly Hot100   

  1. Bee Gees – How Deep Is Your Love (December ’77, 3 wks)
  2. Player – Baby Come Back (January, 3 wks)
  3. Bee Gees – Stayin’ Alive (February, 4 wks)
  4. Andy Gibb – (Love Is) Thicker than Water (March, 2 wks)
  5. Bee Gees – Night Fever (March, 8 wks)
  6. Yvonne Elliman – If I Can’t Have You (May, 1 wk)
  7. Wings – With a Little Luck (May, 2 wks)
  8. Johnny Mathis/Deniece Williams – Too Much, Too Little, Too Late (June, 1 wk)
  9. John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John – You’re the One That I Want (June, 1 wk)
  10. Andy Gibb – Shadow Dancing (June, 7 wks)
  11. The Rolling Stones – Miss You (August, 1 wk)
  12. Commodores – Three Times a Lady (August, 2 wks)
  13. Frankie Valli – Grease (August, 2 wks)
  14. A Taste of Honey – Boogie Oogie Oogie (September, 3 wks)
  15. Exile – Kiss You All Over (September, 4 wks)
  16. Nick Gilder – Hot Child in the City (October, 1 wk)
  17. Anne Murray – You Needed Me (November, 1 wk)
  18. Donna Summer – MacArthur Park (November, 3 wks)
  19. Barbra & Neil – You Don’t Bring Me Flowers (December, 2 wks)

Overview of 2014 on the Billboard Pop Charts

Social media eclipses TV as the top driver of pop culture in “the year of the booty” as the early ’10s EDM-anchored New Pop sound continues its reign. But Indie Folk-Pop’s influence spreads, underground Hip-Hop styles begin surfacing, and Pharrell Williams finally scores big as a headliner with the feel-good song of the decade.

#1 Song of the Year   

Pharrell Williams – Happy

Artists of the Year   

  1. Katy Perry
  2. Jason Derulo
  3. Iggy Azalea

Artist with Most Charting Songs   

  • One Direction (7)

Average #1 Artist Age   

  • 29.6 years

#1 Songs   

  1. Eminem feat. Rihanna – The Monster (December ’13, 4 wks)
  2. Pitbull feat. Ke$ha – Timber (January, 3 wks)
  3. Katy Perry feat. Juicy J – Dark Horse (February, 4 wks)
  4. Pharrell Williams – Happy (March, 10 wks)
  5. John Legend – All of Me (May, 3 wks)
  6. Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX – Fancy (June, 7 wks)
  7. MAGIC! – Rude (July, 6 wks)
  8. Meghan Trainor – All About That Bass (September, 8 wks)

Overview of 1984 on the Billboard Pop Charts

The “visual sizzle” of music video defines the look—and sound—of the ’80s, Miami Vice premieres and a record ten Platinum movie soundtracks yield multiple chart hits. Veteran Rock and Soul icons re-tool and relaunch, MTV unveils its Video Music Awards and Prince floods the zone with Purple Rain.

#1 Song of the Year   

Prince – When Doves Cry

Artists of the Year   

  1. Lionel Richie
  2. Cyndi Lauper
  3. Huey Lewis & The News

Artist with Most Charting Songs   

  • Rick Springfield (5)

Average #1 Artist Age   

  • 31.6 years

#1 Songs   

  1. Yes – Owner of a Lonely Heart (January, 2 wks)
  2. Culture Club – Karma Chameleon (February, 3 wks)
  3. Van Halen – Jump (February, 5 wks)
  4. Kenny Loggins – Footloose (March, 3 wks)
  5. Phil Collins – Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now) (April, 3 wks)
  6. Lionel Richie – Hello (May, 2 wks)
  7. Deniece Williams – Let’s Hear It for the Boy (May, 2 wks)
  8. Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time (June, 2 wks)
  9. Duran Duran – The Reflex (June, 2 wks)
  10. Prince – When Doves Cry (July, 5 wks)
  11. Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters (August, 3 wks)
  12. Tina Turner – What’s Love Got to Do with It (September, 3 wks)
  13. John Waite – Missing You (September, 1 wk)
  14. Prince & The Revolution – Let’s Go Crazy (September, 2 wks)
  15. Stevie Wonder – I Just Called to Say I Love You (October, 3 wks)
  16. Billy Ocean – Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run) (November, 2 wks)
  17. Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go (November, 3 wks)
  18. Daryl Hall & John Oates – Out of Touch (December, 2 wks)

Overview of 2002 on the Billboard Pop Charts

The ’00s begin to take shape after 9/11 as Emo and Bling Rap conquer the charts, Avril Lavigne emerges as the “anti-Britney” and Nelly notches two of the year’s top hits. But Eminem goes mainstream with 8 Mile and the decade’s biggest Rock bands, Nickelback and Linkin Park, score their first hits.

