2013

The Top 150 Hits of… 2013

Let’s Talk About “Harlem Shake.”

According to Billboard, “Harlem Shake” was the #4 song of the year, primarily on the strength of its Youtube views. I have a problem with this.

Streaming data from a number of online sites and services was added to the Hot 100 the week of Mar. 2, 2013. Now there were 3 ways a song could accumulate points, from airplay, sales, and streaming. Since streaming is essentially an on-demand radio service, its inclusion makes sense. “Harlem Shake” exploded on Youtube that very week. Sort of. If you don’t know what a Harlem Shake video is, go to Youtube and do a search, it’s a little hard to explain. There were thousands upon thousands of them, many of them getting millions of hits, and all of those hits added to the song’s streaming points. It was #1 for five weeks. Its point total on the scale I use puts it about 300 points further down the year-end list from where Billboard puts it, so during those 5 weeks at #1, it’s weekly point total must have been astronomically higher than that of every other song. The problem I have is that all of those Youtube views have little to do with anyone wanting to hear the song and everything to do with the crazy videos, which only use the first 30 seconds of the song. However, the sales points of the complete song, in its first week, would have put it at #15 in the March 2 issue. Clearly it belongs here somewhere. If the year-end list read “(The first 30 seconds of) Harlem Shake,” I wouldn’t have as much of an issue with it being #4. But since we’re talking about the whole song, I put it where its point total indicated it should be at #40. Although I’ve yet to meet anyone other than myself who likes listening to all 3½ minutes.

I’m a little unsure about the placement of #’s 1 & 2. “Blurred Lines” was #1 for 12 weeks and was on the chart a total of 48 weeks. You wouldn’t think any other song would have a chance at #1, until you learn that “Radioactive” set a record for most weeks on the chart at 87! That’s a difference of 39 weeks between the two songs. The latter also got 89 more points on my scale. But how far ahead was the former during those 12 weeks at #1, enough to bridge the gaps in points and time? Maybe, maybe not, so if you feel the need to switch the top 2 for yourself, feel free.

