The Beatles Make More Hot 100 History as ‘Now and Then’ Debuts in Top 10

“Now and Then” becomes The Beatles’ 35th Hot 100 top 10, extending their record for the most among groups. The Rolling Stones rank second among groups with 23 top 10s, followed by Chicago and The Supremes, each with 20.

Most Billboard Hot 100 Top 10s:

The Beatles first hit the Hot 100’s top 10 on the chart dated Jan. 25, 1964, with their iconic U.S. breakthrough single “I Want To Hold Your Hand” – which became the first of their record 20 No. 1s. They now claim a span of top 10s of 59 years, nine months and three weeks, the longest excluding holiday fare. They surpass Elton John, who has logged a top 10 span of 51 years, seven months and three weeks, dating to his first frame in the bracket with “Your Song” (Jan. 23, 1971) and running through “Hold Me Closer,” with Britney Spears (Sept. 10, 2022).

Including holiday songs, the late Andy Williams holds the record for the longest span of an act appearing in the Hot 100’s top 10: 63 years, two months and three weeks, from his first week in the tier with “Lonely Street” in October 1959 through “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” during last year’s holiday season.

The Beatles achieve their first Hot 100 top 10 since “Free as a Bird,” from the Anthology series, hit No. 6 on the Jan. 6, 1996-dated chart. They end a break of 27 years, 10 months and two weeks between top 10s – the longest for an act, excluding holiday music, with sole billing on bookending top 10s. Among all waits between top 10s (again, not including holiday hits), The Beatles end the fifth-longest break; as a soloist, McCartney ranks third.

Longest Breaks Between Hot 100 Top 10s, excluding holiday songs:

The Beatles become the lucky 13th act with Hot 100 top 10s in four or more decades, having now ranked in the region in the 1960s, ‘70s, ‘90s and 2020s. Michael Jackson and Andy Williams lead with top 10 placements in five decades each. The Beatles join Aerosmith as the only groups in the elite club.

Click here for a look at all 13 acts with Hot 100 top 10s in four or more decades.

“Now and Then” also marks The Beatles’ 72nd Hot 100 hit overall (and their first since Anthology single “Real Love,” which reached No. 11 in 1996 as the follow-up to “Free as a Bird”). They extend their mark for the most entries among bands that play their own instruments (and rank second among all multi-member acts only to TV troupe the Glee Cast’s 207).

Among all bands, The Beatles lead over The Rolling Stones (57 Hot 100 hits), The Beach Boys (55) and The Temptations (53).