#1 Song of the Year   

Eminem – Lose Yourself

Artists of the Year   

  1. Nelly
  2. Ashanti
  3. P!nk

Artist with Most Charting Songs   

  • 16-WAY TIE: Jennifer Lopez • Ashanti • No Doubt • P!nk • Eminem • Fat Joe • Ludacris • Ja Rule • Shakira • George Strait • Toby Keith • Alan Jackson • Tim McGraw • B2K • Brooks & Dunn • System of a Down (3)

Average #1 Artist Age   

  • 26.6 years

#1 Songs   

  1. Usher – U Got It Bad (December ’01, 6 wks)
  2. Nickelback – How You Remind Me (December ’01, 4 wks)
  3. Ja Rule feat. Ashanti – Always on Time (February, 2 wks)
  4. Jennifer Lopez feat. Ja Rule – Ain’t It Funny (March, 6 wks)
  5. Ashanti – Foolish (April, 10 wks)
  6. Nelly – Hot in Herre (June, 7 wks)
  7. Nelly feat. Kelly Rowland – Dilemma (August, 10 wks)
  8. Kelly Clarkson – A Moment like This (October, 2 wks)
  9. Eminem – Lose Yourself (November, 12 wks)

Overview of 1958 on the Billboard Pop Charts

Teens take over the Pop charts in Rock ‘n Roll’s “toddler year” as Billboard unveils the Hot100, silly hits abound and Elvis reports for duty in the Army, but The Kingston Trio brings back Folk, and grownups celebrate the start of the Jet Age with “Volare” and other songs sung in Italian.

#1 Song of the Year   

Tommy Edwards – It’s All in the Game

Artists of the Year   

  1. Elvis Presley
  2. Rick Nelson
  3. The Everly Brothers

Artist with Most Charting Songs   

  • Pat Boone (10)

Average #1 Artist Age   

  • 27.9 years

#1 Songs   

  1. Danny & The Juniors – At the Hop (January, 5 wks)
  2. Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires – Don’t (February, 5 wks)
  3. The Champs – Tequila (March, 4 wks)
  4. Laurie London – He’s Got the Whole World (In His Hands) (April, 3 wks)
  5. Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires – Wear My Ring Around Your Neck (April, 1 wk)
  6. The Music of David Seville – Witch Doctor (April, 3 wks)
  7. The Platters – Twilight Time (April, 2 wks)
  8. The Everly Brothers – All I Have to Do Is Dream (May, 6 wks)
  9. Sheb Wooley – The Purple People Eater (June, 6 wks)
  10. Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires – Hard Headed Woman (July, 1 wk)
  11. Perez Prado & His Orchestra – Patricia (July, 1 wk)
  12. Ricky Nelson – Poor Little Fool (August, 2 wks)
  13. Domenico Modugno – Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu (Volare) (August, 5 wks)
  14. The Elegants – Little Star (August, 1 wk)
  15. Tommy Edwards – It’s All in the Game (September, 6 wks)
  16. Conway Twitty – It’s Only Make Believe (November, 2 wks)
  17. The Kingston Trio – Tom Dooley (November, 1 wk)
  18. The Teddy Bears – To Know Him, Is to Love Him (December, 3 wks)

Overview of 1993 on the Billboard Pop Charts

Music and fandom are deeply fragmented in the second full year of the Soundscan era on the Billboard charts as Gen-X takes charge of pop culture and Bill Clinton is inaugurated President. But genres are flowering in their silos, the music biz is prospering, and CD-single genres, especially Hip-Hop and R&B, are ruling the Hot100.

#1 Song of the Year   

Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You

Artists of the Year   

  1. SWV
  2. Whitney Houston
  3. Shai

Artist with Most Charting Songs   

  • TIE: Whitney Houston/SWV (4)

Average #1 Artist Age   

  • 28.6 years

#1 Songs   

  1. Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You (November ’92, 14 wks)
  2. Peabo Bryson & Regina Bell – A Whole New World (March, 1 wk)
  3. Snow – Informer (March, 7 wks)
  4. Silk – Freak Me (May, 2 wks)
  5. Janet Jackson – That’s the Way Love Goes (May, 8 wks)
  6. SWV – Weak (July, 2 wks)
  7. UB40 – Can’t Help Falling in Love (July, 7 wks)
  8. Mariah Carey – Dreamlover (September, 8 wks)
  9. Meat Loaf – I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) (November, 5 wks)

Overview of 1976 on the Billboard Pop Charts

Dancing is back as the Disco wave crests and the Dance chart debuts, with Novelty hits and veteran Pop and Soul acts jumping on the bandwagon. Country Crossover fades but Soft Rockers and Balladeers continue to score massive hits, and the intentional irony epitomized by New York’s emerging downtown Punk scene starts showing up on the Pop charts.

