20 #1s That Reveal The History of Pop Music ( Book)

[jdanton2]

Tom Breihan who reviews all the #1 songs in his articles each week for Stereogum has released a book he lists what he thinks are the 20 most important #1 songs since the beginning of the Hot 100. so far i have only read the first chapter so i am not sure why some are listed but others i have an idea why they are. not sure if this thread should be in the nostalgia section or the chart one.


1. Chubby Checker - The Twist ( began 60's dance craze trend)

2. The Shirelles - Will You Love Me Tomorrow( first r&b girl group to reach #1) great song and my favorite gg song of the decade.

3. The Beatles - I Want To Hold Your Hand (british invasion)

4. The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go ( break through biggest motown act of decade)

5. The Byrds - Mr Tambourine Man (folk rock trend)

6. The Beach Boys - Good Vibrations (psychedelic rock trend)

7. George McCrae - Rock Your Baby ( early disco hit) not the first or my favorite though. still a good song.

8. Fleetwood Mac - Dreams ( good song though not sure what trend this was a part of.

9. The Human League - Don't You Want Me ( began uk tecno pop trend) great song

10. Michael Jackson - Billie Jean (MJ break though at MTV)

11. Prince - When Doves Cry ( biggest hit by Prince) not sure why this is here.

12. Bon Jovi - You Give Love A Bad Name ( began hair band trend)

13. Mariah Carey - Vision of Love ( Mariah debut single)

14. Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby ( first rap #1 song?)

15. Puff Daddy - Can't Nobody Hold Me Down (successful rapper and producer)

16. Britney Spears - Baby One More Time (trl trend )

17. T Pain - Buy You A Drunk (autotune)

18. Soulja Boy - Crank That ??

19. Rae Sremmurd - Black Beatles( trap trend?)

20. BTS - Dynamite ( k pop trend)

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

They're songs he selected as being the ones that changed or had the most impact of the face of popular music since the beginning of the rock and roll era. I got it when it came out, but haven't started reading it yet. It's my next book on the list. I'm excited! The #1s column has also been an endless treasure trove.