1. Blurred Lines – Robin Thicke feat. T.I. + Pharrell
2. Radioactive – Imagine Dragons
3. Royals – Lorde
4. Thrift Shop – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Wanz
5. Wake Me Up – Avicii
6. Locked Out of Heaven – Bruno Mars
7. Ho Hey – The Lumineers
8. Roar – Katy Perry
9. Can’t Hold Us - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton
10. Mirrors – Justin Timberlake
11. Wrecking Ball – Miley Cyrus
12. Just Give Me a Reason – Pink feat. Nate Ruess
13. When I Was Your Man – Bruno Mars
14. I Knew You Were Trouble – Taylor Swift
15. Diamonds – Rihanna
16. Stay – Rihanna feat. Mikky Ekko
17. Get Lucky – Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams
18. Home – Phillip Phillips
19. Sail – AWOLNATION
20. Hold On, We’re Going Home – Drake
21. Holy Grail – Jay-Z feat. Justin Timberlake
22. We Can’t Stop – Miley Cyrus
23. Cruise – Florida Georgia Line feat. Nelly
24. Safe and Sound – Capital Cities
25. Suit & Tie – Justin Timberlake feat. Jay-Z
26. Cups (Pitch Perfect’s When I’m Gone) – Anna Kendrick
27. Scream & Shout – will.i.am feat. Britney Spears
28. Die Young – Ke$ha
29. Don’t You Worry Child – Swedish House Mafia feat. John Martin
30. Applause – Lady Gaga
31. It’s Time – Imagine Dragons
32. Clarity – Zedd feat. Foxes
33. I Love It – Icona Pop feat. Charli XCX
34. Treasure – Bruno Mars
35. Beauty and a Beat – Justin Bieber feat. Nicki Minaj
36. The Way – Ariana Grande feat. Mac Miller
37. Girl on Fire – Alicia Keys feat. Nicki Minaj
38. Started from the Bottom – Drake feat. Majid Jordan
39. Come & Get It – Selena Gomez
40. Harlem Shake – Baauer
41. I Will Wait – Mumford & Sons
42. I Cry – Flo Rida
43. Daylight – Maroon 5
44. Feel This Moment – Pitbull feat. Christina Aguilera
45. Summertime Sadness – Lana del Rey & Cedric Gervais
46. Little Talks – Of Monsters and Men
47. Adorn – Miguel
48. Love Me – Lil Wayne feat. Drake & Future
49. F***in Problems – A$AP Rocky feat. Drake, 2 Chains & Kendrick Lamar
50. My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up) – Fall Out Boy
51. Same Love – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Mary Lambert
52. Sweet Nothing – Calvin Harris feat. Florence Welch
53. Power Trip – J. Cole feat. Miguel
54. Try – Pink
55. The A Team – Ed Sheeran
56. Heart Attack – Demi Lovato
57. Love Somebody – Maroon 5
58. Swimming Pools (Drank) – Kendrick Lamar
59. Wagon Wheel – Darius Rucker
60. I Need Your Love – Calvin Harris feat. Ellie Goulding
61. Berzerk – Eminem
62. Bad – Wale feat. Tiara Thomas or Rihanna
63. Boys ‘Round Here – Blake Shelton feat. Pistol Annies & Friends
64. Gone, Gone, Gone – Phillip Phillips
65. That’s My Kind of Night – Luke Bryan
66. Love More – Chris Brown feat. Nicki Minaj
67. Catch My Breath – Kelly Clarkson
68. The Other Side – Jason Derulo
69. Hall of Fame – The Script feat. will.i.am
70. Gas Pedal – Sage the Gemini feat. Iamsu!
71. The Fox – Ylvis
72. Crash My Party – Luke Bryan
73. 22 – Taylor Swift
74. Best Song Ever – One Direction
75. Pour It Up – Rihanna
76. I Want Crazy – Hunter Hayes
77. Carry On – fun.
78. Highway Don’t Care – Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift
79. Body Party – Ciara
80. Still Into You – Paramore
81. Sure Be Cool If You Did – Blake Shelton
82. #Beautiful – Mariah Carey feat. Miguel
83. It Goes Like This – Thomas Rhett
84. Troublemaker – Olly Murs
85. U.O.E.N.O. – Rocko feat. Future & Rick Ross
86. Better Dig Two – The Band Perry
87. Don’t Stop the Party – Pitbull feat. TJR
88. Bandz a Make Her Dance – Juicy J feat. Lil Wayne & 2 Chains
89. Crooked Smile – J. Cole feat. TLC
90. Round Here – Florida Georgia Line
91. Madness – Muse
92. Runnin’ Outta Moonlight – Randy Houser
93. I’m Different – 2 Chains
94. Next to Me – Emeli Sande
95. Mama’s Broken Heart – Miranda Lambert
96. Bugatti – Ace Hood feat. Future & Rick Ross
97. Downtown – Lady Antebellum
98. Get Your Shine On – Florida Georgia Line
99. Poetic Justice – Kendrick Lamar feat. Drake
100. Slow Down – Selena Gomez
101. #Thatpower – will.i.am feat. Justin Bieber
102. Redneck Crazy – Tyler Farr
103. Night Train – Jason Aldean
104. No Worries – Lil Wayne feat. Detail
105. Rich as F**K – Lil Wayne feat. 2 Chains
106. Va Va Voom – Nicki Minaj
107. Mine Would Be You – Blake Shelton
108. Everything Has Changed – Taylor Swift feat. Ed Sheeran
109. Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain) – Gary Allan
110. Don’t Ya – Brett Eldredge
111. Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe – Kendrick Lamar
112. Beware – Big Sean feat. Lil Wayne & Jhene Aiko
113. We Were Us – Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert
114. Alive – Krewella
115. Red – Taylor Swift
116. All Gold Everything – Trinidad James
117. Hey Girl – Billy Currington
118. DONE. – The Band Perry
119. See You Again – Carrie Underwood
120. Little Bit of Everything – Keith Urban
121. Here’s to Never Growing Up – Avril Lavigne
122. Two Black Cadillacs – Carrie Underwood
123. Southern Girl – Tim McGraw
124. Gorilla – Bruno Mars
125. No New Friends (SFTB remix) – DJ Khaled feat. Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne
126. Somebody's Heartbreak – Hunter Hayes
127. Gentleman – Psy
128. Red Nose – Sage the Gemini
129. One of Those Nights – Tim McGraw
130. Tapout – Rich Gang feat. Lil Wayne, Birdman, Future, Mack Maine, Nicki Minaj
131. Replay – Zendaya
132. The Only Way I Know – Jason Aldean with Luke Bryan & Eric Church
133. Tom Ford – Jay-Z feat. Justin Timberlake
134. Anything Could Happen – Ellie Goulding
135. I Luv This Sh*t – August Alsina feat. Trinidad James
136. Type of Way – Rich Homie Quan
137. Tornado – Little Big Town
138. Aw Naw – Chris Young
139. C’mon – Ke$ha
140. Headband – B.o.B. feat. 2 Chains
141. Wicked Games – The Weeknd
142. TKO – Justin Timberlake
143. How Country Feels – Randy Houser
144. Little Things – One Direction
145. Sunny and 75 – Joe Nichols
146. Goodbye in Her Eyes – Zac Brown Band
147. All Over the Road – Easton Corbin
148. I Drive Your Truck – Lee Brice
149. Beat This Summer – Brad Paisley
150. Young and Beautiful – Lana Del Rey

1977

The Top 150 Hits of… 1977

Been jumping around a bit, haven’t I?

My happiest discovery in doing the research for this list was finding out that #146 existed. I mean, come on. Disco Lucy!

The number one song of 1977 is also the number one song of the decade. “You Light Up My Life” spent 10 weeks at #1, which no song had done since 1956, 2 years before the Hot 100 came into being. If you lived through 1977 you probably heard it enough to last the rest of your life. It was one of those tunes that was so overplayed it became a punch line. But coming back to it now, hearing the arrangement and performance with fresh ears, I get it. Sugary but sincere.

