The Hot 100 60th Anniversary
On Aug. 4, 1958, Billboard launched the Hot 100, forever changing pop music -- or at least how it's measured. Sixty years later, the chart remains the gold-standard ranking of America's top songs each week. And while what goes into a hit has changed (bye bye, jukebox play; hello, streaming!), attaining a spot on the list -- or better yet, a coveted No. 1 -- is still the benchmark to which artists aspire, from Ricky Nelson on the first to Drake on the latest. Which brings us to this hottest-of-the-hot list: the 600 most massive smashes over the chart's six decades.
Try using the filters below to answer questions like what was the top female rap song of the '90s? or what are the top R&B group songs of all time?
Try using the filters below to answer questions like what was the top female rap song of the '90s? or what are the top R&B group songs of all time?
CHART FILTER
Decade
Genre
M/F/Group
Male/Female/Group
Checker's transformative smash remains the No. 1 all-time Billboard Hot 100 hit, fueled by its dual run atop the weekly chart in September 1960 (for one week) and January 1962 (for two frames). "The Twist" is the only song to rule the Hot 100 in separate release cycles, as it returned to the top after adults caught on to the song and its namesake dance that younger audiences had first popularized. "That style of dancing wasn't there before," Checker, now 76, mused. "It was so explosive, it's never left the dance floor."
2
SMOOTH
Santana Featuring Rob Thomas
1999
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Rock
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Duo/Group
Decades before it launched a thousand Internet memes, "Smooth" was a straight-up four-quadrant smash. The combination of Matchbox 20 singer Rob Thomas' contemporary crossover popularity and Santana's eternal cool, in a moment particularly kind to Latin-tinged pop, proved roundly irresistible, giving the song both a tremendous peak and a long tail on the Hot 100 -- as it spent 30 weeks in the Hot 100's top 10, including 10 at No. 1.
Hailing from Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill's 1928 masterpiece Threepenny Opera and detailing the brutal past of the play's lead, "Mack the Knife" was unlikely fodder for Bobby Darin, a teen idol fresh off the success of "Splish Splash," three decades later. But his English-language, swingin' jazz version of the German tune topped the one-year-old Billboard Hot 100 in 1959 for nine non-consecutive weeks -- despite Dick Clark's warning to Darin it wouldn't appeal to the rock-loving kids.
4
UPTOWN FUNK!
Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars
2015
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Pop
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Male
Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars had teamed up on a No. 1 hit before - the latter's "Locked out of Heaven," a six-week leader in 2012-13 (billed as by Mars only), but they bested themselves, and every other song of the 2010s to date, with "Uptown Funk!" The collab, which introduced Ronson's Uptown Special album and set weddings across the country ablaze, zoomed to the Hot 100's summit for 14 weeks, and finished 2015 as the year's top title.
One year after her Blue breakthrough, teen country sensation Leann Rimes angled more pop with this Diane Warren-penned ballad. The problem: It was too pop for the execs behind 1997 action flick Con Air, who wanted a country version for the film's soundtrack. Trisha Yearwood was recruited for that version, winning a Grammy, but Rimes' was the public's choice, hitting No. 2 on the Hot 100 and setting new records for most weeks in the top 10 (32), and most weeks on the chart (69), both since overtaken.
6
PARTY ROCK ANTHEM
LMFAO Featuring Lauren Bennett & GoonRock
2011
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Dance/Electronic
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Duo/Group
Party rock was in the penthouse of the Hot 100 for six weeks in 2011 as L.A. pop-rap outfit LMFAO's signature hit dominated the music mainstream. The duo of RedFoo and SkyBlu had Hot 100 success in their genes, as the son and grandson (respectively) of Berry Gordy -- founder of the legendary Motown label, whose roster enjoyed chart-topping success from the '60s through the '90s.
2009's longest-running Hot 100 No. 1 introduced American audiences to the work of French DJ-producer David Guetta, and helped the Peas reinvent themselves with an EDM-friendly sound. It also helped the group set records: When the song first debuted at No. 2 behind its album-mate "Boom Boom Pow," the Peas were one of 11 artists to occupy the Hot 100's top two spots simultaneously.
A phenomenon that invaded pop culture in 1996, the Bayside Boys remix of Los Del Rio's "Macarena" started a dance craze that swept up pre-teens and politicians alike. The song also conquered the Hot 100 for 14 weeks -- a record for a mostly foreign-language song that lasted over two decades.
Sheeran's first Hot 100 No. 1 ruled for 12 weeks in 2017 and, even after the tropical-flavored pop jam's reign ended, it boasted record-breaking staying power: The song logged a record 33 weeks in the top 10 in 2017, all dating to its debut at the summit that January.
