Billboard All-Time Hot 100 Top Songs

Posted on March 7, 2013 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

I was doing some research today and thought it would be fun to review the Billboard All-Time Hot 100 top songs of Billboard’s 50th Anniversary.

The songs in the “50th Anniversary” charts had to appear on the Hot 100 in order to be counted. This may create some confusion (for example: many great country artists and songs are not on the “50th Anniversary” chart because, while very popular on the country charts they didn’t cross over to the Hot 100). Also, keep in mind the Hot 100 started in August 1958 so any prior songs are not listed, including some popular Elvis Presley songs.

The “50th Anniversary” chart is based on actual performance on the weekly Billboard Hot 100. The artist chart utilizes the same methodology, with weighted points applied to all titles charted by each artist during that 50-year span. They are ranked based on an inverse point system, with weeks at number one earning the greatest value and weeks at number one hundred earning the least.

Hot 100’s 50th Anniversary award relative points for every week that a title spent on the chart, regardless of rank. For the Hot 100’s 50th Anniversary, Billboard’s charts department ensured a more balanced representation of hits from all 50 years, by analyzing the length of chart runs in earlier decades, as well as the average weeks that titles spent in the top 10 and at number one. Weights for earlier spans were then formulated, to compensate for the shorter chart runs that titles experienced before the 1991 conversion to precise and objective sales and radio data from Nielsen Music.

Billboard All-Time Hot 100 top songs

“The Twist” – Chubby Checker
“Smooth” – Santana featuring Rob Thomas
“Mack the Knife” – Bobby Darin
“How Do I Live” – LeAnn Rimes
“Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” – Los del Río
“Physical” – Olivia Newton-John
“You Light Up My Life” – Debby Boone
“Hey Jude” – The Beatles
“We Belong Together” – Mariah Carey
“Un-Break My Heart” – Toni Braxton
“Yeah!” – Usher featuring Lil Jon & Ludacris
“Bette Davis Eyes” – Kim Carnes
“Endless Love” – Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
“Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)” – Rod Stewart
“Foolish Games” / “You Were Meant for Me” – Jewel
“(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” – Bryan Adams
“I’ll Make Love to You” – Boyz II Men
“Theme from A Summer Place” – Percy Faith & His Orchestra
“Le Freak” – Chic
“How Deep Is Your Love” – The Bee Gees
“Eye of the Tiger” – Survivor
“I Just Want to Be Your Everything” – Andy Gibb
“Low” – Flo Rida featuring T-Pain
“Too Close” – Next
“Every Breath You Take” – The Police
“Flashdance… What a Feeling” – Irene Cara
“Tossin’ and Turnin’” – Bobby Lewis
“The Battle of New Orleans” – Johnny Horton
“One Sweet Day” – Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men
“Truly Madly Deeply” – Savage Garden
“Silly Love Songs” – Paul McCartney & Wings
“Let’s Get It On” – Marvin Gaye
“Night Fever” – The Bee Gees
“Another One Bites the Dust” – Queen
“Say Say Say” – Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson
“How You Remind Me” – Nickelback
“Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” – Dawn Featuring Tony Orlando
“It’s All in the Game” – Tommy Edwards
“I Want to Hold Your Hand” – The Beatles
“Shadow Dancing” – Andy Gibb
“Candle in the Wind 1997” / “Something About the Way You Look Tonight” – Elton John
“No One” – Alicia Keys
“End of the Road” – Boyz II Men
“Call Me” – Blondie
“Let Me Love You” – Mario
“Stayin’ Alive” – The Bee Gees
“Lady” – Kenny Rogers
“I’m a Believer” – The Monkees
“Gold Digger” – Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx
“Apologize” – Timbaland featuring OneRepublic
“The Sign” – Ace Of Base
“Centerfold” – The J. Geils Band
“(Just Like) Starting Over” – John Lennon
“The Boy Is Mine” – Brandy & Monica
“Because I Love You (The Postman Song)” – Stevie B
“I Love Rock N’ Roll” – Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
“Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” – The 5th Dimension
“Whoomp! (There It Is)” – Tag Team
“Ebony and Ivory” – Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder
“Rush, Rush” – Paula Abdul
“That’s What Friends Are For” – Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder
“Upside Down” – Diana Ross
“Sugar, Sugar” – The Archies
“Dilemma” – Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland
“I Heard It Through the Grapevine” – Marvin Gaye
“You’re Still the One” – Shania Twain
“Hot Stuff” – Donna Summer
“I Will Always Love You” – Whitney Houston
“Gangsta’s Paradise” – Coolio featuring L.V.
“Abracadabra” – Steve Miller Band
“Billie Jean” – Michael Jackson
“You’re So Vain” – Carly Simon
“Play That Funky Music” – Wild Cherry
“Say You, Say Me” – Lionel Richie
“My Sharona” – The Knack
“All Night Long (All Night)” – Lionel Richie
“Nothing Compares 2 U” – Sinéad O’Connor
“I Swear” – All-4-One
“Family Affair” – Mary J. Blige
“Waiting for a Girl Like You” – Foreigner
“Are You Lonesome Tonight” – Elvis Presley
“Killing Me Softly with His Song” – Roberta Flack
“Hurts So Good” – John Mellencamp
“I’ll Be Missing You” – Puff Daddy & Faith Evans featuring 112
“Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” – B.J. Thomas
“Another Day in Paradise” – Phil Collins
“Best of My Love” – The Emotions
“You Make Me Wanna…” – Usher
“Big Girls Don’t Cry” – Fergie
“The Way We Were” – Barbra Streisand
“Another Night” – The Real McCoy
“It’s Now or Never” – Elvis Presley
“Do That to Me One More Time” – Captain & Tennille
“A Fifth of Beethoven” – Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band
“Like a Virgin” – Madonna
“Maria Maria” (Album Version) – Santana featuring The Product G&B
“I Will Survive” – Gloria Gaynor
“I Can’t Stop Loving You” – Ray Charles
“U Got It Bad” – Usher
“Joy to the World” – Three Dog Night