1. You Light Up My Life – Debby Boone 460.5
2. I Just Want to Be Your Everything – Andy Gibb 439.5
3. Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright) – Rod Stewart 357
4. Best of My Love – Emotions 350.5
5. Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born) – Barbra Streisand 340
6. Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue – Crystal Gayle 306.5
7. Boogie Nights – Heatwave 297.5
8. You Don’t Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show) – Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. 296
9. Don’t Leave Me This Way – Thelma Houston 286
10. You Make Me Feel Like Dancing – Leo Sayer 285
11. I Like Dreamin’ – Kenny Nolan 280.5
12. (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher – Rita Coolidge 279.5
13. The Rubberband Man – The Spinners 278
14. Nobody Does It Better – Carly Simon 272.5
15. Undercover Angel – Alan O’Day 270
16. Torn Between Two Lovers – Mary MacGregor 269
17. Car Wash – Rose Royce 265.5
18. Angel in Your Arms – Hot 262
19. Got to Give It Up (Pt. 1) – Marvin Gaye 260
20. Dancing Queen – ABBA 257
21. Hotel California – The Eagles 256
22. Gonna Fly Now – Bill Conti 250
23. That’s Rock ‘n’ Roll – Shaun Cassidy 250
24. Southern Nights – Glen Campbell 248.5
25. I Wish – Stevie Wonder 247
26. Dazz – Brick 246
27. Fly Like an Eagle – Steve Miller Band 245.5
28. I’m Your Boogie Man – KC & the Sunshine Band 245
29. Blinded by the Light – Manfred Mann’s Earth Band 237.5
30. Keep It Comin’ Love – KC & the Sunshine Band 236.5
31. Hot Line – The Sylvers 236
32. When I Need You – Leo Sayer 233.5
33. I’m in You – Peter Frampton 231.5
34. New Kid in Town – Eagles 231
35. Sir Duke – Stevie Wonder 229
36. Don’t Give Up on Us – David Soul 228
37. Dreams – Fleetwood Mac 224.5
38. Heaven on the 7^th Floor – Paul Nicholas 222.5
39. Da Doo Ron Ron – Shaun Cassidy 222
40. Rich Girl – Daryl Hall & John Oates 220.5
41. Do You Wanna Make Love – Peter McCann 218.5
42. Looks Like We Made It – Barry Manilow 218
43. Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band – Meco 216.5
44. Don’t Stop – Fleetwood Mac 212.5
45. Easy – Commodores 210
46. More Than a Feeling – Boston 210
47. Couldn’t Get It Right – Climax Blues Band 209.5
48. Telephone Line – Electric Light Orchestra 208.5
49. I Feel Love – Donna Summer 208.5
50. I’ve Got Love on My Mind – Natalie Cole 207.5
51. Cold as Ice – Foreigner 207.5
52. Whatcha Gonna Do? – Pablo Cruise 204.5
53. The Things We Do for Love – 10cc 202.5
54. So In to You – Atlanta Rhythm Section 202
55. Lucille – Kenny Rogers 202
56. My Heart Belongs to Me – Barbra Streisand 202
57. Feels Like the First Time – Foreigner 201.5
58. Margaritaville – Jimmy Buffett 201
59. It’s Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me – Barry White 198.5
60. Enjoy Yourself – The Jacksons 197.5
61. Handy Man – James Taylor 197.5
62. Night Moves – Bob Seger 196.5
63. Baby What a Big Surprise – Chicago 195
64. We’re All Alone – Rita Coolidge 194.5
65. Right Time of the Night – Jennifer Warnes 193.5
66. After the Lovin’ – Englebert Humperdinck 192
67. Lonely Boy – Andrew Gold 188.5
68. Strawberry Letter 23 – The Brothers Johnson 187.5
69. Swayin’ to the Music (Slow Dancin’) – Johnny Rivers 186
70. On and On – Stephen Bishop 183.5
71. Stand Tall – Burton Cummings 178
72. Float On – The Floaters 177
73. Just a Song Before I Go – Crosby, Stills & Nash 175.5
74. I Never Cry – Alice Cooper 175
75. Jet Airliner – The Steve Miller Band 170.5
76. You and Me – Alice Cooper 169
77. Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word – Elton John 169
78. Brick House – Commodores 166.5
79. Lost Without Your Love – Bread 159
80. Weekend in New England – Barry Manilow 155.5
81. Barracuda – Heart 154.5
82. Carry On Wayward Son – Kansas 153
83. Smoke from a Distant Fire – Sanford/Townsend Band 144
84. Heard It in a Love Song – Marshall Tucker Band 142.5
85. You Made Me Believe in Magic – Bay City Rollers 142
86. Livin’ Thing – Electric Light Orchestra 141
87. Nights Are Forever Without You – England Dan & John Ford Coley 141
88. Lido Shuffle – Boz Scaggs 138.5
89. Jeans On – David Dundas 138
90. Just Remember I Love You – Firefall 135.5
91. Love Me – Yvonne Elliman 135.5
92. Walk This Way – Aerosmith 135
93. You’re My World – Helen Reddy 132.5
94. I Wanna Get Next to You – Rose Royce 131.5
95. Year of the Cat – Al Stewart 131.5
96. Way Down – Elvis Presley 129.5
97. Somebody to Love – Queen 129
98. Go Your Own Way – Fleetwood Mac 128.5
99. Help Is on Its Way – Little River Band 127.5
100. It Was Almost Like a Song – Ronnie Milsap 124.5
101. Ain’t Gonna Bump No More (With No Big Fat Woman) – Joe Tex 123
102. You Make Loving Fun – Fleetwood Mac 123
103. Maybe I’m Amazed – Paul McCartney & Wings 122.5
104. We Just Disagree – Dave Mason 121.5
105. Isn’t It Time – The Babys 119
106. Give a Little Bit – Supertramp 117.5
107. High School Dance – The Sylvers 115
108. Star Wars (Main Title) – London Symphony Orchestra 111
109. Ariel – Dean Friedman 110.5
110. Boogie Child – Bee Gees 110.5
111. Love’s Grown Deep – Kenny Nolan 110
112. Life in the Fast Lane – The Eagles 108.5
113. Knowing Me, Knowing You – ABBA 108
114. How Much Love – Leo Sayer 106
115. Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) – Peter Frampton 105.5
116. Dusic – Brick 104
117. Saturday Nite – Earth, Wind & Fire 104
118. Say You’ll Stay Until Tomorrow – Tom Jones 103.5
119. Whispering/Cherchez la Femme/Se Si Bon – Dr. Buzzard’sOriginal “Savannah” Band 103.5
120. Tryin’ to Love Two – William Bell 103
121. Don’t Worry Baby – B.J. Thomas 101.5
122. Telephone Man – Meri Wilson 101.5
123. Hello Stranger – Yvonne Elliman 100.5
124. Living Next Door to Alice – Smokie 98.5
125. The King Is Gone – Ronnie McDowell 96
126. Devil’s Gun – C.J. & Company 95.5
127. Black Betty – Ram Jam 95.5
128. Can’t Stop Dancin’ – Captain & Tennille 95
129. Hard Luck Woman – KISS 95
130. Free – Deniece Williams 94
131. Calling Dr. Love – KISS 93
132. Uptown Festival (Part 1) – Shalamar 92
133. Send in the Clowns – Judy Collins 91.5
134. Slow Dancin’ Don’t Turn Me On – Addrisi Bros. 91
135. Swingtown – Steve Miller Band 90.5
136. Shake Your Rump to the Funk – The Bar-Kays 90
137. Your Smiling Face – James Taylor 89
138. It’s Sad to Belong – England Dan & John Ford Coley 87
139. Surfin’ USA – Leif Garrett 86.5
140. She Did It – Eric Carmen 86.5
141. Do Ya Wanna Get Funky with Me – Peter Brown 85.5
142. The First Cut Is the Deepest – Rod Stewart 83
143. Sam – Olivia Newton-John 82.5
144. Save It for a Rainy Day – Stephen Bishop 82
145. Whodunit – Tavares 82
146. Disco Lucy (I Love Lucy Theme) – Wilton Place Street Band 80.5
147. Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love) Waylon Jennings 80.5
148. Your Love – Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. 79
149. Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing – Donny & Marie Osmond 79
150. Jungle Love – Steve Miller Band 77.5