Physical was the best of both worlds, mixing the zeitgeist of the '80s fitness craze with an eternally relevant subject: sex. The result, to which Newton-John herself admitted, "I think there's a double entendre," fittingly proved a master of endurance, staying atop the Hot 100 for a then-record-tying 10 weeks.
Daughter of '50s superstar Pat Boone, Debby became a second-gen Hot 100 topper when her "You Light Up My Life" bested the chart for a then-record 10 weeks. Originally recorded as a love song for the 1977 film of the same name, Boone claimed her rendition was inspired by God.
The biggest of The Beatles' still-unmatched 20 Hot 100 No. 1s, "Hey Jude" spent a then-record-tying nine weeks atop the chart. It wasn't just the song's reign that was long: The singalong epic ran seven minutes, longest for any No. 1 until Don McLean's "American Pie" in 1972.
13
CLOSER
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey
2016
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Dance/Electronic
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Duo/Group
The Chainsmokers -- the EDM-pop duo of Alex Pall and Andrew Taggart - followed the kitchy "#Selfie," which reached No. 16 on the Hot 100 in 2014, with three top 10s in 2016. The biggest of them was the 12-week No. 1 "Closer," a swoony team-up with alt-pop superstar Halsey.
After a brief hiatus, Mariah Carey made the grandest comeback of her career thus far with 2005's "We Belong Together." It became the icon's 16th No. 1 on the Hot 100, spending a whopping 14 non-consecutive weeks on top.
The gripping ballad "Un-Break My Heart" became Toni Braxton's second No. 1 single in 1996, following the double-sided "You're Makin' Me High"/"Let It Flow" -- both from her Grammy-nominated sophomore album Secrets. "Un-Break My Heart" stayed atop the Hot 100 for 11 weeks.
16
YEAH!
Usher Featuring Lil Jon & Ludacris
2004
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R&B
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Male
Yeah! struck a perfect balance of 2004's hottest sounds: Usher's smooth R&B vocals, Ludacris' free-flowing rhymes and Lil Jon's crunk-R&B hybrid production. The trio of Atlanta natives was rewarded with 12 weeks atop the Hot 100, in a year where every No. 1 was performed by a person of color.
Originally recorded by co-writer Jackie DeShannon in 1974, Kim Carnes' smoky, synth-heavy remake topped the Hot 100 for nine non-consecutive weeks in 1981. The Hollywood icon herself thanked Carnes for the song in a letter; after its Grammy wins for song and record of the year, Davis sent Carnes roses.
18
ENDLESS LOVE
Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
1981
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R&B
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Male/Female
A meeting of two generations of Motown icons yielded the biggest hit for each: "Love" gave Ross her sixth and final solo No. 1, while Richie earned his first of five solo chart-toppers. Despite the ballad's success, the duo has only performed it live once, at the 1982 Academy Awards.
A paean to the act of virgin deflowering from the classic rocker, "Tonight's the Night" struck enough of a chord with 1976 audiences to spend eight weeks atop the Hot 100. The second of Rod Stewart's four No. 1s, the ballad also features a French spoken-word segment from then-girlfriend Britt Ekland.
Alaskan singer-songwriter Jewel spent a then-record 65 weeks on the Hot 100 in 1997 with this split single, thanks to the individual popularity of both breakup songs: the wistful "Meant" and the bitter "Foolish." The single peaked at No. 2, both on the weekly chart and Billboard's 1997 year-end tally.
Like each of Canadian rocker Bryan Adams' four Hot 100 toppers, 1991's "I Do It for You" hailed from a film soundtrack, serving as love theme for the Kevin Costner blockbuster Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. The power ballad spent seven weeks at No. 1, a career-best for Adams.
Boyz II Men ceded their single-song record for longest stay at No. 1 to Whitney Houston, but didn't stay in second place for long. With 1994's "I'll Make Love to You," they tied Houston's then-record, and became the first act to have two songs each claim double-digit-week runs at No. 1.
While the titular Sandra Dee drama that spawned it was shortly forgotten, conductor Percy Faith's cover of "Theme From 'A Summer Place'" made history, spending a record nine weeks at No. 1. The mark went unbeaten for 17 years, and "Theme" remains the longest-reigning instrumental in Hot 100 history.
Originally written by Chic's Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards as a response to NYC nightclub Studio 54 denying them entry, a title change from "fuck off" to "freak out" resulted in the band's first No. 1, a wiggly disco stomper that topped the chart for six non-consecutive weeks in 1978-79.
