Longest Runs at #1 for Solo Male Artists

[Cerebro]

Sept 8, 2013 11:42:49 GMT -5 Stefan85 said:

Today, Robin Thicke will become the first male artist to top the CHR chart for ten weeks, and only the fourth artist since the chart's inception in 1973! :o

Congrats boo!

Congratulations, indeed!

Since I saw this in the main chart thread, I wondered how solo male artists stacked up when it came to longevity at #1. The number of solo males with long #1 runs is, relatively, small compared to solo females or groups. Using R&R from it's inception until the Billboard merger in August 2006 and Mediabase, exclusively, from then forward, here are all of the songs by solo male artists that I could find that have spent more than one month (4 weeks) at #1 on the pop chart.

For these purposes, only lead artists are credited (i.e. Robin Thicke is a solo male performer, even though "Blurred Lines" has featured performers). For duets, both artists would receive equal credit as leads.

Also note, that while R&R was in publication, I did not count holiday weeks as part of the totals (as R&R didn't). After the Billboard merger, I started counting every week in my records. I have indicated corrections where applicable (see the asterisks *). Case in point, Nelly, officially has an 8 week run on the books for "Over And Over". Counting the holidays, he ties Robin Thicke's achievement. Unless Katy completely bulldozes Robin, he could, very well, add an 11th week to his total.

Here's the rundown of male longevity leaders...


10 weeks (as of 9/8/13):
Robin Thicke - Blurred Lines (featuring T.I. and Pharrell) (2013)

8 weeks:
Seal - Kiss From A Rose (1995)
*Nelly - Over And Over (featuring Tim McGraw) (2004) (10 weeks with holidays)

7 weeks:
Elton John - Don't Go Breaking My Heart (duet with Kiki Dee) (1976)
Ricky Martin - Livin' La Vida Loca (1999)
Shaggy - Angel (featuring Rayvon) (2001)
Timbaland - Apologize (featuring OneRepublic) (2007)

6 weeks:
Terry Jacks - Seasons In The Sun (1974)
Elton John - Philadelphia Freedom (billed as Elton John Band) (1975)
Rod Stewart - Do Ya Think I'm Sexy? (1979)
Bryan Adams - (Everything I Do) I Do It For You (1991)
*Eminem - Lose Yourself (2002) (8 weeks with holidays)
Timbaland - The Way I Are (featuring Keri Hilson and D.O.E.) (2007)
Flo Rida - Low (featuring T-Pain) (2008)
Bruno Mars - Locked Out Of Heaven (2012)

5 weeks:
Rod Stewart - Tonight's The Night (Gonna Be Alright) (1976)
Leo Sayer - When I Need You (1977)
Kenny Rogers - Lady (1980)
Lionel Richie - Endless Love (duet with Diana Ross) (1981)
Rick Springfield - Don't Talk To Strangers (1982)
Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson - Say Say Say (duet between solo males) (1983)
*Phil Collins - Another Day In Paradise (1989) (6 weeks with holidays)
*Shawn Mullins - Lullaby (1998) (7 weeks with holidays)
Lou Bega - Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit Of...) (1999)
Nelly - Dilemma (featuring Kelly Rowland) (2002)
Justin Timberlake - Rock Your Body (2003)
*Chris Brown - Run It! (featuring Juelz Santana) (2005) (7 weeks with holidays)
Justin Timberlake - SexyBack (2006)
Jesse McCartney - Leavin' (2008)
Chris Brown - Forever (2008)
Bruno Mars - Grenade (2011)

[johnnywest]

I believe Francis Craig holds the all-time record for men. He spent 17 weeks at #1 with "Near You" back in 1947.

[Peaches. [Ch, r. is]]

I see a lot of features in that list, wouldn't Gotye count then?

[Cerebro]

Sept 9, 2013 21:57:50 GMT -5 johnnywest said:

I believe Francis Craig holds the all-time record for men. He spent 17 weeks at #1 with "Near You" back in 1947.

That's Billboard. I'm only listing R&R/Mediabase chart history.

Sept 9, 2013 22:06:09 GMT -5 Peaches. [Ch, r. is] said:

I see a lot of features in that list...

As I stated up front, I only gave credit to the lead artist. It'd get messy with features. Duets give both artists equal credit (hence Sir Paul and Michael Jackson both get credit for "Say Say Say"). Really depends on the label credit for any given song. My preference. Your mileage may vary.

Sept 9, 2013 22:06:09 GMT -5 Peaches. [Ch, r. is] said:

...wouldn't Gotye count then?

Gotye would, certainly, be further down the list. I only included songs that topped the chart longer than a month ("Somebody That I Used To Know" was #1 for 3 weeks). Didn't want to be here all day. ;)

[RadioBeatz]

Does the two-week holiday breaks count for the official charts? :) that's one of my biggest doubts about these R&R/Mediabase pop charts.

They count on Billboard Mainstream Top 40.

[irice22]

Only four artists did this? And Leona Lewis is one of them?

[Peaches. [Ch, r. is]]

Cerebro, I thought this was BB Hot 100, sorry!

[JCMF3]

Sept 9, 2013 23:19:39 GMT -5 irice22 said:

Only four artists did this? And Leona Lewis is one of them?

On R&R/Mediabase, there are more than 4.

Donna Lewis - I Love You Always Forever - 12 weeks
Mariah Carey - We Belong Together - 11 weeks
Nathalie Imbruglia - Torn - 11 weeks
Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love - 10 weeks
Robin Thicke f/ Pharrell & T.I. - Blurred Lines - 10 weeks
*N Sync - Bye Bye Bye - 10 weeks