1993

The Top 150 Hits of… 1993

Hoo boy. This is where the 90’s started to get tricky for chart followers. This list contains:

Radio-only songs that weren’t eligible for the Hot 100 (64, 127, 137, 148).

Songs that were released as singles but were on the airplay chart for 3-7 weeks before their commercial release (5, 7, 16, 19, 27, 30, 44, 62, 145).

Songs that were each one side of a double sided single which, since the airplay points from both sides were combined for the singles’ Hot 100 total every week, made it higher on the chart than either of their sides would have on their own (37, 138).

Songs (127, 134, the former on the airlplay chart, the latter on the Hot 100) that completed a 20-week chart run, were removed from the chart, but were allowed back for a few more weeks (9 and 7 respectively) when the songs were remarketed to radio. Nowadays they would have to have reached the top 50 to do that. Neither of them did here. So in both cases I used only 20 weeks out of their 29 or 27, but I used the highest scoring 20 weeks, regardless of whether or not they fell in the first 20.

Add to that the fact that Billboard modified its Hot 100 airplay panel part-way through the year which, for some reason, meant that songs that were released later in the year were higher on Billboard's year-end chart than those with similar point totals from earlier in the year, and you end up with a Top 150 list with which I had to make a number of adjustments.

Here is the result.

1. Whoomp! (There It Is) – Tag Team
2. I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston
3. Dreamlover – Mariah Carey
4. Can’t Help Falling in Love – UB40
5. Freak Me – Silk
6. That’s the Way Love Goes – Janet Jackson
7. Weak – SWV
8. Rhythm Is a Dancer – Snap
9. If I Ever Fall in Love – Shai
10. Informer – Snow
11. I’d Die Without You – P.M. Dawn
12. Rump Shaker – Wreckx-N-Effect
13. Nuthin’ but a G Thang – Dr. Dre
14. Don’t Walk Away – Jade
15. I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) – Meat Loaf
16. In the Still of the Night – Boyz II Men
17. Knockin’ da Boots – H-Town
18. If – Janet Jackson
19. Mr. Wendal – Arrested Development
20. Real Love – Mary J. Blige
21. The River of Dreams – Billy Joel
22. Lately – Jodeci
23. Dazzey Duks – Duice
24. Show Me Love – Robin S.
25. A Whole New World (Aladdin’s Theme) – Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle
26. I’m So Into You – SWV
27. I Have Nothing – Whitney Houston
28. Love Is – Vanessa Williams/Brian McKnight
29. Saving Forever for You – Shanice
30. Good Enough – Bobby Brown
31. What About Your Friends – TLC
32. Runaway Train – Soul Asylum
33. Ditty – Paperboy
34. Two Princes – Spin Doctors
35. Ordinary World – Duran Duran
36. Just Kickin’ It – Xscape
37. Right Here (Human Nature) – SWV
38. I’ll Never Get Over You (Getting Over Me) – Exposé
39. Looking Through Patient Eyes – P.M. Dawn
40. I’m Every Woman – Whitney Houston
41. Hey Mr. DJ – Zhane
42. I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) – The Proclaimers
43. Have I Told You Lately – Rod Stewart
44. Comforter – Shai
45. Another Sad Love Song – Toni Braxton
46. Do You Believe in Us – Jon Secada
47. If I Had No Loot – Tony! Toni! Tone!
48. Slam – Onyx
49. Baby I’m Yours – Shai
50. Come Undone – Duran Duran
51. Hip Hop Hooray – Naughty by Nature
52. 7 – Prince & the New Power Generation
53. What Is Love – Haddaway
54. Cryin’ – Aerosmith
55. I Don’t Wanna Fight – Tina Turner
56. Whoot, There It Is – 95 South
57. I Get Around – 2Pac
58. Will You Be There – Michael Jackson
59. What’s Up – 4 Non Blondes
60. Here We Go Again! – Portrait
61. Bed of Roses – Bon Jovi
62. Deeper and Deeper – Madonna
63. Dre Day – Dr. Dre
64. Where Are You Now – Janet Jackson
65. Sweat (A La La La La Long) – Inner Circle
66. One Last Cry – Brian McKnight
67. Cat’s in the Cradle – Ugly Kid Joe
68. To Love Somebody – Michael Bolton
69. Love Is on the Way – Saigon Kick
70. Anniversary – Tony! Toni! Tone!
