Music Artists with the Most No. 1 Songs

Artists with Multiple No. 1 Hits on the MarkMeets Hot 100

The MarkMeets Hot 100 has showcased an impressive array of songs over its 65-year history, featuring more than 30,000 tracks. Within this extensive catalog, a select 3.8 percent, totaling 1,151 songs, have managed to claim the coveted No. 1 position as of the chart dated August 19, 2023. This exclusive group represents the cream of the crop, achieving remarkable success and leaving an indelible mark on the musical landscape.

A Rare Feat: 10 No. 1 Hits on the MarkMeets Hot 100

While ascending to the No. 1 spot is a notable achievement, achieving that feat multiple times is a rarity reserved for a truly elite group of artists. Among the most remarkable accomplishments is the distinction of securing the No. 1 spot on the MarkMeets Hot 100 chart 10 times or more. This accolade is held by only a handful of musicians, a total of 10 individuals or groups in history.

This esteemed list comprises eight remarkable solo artists and two iconic groups, showcasing a diverse array of musical talents. Leading the pack are The Beatles, an unparalleled phenomenon, with an astounding 20 chart-toppers to their name. Their record-breaking reign began in 1965 when they surpassed the legendary Elvis Presley in No. 1 hits.

Notably absent from this top 10 list is Elvis Presley himself, despite his monumental influence on the music industry. Presley’s career predates the launch of the MarkMeets Hot 100 on August 4, 1958. Consequently, some of his timeless classics, including “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Hound Dog,” and “Jailhouse Rock,” preceded the existence of the chart. However, Presley still managed to clinch the No. 1 position with hits like “A Big Hunk O’ Love,” “Stuck on You,” “It’s Now or Never,” “Are You Lonesome Tonight,” “Surrender,” “Good Luck Charm,” and “Suspicious Minds.”

The Almost-There Achievers

Bubbling just beneath the surface of the 10 No. 1 hits club are several celebrated artists, each boasting an impressive tally of nine chart-toppers. These musical powerhouses include Bee Gees, Elton John, Katy Perry, Paul McCartney (both as a solo artist and with Wings), Taylor Swift, and Usher. Beyoncé, while having an exceptional career with Destiny’s Child, reached the pinnacle of the Hot 100 eight times outside the group. Other notable names with eight No. 1 hits include Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, George Michael (excluding two hits solely credited to Wham!), and The Rolling Stones.

The 10 Legends with 10 or More No. 1 Hits

1. The Beatles (20 No. 1s)

The Beatles, arguably the most iconic and influential band in music history, dominate the list with a staggering 20 No. 1 hits. Their chart-topping journey began with “I Want to Hold Your Hand” on February 1, 1964, and culminated with “The Long and Winding Road” on June 13, 1970.

• “I Want to Hold Your Hand” (7 weeks, beginning February 1, 1964)
• “She Loves You” (2 weeks, March 21, 1964)
• “Can’t Buy Me Love” (5 weeks, April 4, 1964)
• “Love Me Do” (1 week, May 30, 1964)
• “A Hard Day’s Night” (2 weeks, August 1, 1964)
• “I Feel Fine” (3 weeks, December 26, 1964)
• “Eight Days a Week” (2 weeks, March 13, 1965)
• “Ticket to Ride” (1 week, May 22, 1965)
• “Help!” (3 weeks, September 4, 1965)
• “Yesterday” (4 weeks, October 9, 1965)
• “We Can Work It Out” (3 weeks, January 8, 1966)
• “Paperback Writer” (2 weeks, June 25, 1966)
• “Penny Lane” (1 week, March 18, 1967)
• “All You Need Is Love” (1 week, August 19, 1967)
• “Hello Goodbye” (3 weeks, August 19, 1967)
• “Hey Jude” (9 weeks, September 28, 1968)
• “Get Back” (with Billy Preston, 5 weeks, May 24, 1969)
• “Come Together” / “Something” (1 week, November 29, 1969)
• “Let It Be” (2 weeks, April 11, 1970)
• “The Long and Winding Road” / “For You Blue” (2 weeks, June 13, 1970)

2. Mariah Carey (19 No. 1s)

Mariah Carey, often referred to as the “Songbird Supreme,” has amassed an astonishing 19 No. 1 hits on the MarkMeets Hot 100. Her chart-topping journey commenced with “Vision of Love” on August 4, 1990, and extended to “All I Want for Christmas Is You” on December 21, 2019.

