Dance Club Songs
The Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly ranking published by Billboard magazine that measures the popularity of songs played in dance clubs across the United States, compiled from reports submitted by a national sample of club disc jockeys (DJs).[1] Launched on August 28, 1976, it marked Billboard's inaugural survey dedicated to dance music, initially under the name Disco Top 20, before evolving into Hot Dance/Disco in 1981, Hot Dance Club Play in 1990, and finally Dance Club Songs in 2016 to reflect broader electronic and remixed genres beyond disco.[2] The chart has played a pivotal role in highlighting dance-oriented tracks, often featuring remixes tailored for club play, and has been instrumental in launching or boosting careers in genres like house, techno, and pop-dance crossovers.[3] Over its 44 years of active publication, it crowned numerous artists with number-one hits, including Madonna, who holds the record with 50 chart-toppers, achieved with her 2020 single "I Don't Search I Find."[4] Other notable achievers include Rihanna with 33 number-ones and Beyoncé with 22, underscoring the chart's influence on mainstream and electronic music trajectories.[5][6] In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting closure of nightclubs, Billboard suspended the Dance Club Songs chart after the issue dated March 28, 2020, freezing the rankings at that point with Diana Ross's remix "Love Hangover 2020" at number one.[7] As of November 2025, the chart remains inactive, though Billboard continues to track dance music through alternative metrics like the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, which incorporates streaming and sales data alongside airplay, and the Hot Dance/Pop Songs chart introduced in 2025.[8][9]Overview
Chart Description
The Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly ranking published by Billboard magazine that tracks the top 50 dance songs based on their popularity in U.S. nightclubs, as reported by a national sample of club disc jockeys (DJs). Launched as a national survey on August 28, 1976, the chart remained active until its suspension on March 28, 2020, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nightclub operations. As of November 2025, the chart remains suspended.[10][7][1] It specifically measures club play, where the #1 position denotes the song receiving the highest number of plays across reporting venues in a given week, providing a direct gauge of dance floor demand.[1] The chart evolved from earlier disco-focused formats, beginning with the Disco Action Top 20 in October 1974, which initially ranked the top 10 to 20 tracks based on responses from New York City discothèques. By 1976, it expanded into a broader national listing under the Disco Top 20 banner, later known as National Disco Action Top 30, before undergoing multiple name changes, such as Hot Dance/Disco in 1981. The format stabilized as a 50-position chart starting the week of March 16, 1985, under the name Hot Dance/Disco. It was renamed Hot Dance Club Play in 1987 and later shortened to Dance Club Songs in 2016 to reflect its emphasis on contemporary dance music.[10][2][11] Unlike Billboard's airplay-driven Mainstream Top 40 or sales/streaming-based Hot 100 charts, Dance Club Songs prioritizes remixes and club-specific edits tailored for DJ sets, often featuring extended mixes, vocal treatments, or instrumental versions not intended for radio or retail. This focus allows artists and labels to target nightclub audiences directly, with chart success hinging on how effectively a remix resonates in club environments rather than mainstream consumption metrics.[12][13]Cultural and Industry Significance
The Dance Club Songs chart has significantly influenced the development of key dance music genres, including disco, house, and electronic dance music (EDM), by identifying and amplifying club trends well before they achieved mainstream radio success. Launched during the height of the disco era, the chart provided an early platform for tracks that defined nightlife sounds, allowing genres to evolve through DJ curation and club feedback rather than traditional sales metrics. This forward-looking role helped propel house music from Chicago's underground scenes in the 1980s and EDM's global rise in the 2000s, establishing the chart as a trendsetter in the dance music ecosystem.