On this week's Billboard Hot 100 chart (dated Oct. 28), Post Malone's "Rockstar," featuring 21 Savage, rises 2-1, earning both rappers their first No. 1.
"Rockstar" isn't the first "rock" song to reach the summit. That is, it's not the first song with the word "rock" in its title to hit No. 1. We dug through all 1,068 songs to that have led the list (dating to its Aug. 4, 1958, inception) and found that "Rockstar" is the 12th "rock" song to hit No. 1.
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts' "I Love Rock 'N' Roll" is the longest-leading such song, as it ruled the Hot 100 for seven weeks in 1982. LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem," featuring Lauren Bennett and GoonRock (more "rock"!), follows with six weeks at No. 1 in 2011.
Further, 1974 was the biggest year for "rock" songs, as three of the 12 tracks hit No. 1 that year. Two, The Hues Corporation's "Rock the Boat" and George McCrae's "Rock Your Baby," hit No. 1 back-to-back.
Meanwhile, and paradoxically, not all 12 songs are actually in the rock genre, including Post Malone's "Rockstar," "Party Rock Anthem" and Michael Jackson's "Rock With You."
In chronological order, here are all 12 "rock" songs that have rolled to No. 1 on the Hot 100.
Title, Artist, Peak Date (weeks at No. 1)
"Crocodile Rock," Elton John, Feb. 3, 1973 (three)
"Rock the Boat," The Hues Corporation, July 6, 1974 (one)
"Rock Your Baby," George McCrae, July 13, 1974 (two)
"Rock Me Gently," Andy Kim, Sept. 28, 1974 (one)
"Rock'n Me," Steve Miller, Nov. 6, 1976 (one)
"Rock With You," Michael Jackson, Jan. 19, 1980 (four)
"It's Still Rock and Roll to Me," Billy Joel, July 19, 1980 (two)
"I Love Rock 'N' Roll," Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, March 20, 1982 (seven)
"Rock Me Amadeus," Falco, March 29, 1986 (three)
"Rock On," Michael Damian, June 3, 1989 (one)
"Party Rock Anthem," LMFAO feat. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock, July 16, 2011 (six)
"Rockstar," Post Malone feat. 21 Savage, Oct. 28, 2017 (one week to date)
Plus, while the 12 songs above have rocked the Hot 100's top spot, nine other "rock" songs have peaked at No. 2: Bobby Day's "Rock-in Robin" (1958); Chubby Checker's "Limbo Rock" (1962); Michael Jackson's "Rockin' Robin" (making him the only artist with a No. 1- and No. 2-peaking "rock" hit; 1972); Paul Simon's "Love Me Like a Rock," with The Dixie Hummingbirds (1973); Neil Diamond's "Love on the Rocks" (1981); John Mellencamp's "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. (A Salute to 60's Rock)" (1986); Ashanti's "Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)" (2003); Shop Boyz' "Party Like a Rockstar" (2007); and Young Money's "Bedrock," featuring Lloyd (2010).
Fifty-five "rock" songs have hit the Hot 100's top 10, including another each from Elton John ("Rocket Man," No. 6, 1972) and Jackson ("You Rock My World," No. 10, 2001), as well one from earlier this year: Clean Bandit's "Rockabye," featuring Sean Paul and Anne-Marie (No. 9).
Meanwhile, Post Malone's "Rockstar" is one of two songs by that title to hit the Hot 100, as Nickelback's tongue-in-cheek ode to excess hit No. 6 in 2007.