71. Bad Boys – Inner Circle
72. When She Cries – Restless Heart
73. Layla – Eric Clapton
74. I Got a Man – Positive K
75. Insane in the Brain – Cypress Hill
76. The Right Kind of Love – Jeremy Jordan
77. That’s What Love Can Do – Boy Krazy
78. Angel – Jon Secada
79. Forever in Love – Kenny G
80. It Was a Good Day – Ice Cube
81. Two Steps Behind – Def Leppard
82. Faithful – Go West
83. Rain – Madonna
84. More and More – Captain Hollywood Project
85. No Rain – Blind Melon
86. Come Baby Come – K7
87. Boom! Shake the Room – Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince
88. Reason to Believe – Rod Stewart
89. Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat) – Digable Planets
90. Give It Up, Turn It Loose – En Vogue
91. Nothin’ My Love Can’t Fix – Joey Lawrence
92. Three Little Pigs – Green Jelly
93. Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong – Spin Doctors
94. Livin’ on the Edge – Aerosmith
95. Hey Jealousy – Gin Blossoms
96. Walk on the Ocean – Toad the Wet Sprocket
97. Connected – Stereo MC’s
98. Who Is It – Michael Jackson
99. If I Ever Lose My Faith in You – Sting
100. Soul to Squeeze – Red Hot Chili Peppers
101. Flex – Mad Cobra
102. Fields of Gold – Sting
103. Ooh Child – Dino
104. Never a Time – Genesis
105. Break It Down Again – Tears for Fears
106. Check Yo Self – Ice Cube feat. Das EFX
107. Alright – Kris Kross feat. Supercat
108. One Woman – Jade
109. Can’t Get Enough of Your Love – Taylor Dane
110. The Last Song – Elton John
111. Sweet Thing – Mary J. Blige
112. I Got a Thang 4 Ya! – Lo-Key?
113. Where You Goin’ Now – Damn Yankees
114. Heal the World – Michael Jackson
115. I’m Gonna Get You – Bizarre Inc.
116. When I Fall in Love – Celine Dion & Clive Griffin
117. Very Special – Big Daddy Kane feat. Spinderella, L. Williams & K. Anderson
118. Get Away – Bobby Brown
119. The Crying Game – Boy George
120. Dedicated – R. Kelly & Public Announcement
121. I’m Free – Jon Secada
122. Something’s Goin’ On – U.N.V.
123. Hopelessly – Rick Astley
124. Down with the King – Run-DMC
125. Girl, I’ve Been Hurt – Snow
126. Everybody Hurts – R.E.M.
127. Plush – Stone Temple Pilots
128. Come Inside – Intro
129. RuffNeck – MC Lyte
130. So Alone – Men at Large
131. Run to You – Whitney Houston
132. Regret – New Order
133. By the Time This Night Is Over – Kenny G & Peabo Bryson
134. No Ordinary Love – Sade
135. Love Shoulda Brought You Home – Toni Braxton
136. Creep – Radiohead
137. Have I Told You Lately (studio) – Rod Stewart
138. Girl U for Me – Silk
139. Gangsta – Bell Biv DeVoe
140. Everything’s Gonna Be Alright – Father MC
141. Slow and Sexy – Shabba Ranks feat. Johnny Gill
142. Keep the Faith – Bon Jovi
143. Better Than You – Lisa Keith
144. Hero – David Crosby with Phil Collins
145. Runaway Love – En Vogue
146. In These Arms – Bon Jovi
147. Drive – R.E.M.
148. It’s Alright – Huey Lewis & the News
149. Simple Life – Elton John
150. Something in Your Eyes – Bell Biv DeVoe

2012

The Top 150 Hits of… 2012

For a while now it’s been standard policy for a few big pop artists to release an album, and then release a second version of the same album about a year later with a few new tracks. At least one of those new tracks, usually two, are released as singles and become hits. The question is, do we count those new songs as part of the same album?

If we do, then Katy Perry broke Michael Jackson’s record by having a sixth #1 from the same album. “Part of Me” debuted at #1 when Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection was released. Billboard didn’t make any note of it (or if they did, I missed it) so I assume the official line is that bonus tracks don’t count, or didn’t this time. She already has 2 #1’s from her latest album Prism (“Dark Horse” is #1 as I’m writing this). It’ll be interesting to see how future singles perform. We haven’t seen an artist with this kind of track record for hitting the top since Mariah Carey.

