The UK singles chart starts in November 1952, the Billboard Hot 100 in August 1958 and ARIA’s Australian chart in June 1988. A researcher comparing countries has to start from these dates, because a chart can only be studied from the point where it began.
Start years by country
- United Kingdom: singles from 1952 (a Top 12 at first); the albums chart also runs from the 1950s.
- United States: Hot 100 singles from 1958; Billboard 200 albums, with a Top 200 from 1985.
- Australia: ARIA charts from 1988.
- Germany: singles from 1977 and albums from 1978.
- Switzerland: singles and albums from 1983.
- Austria: albums from 1991 and singles from 1995.
- Spain: singles and albums from 2003.
- Canada: Top Canadian Albums, a Top 100 from 1996.
- Mexico: airplay charts, a Top 100 from 1999.
United Kingdom
The first UK singles chart appeared in the New Musical Express on 14 November 1952. It was compiled by advertising manager Percy Dickins, who phoned record shops and added up their sales. Al Martino’s “Here in My Heart” was number one. The chart began as a Top 12 and has since been extended many times.
For years several rival charts competed. A single official chart was formed in 1969, when the BBC and Record Retailer commissioned a market research firm to compile it. Today’s Official Charts Company data includes a Top 200 for singles and albums, as well as genre and format charts that begin much later. Check each chart’s start date before comparing it with another.
United States
Billboard published separate sales, jukebox and radio charts through the 1950s. The Hot 100 appeared on August 4, 1958, as the first chart to combine sales and airplay in one ranking. From 1958 to 1991 it was based on radio playlists and retail surveys. Earlier Billboard charts exist, but they are different charts and should not be treated as one series with the Hot 100.
Australia and continental Europe
ARIA became Australia’s official chart in June 1988. It took over from the Kent Music Report, which had been the national sales chart since 1974. For Germany, Switzerland and Austria, the published Top 100 and Top 75 charts grew gradually. Swiss singles charts, for example, were a Top 15 in 1983 and reached a Top 100 only in 1999. Digital sales were added at different times in each country, in the mid-2000s for Germany and in 2007 for Austria.
Reading start dates carefully
A start year does not always mean a full chart. Early lists were short, methods changed, and a chart’s compiler or rules may have changed along the way. When comparing countries, note the chart’s depth (Top 12 or Top 100), its method (sales, airplay or streaming) and the date it began counting digital sales.