[10] In the music industry, the chart has facilitated numerous artist breakthroughs by validating club performance as a launchpad for broader popularity, with many number-one hits foreshadowing subsequent pop chart dominance. For instance, successes on the chart often translated to increased radio airplay and commercial deals, underscoring its predictive power for crossover appeal. Additionally, it has been central to remix culture, as rankings frequently feature remixed versions tailored for club environments, encouraging artists and producers to innovate with extended mixes, breakdowns, and genre fusions that enhance dancefloor engagement. This emphasis on remixes has not only extended the lifecycle of songs but also democratized access for emerging DJs and producers to reinterpret established tracks.[14] Following the introduction of the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart in 2013, the Dance Club Songs methodology integrated with broader Billboard tracking systems, contributing club DJ reports to a multifaceted metric that includes streaming, sales, and airplay data. This synergy has enriched the overall measurement of dance music success, allowing club hits to influence rankings across multiple charts and reinforcing the genre's commercial viability. In 2025, Billboard further evolved its dance tracking by revamping the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart and introducing the Hot Dance/Pop Songs chart, maintaining the integration of club DJ reports to reflect ongoing genre diversification.[8][15] The chart's cultural footprint is particularly notable in LGBTQ+ communities and nightlife scenes from the 1970s through the 2010s, where it mirrored and elevated music that fostered safe spaces for expression and identity. Originating in an era when gay clubs were incubators for dance innovation, the chart captured anthems that resonated in these venues, from disco divas to house pioneers, thereby amplifying marginalized voices and contributing to the genre's role in social movements. Its focus on club play helped sustain vibrant nightlife cultures, making it a vital cultural artifact for queer history in music.[16]History
Origins and Launch
The rise of disco music in the early 1970s, fueled by urban nightlife scenes and hits from artists like the Jackson 5 and Chic, created a demand for tracking underground club favorites that often bypassed mainstream radio.[17] Billboard responded by launching its first disco-oriented survey on October 26, 1974, titled the Disco Action chart, which initially focused on regional popularity in key cities like New York.[18] This precursor ranked up to 40 tracks based on reports from disc jockeys (DJs) in prominent clubs, capturing the pulse of dance floors during the genre's explosive growth.[17] By 1976, as disco permeated broader pop culture with blockbuster films like Saturday Night Fever on the horizon, Billboard evolved the survey into a national format to better reflect the genre's nationwide appeal.[2] The chart officially launched as the National Disco Action Top 30 on August 28, 1976, compiling data from DJ playlists across New York and other regional clubs to rank the most-played dance tracks.[19] This shift marked the chart's role in spotlighting club-driven hits that might otherwise remain obscure, providing a vital barometer for the industry's emerging dance music ecosystem.[2] The inaugural number-one entry was the Bee Gees' "You Should Be Dancing," which topped the list for five consecutive weeks and exemplified the upbeat, falsetto-driven sound dominating clubs at the time.[2] From its outset, the chart emphasized DJ feedback over sales or airplay, distinguishing it from Billboard's Hot 100 and underscoring disco's grassroots origins in nightlife venues.[18]Evolution and Key Milestones
Following the initial establishment of the chart, Billboard expanded the Dance/Disco listing to 40 positions in 1977, coinciding with the waning popularity of traditional disco and the emergence of post-disco sounds like hi-NRG and Italo disco, which allowed the survey to capture a broader range of club tracks beyond the genre's peak.[2] This adjustment reflected the music industry's shift away from pure disco dominance, enabling the chart to adapt to evolving dance floor preferences amid the "disco sucks" backlash.[10] A pivotal milestone occurred in 1987 when the chart was renamed Hot Dance Club Play to better encompass the diverse club-oriented music beyond disco remnants, emphasizing remixes and 12-inch singles played by DJs.[2] By 1986, the ranking stabilized at 50 positions, providing a more comprehensive snapshot of club activity as electronic influences grew.