“Cruise” by Florida Georgia Line followed the Shania Twain/Faith Hill chart path by having a complete run as a country song, falling off the chart, then coming back with a pop remix (FGL added a rapper to theirs: Nelly. Ooh.) Billboard treated both versions as the same song. I don’t. So rather than having two versions of the same song on the 2013 list, I’m putting the country version here, even though a bit more of its points were accumulated in 2013 than 2012.

Glee season 3.2 should likely have a representative song here. But since the research tools do not yet exist for 2012 that would make figuring out the Glee Cast’s point total at least somewhat easier for me, I’m ignoring it for now. They’ll be an edit in a couple of years when a later edition of Record Research’s Pop Annual is available.

EDIT: Whoops. Looks like I missed a couple. When first posted, this list was missing "Skyfall" and "Live While We're Young" (#'s 90 and 122). Adding them necessitated the removal of "Take It to the Head" by DJ Khaled and "Party" by Beyoncé, formerly at 149 and 150.

1. Somebody That I Used to Know – Gotye feat. Kimbra
2. Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen
3. We Found Love – Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris
4. One More Night – Maroon 5
5. We Are Young – fun. feat. Janelle Monae
6. Sexy and I Know It – LMFAO
7. Some Nights – fun.
8. Lights – Ellie Goulding
9. Payphone – Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa
10. Glad You Came – The Wanted
11. Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) – Kelly Clarkson
12. Starships – Nicki Minaj
13. Set Fire to the Rain – Adele
14. Good Feeling – Flo Rida
15. What Makes You Beautiful – One Direction
16. Wild Ones – Flo Rida feat. Sia
17. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together – Taylor Swift
18. Gangnam Style – Psy
19. Wide Awake – Katy Perry
20. Too Close – Alex Clare
21. Whistle – Flo Rida
22. It Will Rain – Bruno Mars
23. As Long as You Love Me – Justin Bieber feat. Big Sean
24. Ni**as in Paris – Jay-Z Kanye West
25. Everybody Talks – Neon Trees
26. Titanium – David Guetta feat. Sia
27. Young, Wild & Free – Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa feat. Bruno Mars
28. Blow Me (One Last Kiss) – Pink
29. Drive By – Train
30. The Motto – Drake feat. Lil Wayne
31. Where Have You Been – Rihanna
32. Take Care – Drake feat. Rihanna
33. I Won’t Give Up – Jason Mraz
34. Mercy – Kanye West, Big Sean, Pusha T, 2 Chains
35. Good Time – Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen
36. Turn Me On – David Guetta feat. Nicki Minaj
37. The One That Got Away – Katy Perry
38. Boyfriend – Justin Bieber
39. Part of Me – Katy Perry
40. Wanted – Hunter Hayes
41. Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself) – Ne-Yo
42. Domino – Jessie J
43. Give Your Heart a Break – Demi Lovato
44. Feel So Close – Calvin Harris
45. Scream – Usher
46. Rack City – Tyga
47. Don’t Wake Me Up – Chris Brown
48. Not Over You – Gavin DeGraw
49. Dance (A$$) – Big Sean feat. Nicki Minaj
50. Love You Like a Love Song – Selena Gomez & the Scene
51. Work Out – J. Cole
52. Paradise – Coldplay
53. International Love – Pitbull feat. Chris Brown
54. Clique – Kanye West, Jay-Z, Big Sean
55. 5 O’Clock – T-Pain feat. Wiz Khalifa & Lily Allen
56. Ass Back Home – Gym Class Heroes feat. Neon Hitch
57. Cruise – Florida Georgia Line
58. Drunk on You – Luke Bryan
59. No Lie – 2 Chains feat. Drake
60. Want U Back – Cher Lloyd
61. Springsteen – Eric Church
62. Brokenhearted – Karmin
63. I Don’t Want This Night to End – Luke Bryan
64. Back in Time – Pitbull
65. Rumour Has It – Adele
66. Blown Away – Carrie Underwood
67. Let’s Go – Calvin Harris feat. Ne-Yo
68. Good Girl – Carrie Underwood
69. Make Me Proud – Drake feat. Nicki Minaj
70. Pontoon – Little Big Town
71. Climax – Usher
72. Red Solo Cup – Toby Keith
73. Work Hard, Play Hard – Wiz Khalifa
74. Thinkin Bout You – Frank Ocean
75. Pound the Alarm – Nicki Minaj
76. Come Over – Kenny Chesney
77. 50 Ways to Say Goodbye – Train
78. Heart Attack – Trey Songz
79. Drank in My Cup – Kirko Bangz
80. A Thousand Years – Christina Perri
81. Birthday Cake – Rihanna feat. Chris Brown
82. Take a Little Ride – Jason Aldean
83. So Good – B.o.B.
84. You da One – Rihanna
85. Turn Up the Music – Chris Brown
86. Pop That – French Montana feat. Rick Ross, Drake, Lil Wayne
87. We Run the Night – Havana Brown feat. Pitbull
88. I Like It Like That – Hot Chelle Rae feat. New Boyz
89. Ours – Taylor Swift
90. Skyfall - Adele
91. Cashin’ Out – Ca$h Out
92. Hard to Love – Lee Brice
93. Somethin’ ‘Bout a Truck – Kip Moore
94. All Your Life – The Band Perry
95. Fly Over States – Jason Aldean
96. Even If It Breaks Your Heart – Eli Young Band
97. Burn It Down – Linkin Park
98. Faded – Tyga feat. Lil Wayne
99. Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye – Luke Bryan
100. Over You – Miranda Lambert
101. Brighter Than the Sun - Colbie Caillat
102. A Woman Like You – Lee Brice
103. Tattoos on This Town – Jason Aldean
104. Tonight Is the Night – Outasight
105. Time Is Love – Josh Turner
106. Feel Again – OneRepublic
107. Lotus Flower Bomb – Wale feat. Miguel
108. Keep Me in Mind – Zac Brown Band
109. Dance Again – Jennifer Lopez
110. Strip – Chris Brown feat. Kevin K-MAC McCall
111. You – Chris Young
112. Alone with You – Jake Owen
113. Drink in My Hand – Eric Church
114. Talk That Talk – Rihanna feat. Jay-Z
115. Angel Eyes – Love and Theft
116. (Kissed You) Good Night – Gloriana
117. 2 Reasons – Trey Songz feat. T.I.
118. 5-1-5-0 – Dierks Bentley
119. Cowboys and Angels – Dustin Lynch
120. Blackout – Breathe Carolina
121. You Don’t Know Her Like I Do – Brantley Gilbert
122. Live While We're Young - One Direction
123. Tongue Tied – Grouplove
124. One Thing – One Direction
125. Lemme See – Usher feat. Rick Ross
126. Beez in the Trap – Nicki Minaj feat. 2 Chains
127. Leave You Alone – Young Jeezy feat. Ne-Yo
128. Birthday Song – 2 Chains feat. Kanye West
129. Why Ya Wanna – Jana Kramer
130. Drink on It – Blake Shelton
131. Begin Again – Taylor Swift
132. Can’t Get Enough – J. Cole feat. Trey Songz
133. Dancing Away with My Heart – Lady Antebellum
134. Eyes Open – Taylor Swift
135. UP! – LoveRance feat IamSu & Skipper or 50 Cent
136. The Fighter – Gym Class Heroes feat. Ryan Tedder
137. Turn on the Lights – Future
138. Love on Top – Beyoncé
139. Better Than I Used to Be – Tim McGraw
140. Safe & Sound – Taylor Swift with the Civil Wars
141. The One That Got Away – Jake Owen
142. Both of Us – B.o.B. feat. Taylor Swift
143. Let It Rain – David Nail
144. Come Wake Me Up – Rascal Flatts
145. Levels – Avicii
146. Home – Dierks Bentley
147. Fastest Girl in Town – Miranda Lambert
148. Ayy Ladies – Travis Porter feat. Tyga
149. Over – Blake Shelton
150. Heartbeat – The Fray

