Through the end of the year, Chart Beat is looking back at the biggest achievements on Billboard's charts in 2010.

From "Empire State of Mind" to "California Gurls," Lady Gaga to Lady Antebellum, B.o.B to "OMG," "Fearless" to "Not Afraid," Train to "Airplanes" (specifically, a "G6") let's recap the most impressive honors achieved on Billboard surveys this year.


Tuesday, Dec. 14: Best of 2010, Part 1
Wednesday, Dec. 15: Best of 2010, Part 2

Tuesday, Dec. 21: Best of 2010, Part 3
Wednesday, Dec. 22: Best of 2010, Part 4



BEST OF 2010, PART 3

July

Ten months after the song first ranked on a Billboard survey, Train's "Hey, Soul Sister" debuts on Country Songs at No. 60. On the cut's impressive resume are reigns on Adult Pop Songs, Digital Songs and Adult Contemporary. "'Hey, Soul Sister' was such a massive pop hit that I think it makes sense to try it out on country," country KKBQ/Houston operations manager Johnny told Billboard. "(It) doesn't sound like bubblegum pop. It was a huge smash and it has instant familiarity" ...

Eminem roars onto the Billboard 200 at No. 1 with "Recovery," the rap superstar's sixth consecutive leader. He first appeared with the No. 2-peaking "The Slim Shady LP," on March 13, 1999, and then began his No. 1 streak with "The Marshall Mathers LP" (2000). He has continued to reign with "The Eminem Show" (2002), "Encore" (2004), "Curtain Call: The Hits" (2005) and "Relapse" (2009). Eminem trails only the Beatles (eight) for most uninterrupted Billboard 200 No. 1s ...

July 4 marked the 40th birthday of "American Top 40." Casey Kasem hosted the countdown of the top 40 positions on the Billboard Hot 100 through 1988, when he was succeeded by Shadoe Stevens. "It's a great, simple format based on two simple ideas: people like to hear the most popular music in the country and people like to hear the countdown of the biggest and best," Stevens told Billboard. "People get attached to certain songs and feel good when something they like is doing well" ...

Eminem's "Love the Way You Lie," featuring Rihanna, rises 2-1 on the Hot 100, becoming the rapper's fourth chart leader. The song "will easily be a No. 1 record," CBS Radio VP/programming Dom Theodore had predicted. "There's a ton of depth to this artist and (the 'Recovery') album," concurred KIIS/Los Angeles assistant program director/music director Julie Pilat ...

With 12 weeks at No. 1 on R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" marks Alicia Keys' longest lock on the top spot among her eight leaders. The song's reign passes the 10-week stay of "No One" in 2007 ...

Seventy years ago, July 27, 1940, Billboard published its first chart ranking the sales of recorded songs. Tommy Dorsey crowned the inaugural 10-position "National List of Best Selling Retail Records" with "I'll Never Smile Again" ...

Released in 2000, Hampton the Hamster's "The Hampsterdance Song" scurries to No. 1 on Kid Digital Songs. (Impressive longevity, considering that a hamster's average lifespan is two-to-three years).