[2] The 1990s marked a significant genre evolution with the inclusion of house and techno, genres that originated in underground scenes but gained mainstream traction; for instance, house tracks like Crystal Waters' "Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)" topped the chart in 1991, while techno hits such as Technotronic's "Pump Up the Jam" had dominated earlier in the decade.[2] Entering the 2000s, the chart incorporated digital reporting improvements that enhanced accuracy of DJ playlists.[10] This period saw a continued focus on remix culture, with producers tailoring versions for club play to propel originals up the ranks. By the 2010s, the chart had fully transitioned from its disco roots to embrace electronic dance music (EDM), incorporating big-room, progressive house, and festival anthems that reflected global trends in electronic production. A key development in 2013 involved elements merging with the newly launched Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, which blended club play data with streaming and sales for a multi-metric view, though the core Dance Club Songs retained its DJ-driven methodology.[10][2]Suspension and Post-2020 Legacy
On March 31, 2020, Billboard announced the suspension of the Dance Club Songs chart, freezing it at the 50 songs from the issue dated March 28 amid the escalating COVID-19 pandemic.[7] The decision stemmed from widespread club closures and social distancing measures that halted nightlife operations across the United States, eliminating the DJ reports essential to the chart's methodology.[7] With no new data forthcoming, Billboard deemed it impossible to continue tracking club play accurately, marking a profound impact on the dance music industry reliant on physical venues for promotion and validation.[20] As of November 2025, the chart remains suspended with no resumption announced, effectively rendering it defunct after nearly 46 years of operation.[1] This prolonged hiatus reflects ongoing challenges in the nightlife sector, including delayed recovery from pandemic-related disruptions and shifts in how dance music is consumed and measured.[3] Despite its suspension, the Dance Club Songs chart endures in Billboard's historical rankings, such as the 2025 list of the 100 Best Dance Songs of All Time, which draws heavily from its archived number-ones to highlight enduring hits.[21] Its legacy influences contemporary charts like Dance/Mix Show Airplay, which tracks dance tracks on radio and mix shows as a partial substitute for club-based metrics. In 2025, Billboard further adapted by launching the Hot Dance/Pop Songs chart on January 18, splitting from the broader Hot Dance/Electronic Songs to better capture dance-pop crossovers via streaming, sales, and airplay data.[15] Post-2020, the cultural landscape of dance music has pivoted toward streaming-centric evaluations, with Billboard's active dance charts prioritizing digital consumption over traditional DJ feedback to reflect modern listening habits in a club-less era.[3] This evolution underscores the chart's foundational role in defining dance success while adapting to technological and societal changes.[9]Methodology
Data Collection Process
The Dance Club Songs chart relies on weekly reports submitted by a national panel of club DJs, who provide playlists of the most popular tracks played in their venues. These reports form the primary source of data, capturing the songs that generate the strongest audience response on dance floors. According to Billboard's official methodology, the chart is compiled exclusively from this DJ-submitted information, reflecting real-time club play rather than sales or airplay metrics.[1] In its early years during the 1970s, data collection was regionally focused, heavily weighted toward major markets like New York City, with DJs reporting from key urban clubs. By August 1976, the process had expanded to include over 100 top clubs across 15 national markets, where DJs ranked tracks based on observed audience reactions to played records.[22] The panel evolved over time to encompass a broader cross-section of U.S. clubs by the 1990s, increasing geographic diversity beyond coastal hubs. DJs typically submit ranked lists of their top 10 to 20 most-played songs each week, prioritizing remixes tailored for club environments over original versions, as these formats drive higher engagement in live settings. By the 2000s, the panel had grown to more than 100 participants, reaching 140 DJs by 2013, many of whom held residencies at mid-sized venues nationwide.[14] The process faces inherent challenges due to the subjectivity of DJ selections, which depend on individual interpretations of crowd response rather than objective metrics like attendance or play counts. Verification of reported plays is limited, as Billboard does not track actual performance data in real time, leading to potential discrepancies between panel reports and broader club trends. This reliance on self-reported playlists from a select group of DJs can result in charts that emphasize niche or promotional remixes over mainstream popularity.[14]Ranking and Publication Mechanics