Not every Bee Gees smash followed in the strutting footsteps of Saturday Night Fever smashes "Night Fever" and "Stayin' Alive." The 1977 soundtrack's first single, blissful ballad "How Deep Is Your Love," showcased Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb's softer side and ranks as their top-charting hit.
Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" has soundtracked countless sports montages since Rocky III introduced it to the world (and the Hot 100's apex) in 1982. The song also beat the previous chart best of writer/singer Jim Peterik, whose group Ides of March hit No. 2 with "Vehicle" in 1970.
27
WE FOUND LOVE
Rihanna Featuring Calvin Harris
2011
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Pop
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Female
Rihanna ruled the charts -- and pretty much the entire music world -- with 2011's "We Found Love." The Calvin Harris-assisted dance smash spent 10 consecutive weeks at the top spot, surpassing the seven-week run of "Umbrella" to become Rihanna's biggest hit.
28
LOW
Flo Rida Featuring T-Pain
2008
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Hip-Hop/Rap
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Male
Combining elements of Southern hip-hop with the uptempo pace of dance music, "Low" -- with its over-enunciated T-Pain hook (Apple Bottom jeeeeanz! Boots with the furrrrr!) -- helped usher in a new era of genre-bending club music, and set Flo Rida up to snag 10 more top 10 hits.
While his three brothers were conquering the Hot 100 as the Bee Gees, Andy Gibb joined the club with "I Just Want to Be Your Everything," the first of his own three No. 1s on the chart. It remained a family affair: brother Barry wrote and co-produced the disco smash.
Next's first and only Hot 100 No. 1 is an allusion to getting horny while dancing at a club. The R&B group charted five Hot 100 entries, all in the top 40, between 1997 and 2002, returning to the top 10 with "Wifey" in 2000.
Post-punk arena-rockers The Police topped the Hot 100 for eight weeks in 1983 with this ode of unreciprocated romantic intensity, often mistaken by marrying couples as a straightforward ballad of devotion. The song was the band's first Hot 100 No. 1, and their last, as the trio disbanded shortly after.
32
SOMEBODY THAT I USED TO KNOW
Gotye Featuring Kimbra
2012
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Rock
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Male
This minimal breakup duet became the surprise smash of 2012, ruling the Hot 100 for eight weeks. Six years later, the two singer-songwriters have only graced the chart once more between them -- with "Eyes Wide Open," a No. 96 hit for Gotye in May 2012.
33
DESPACITO
Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber
2017
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Latin
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Male
After Justin Bieber jumped on its remix, "Despacito" blasted to No. 1, eventually tying Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men's "One Sweet Day" for the longest Hot 100 reign: 16 weeks. The influence of "Despacito" has since impacted Latin crossovers like J Balvin and Willy William's "Mi Gente," featuring Beyoncé.
Flashdance was a surprise box office smash in 1983, boosting singer-actress Irene Cara's soundtrack cut "Flashdance What a Feeling" to No.1 for six weeks that same year. With music from disco titan Giorgio Moroder and lyrics co-written by Cara herself, the song earned the best original song Oscar.
Thanks to appearances on Billboard's Latin, rock, rhythmic, adult contemporary, and pop charts -- just to name a few -- "Rolling in the Deep" was heralded as one of the biggest crossover hits of all time, and kicked off a trilogy of consecutive No. 1s from the singer's blockbuster LP 21.
The R&B singer struck gold with "Tossin' and Turnin'," which clocked seven weeks at No. 1 and was the chart's top performing single of 1961. It was so big, it spawned a later sequel of sorts: "I'm Tossin' and Turnin' Again," which peaked at No. 98 the next year.
As rock was taking hold in the late '50s, the Hot 100 still found room for country singer Johnny Horton's retelling of the titular War of 1812 battle, becoming Billboard's No. 1 song for 1959. The song also won just the second-ever Grammy for song of the year that November.
38
ONE SWEET DAY
Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men
1995
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R&B
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Female/Duo/Group
With 12 combined Hot 100 No. 1s between them already at the time of "One Sweet Day," it was no surprise that Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men's collaboration was an instant hit. The track debuted at No. 1 in 1995 and held for an unprecedented 16 weeks, a stint matched only once since.
Truly Madly Deeply was the first of two No. 1 hits for the Australian pop duo, with "I Knew I Loved You" following in 2000. The latter ballad made history as the longest-running song on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart: 124 weeks. "Truly" is second with its own whopping 123-week run.
Quite possibly the nicest response track ever written, Paul McCartney brushed off critics accusing Wings of specializing in sentimental pap with this bass-heavy, disco-flavored single (Wingle?). It topped the Hot 100 for five non-consecutive weeks in 1976, becoming Macca's fifth post-Beatles No. 1.