I am very surprised by all of the top ten, except maybe “Hey Jude” by The Beatles. It is not that I think they are not good or popular songs, I just did not conceptualize them as the ones that have had the most success on Billboard’s Hot 100 Charts of all time.

At the other end, I would have thought Madonna’s “Like A Virgin” would have been near the top of the list. The exclusion of songs like “Stairway To Heaven” by Led Zeppelin, as described below, stand out as clear missing by popularity over time.

Prior to December 1998, songs did not appear on the Billboard Hot 100 until a retail single became available (which, incidentally, is why hits like Led Zeppelin‘s “Stairway to Heaven” and No Doubt‘s “Don’t Speak” never appeared on the Hot 100). In earlier years, retail singles came to market fairly early in a song’s life-usually shortly after, or even before, a song came to radio.

But, during the 1990s, when labels would strategize number-one chart bows by significant hits, the retail release of some priority singles were withheld until radio audience reached maximum levels. Although some of these songs spent significant numbers of weeks at number one or in the top ten, the delay of the sales component ultimately shortened the spans these songs would spend on the chart. With the new methodology rewarding points for a song’s entire chart run, rather than confining points to weeks spent in the top ten, the shorter chart lives recorded by the songs that debuted at number one impact their all-time standings.

Which songs are you most surprised about high, low or omitted on the Billboard All-Time Hot 100 Top Songs?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

Your Party, Your Music, Your DJ

973.908.8147

DJMysticalMichael@gmail.com

Adele Turning Tables

Posted on January 21, 2013 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Adele is a such a powerful writer and vocalist, which is very evident on Adele Turning Tables. It is a nice change to see a pop singer succeed that looks like a regular person and not a stick figure or Photoshopped beauty. Unfortunately they decided to produce a ‘live’ video that has the pianist in two different shirts during the performance, not sure why they did that.

Adele Turning Tables Music Video Live at Albert Hall

It is rare that songs that top The Billboard Charts are produced with such quality like Adele Turning Tables. It lets me know there is still enough of us out there to know the difference and to provide hope to those wanting to share their musical gifts with us that they have a chance too.