The Billboard Dance Club Songs chart is compiled by aggregating reports submitted by a national panel of club DJs, who detail the songs played in their sets that generated the strongest audience responses during the tracking period. These reports form the basis for ranking the most popular tracks in U.S. nightclubs, with the panel drawn from DJs at venues of varying sizes and locations to provide a representative snapshot of club play. The following describes the methodology during the chart's active period from 1976 to 2020; it was suspended indefinitely starting March 28, 2020, due to nightclub closures from the COVID-19 pandemic.[1][7][23] The rankings are determined by the frequency and prominence of songs across the DJ submissions, where higher placements in individual reports contribute more significantly to a song's overall position on the chart. In instances of close competition or data irregularities, Billboard's editorial staff conducts reviews to resolve ties and make necessary adjustments, including accounting for "add plays"—new songs recently incorporated into DJ sets—to better capture emerging popularity without overemphasizing established tracks. The process weights contributions based on the panel's composition, ensuring larger or more influential clubs have appropriate influence while maintaining balance.[14][10] The chart is published weekly, appearing online on Tuesdays via Billboard.com and in the print magazine, with the official date assigned to the issue Saturday to reflect data collected from the prior Friday through Thursday. This timing allows for timely dissemination while aligning with industry reporting cycles.[24] Launched nationally on August 28, 1976, as a 30-position chart, it expanded over time and adopted a 50-position format starting March 16, 1985, which it maintained until its suspension in 2020, evolving from earlier regional disco surveys that typically ranked only the top 10 or 20 tracks per market. Debut eligibility requires songs to accumulate sufficient reports from the DJ panel, often starting with a minimum threshold of plays or rankings to enter the lower positions, particularly for new releases promoted through targeted outreach to DJs.[10][11][1]Artist Achievements
All-Time Top Artists
The all-time top artists on the Dance Club Songs chart reflect the genre's evolution from disco roots to contemporary pop and electronic influences, with rankings determined by cumulative performance metrics such as total weeks on the chart, highest positions achieved, and overall impact from the chart's inception in 1976 through its suspension in March 2020. Billboard's comprehensive 40th anniversary analysis in 2016 provided the definitive all-time ranking based on these factors up to that point, and while additional #1 hits were achieved in the subsequent years with no official update issued, the hierarchy remained stable due to the reinforcement of established leaders like Madonna. This recap underscores the chart's role in elevating artists who consistently delivered club-ready remixes and originals, blending vocal prowess with dance production.| Rank | Artist | No. 1 Hits (1976–2020) | Total Weeks at No. 1 | Total Chart Entries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madonna | 50 | 75 | 64 |
| 2 | Janet Jackson | 20 | 41 | 41 |
| 3 | Rihanna | 33 | 42 | 40 |
| 4 | Beyoncé | 22 | 35 | 35 |
| 5 | Pet Shop Boys | 14 | 30 | 32 |
| 6 | Donna Summer | 16 | 25 | 28 |
| 7 | Mariah Carey | 17 | 28 | 30 |
| 8 | Kristine W | 16 | 22 | 25 |
| 9 | Jennifer Lopez | 18 | 20 | 24 |
| 10 | Depeche Mode | 14 | 18 | 22 |
Most Number-One Hits