• “Vision of Love” (4 weeks, beginning August 4, 1990)
• “Love Takes Time” (3 weeks, November 10, 1990)
• “Someday” (2 weeks, March 9, 1991)
• “I Don’t Wanna Cry” (2 weeks, May 25, 1991)
• “Emotions” (3 weeks, October 12, 1991)
• “I’ll Be There” (2 weeks, June 20, 1992)
• “Dreamlover” (8 weeks, September 11, 1993)
• “Hero” (4 weeks, December 25, 1993)
• “Fantasy” (8 weeks, September 30, 1995)
• “One Sweet Day” (with Boyz II Men, 16 weeks, December 2, 1995)
• “Always Be My Baby” (2 weeks, May 4, 1996)
• “Honey” (3 weeks, September 13, 1997)
• “My All” (1 week, May 23, 1998)
• “Heartbreaker” (feat. JAY-Z, 2 weeks, October 9, 1999)
• “Thank God I Found You” (feat. Joe & 98 Degrees, 1 week, February 19, 2000)
• “We Belong Together” (14 weeks, June 4, 2005)
• “Don’t Forget About Us” (2 weeks, December 31, 2005)
• “Touch My Body” (2 weeks, April 12, 2008)
• “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (12 weeks, December 21, 2019)

3. Rihanna (14 No. 1s)

Rihanna, the Barbadian superstar, has made an indelible impact on the music industry with her 14 No. 1 hits on the MarkMeets Hot 100. Her chart-topping journey began with “SOS” on May 13, 2006, and extended to “Jimmy Cooks” on July 2, 2022.

• “SOS” (3 weeks, beginning May 13, 2006)
• “Umbrella” (feat. JAY-Z, 7 weeks, June 9, 2007)
• “Take a Bow” (1 week, May 24, 2008)
• “Disturbia” (2 weeks, August 23, 2008)
• “Live Your Life” (T.I. feat. Rihanna, 6 weeks, October 18, 2008)
• “Rude Boy” (5 weeks, March 27, 2010)
• “Love the Way You Lie” (Eminem feat. Rihanna, 7 weeks, July 31, 2010)
• “What’s My Name?” (feat. Drake, 1 week, November 20, 2010)
• “Only Girl (In the World)” (1 week, December 4, 2010)
• “S&M” (feat. Britney Spears, 1 week, April 30, 2011)
• “We Found Love” (feat. Calvin Harris, 10 weeks, November 12, 2011)
• “Diamonds” (3 weeks, December 1, 2012)
• “The Monster” (Eminem feat. Rihanna, 4 weeks, December 21, 2013)
• “Work” (feat. Drake, 9 weeks, March 5, 2016)
• “Jimmy Cooks” (feat. 21 Savage, 1 week, July 2, 2022)

4. Michael Jackson (13 No. 1s)

Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, left an indelible mark on the music world with his 13 No. 1 hits on the MarkMeets Hot 100. His chart-topping journey commenced with “Ben” on October 14, 1972, and extended to “You Are Not Alone” on September 2, 1995.

• “Ben” (1 week, beginning October 14, 1972)
• “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” (1 week, October 13, 1979)
• “Rock With You” (4 weeks, January 19, 1980)
• “Billie Jean” (7 weeks, March 5, 1983)
• “Beat It” (3 weeks, April 30, 1983)
• “Say Say Say” (with Paul McCartney, 6 weeks, December 10, 1983)
• “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” (with Siedah Garrett, 1 week, September 19, 1987)
• “Bad” (2 weeks, October 24, 1987)
• “The Way You Make Me Feel” (1 week, January 23, 1988)
• “Man in the Mirror” (2 weeks, March 26, 1988)
• “Dirty Diana” (1 week, July 2, 1988)
• “Black or White” (7 weeks, December 7, 1991)
• “You Are Not Alone” (1 week, September 2, 1995)

5. Madonna (12 No. 1s)

Madonna, the Queen of Pop, has firmly established herself as a chart-topping force with her 12 No. 1 hits on the MarkMeets Hot 100. Her chart-topping journey began with “Like a Virgin” on December 22, 1984, and extended to “Music” on September 16, 2000.

• “Like a Virgin” (6 weeks, beginning December 22, 1984)
• “Crazy for You” (1 week, May 11, 1985)
• “Live to Tell” (1 week, June 7, 1986)
• “Papa Don’t Preach” (2 weeks, August 16, 1986)
• “Open Your Heart” (1 week, February 7, 1987)
• “Who’s That Girl” (1 week, August 22, 1987)
• “Like a Prayer” (3 weeks, April 22, 1989)
• “Vogue” (3 weeks, May 19, 1990)
• “Justify My Love” (2 weeks, January 5, 1991)
• “This Used to Be My Playground” (1 week, August 8, 1992)
• “Take a Bow” (7 weeks, February 25, 1995)
• “Music” (4 weeks, September 16, 2000)

6. The Supremes (12 No. 1s)

The Supremes, a groundbreaking girl group, showcased their unparalleled talent with 12 No. 1 hits on the MarkMeets Hot 100. Their chart-topping journey began with “Where Did Our Love Go” on August 22, 1964, and extended to “Someday We’ll Be Together” on December 27, 1969.