Marvin Gaye spoke about social issues on his 1971 album, What's Going On; two years later, he had zeroed in on more personal topics on the upfront "Let's Get It On." Audiences "got it" and pushed the lovemaking classic to the Hot 100's top spot for two weeks in 1973.
The partial title track to the 1977's iconic Saturday Night Fever, this disco groover became yet another Bee Gees No. 1 from the soundtrack in March 1978. It was part of a remarkable winning streak for songwriter Barry Gibb, who had writing credits on four consecutive chart-toppers that year.
Inspired by disco hitmakers Chic, Queen bassist Roger Deacon crafted a sparse, irresistibly funky 1980 single that topped the Hot 100 for three weeks; it was the band's second and final No. 1. Before getting Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger," Sylvester Stallone used it in early edits of Rocky III.
44
SAY SAY SAY
Paul McCartney And Michael Jackson
1983
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Pop
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Male
While the McCartney/MJ duet "The Girl Is Mine" from the latter's Thriller peaked at No. 2, "Say Say Say" from Macca's significantly less-acclaimed Pipes of Peace LP topped the Hot 100 for six weeks from 1983-84. The video boasts cameos from Linda McCartney and La Toya Jackson.
Canadian rock quartet Nickelback started the new millennium as one of the most successful (though critically reviled) bands on the charts. The raging "How You Remind Me" was the first of its six Hot 100 top 10s -- and to date, its only No. 1, topping the 2002 year-end Hot 100 tally.
A quintessential '70s story song, "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" told of a returning prisoner of war asking his girl to perform the titular action if he's still welcome in her life. The jaunty tune hit No. 1 for four weeks in 1973, and popularized nationwide yellow-ribbon usage to welcome back Vietnam veterans.
It's All in the Game topped the Hot 100 in 1958 via soul singer Tommy Edwards' take. "Game" was based on an instrumental composed by eventual U.S. Vice President Charles G. Dawes, making him the only VP with a writing credit on a No. 1 hit.
I Want to Hold Your Hand launched The Beatles towards their vaunted place in music history, and on the Billboard charts. The group reigns as the all-time top act in the Hot 100's archives, while its iconic U.S. breakthrough single became its first of its record 20 No. 1s.
Co-written with his brothers Barry, Robin and Maurice (a.k.a. the Bee Gees), Andy Gibb's third and final No. 1 reigned for seven weeks in 1978 when the youngest Gibb brother was just 20 years old. After struggling with addiction for years, Andy Gibb died at age 30 in 1988.
Jepsen's signature tune boasts the greatest chorus of the 21st century (according to a Billboard staff ranking), but it took tweets from Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez -- not to mention endless lip dubs and parodies -- to help the former Canadian Idol contestant's swoon-worthy pop ditty blow up in 2012.
51
BLURRED LINES
Robin Thicke Featuring T.I. + Pharrell
2013
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R&B
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Male
Though the song would ultimately prove controversial and legally troublesome, "Blurred Lines" briefly made a pop star of Los Angeles R&B singer Robin Thicke with its infectious hook, irresistible groove and NSFW video. The song reigned on the Hot 100 for 12 weeks in 2013, the year's longest-running chart-topper.
Originally an ode to Marilyn Monroe, "Candle" was updated after the death of Elton John's friend, Diana, Princess of Wales, in a 1997 car crash. The tribute scored a Nielsen Music-era record 3.4 million single sales in one week, and held the Hot 100 No. 1 slot for 14 weeks.
The theme of "love conquers all" had powered many Alicia Keys songs by 2007, but "No One" took the R&B singer's favorite message to a new level, becoming her second solo No. 1, and earning her two more Grammys.
Two weeks after "End of the Road" vacated the Hot 100's apex, "Always" took over - for a then-record 14 weeks. Houston's retooling of Dolly Parton's classic ballad accompanied her film debut in The Bodyguard, and returned to No. 3 on the chart after her 2012 death.
With its first No. 1, the Philadelphia R&B quartet broke one of the Hot 100's most prized records, as "Road" spent a then-unprecedented 13 weeks on top. The feat, 15 years in the making, lasted four months, but the Boyz reclaimed the mark in 1994 and outdid that in 1996.
No other act has achieved a streak that the Black Eyed Peas linked in 2009, when Fergie, will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Taboo reigned for a record 26 consecutive weeks. The streak kicked off with the 12-week reign of "Boom Boom Pow," a electro-funk banger than became the group's first No. 1.
When Stevie Nicks turned down Giorgio Moroder's request to write a song for the American Gigolo soundtrack, the Italian disco producer looked to Blondie's Debbie Harry, who turned around the topline to this new wave chart-topper (the second of four No. 1s the band would accrue) in a few hours.
