Top Billboard Songs

What are some of your favorite top Billboard songs? Billboard's charts have become the ideal way of telling what's hot and what's not. Some of our favorite artists and favorite songs have held top positions there throughout the years. Join us in a walk down memory lane as we take a look at some of the top Billboard songs throughout the years.

1. "The Twist" by Chubby Checker: Originally written and recorded in 1959, by Hank Ballard of The Midnighters, "The Twist" didn't become really popular until it was re-released by popular artist Chubby Checker. This top Billboard song was considered to have bridged a generation gap as it was a song that inspired a dance craze that young and old, alike, could all perform.
2. "Smooth" by Santana ft. Rob Thomas: Written by Matchbox Twenty's Rob Thomas and Itaal Shur, this song was written as an ode to Thomas' wife, who is Puerto Rican. One of the top Billboard songs of all time, "Smooth" won notable awards Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals at the 2000 Grammys.
3. "Mack the Knife" by Bobby Darin: This amazing top Billboard song was originally written in 1929 for a German play called "The Threepenny Opera." It's since been a US Top 40 hit for seven different artists and is considered one of Billboards top hit songs of all time.
4. "Hey Jude" by The Beatles: Originally called "Hey Jules," this top Billboard song was written by Paul McCartney for John Lennon's son, Julian, when his parents were getting a divorce. The name would eventually be changed to "Hey Jude" after McCartney was inspired by a character in the musical "Oklahoma!"
5. "The Battle of New Orleans" by Johnny Horton: Originally written by Jimmy Driftwood, a history teacher, this song was designed to help his students learn about the famous battle. Johnny Horton heard the song and wanted to record it; a wise move, as this top Billboard song won the 1959 Grammy for Song of the Year.
6. "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson: Inspired by a woman who used to stalk the celebrity, this became one of Jackson's  top Billboard songs of all time. It was during a performance of this song that Jackson would first perform his famous move, the Moonwalk.
7. "Another One Bites the Dust" by Queen: This top Billboard song almost didn't get released as a single at all. It was originally suggested by Brian May's roady but it wasn't until Michael Jackson suggested the same thing after a concert that the members of Queen decided to release it as such.
8. "Stayin' Alive" by The Bee Gees: Considered to be the song that best represents the era of Disco, this 1977 top Billboard song was originally played over the opening credits of the hit film "Saturday Night Fever," starring John Travolta. While it was originally supposed to be named "Saturday Night," the band changed the song name to a less popular title.
9. "I'm a Believer" by The Monkees: Written by popular crooner Neil Diamond, this top Billboard song was the second single released by the popular made-for-TV band and comedy group, The Monkees. Monkees drummer Mickey Dolenz sang the lead vocals on this song and the rest of the band sang back-up, though the band did not play their own instruments for the recording. "I'm a Believer" was released in 1966.
10. "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye: Considered to be the longest running Motown hit of all time, "Grapevine" stayed at the top position for seven weeks. One of the top Billboard songs of all time, this was Marvin Gaye's first number one hit.