2011

The Top 150 Hits of… 2011

Once again this list goes to 152 and includes two songs that weren’t really hits, one collectively representing the chart entries from each half season of Glee. Season 2.2 had a record number of songs hit the chart (52!) but they weren’t quite as successful as the songs from 2.1. “Loser Like Me,” one of the few original songs from the series, reps 2.2 at #47. By season 3 the show lost its sales mojo (whew!) charting only 23 songs, the biggest being a medley of Adele songs, at #111 here.

Adele herself was the big story of 2011. Her first two singles from 21 are at #’s 2 & 5.

This was also the year that Katy Perry tied Michael Jackson’s record of five #1’s from one album. The third through fifth singles from Teenage Dream are at #’s 6, 8, and 18.

1. Party Rock Anthem – LMFAO
2. Rolling in the Deep – Adele
3. Moves Like Jagger – Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera
4. Give Me Everything – Pitbull feat. Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer
5. Someone Like You – Adele
6. Firework – Katy Perry
7. F**k You (Forget You) – Cee Lo Green
8. E.T. – Katy Perry feat. Kanye West
9. Super Bass – Nicki Minaj
10. Grenade – Bruno Mars
11. Pumped Up Kicks – Foster the People
12. Stereo Hearts – Gym Class Heroes feat. Adam Levine
13. Raise Your Glass – Pink
14. Only Girl (In the World) – Rihanna
15. Just Can’t Get Enough – The Black Eyed Peas
16. On the Floor – Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull
17. S&M – Rihanna
18. Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) – Katy Perry
19. What’s My Name? – Rihanna feat. Drake
20. Without You – David Guetta feat. Usher
21. If I Die Young – The Band Perry
22. Tonight (I’m Lovin’ You) – Enrique Iglesias feat. Ludacris & DJ Frank E
23. Born This Way – Lady Gaga
24. F**kin’ Perfect – Pink
25. We R Who We R – Ke$ha
26. Look at Me Now – Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne
27. Down on Me – Jeremih feat. 50 Cent
28. How to Love – Lil Wayne
29. Good Life – OneRepublic
30. Just a Kiss – Lady Antebellum
31. The Lazy Song – Bruno Mars
32. Black and Yellow – Wiz Khalifa
33. Till the World Ends – Britney Spears
34. The Show Goes On – Lupe Fiasco
35. The Edge of Glory – Lady Gaga
36. Tonight Tonight – Hot Chelle Rae
37. No Hands – Waka Flocka Flame feat. Roscoe Dash & Wale
38. Blow – Ke$ha
39. Lighters – Bad Meets Evil feat. Bruno Mars
40. Hey Baby (Drop It to the Floor) – Pitbull feat. T-Pain
41. The Time (Dirty Bit) – The Black Eyed Peas
42. Headlines – Drake
43. You Make Me Feel… – Cobra Starship feat Sabi
44. Coming Home – Diddy-Dirty Money feat. Skylar Grey
45. 6 Foot 7 Foot – Lil Wayne feat. Cory Gunz
46. Dirt Road Anthem – Jason Aldean
47. Loser Like Me – Glee Season 2.2
48. I Wanna Go – Britney Spears
49. I’m on One – DJ Khaled feat. Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne
50. You and I – Lady Gaga
51. Mr. Know It All – Kelly Clarkson
52. Yeah 3x – Chris Brown
53. Stereo Love – Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina
54. Jar of Hearts – Christina Perri
55. Moment 4 Life – Nicki Minaj feat. Drake
56. I Need a Doctor – Dr. Dre feat. Eminem & Skylar Grey
57. Motivation – Kelly Rowland feat. Lil Wayne
58. In the Dark – Dev
59. She Will – Lil Wayne
60. Roll Up – Wiz Khalifa
61. Rocketeer – Far*East Movement feat. Ryan Tedder
62. All of the Lights – Kanye West
63. Hold It Against Me – Britney Spears
64. More – Usher
65. What the Hell – Avril Lavigne
66. Written in the Stars – Tinie Tempah feat. Eric Turner
67. For the First Time – The Script