Adele Laurie Blue Adkins was born in Tottenham, London, to a single teenage mother on 5 May 1988. She began singing at age four and asserts that she became obsessed with voices… Adele has cited the Spice Girls as a major influence in regard to her love and passion for music, stating that “they made me what I am today.”

According to the Official Charts Company in The U.K., Adele is the first living artist to achieve the feat of two top five hits in both the Official Singles Chart and the Official Albums Chart simultaneously since The Beatles in 1964.

Adele 21 Adele Turning Tables with Rhode Island DJ

“Turning Tables” received acclaim from music critics who praised Adele’s vocals and its production. The song reached the top-twenty of the singles charts in four countries, including Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands. It also peaked at number 62 on the UK Singles Chart and 63 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over 500,000 digital downloads. “Turning Tables” was promoted with live performances across both sides of the Atlantic, including Late Night with David Letterman in America and The Jonathan Ross Show in the United Kingdom. American actress and singer Gwyneth Paltrow performed a cover of the single in the Glee episode “A Night of Neglect“.Wikipedia

At the 51st Grammy Awards in 2009, Adele won awards in the categories of Best New Artist and Best female Pop Performance.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

This Day In Music History: Tommy James

Posted on January 20, 2013 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

It was on this date in 1987 that a very unique situation was manifested in the US Billboard Singles Charts. Tommy James had one of his songs, “Mony, Mony” by Bill Idol reach number one. This by itself is not unique but the fact that the week before another of his singles recorded by Tiffany, “I Think We’re Alone Now” was number one is unique!

Tommy James & The Shondells Mony, Mony

It is very unusual for songs written almost twenty years earlier to be back to back number one hits by different recording artists. Tommy James was a great singer and songwriter with may classic American Pop hits. Along with the already mentioned songs, Tommy James wrote and enjoyed success with songs like “Crimson and Clover”, “Hanky Panky” “Crystal Blue Persuasion”, “Draggin’ The Line” and “Sweet Cherry Wine”. Joan Jett achieved success with her cover version of “Crimson and Clover” as well.

Tommy James was one of the musical artists that was continually in a fight with the recording industry and was left somewhat pennyless with all the hits he penned and recorded with his group The Shondells. It is a shame that this has to happen to artists like Tommy James and others.

Tommy James & The Shondells I Think We’re Alone Now

Enjoy the music videos of Tommy James originals!

The Tommy James Story

“The music of Tommy James is heard continuously, everyday, in every country in the world: on the radio, television or a film soundtrack. To date, he’s sold over 100 million records and has been awarded 23 gold singles plus nine gold and platinum albums…

As of 2011, over 300 artists have recorded their rendition of a Tommy tune (among them Prince, R.E.M, Tom Jones, Cher, and Concrete Blond) or performed his songs in concert (including Bruce Springsteen, Kelly Clarkson, Santana, and Broken Bells).

Over the years, Tommy’s music has graced countless movies, television shows, and advertisements. Notable appearances on the big screen include spots in Forrest Gump, Oliver Stone’s Heaven And Earth, Cape Fear, Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead, We Are Marshall, Pirate Radio, and the 1999 summer blockbuster Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.” The Official Site of Tommy James & The Shondells

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJ Lists Most #1 Hits on The Billboard HOT 100 All-Time By Artist

Posted on December 10, 2012 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Time to look at Billboard’s 50th Anniversary List of Top #1 Hits by Artist
20 – The Beatles First No. 1: “I Want to Hold Your Hand” (1964)

18 – Mariah Carey First No. 1: “Vision of Love” (1990)

13 – Michael Jackson First No. 1: “Ben” (1972)

12 – Madonna First No. 1: “Like a Virgin” (1984)

12 – The Supremes First No. 1: “Where Did Our Love Go” (1964)

11 – Whitney Houston First No. 1: “Saving All My Love for You” (1985)