The magic of Ne-Yo's songwriting and Scott Storch's production led to R&B singer Mario's sole No. 1 single. "Let Me Love You" spent nine consecutive weeks atop the Hot 100 in early 2005.
The Saturday Night Fever soundtrack included six songs by brother trio Bee Gees; of those, five were No. 1s. This falsetto-powered disco strutter reigned for four weeks in 1978, ceding the top spot to "(Love Is) Thicker Than Water" - a song by Andy Gibb, the band's younger brother.
The idea was that Lionel would come from R&B and I'd come from country, and we'd meet somewhere in pop, Kenny Rogers said of working with writer-producer Lionel Richie on "Lady." It proved a sweet spot: The love song became country vet Rogers' first Hot 100 No. 1 in 1980.
Though she would later bristle (to say the least) at the rapping party-girl persona she introduced here, Kesha's first solo single was also an instant star-making No. 1. -- mixing elements of French house music with hip-hop flavor and pop star largesse.
By 1966, The Monkees capitalized on the exposure of their eponymous NBC comedy, landing three No. 1s, among six top 10s, through 1968. The longest leader was the Neil Diamond-penned pop gem "I'm a Believer," which reigned for six weeks from 1966-67.
63
GOLD DIGGER
Kanye West Featuring Jamie Foxx
2005
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Hip-Hop/Rap
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Male
Gold Digger, the 2005 Ray Charles-sampling warning for men, became rapper Kanye West and guest singer Jamie Foxx's second No. 1 single, following their prior collab "Slow Jamz." It spent its 10 weeks atop the Hot 100, making it the longest-leading of West's four No. 1s.
64
APOLOGIZE
Timbaland Featuring OneRepublic
2007
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Pop
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Male
Originally recorded by Colorado pop-rockers OneRepublic for their own Dreaming Out Loud album, "Apologize" received a hip-hop-flavored remix by superproducer Timbaland for his Shock Value set. The new version of the piano ballad bound to No. 2 on the Hot 100 in 2007, making radio stars of OneRepublic.
The Swedish quartet already had a smash with the No. 2-peaking "All that She Wants," but "The Sign" -- their first stateside No. 1 -- proved the group's hooky songcraft was no fluke, and put Stockholm on the map in the music industry as an untapped hit-making capital.
After building a touring fanbase throughout the '70s, the J. Geils Band experienced its greatest crossover success in 1982 with the Hot 100-topping, synth-driven "Centerfold." The song was helped by a fun high school-set video, directed by Paul Justman -- brother of keyboardist and "Centerfold" writer Seth Justman.
Though atypical for its time sonically, Meghan Trainor's doo-wop-inspired debut had staying power: It remained in the Hot 100's top 10 for 25 weeks, becoming only the 10th song in Hot 100 history to do so at the time.
The first single from John Lennon and Yoko Ono's joint album Double Fantasy was the last single released in his lifetime. A No. 1 for five weeks following his Dec. 8, 1980 murder, it marked his second solo Hot 100 topper, following 1974's "Whatever Gets You Thru the Night."
A prodigious New Zealand teen writes a song about not relating to anything on the radio, then ends up ruling it anyway: The pop star's minimalist, finger-snapping debut single was such an alternative to what was dominating top 40 then, it was actually promoted to alternative radio stations first.
70
THE BOY IS MINE
Brandy & Monica
1998
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R&B
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Female
This smash was partly inspired by "The Girl Is Mine," the hit Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney duet and lead single from the former's Thriller blockbuster. In this battle of the sexes, the women won: "Girl" stopped at No. 2 in 1983, while "Boy" lasted 13 weeks at No. 1.
While Florida singer Stevie B is largely remembered for his late '80s freestyle bangers, it was a ballad that took him to the Hot 100's apex in 1990. The song's distinctive parenthetical comes from its opening line: "I got your letter from the postman just the other day."
Originally recorded by '70s band The Arrows, "I Love Rock 'N Roll" became the signature hit for Joan Jett and the Blackhearts in 1982, crowning the Hot 100 for seven weeks. The shout-along anthem was the rockers' only No. 1, but they returned to the top 40 eight more times.
A medley of two songs from the late-'60s musical phenomenon Hair, The Fifth Dimension's hymn of "harmony and understanding" became the mixed-gender vocal group's biggest hit, topping the Hot 100 for six weeks in 1969. The two-part recording went on to win record of the year at the 1970 Grammys.
