53 CARD PICK-UP
Dear Fred:
In your Dec. 22, 2005, “Chart Beat” column, you mentioned that, “‘Don’t Forget About Us’ is the eighth No. 1 of 2005 on the Billboard Hot 100. That’s the fewest amount of chart-topping titles in a calendar year since 2002, when seven songs moved to the head of the class.”
However, there is an asterisk involved. The year 2002 had 52 charts, whereas the year 2005 had 53, giving an extra opportunity for a No. 1 that 2002 did not have, of which Carey’s record took advantage. So, considering only the first 52 weeks, 2005 was equally as slow for turnover at No. 1 as was 2002.
David Dana-Bashian
Garden Grove, Calif.
Dear David,
This wasn’t the first year with 53 charts; since it has happened before and other artists may have benefited, it’s probably best to just let it be. The chart dates fall where they may, and any chart dated 2005 is counted as being part of the 2005 calendar year.
You weren’t the only reader to write about the 53 charts in 2005. Keep reading. 52 + 1
Hi Fred,
As 2005 comes to an end I have noticed that there were 53 chart weeks this year.
In the history of the Hot 100 (which was introduced on Aug. 4, 1958), this is the ninth time that this has happened. The other eight years were 1960, 1966, 1972, 1977, 1983, 1988, 1994 and 2000.
The next time that this will happen will be in 2011.
Regards,
Larry Cohen
Trumbull, Conn.
Dear Larry,
Since the charts are dated for the week ending each Saturday in the year, any year with 53 Saturdays is going to have 53 charts. Oh, and 53 “Chart Beats,” too. LET’S ‘WORK’ TOGETHER
Dear Mr. Bronson,
I’m afraid you made a mistake in your recent “Chart Beat” column. You stated — I think incorrectly — that Beyoncé missed the top 10 only once on the Hot 100.
Am I right if I say there was a first single titled “Work It Out,” which absolutely missed the top 10 but had some weeks on the Hot 100 — around 2002 or 2003? If that’s the case, there will be not one, but two songs by Beyoncé missing the top 10.
Yours sincerely,
Paul Kocsis
Kecskemet, Hungary
Dear Paul,
“Work It Out” never made it to the Billboard Hot 100. The Beyoncé song only appeared on two charts. It was on the Bubbling Under Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and it peaked at No. 11 on the Hot Dance Club Play tally. XTRAORDINARY
Hey Fred,
The “Chart Beat” reader looking for hits beginning with every letter of the alphabet might have to settle for Trisha Yearwood’s “XXXs and OOOs (An American Girl),” which spent two weeks at the top of the country chart, but only “bubbled under” at No. 114 beneath the Hot 100.
As for Madonna’s hits, “Gambler” was a British top 10 song in 1985.
Take care,
Vince Ripol
San Diego
Dear Vince,
I’m sure Trisha Yearwood would kiss and hug you for remembering her hit “XXXs and OOOs.”
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