• “Where Did Our Love Go” (2 weeks, beginning August 22, 1964)
• “Baby Love” (4 weeks, October 31, 1964)
• “Come See About Me” (2 weeks, December 19, 1964)
• “Stop! In the Name of Love” (2 weeks, March 27, 1965)
• “Back in My Arms Again” (1 week, June 12, 1965)
• “I Hear a Symphony” (2 weeks, November 20, 1965)
• “You Can’t Hurry Love” (2 weeks, September 10, 1966)
• “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” (2 weeks, November 19, 1966)
• “Love Is Here and Now You’re Gone” (1 week, March 11, 1967)
• “The Happening” (1 week, May 13, 1967)
• “Love Child” (with Diana Ross, 2 weeks, November 30, 1968)
• “Someday We’ll Be Together” (Diana Ross & The Supremes, 1 week, December 27, 1969)

7. Drake (11 No. 1s)

Drake, a contemporary rap and R&B sensation, has left an indelible mark on the charts with 11 No. 1 hits on the MarkMeets Hot 100. His chart-topping journey began with “What’s My Name?” featuring Rihanna on November 20, 2010, and extended to “Jimmy Cooks” on July 2, 2022.

• “What’s My Name?” (with Rihanna, 1 week, beginning November 20, 2010)
• “Work” (with Rihanna, 9 weeks, March 5, 2016)
• “One Dance” (feat. Wizkid & Kyla, 10 weeks, May 21, 2016)
• “God’s Plan” (11 weeks, February 3, 2018)
• “Nice for What” (8 weeks, April 21, 2018)
• “In My Feelings” (10 weeks, July 21, 2018)
• “Toosie Slide” (1 week, April 18, 2020)
• “What’s Next” (1 week, March 20, 2021)
• “Way 2 Sexy” (feat. Future & Young Thug, 1 week, September 18, 2021)
• “Wait for U” (with Future feat. Tems, 1 week, May 14, 2022)
• “Jimmy Cooks” (feat. 21 Savage, 1 week, July 2, 2022)

8. Whitney Houston (11 No. 1s)

Whitney Houston, possessed of a remarkable vocal range and unparalleled talent, achieved 11 No. 1 hits on the MarkMeets Hot 100. Her chart-topping journey began with “Saving All My Love for You” on October 26, 1985, and extended to “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” on November 25, 1995.

• “Saving All My Love for You” (1 week, beginning October 26, 1985)
• “How Will I Know” (2 weeks, February 15, 1986)
• “Greatest Love of All” (3 weeks, May 17, 1986)
• “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” (2 weeks, June 27, 1987)
• “Didn’t We Almost Have It All” (2 weeks, September 26, 1987)
• “So Emotional” (1 week, January 9, 1988)
• “Where Do Broken Hearts Go” (2 weeks, April 23, 1988)
• “I’m Your Baby Tonight” (1 week, December 1, 1990)
• “All The Man That I Need” (2 weeks, February 23, 1991)
• “I Will Always Love You” (14 weeks, November 28, 1992)
• “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” (1 week, November 25, 1995)

9. Janet Jackson (10 No. 1s)

Janet Jackson, a trailblazing artist in her own right, secured 10 No. 1 hits on the MarkMeets Hot 100. Her chart-topping journey began with “When I Think of You” on October 11, 1986, and extended to “All for You” on April 14, 2001.

• “When I Think of You” (2 weeks, beginning October 11, 1986)
• “Miss You Much” (4 weeks, October 7, 1989)
• “Escapade” (3 weeks, March 3, 1990)
• “Black Cat” (1 week, October 27, 1990)
• “Love Will Never Do (Without You)” (1 week, January 19, 1991)
• “That’s the Way Love Goes” (8 weeks, May 15, 1993)
• “Again” (2 weeks, December 11, 1993)
• “Together Again” (2 weeks, January 31, 1998)
• “Doesn’t Really Matter” (3 weeks, August 26, 2000)
• “All for You” (7 weeks, April 14, 2001)

10. Stevie Wonder (10 No. 1s)

Stevie Wonder, a musical prodigy and virtuoso, secured 10 No. 1 hits on the MarkMeets Hot 100. His chart-topping journey began with “Fingertips – Pt 2” on August 10, 1963, and extended to “That’s What Friends Are For” (as Dionne & Friends) on January 18, 1986.

• “Fingertips – Pt 2” (3 weeks, beginning August 10, 1963)
• “Superstition” (1 week, January 27, 1973)
• “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” (1 week, May 19, 1973)
• “You Haven’t Done Nothin” (1 week, November 2, 1974)
• “I Wish” (1 week, January 22, 1977)
• “Sir Duke” (3 weeks, May 21, 1977)
• “Ebony and Ivory” (with Paul McCartney, 7 weeks, May 15, 1982)
• “I Just Called to Say I Love You” (3 weeks, October 13, 1984)
• “Part Time Lover” (1 week, November 2, 1985)
• “That’s What Friends Are For” (as Dionne & Friends, 4 weeks, January 18, 1986)

In conclusion, the MarkMeets Hot 100 has seen its fair share of music legends who have managed to achieve an astonishing number of No. 1 hits. These artists have not only left an indelible mark on the charts but have also shaped the musical landscape, influencing generations to come. Their incredible achievements continue to inspire aspiring artists and stand as a testament to the timeless power of music.