Although "Whoomp!" never hit No. 1 -- UB40's "Can't Help Falling in Love" and Mariah Carey's "Dreamlover" intervened -- the hip-hop classic's seven weeks at No. 2 rank it among the all-time top Hot 100 hits, inspiring two charting spinoffs by the act: 1993's "Addams Family (Whoomp!)," and 1994's "Whoomp (There It Went)."
75
MOVES LIKE JAGGER
Maroon 5 Featuring Christina Aguilera
2011
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Pop
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Duo/Group
Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera added a sixth No. 1 to their combined tally with the pop-funk jam "Moves Like Jagger" in 2011. The collab's success coincided with the first season of U.S. version of singing competition show The Voice, where both Aguilera and M5 frontman Adam Levine starred as coaches.
76
EBONY AND IVORY
Paul McCartney And Stevie Wonder
1982
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Pop
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Male
One of two Macca/Stevie duets on the former's George Martin-produced 1982 album Tug of War, "Ebony and Ivory" topped the Hot 100 for seven weeks that same year. Excluding The Beatles, this earnest plea for racial equality was the longest-running No. 1 for both artists.
After five upbeat singles (and four No. 1s) from her debut album, Paula Abdul released this ballad from sophomore set Spellbound. It became her biggest hit yet, and its five weeks at No. 1 was the most for any song since Madonna's "Like a Virgin," which ruled for six weeks from 1984-1985.
Less than a year after USA for Africa's "We Are the World," another charity collaboration reigned as America's top song. This time, "That's What Friends Are For" united Dionne Warwick with Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder, with the single's proceeds benefiting the American Foundation for AIDS research.
Though he'd already produced and/or appeared on countless smash hits, Pharrell Williams didn't top the Hot 100 as a lead artist until 2013's "Happy," a ten-week No. 1. The exuberant pop anthem originally appeared on the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack, before leading Pharrell's solo debut LP, GIRL.
To kick off her third decade in the music business, Ross enlisted Chic architects Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards to update her sound. Despite friction between performer and producers, the collaboration yielded some of Ross' biggest solo hits, including "Down," which zoomed up the Hot 100, ruling for four weeks.
Before The CW's Riverdale, Archie Comics brought the all-American gang of fictional high schoolers to TV in 1968 with The Archie Show. That begat virtual band The Archies (made up of session musicians), who scored a real-life No. 1 for four weeks in 1969 with the bubblegum classic "Sugar, Sugar."
Singer-songwriter Billy Joel had his own "Just the Way You Are" smash in 1978. But while that Grammy-winner topped out at No. 3 on the Hot 100, versatile entertainer Bruno Mars' ballad of the same name made it all the way to No. 1 in 2010, lasting for four weeks.
83
DILEMMA
Nelly Featuring Kelly Rowland
2002
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Hip-Hop/Rap
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Male
Nelly was one of the most successful rappers of the early '00s, solidifying that status with 2002's Grammy-winning single "Dilemma." Alongside Destiny's Child member Kelly Rowland, "Dilemma" followed prior single "Hot in Herre" to No. 1 on the Hot 100, and kept its position for 10 weeks.
Motown had a hit with this song twice in one year by two different artists: Gladys Knight and The Pips took their upbeat version to No. 2 in December 1967, but by December 1968 it was Marvin Gaye's sly take ruling the charts, landing a seven-week stay at No. 1.
Shania Twain fused traditional country with modern pop in a winning combo that peaked with Come on Over, the second-best-selling album in the U.S. since 1991, according to Nielsen Music. She scored biggest with pop-tinged ballad "You're Still the One," an eight-week No. 2 Hot 100 hit in 1998.
Of the King of Pop's 13 No. 1 hits, this pop classic's seven-week rule ties "Black and White" for his longest-leading No. 1. The song's famous opening groove was inspired by a fellow Hot 100-topper from a year earlier: Daryl Hall and John Oates' "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)."
Casablanca Records president Neil Bogart suggested Summer pass this rock-edged dance song to Cher, but the Queen of Disco was eager to expand her dominion to other genres. Smart move: "Stuff" hit No. 1 in June 1979, and won Summer her first Grammy, for best female rock vocal performance.
88
ROCKSTAR
Post Malone Featuring 21 Savage
2017
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Hip-Hop/Rap
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Male
Post Malone first broke through to the Hot 100's Top 20 with "White Iverson" and "Congratulations," which peaked at No. 14 and No. 8, respectively. But in October 2017, the rapper and featured guest 21 Savage gained their first No. 1 each with the inescapable "Rockstar," which ruled the chart for eight weeks.
89
GANGSTA'S PARADISE
Coolio Featuring L.V.