#1 Song of the Year   

Rod Stewart – Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)

Artists of the Year   

  1. The Bee Gees
  2. The Captain & Tennille
  3. Hall & Oates

Artist with Most Charting Songs   

  • 7-WAY TIE: Diana Ross/Electric Light Orchestra/Ohio Players/KISS/Olivia Newton-John/John Denver/Bachman-Turner Overdrive (4)

Average #1 Artist Age   

  • 32.0 years

#1 Songs on the Weekly Hot100   

  1. C. W. McCall – Convoy (January, 1 wk)
  2. Barry Manilow – I Write the Songs (January, 1 wk)
  3. Diana Ross – Theme from “Mahogany” (Do You Know Where You’re Going To) (January, 1 wk)
  4. Ohio Players – Love Rollercoaster (January, 1 wk)
  5. Paul Simon – 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover (February, 3 wks)
  6. Rhythm Heritage – Theme from S.W.A.T. (February, 1 wk)
  7. The Miracles – Love Machine (Part 1) (March, 1 wk)
  8. The Four Seasons – December 1963 (Oh, What a Night) (March, 3 wks)
  9. Johnnie Taylor – Disco Lady (April, 4 wks)
  10. Bellamy Brothers – Let Your Love Flow (May, 1 wk)
  11. John Sebastian – Welcome Back (May, 1 wk)
  12. Sylvers – Boogie Fever (May, 1 wk)
  13. Wings – Silly Love Songs (May, 5 wks)
  14. Diana Ross – Love Hangover (May, 2 wks)
  15. Starland Vocal Band – Afternoon Delight (July, 2 wks)
  16. Manhattans – Kiss and Say Goodbye (July, 2 wks)
  17. Elton John & Kiki Dee – Don’t Go Breaking My Heart (August, 4 wks)
  18. Bee Gees – You Should Be Dancing (September, 1 wk)
  19. KC & The Sunshine Band – (Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty (September, 1 wk)
  20. Wild Cherry – Play That Funky Music (September, 3 wks)
  21. Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band – A Fifth of Beethoven (October, 1 wk)
  22. Rick Dees & His Cast of Idiots – Disco Duck (Part 1) (October, 1 wk)
  23. Chicago – If You Leave Me Now (October, 2 wks)
  24. Steve Miller Band – Rock’n Me (November, 1 wk)
  25. Rod Stewart – Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright) (November, 8 wks)
  26. Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. – You Don’t Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show) (January ’77, 1 wk)

Overview of 2011 on the Billboard Pop Charts

Electronic Dance Music (EDM) festivals break attendance records and EDM triumphs on the U.S. charts as the Millennial generation’s “New Pop” unifies American music for the first time in ten years. Katy Perry and judges from The Voice are among the big chart winners, while Adele raises the bar for soulful Female Singers.

#1 Song of the Year   

LMFAO featuring Lauren Bennett & GoonRock – Party Rock Anthem

Artists of the Year   

  1. Katy Perry
  2. Rihanna
  3. Bruno Mars

Artist with Most Charting Songs   

  • Glee Cast (75)

Average #1 Artist Age   

  • 26.8 years

#1 Songs   

  1. Bruno Mars – Just the Way You Are (October ’10, 4 wks)
  2. Ke$ha – We R Who We R (November ’10, 1 wk)
  3. Rihanna feat. Drake – What’s My Name? (November ’10, 1 wk)
  4. P!nk – Raise Your Glass (December ’10, 1 wk)
  5. Katy Perry – Firework (December ’10, 4 wks)
  6. Bruno Mars – Grenade (January, 4 wks)
  7. Britney Spears – Hold It Against Me (January, 1 wk)
  8. Wiz Khalifa – Black and Yellow (February, 1 wk)
  9. Lady GaGa – Born This Way (February, 6 wks)
  10. Katy Perry feat. Kanye West – E.T. (April, 5 wks)
  11. Rihanna feat. Britney Spears – S&M (April, 1 wk)
  12. Adele – Rolling in the Deep (May, 7 wks)
  13. Pitbull feat. Ne-Yo, AfroJack & Hayer – Give Me Everything (July, 1 wk)
  14. LMFAO feat. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock – Party Rock Anthem (July, 6 wks)
  15. Katy Perry – Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) (August, 2 wks)
  16. Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera – Moves like Jagger (September, 4 wks)
  17. Adele – Someone like You (September, 5 wks)

Overview of 2005 on the Billboard Pop Charts

Millennials are driving pop culture as broadband internet juices music piracy into overdrive, but Ringtones are raking in $4 billion/year as Hip-Hop’s Bling Era endures, Kelly Clarkson confirms American Idol’s star-making prowess once and for all, and “Hollaback Girl” becomes the first song with a million paid downloads the year the Hot Digital Songs and Ringtones charts debut.

#1 Song of the Year   

Mariah Carey – We Belong Together

Artists of the Year   

  1. Kelly Clarkson
  2. 50 Cent
  3. Mariah Carey

Artist with Most Charting Songs   

  • 50 Cent (8)

Average #1 Artist Age   

  • 27.7 years

#1 Songs   

  1. Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrell – Drop It like It’s Hot (December ’04, 3 wks)
  2. Mario – Let Me Love You (January, 9 wks)
  3. 50 Cent feat. Olivia – Candy Shop (March, 9 wks)
  4. Gwen Stefani – Hollaback Girl (May, 4 wks)
  5. Mariah Carey – We Belong Together (June, 14 wks)
  6. Carrie Underwood – Inside Your Heaven (July, 1 wk)
  7. Kanye West feat. Jamie Foxx – Gold Digger (September, 10 wks)
  8. Mariah Carey – Don’t Forget About Us (December, 2 wks)
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