Music trivia question

Which two individuals have spent the most weeks at the top of the Billboard pop charts? The two are tied with 79 weeks each.

Answer in comments. Guess before you look.

5 thoughts on “Music trivia question”

  1. The answer is Mariah Carey and Elvis Presley.

    Here are Carey’s 18 No. 1 songs, and how long each one held on to the lead position:

    “Vision of Love,” four weeks (1990)
    “Love Takes Time,” three weeks (1990)
    “Someday,” two weeks (1991)
    “I Don’t Wanna Cry,” two weeks (1991)
    “Emotions,” three weeks (1991)
    “I’ll Be There,” two weeks (1992)
    “Dreamlover,” eight weeks (1993)
    “Hero,” four weeks (1993)
    “Fantasy,” eight weeks (1995)
    “One Sweet Day,” 16 weeks (1995) [Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men]
    “Always Be My Baby,” two weeks (1996)
    “Honey,” three weeks (1997)
    “My All,” one week (1998)
    “Heartbreaker,” two weeks (1999) [Mariah Carey featuring Jay-Z]
    “Thank God I Found You,” one week (2000) [Mariah Carey featuring Joe & 98 Degrees]
    “We Belong Together,” 14 weeks (2005)
    “Don’t Forget About Us,” two weeks (2006)
    “Touch My Body,” two weeks to date (2008)

    And here are Presley’s 17 chart-toppers and how long each one spent at No. 1:

    “Heartbreak Hotel,” eight weeks (1956)
    “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You,” one week (1956)
    “Don’t Be Cruel” / “Hound Dog,” 11 weeks (1956)
    “Love Me Tender,” five weeks (1956)
    “Too Much,” three weeks (1957)
    “All Shook Up,” eight weeks (1957)
    “(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear,” seven weeks (1957)
    “Jailhouse Rock” / “Treat Me Nice,” seven weeks (1957)
    “Don’t” / “I Beg of You,” five weeks (1958)
    “Hard Headed Woman,” two weeks (1958)
    “A Big Hunk O’Love,” two weeks (1959)
    “Stuck on You,” four weeks (1960)
    “It’s Now or Never,” five weeks (1960)
    “Are You Lonesome To-night?,” six weeks (1960)
    “Surrender,” two weeks (1961)
    “Good Luck Charm,” two weeks (1962)
    “Suspicious Minds,” one week (1969)

    Chart Beat — Billboard

  4. I recognize Ms. Carey’s picture when I see it, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard any of her songs. I spend time with music fans that are from their teens to their 80’s, and I don’t recall ever hearing anyone mention Ms. Carey. I’ve never seen one of her albums in anyone’s collection.

    At get-togethers with other musicians, an Elvis song or two always gets played, but I’ve yet to hear anyone bring out a Mariah Carey song for a jam.

    Am I out of touch, or are the charts?

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