1995
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Hip-Hop/Rap
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Male
The biggest of Compton rapper Coolio's mid-'90s hits, "Gangster's Paradise" spent three weeks at No. 1. The song was written for high school drama Dangerous Minds, but was Oscar-ineligible, due to its interpolation of Stevie Wonder's "Pastime Paradise."
Classic rockers Steve Miller Band proved they could transition to the MTV era with the new wave smash "Abracadabra," a two-week No. 1 in late 1982. Miller later revealed to People that the song's lyrics were inspired by The Supremes, who he came across while out skiing one day.
Sheeran has openly admitted that "Perfect" was a deliberate attempt to outdo his other signature ballad, 2014's "Thinking Out Loud." On the charts, at least, it worked: "Loud" stopped at No. 2, while "Perfect" -- helped by a duet remix with Beyonce -- logged six weeks at No. 1.
This 1973 No. 1 has become part of the pop music vernacular, referenced in subsequent hits by artists ranging from Janet Jackson to Nine Inch Nails. Its subject, an arrogant male ex, has been the topic of decades of speculation, with singer-songwriter Simon still yet to reveal the whole truth.
A classic party-starter for 40-plus years, "Play That Funky Music" shot to No. 1 in 1976 as the Ohio funk band's first Hot 100 hit. Wild Cherry never hit the top 40 again, but "Funky" returned to the top five in 1990, thanks to a reinterpretation by rapper Vanilla Ice.
Released at the peak of the R&B star's popularity, "Say You, Say Me" became Lionel Richie's fifth (and to date, final) Hot 100 No. 1 in December 1985. Written for the ballet drama White Nights, the love ballad would also win the Oscar and Golden Globe for best original song.
Inspired by The Knack singer Doug Fieger's real-life girlfriend Sharona Alperin and a GOAT riff from guitarist Berton Averre, these Los Angeles new wavers saw their debut single top the Hot 100 for six weeks in 1979. It re-entered in 1994 thanks to the movie Reality Bites, reaching No. 91.
Parti. Karamu. Fiesta. Forever. The former Commodores frontman added spice to his solo career with this Caribbean-influenced jam, which became his third Hot 100 No. 1. The tune nearly visited the summit again in 2010, as reworked into the hook of Enrique Iglesias' "I Like It," which reached No. 3.
Acclaimed Irish singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor's lone Hot 100 top 40 hit came in 1990 with the Prince-scribed megaballad "Nothing Compares 2 U." The song topped the chart for four weeks, and its iconic music video won Video of the Year at the MTV Video Music Awards that September.
California R&B quartet All-4-One scored an 11-week chart-topper with the massive 1994 ballad "I Swear." A wedding favorite, the song was also a No. 1 Hot Country Songs hit the same year for country star John Michael Montgomery, its original performer.
Nine years after making her Hot 100 top 40 debut, Mary J. Blige celebrated her first No. 1 hit with 2001's "Family Affair." The R&B icon's single had everyone grooving "in this dancery" for six straight weeks on top.
Foreigner's lush ballad, its first such smash after ten harder-hitting Hot 100 entries beginning in 1977, zoomed to No. 2 in November 1981. The song spent a then-record 10 weeks peaking in the runner-up spot, a run since matched only by Missy Elliott's "Work It" in 2002.
101
ARE YOU LONESOME TO-NIGHT?
Elvis Presley With The Jordanaires
1960
|
Rock
|
Male
103
SEE YOU AGAIN
Wiz Khalifa Featuring Charlie Puth
2015
|
Hip-Hop/Rap
|
Male
105
I'LL BE MISSING YOU
Puff Daddy & Faith Evans Featuring 112
1997
|
Hip-Hop/Rap
|
Male/Female
106
DARK HORSE
Katy Perry Featuring Juicy J
2014
|
Pop
|
Female
108
THRIFT SHOP
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Featuring Wanz
2013
|
Hip-Hop/Rap
|
Duo/Group
112
WE ARE YOUNG
fun. Featuring Janelle Monae
2012
|
Rock
|
Duo/Group
118
IT'S NOW OR NEVER
Elvis Presley With The Jordanaires
1960
|
Rock
|
Male
122
MARIA MARIA
Santana Featuring The Product G&B
2000
|
R&B
|
Duo/Group
128
DOWN
Jay Sean Featuring Lil Wayne
2009
|
Pop
|
Male
141
ONE DANCE
Drake Featuring WizKid & Kyla
2016
|
Hip-Hop/Rap
|
Male
148
THE WAY YOU MOVE
OutKast Featuring Sleepy Brown
2004
|
Hip-Hop/Rap
|
Duo/Group
162
CARELESS WHISPER
Wham! Featuring George Michael
1985
|
Pop
|
Duo/Group
166
E.T.
