Hot 100 Turns 60! Sir George Martin, David Foster & Giorgio Moroder Among Top Producers
As we celebrate the Billboard Hot 100's 60th anniversary, Billboard looks at those behind the hits: the most prominent producers who have shaped the chart's top smashes, dating to the chart's Aug. 4…
As we celebrate the Billboard Hot 100’s 60th anniversary, Billboard looks at those behind the hits: the most prominent producers who have shaped the chart’s top smashes, dating to the chart’s Aug. 4, 1958, inception.
Among the Hot 100’s all-time top 100 hits, Albhy Galuten, Barry Gibb, Karl Richardson and Sir George Martin have each produced or co-produced five titles.
Galuten, Gibb and Richardson collaborated on the same five tunes, including three smash hits by the Bee Gees, of which Gibb was a member. “How Deep Is Your Love,” which ranks at No. 25 on the all-time list, “Night Fever” (No. 42) and “Stayin’ Alive” (No. 59). In addition, they also had a hand in two hits by Gibb’s younger brother, Andy, that make the all-time top 100: “I Just Want to Be Your Everything” (No. 29) and “Shadow Dancing” (No. 49).
Martin, meanwhile, is best known for his extensive work with The Beatles. Two of his Fab Four productions land among the all-time top 100: “Hey Jude” (No. 12) and “I Want to Hold Your Hand” (No. 48). After the band’s 1970 breakup, Martin produced two all-star duets with Paul McCartney that both crack the top 100 list: “Say Say Say,” a McCartney/Michael Jackson team-up (No. 44), and “Ebony and Ivory,” by McCartney and Stevie Wonder (No. 76).
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Martin’s other entry in the top 100 also involves a British music legend, Elton John. Martin produced the reworked version of “Candle in the Wind” for the 1997 funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. That “Wind” rendition, paired with the double-sided single “Something About the Way You Look Tonight,” ranks as the No. 52 Hot 100 hit of all-time.
Beyond those prolific producers, Lionel Richie boasts four production credits in the top 100 titles, while David Foster, Robert John “Mutt” Lange, Giorgio Moroder and Barry Gibb’s brothers Maurice and Robin all claim three each.
Here is a look at the most common producers among the Hot 100’s top 100 hits of the chart’s first 60 years.
Albhy Galuten (5) / Barry Gibb (5) / Karl Richardson (5)
“How Deep Is Your Love” Bee Gees (No. 25)
“I Just Want to Be Your Everything,” Andy Gibb (No. 29)
“Night Fever,” Bee Gees (No. 42)
“Shadow Dancing,” Andy Gibb (No. 49)
“Stayin’ Alive,” Bee Gees (No. 59)
George Martin (5)
“Hey Jude,” The Beatles (No. 12)
“Say Say Say,” Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson (No. 44)
“I Want to Hold Your Hand,” The Beatles (No. 48)
“Candle in the Wind 1997″/”Something About the Way You Look Tonight,” Elton John (No. 52) [Martin produced only “Candle in the Wind”]
“Ebony and Ivory,” Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder (No. 76)
Lionel Richie (4)
“Endless Love,” Diana Ross & Lionel Richie (No. 18)
“Lady,” Kenny Rogers (No. 60)
“Say You, Say Me,” Lionel Richie (No. 94)
“All Night Long (All Night),” Lionel Richie (No. 96)
David Foster (3)
“Un-break My Heart,” Toni Braxton (No. 15)
“I Will Always Love You,” Whitney Houston (No. 54)
“I Swear,” All-4-One (No. 98)
Maurice Gibb (3) / Robin Gibb (3)
“How Deep Is Your Love,” Bee Gees (No. 25)
“Night Fever,” Bee Gees (No. 42)
“Stayin’ Alive,” Bee Gees (No. 59)
Robert John “Mutt” Lange (3)
“(Everything I Do) I Do It for You,” Bryan Adams (No. 21)
“You’re Still the One,” Shania Twain (No. 85)
“Waiting for a Girl Like You,” Foreigner (No. 100)
Giorgio Moroder (3)
“Flashdance…What a Feeling,” Irene Cara (No. 34)
“Call Me,” Blondie (No. 57)
“Hot Stuff,” Donna Summer (No. 87)
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