In celebration of its 60th anniversary, Billboard has assembled a list of its all-time greatest hits from over the past six decades. Even factoring in changes in chart methodology and ranking, the chart contains more than a few shocks for anyone even vaguely familiar with the music industry.
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Guest post by Bobby Owsinski of Music 3.0
In honor of the 60th anniversary of Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, the company issued its all-time top 100 songs cultivated from #1 hits over the last 6 decades. The chart was created by 3 Billboard staffers with the help of producer Mark Ronson and hit songwriter Diane Warren. It’s easy to be surprised with some of the entries on any all-time list, but this one is a total shocker.
According to Billboard, this was the methodology for the chart selections:
“The Greatest of All-Time 60th Anniversary Billboard Hot 100 Songs and Artists rankings are based on weekly performance on the Hot 100 (from its inception on Aug. 4, 1958, through July 21, 2018). Songs are ranked based on an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 earning the greatest value and weeks at lower spots earning the least. Due to changes in chart methodology over the years, eras are weighted differently to account for chart turnover rates during various periods. Artists are ranked based on a formula blending performance, as outlined above, of all of their Hot 100 chart entries.”
I’m not going to cover all 100 here as you can read for yourself, but here are the top 25. Prepare to be shocked.
1. The Twist – 1960
Chubby Checker
2. Smooth – 1999
Santana Feat. Rob Thomas
3. Mack the Knife – 1959
Bobby Darin
4. Uptown Funk! – 2015
Mark Ronson Feat. Bruno Mars
5. How Do I Live – 1997
Leann Rimes
6. Party Rock Anthem – 2011
LMFAO Feat. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock
7. I Gotta Feeling – 2009
The Black Eyed Peas
8. Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix) – 1996
Los Del Rio
9. Shape of You – 2017
Ed Sheeran
10. Physical – 1981
Olivia Newton-John
11. You Light Up My Life – 1977
Debby Boone
12. Hey Jude – 1968
The Beatles
13. Closer – 2016
The Chainsmokers Feat. Halsey
14. We Belong Together – 2005
Mariah Carey
15. Un-Break My Heart – 1996
Toni Braxton
16. Yeah! – 2004
Usher Feat. Lil Jon & Ludacris
17. Bette Davis Eyes – 1981
Kim Carnes
18. Endless Love – 1981
Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
19. Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright) – 1976
Rod Stewart
20. You Were Meant for Me/Foolish Games – 1997
Jewel
21. (Everything I Do) I Do It for You – 1991
Bryan Adams
22. I’ll Make Love to You – 1994
Boyz II Men
23. The Theme From “A Summer Place” – 1960
Percy Faith & His Orchestra
24. Le Freak – 1978
Chic
25. How Deep Is Your Love – 1977
Bee Gees
Unbelievable. Last week I wrote about an upcoming new chart challenger to Billboard. With this all-time top 100 chart, you can see why that’s needed more than ever.