Katy Perry Featuring Kanye West
2011
|
Pop
|
Female
170
I'LL BE THERE
Jackson 5
1970
|
R&B
|
Duo/Group
176
I'M REAL
Jennifer Lopez Featuring Ja Rule
2001
|
Pop
|
Female
177
GOODIES
Ciara Featuring Petey Pablo
2004
|
R&B
|
Female
178
HELLO, DOLLY!
Louis Armstrong And The All Stars
1964
|
Jazz
|
Male
187
192
PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM
The Elton John Band
1975
|
Pop
|
Duo/Group
196
JUST DANCE
Lady Gaga Featuring Colby O'Donis
2009
|
Pop
|
Female
200
MY BOO
Usher And Alicia Keys
2004
|
R&B
|
Male/Female
202
LIVE YOUR LIFE
T.I. Featuring Rihanna
2008
|
Hip-Hop/Rap
|
Male
204
BABY BOY
Beyonce Featuring Sean Paul
2003
|
R&B
|
Female
206
LOLLIPOP
Lil Wayne Featuring Static Major
2008
|
Hip-Hop/Rap
|
Male
217
GIVE ME EVERYTHING
Pitbull Featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer
2011
|
Pop
|
Male
218
238
ISLANDS IN THE STREAM
Kenny Rogers Duet With Dolly Parton
1983
|
Country
|
Male/Female
244
PEPPERMINT TWIST - PART I
Joey Dee & the Starliters
1962
|
Pop
|
Duo/Group
247
DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART
Elton John & Kiki Dee
1976
|
Pop
|
Male/Female
249
CRAZY IN LOVE
Beyonce Featuring Jay Z
2003
|
R&B
|
Female
274
I THINK I LOVE YOU
The Partridge Family Starring Shirley Jones Featuring David Cassidy
1970
|
Pop
|
Duo/Group
277
ON MY OWN
Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald
1986
|
R&B
|
Male/Female
285
LOVE CHILD
Diana Ross & The Supremes
1968
|
R&B
|
Female/Duo/Group
286
CAN'T NOBODY HOLD ME DOWN
Puff Daddy (Featuring Mase)
1997
|
Hip-Hop/Rap
|
Male
291
STUCK ON YOU
Elvis Presley With The Jordanaires
1960
|
Rock
|
Male
301
SEPARATE LIVES
Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin
1985
|
Pop
|
Male/Female
305
NO DIGGITY
BLACKstreet (Featuring Dr. Dre)
1996
|
R&B
|
Duo/Group
308
WORK
Rihanna Featuring Drake
2016
|
R&B
|
Female
309
PROMISCUOUS
Nelly Furtado Featuring Timbaland
2006
|
Hip-Hop/Rap
|
Male
326
EMPIRE STATE OF MIND
Jay-Z + Alicia Keys
2009
|
Hip-Hop/Rap
|
Male/Female
327
GET BACK
The Beatles With Billy Preston
1969
|
Rock
|
Duo/Group
334
HAVANA
Camila Cabello Featuring Young Thug
2018
|
Pop
|
Female
351
OPPOSITES ATTRACT
Paula Abdul (Duet With The Wild Pair)
1990
|
Pop
|
Female
353
FANCY
Iggy Azalea Featuring Charli XCX
2014
|
Hip-Hop/Rap
|
Female
374
DANCING MACHINE
Jackson 5
1974
|
R&B
|
Duo/Group
380
THE WAY I ARE
Timbaland Featuring Keri Hilson
2007
|
R&B
|
Male
395
CHEAP THRILLS
Sia Featuring Sean Paul
2016
|
Pop
|
Female
402
UMBRELLA
Rihanna Featuring Jay-Z
2007
|
R&B
|
Female
403
GROOVIN'
The Young Rascals
1967
|
Rock
|
Duo/Group
404
CAN'T HOLD US
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Featuring Ray Dalton
2013
|
Hip-Hop/Rap
|
Duo/Group
413
1, 2 STEP
Ciara Featuring Missy Elliott
2005
|
R&B
|
Female
458
SOMETHIN' STUPID
Nancy Sinatra & Frank Sinatra
1967
|
Pop
|
Male/Female
461
PUMP UP THE JAM
Technotronic Featuring Felly
1990
|
Dance/Electronic
|
Duo/Group
463
AIN'T IT FUNNY
Jennifer Lopez Featuring Ja Rule
2002
|
Pop
|
Female
464
DON'T KNOW MUCH
Linda Ronstadt (Featuring Aaron Neville)
1989
|
Pop
|
Female
486
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