AT40 Book Of Records

One aspect that almost all fans of American Top 40 loved was when Casey or Shadoe would come out with some sort of chart fact or chart record. Of course records are being broken all the time so Casey or Shadoe would take great pleasure in telling about some current song in the countdown breaking a chart record, especially if that record was an old one.

This page is simply a depository of such chart superlatives. The period covered here is only to November 1991 when AT40 ceased using the Billboard Hot 100 for its countdown. Since that date many chart records have been broken so the information here is for historical and nostalgic purposes only and is not intended to be taken as current! There are many fine chart books out there that can fill you in on what the current chart records are.

Which chart?

 The Billboard Hot 100, from which "American Top 40" derived its countdown came into being August 4, 1958. Since that time it has been considered the "definitive" chart and any records set after that chart began are pretty much accepted. However before that date we run into problems, which has resulted in many arguments over record holders.

 The Hot 100's direct predecessor was called the "Top 100" which ran from Nov. 11 1955 to July 28 1958. Although their names were similar the Top 100 and the Hot 100 were different charts, both in appearance and the method of its compilation. The Hot 100 was a sales and airplay chart while the Top 100 was almost exclusively a sales only chart. Also being published at the same time as the "Top 100" were a "Jockey" chart (most played songs) a "Juke Box" chart, and to add more confusion a "Best-Seller" chart. Which unlike the Top 100 ranked "records" rather than "songs". AT40 in this period tended to refer to the Top 100 when mentioning chart facts from this era.

 Before November 12, 1955 there existed three charts - "Best-Sellers In Stores", "Most Played By Jockeys" and "Most Played In Juke Boxes". In this period (back to July 27 1940) AT40 tended to refer to the "Best-Sellers" chart as it was the oldest of the three, and the one most people would accept as the most definitive.

Here is a short summary of the charts then

*For the purposes of this page only.

After November 1991

Some mention needs to be made of the Top 40 charts after this date until the show's end in January 1995. With this date AT40 stop using the Billboard Hot 100 and began using the "Hot 100 Airplay" chart (the airplay only portion of the Hot 100 chart), and later still abandoned that in place of the "Top 40/Mainstream Airplay" chart (a chart that simply registers number of spins a song receives) as a result of the switch, many chart records were soon broken - which sounds good until you realize the methodology used in these later charts was drastically different than the pre-Dec 1991 charts. In effect you are comparing apples with oranges. As a result, I've decided to ignore any records claimed to have been made or broken by AT40 after November 1991.

SELECT CHART RECORDS MENTIONED ON AT40

Most weeks at #1 (Here are some superlatives on that from before AT40 began)

All time and all pop charts

Near You by Francis Craig and His Orchestra (Bob Lamm) (17 weeks on the "Jockeys" chart Aug - Dec 1947)

All time and Best Sellers chart only

Frenesi by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra (13 weeks Dec 1940 - March 1941)

I've Heard That Song Before by Harry James and His Orchestra (Helen Forrest) (13 weeks March - May 1943)

Goodnight Irene by Gordon Jenkins and His Orchestra and the Weavers (13 weeks Aug - Nov 1950)

Rock era (1955 to 1969) (before AT40)

Sincerely by the McGuire Sisters (10 weeks Feb - April 1955 on the Jockeys chart)

Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White by Prez Prado and His Orchestra (10 weeks April - July 1955 on Best Sellers chart)

Don't Be Cruel/Hound Dog by Elvis Presley (11 weeks Aug - Nov 1956 on Best Sellers chart)

Singing the Blues by Guy Mitchell (10 weeks Dec 1956 - Feb 1957 on the Jukebox chart)

Here is a listing of the Most weeks at #1 for the AT40 era of Jan 1970 to November 1991

You Light Up My Life	Deby Boone	10 weeks	1977
Physical	Olivia Newton-John	10 weeks	1981
Bette Davis Eyes	Kim Carnes	9 weeks	1981
Endless Love	Diana Ross and Lionel Richie	9 weeks	1981
Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)	Rod Stewart	8 weeks	1976
Night Fever	The Bee Gees	8 weeks	1978
Every Breath You Take	The Police	8 weeks	1983
Shadow Dancing	Andy Gibb	7 weeks	1978
I Love Rock 'N Roll	Joan Jett and the Blackhearts	7 weeks	1982
Ebony and Ivory	Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder	7 weeks	1982
Billie Jean	Michael Jackson	7 weeks	1983
(Everything I Do) I Do It For You	Bryan Adams	7 weeks	1991
Bridge Over Troubled Water	Simon and Garfunkel	6 weeks	1970
Joy To the World	Three Dog Night	6 weeks	1971
First Time Ever I Saw Your Face	Roberta Flack	6 weeks	1972
Alone Again (Naturally)	Gilbert O'Sullivan	6 weeks	1972
Le Freak	Chic	6 weeks	1978
My Sharona	The Knack	6 weeks	1979
Call Me	Blondie	6 weeks	1980
Lady	Kenny Rogers	6 weeks	1980
Centerfold	The J. Geils Band	6 weeks	1982
Eyes Of the Tiger	Survivor	6 weeks	1982
Flashdance...What a Feeling	Irene Cara	6 weeks	1983
Say Say Say	Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson	6 weeks	1983
Like a Virgin	Madonna	6 weeks	1984
I'll Be There	Jackson 5	5 weeks	1970
One Bad Apple	The Osmonds	5 weeks	1971
It's Too Late/I Feel the Earth Move	Carole King	5 weeks	1971
Killing Me Softly With His Song	Roberta Flack	5 weeks	1973
Silly Love Songs	Wings	5 weeks	1976
Best Of My Love	The Emotions	5 weeks	1977
Bad Girls	Donna Summer	5 weeks	1979
(Just Like) Starting Over	John Lennon	5 weeks	1980
Jump	Van Halen	5 weeks	1984
When Doves Cry	Prince	5 weeks	1984
Rush, Rush	Paula Abdul	5 weeks	1991

Most weeks on the Top 40

The 20 week barrier - Until the chart switchover in 1991, a ideal barrier for long lived records to try and beat was the "20 week" barrier. It was rare for a record to spend over 20 weeks on the chart, and in fact there were long stretches in the 60s and 70s in which no record could manage to spend 20 weeks or more on the chart. Here are the songs during AT40s run (1970-1991) than managed it.

How Deep Is Your Love	The Bee Gees	26	1
Stayin' Alive	The Bee Gees	22	1
You Light Up My Life	Deby Boone	21	1
Gloria	Laura Branigan	22	2
Do That To Me One More Time	The Captain and Tennile	22	1
Flashdance...What a Feeling	Irene Cara	20	1
Emotions	Mariah Carey	20	1
Bette Davis Eyes	Kim Carnes	20	1
I Go Crazy	Paul Davis	25	7
Centerfold	The J.Geils Band	20	1
I Just Want To Be Your Everything	Andy Gibb	23	1
(Love Is) Thicker Than Water	Andy Gibb	22	1
Don't You Want Me	The Human League	21	1
Celebration	Kool and the Gang	21	1
Pop Muzik	M	20	1
Hurts So Good	John Cougar	22	2
A Fifth Of Beethoven	Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band	22	1
Physical	Olivia Newton-John	21	1
I Like Dreamin'	Kenny Nolan	20	3
Another One Bites the Dust	Queen	21	1
You and I	Eddie Rabbitt/Crystal Gayle	21	7
Keep On Loving You	REO Speedwagon	20	1
Jessie's Girl	Rick Springfield	22	1
Y.M.C.A.	The Village People	20	2
Bust a Move	Young MC	20	7