68. Honey Bee – Blake Shelton
69. Back to December – Taylor Swift
70. Please Don’t Go – Mike Posner
71. God Gave Me You – Blake Shelton
72. Don’t You Wanna Stay – Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson
73. Pretty Girl Rock – Keri Hilson
74. Crazy Girl – Eli Young Band
75. Cheers (Drink to That) – Rihanna
76. It Girl – Jason Derulo
77. Who Says – Selena Gomez & the Scene
78. Barefoot Blue Jean Night – Jake Owen
79. Knee Deep – Zac Brown Band feat. Jimmy Buffet
80. Country Girl (Shake It for Me) – Luke Bryan
81. Remind Me – Brad Paisley with Carrie Underwood
82. Backseat – New Boyz feat. the Cataracs & Dev
83. Best Thing I Never Had – Beyoncé
84. Fly – Nicki Minaj feat. Rihanna
85. Don’t Wanna Go Home – Jason Derulo
86. Where Them Girls At – David Guetta feat. Flo Rida & Nicki Minaj
87. She Ain’t You – Chris Brown
88. Take a Back Road – Rodney Atkins
89. Mr. Saxobeat – Alexandra Stan
90. Whip My Hair – Willow
91. Sure Thing – Miguel
92. Price Tag – Jessie J feat. B.o.B.
93. Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not – Thompson Square
94. You and Tequila – Kenny Chesney feat. Grace Potter
95. Mean – Taylor Swift
96. Otis – Jay-Z Kanye West
97. Somewhere with You – Kenny Chesney
98. Colder Weather – Zac Brown Band
99. My Last – Big Sean feat. Chris Brown
100. Aston Martin Music – Rick Ross feat. Drake & Chrisette Michele
101. Easy – Rascal Flatts feat. Natasha Bedingfield
102. Right Thru Me – Nicki Minaj
103. Strange Clouds – B.o.B. feat. Lil Wayne
104. We Owned the Night – Lady Antebellum
105. Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall – Coldplay
106. Felt Good on My Lips – Tim McGraw
107. Marvin & Chardonnay – Big Sean feat. Kanye West & Roscoe Dash
108. I Won’t Let Go – Rascal Flatts
109. Tomorrow – Chris Young
110. Nothing – The Script
111. Rumour Has It/Someone Like You – Glee Season 3.1
112. Never Say Never – Justin Bieber feat. Jaden Smith
113. Best Love Song – T-Pain feat. Chris Brown
114. Can’t Be Friends – Trey Songz
115. Sparks Fly – Taylor Swift
116. Marry Me – Train
117. You Lie – The Band Perry
118. A Little Bit Stronger – Sara Evans
119. Let Me Down Easy – Billy Currington
120. Marvin’s Room – Drake
121. Who Are You When I’m Not Looking – Blake Shelton
122. Take Over Control – Afrojack feat. Eva Simons
123. Baggage Claim – Miranda Lambert
124. Made in America – Toby Keith
125. Better with the Lights Off – New Boyz feat. Chris Brown
126. Am I the Only One – Dierks Bentley
127. Hello – Martin Solveig & Dragonette
128. Rhythm of Love – Plain White T’s
129. Old Alabama – Brad Paisley feat. Alabama
130. Dog Days Are Over – Florence + the Machine
131. If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away – Justin Moore
132. Waiting for the End – Linkin Park
133. Higher – Taio Cruz feat. Travie McCoy
134. Keep Your Head Up – Andy Grammer
135. Here for a Good Time – George Strait
136. What Do You Want – Jerrod Niemann
137. Heart Like Mine – Miranda Lambert
138. Bow Chicka Wow Wow – Mike Posner feat. Lil Wayne
139. Rain Over Me – Pitbull feat. Marc Anthony
140. Country Must Be Country Wide – Brantley Gilbert
141. The Cave – Mumford & Sons
142. Long Hot Summer – Keith Urban
143. Homeboy – Eric Church
144. Who Dat Girl – Flo Rida feat. Akon
145. This – Darius Rucker
146. Voices – Chris Young
147. Put You in a Song – Keith Urban
148. Memories – David Guetta feat. Kid Cudi
149. John – Lil Wayne feat. Rick Ross
150. Out of My Head – Lupe Fiasco feat. Trey Songz
151. Just Fishin’ – Jason Aldean
152. I Love You This Big – Scotty McCreery