10 – Janet Jackson First No. 1: “When I Think of You” (1986)

10 – Stevie Wonder First No. 1: “Fingertips – Pt. 2” (1963)

9 – Bee Gees First No. 1: “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” (1971)

9 – Elton John First No. 1: “Crocodile Rock” (1973)

9 – Paul McCartney & Wings First No. 1: “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” (1973)

8 – The Rolling Stones First No. 1: “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (1965)

8 – Usher First No. 1: “Nice and Slow” (1998)

I am not surprised The Beatles are on top, Michael Jackson #3 or Madonna #4 but was not expecting Mariah Carey to be #2, 18 #1 hits is incredible! Really the rest of the list are all legends except Usher. Artists known throughout the world among many ages, genres and cultures. If you integrate The Beatles, Paul McCartney & Wings, solo and other collaborations Paul’s collective accomplishments, he is totaling 33 #1 hits. I remember my father bringing home the ’45’ of “I Want To Hold Your Hand”. The B side in The UK was “This Boy” but in The USA it was “I Saw Her Standing There”, the copy I quickly ruined through overplay and youthful exuberance..

Half the top 8 were Motown artists; Michael & Janet Jackson, The Supremes and Stevie Wonder. It is interesting to view The Bee Gees as one recording artist since they experienced two completely separate ‘careers’ starting with the Folk Rock Hits beginning with “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart” and reformed in the late 70’s with their Disco hits like “Night Fever” and Stayin’ Alive”.

It never would have occurred to me “Crocodile Rock” was Elton’s first #1 Billboard hit. I did some research and Honkey Chateau made it #1 in the album charts but no #1 single till “Crocodile Rock”.

Where is Elvis you ask? Good question! Elvis had 20 #1 hits but Billboard was celebrating their 50th Anniversary of The HOT 100, which was established in 1958, and he had 13 of those #1’s before The HOT 100 existed.

Which artists are you surprised are on the list and which did you think would be but aren’t?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Hey DJ: Just Play Good Music!

Posted on October 25, 2012 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

One of the things that is a constant in the professional DJ and music business is the notion of ‘good music’. When I am working with a new client to book their event, it is very common when asking them what kind of music do you want at your wedding or whatever the event is to get an answer similar to this, “Please play only good music!”.

First note is that I would not or any other professional DJ on purpose play ‘bad music’!

Second and more important is that the term ‘good music’ typically translates as; ‘music that I like’. Of course, there is no such thing as good or bad music really. It is just a matter of taste and for most people, the difference between a talented composer and someone who writes music while walking down the street is not distinguishable.

Example: If you are about to perform a professional DJ gig with a crowd of young, rural high school students, their definition of what ‘good music’ is would probably be much different than that of a Professor of Music History at Princeton University. It is not that one of them is right and the other is wrong, it is just that ‘good music’ is subjective and not really an accurate means of defining what you like.

It is safe to say that since he has passed on, Michael Jackson has been raised to a level of recognition that few have enjoyed globally. Does this mean his music is ‘good’? Would the reverse also be true then? If an ultra-talented cellist who performs only for private audiences and has chosen not to record anything to be released nationally or globally, and not know by many expert true offocionados a creator of ‘bad music’?

When booking a professional DJ for your event, especially a wedding DJ, be very specific in what genres and exact songs you want to have played and when. It is your event and you should be the one who has chosen the main direction of the musical selections.

It is helpful to request music for your event like this; “We want Soul and R&B music from the 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s, we do not like Modern R&B or Soul. We love Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Prince and Michael Jackson of course.” This is fairly clear without needing to spell out exactly which artists/songs you would be requesting.

This is not as helpful; “We like R&B and Soul.” This leaves a lot of room for misunderstanding, interpretation and possible confusion.

Be clear and concise in what you want at YOUR EVENT! Form there, an experienced professional DJ can follow along and creatively mix in what you requested, what your guests request at the event and what is working in real-time.

Remember: It is YOUR event and YOU get to choose the music. We just weave together the songs with the crowd and make it flow and create a unique and quality event for you.