Madonna holds the record for the most number-one hits on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, with 50 across her career spanning from 1983 to 2020.[4] Her dominance is evident in a breakdown by decade: nine in the 1980s, 13 in the 1990s, 18 in the 2000s, nine in the 2010s, and one in the 2020s with "I Don't Search I Find."[4] This achievement made her the first artist to top any single Billboard chart 50 times, underscoring her unparalleled longevity and influence in dance music.[4] Rihanna ranks second with 33 number-one hits as of the chart's suspension in 2020.[25] Beyoncé follows with 22 (solo), while Janet Jackson has 20, the latter milestone reached in 2018 with "Made for Now" featuring Daddy Yankee.[26] These four artists form an elite group with 20 or more number-ones, a threshold that highlights sustained success in the genre over decades. Donna Summer was the first artist to reach 10 number-one hits on the chart, achieving this milestone in the late 1970s during disco's peak, with a career total of 16.[27] Among groups, the Pet Shop Boys lead with 14 number-ones as of 2020, setting the record for duos or ensembles.[28] Their success, including tracks like "Love Etc.," exemplifies the chart's embrace of electronic and synth-pop acts.[29]| Artist | Number-One Hits | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Madonna | 50 | Record holder; spans five decades |
| Rihanna | 33 | Second overall; active through 2017 |
| Beyoncé | 22 | Solo entries |
| Janet Jackson | 20 | Reached milestone in 2018 |
| Pet Shop Boys | 14 | Most by a group (as of 2020) |
Consecutive and Annual Dominance
Katy Perry holds the record for the most consecutive number-one hits on the Dance Club Songs chart, achieving 18 successive leaders from her 2008 single "I Kissed a Girl" through to "Swish Swish" in 2017.[30] This streak, which spanned multiple albums including One of the Boys, Teenage Dream, Prism, and Witness, underscored her unparalleled dominance in the dance club scene during that period, with each release supported by targeted remixes tailored for DJ playlists.[31] Another notable consecutive run belongs to Beyoncé, who notched six straight number-one hits on the chart from 2006 to 2008, encompassing tracks like "Check on It," "Déjà Vu," "Ring the Alarm," "Irreplaceable," "Listen," and "Get Me Bodied." This sequence highlighted her transition to solo superstardom and the chart's affinity for R&B-infused dance anthems during the mid-2000s.[32] In terms of annual dominance, Rihanna set the benchmark with five number-one hits in 2017 alone—"Sex with Me," "Pose," "Wild Thoughts" (with DJ Khaled and Bryson Tiller), "Desperado," and "Love on the Brain"—marking the first time any artist achieved that many leaders in a single calendar year on the chart.[33] Earlier, Madonna matched a high-water mark for the era by securing four number-ones in 1990 with "Keep It Together," "Vogue," "Hanky Panky," and "Justify My Love," reflecting the explosive popularity of house and club remixes in the late 1980s dance scene. The 1980s overall saw elevated annual activity, with artists like Madonna and Whitney Houston frequently topping the chart multiple times per year amid the rise of extended 12-inch singles and underground club influences.[34] These streaks and yearly peaks were often amplified by strategic remix campaigns, where labels commissioned multiple DJ-specific versions to maximize club airplay and chart longevity, as seen in Perry's "Rise" reaching number one through diverse remixes in 2016. Such efforts allowed artists to sustain momentum across successive releases without interruption.[31]Rapid Success Records
The Dance Club Songs chart has highlighted several artists' rapid ascents through targeted promotional strategies and prolific output, with milestones like reaching the first 10 number-one hits serving as key indicators of breakout velocity. Madonna holds the record for the quickest accumulation of 10 number ones, achieving this feat from her debut chart-topper "Holiday"/"Lucky Star" in September 1983 to "Vogue" in April 1990, spanning approximately seven years.[4] This pace was fueled by her consistent release of remix-heavy singles tailored for club DJs, allowing her to dominate the chart early in her career with nine number ones by the end of the 1980s alone.[4] Other artists have demonstrated even quicker paths to intermediate milestones, underscoring the chart's evolution toward faster turnarounds in the 2000s. Rihanna, for instance, reached her first five number ones in just under three years, from "Pon de Replay" topping the chart on October 8, 2005, to "Take a Bow" on June 21, 2008—a timeline accelerated by Def Jam's aggressive remix campaigns that saturated club play.[35] Debut-to-number-one timelines further illustrate this acceleration; Rihanna's inaugural single "Pon de Replay" debuted and peaked at number one within months of her 2005 breakthrough, contrasting with Madonna's path, where her first chart entry "Everybody" in late 1982 peaked at number three before her initial number one the following year.[35] Major label support has been pivotal in these rapid successes, particularly through investments in high-profile remixes that align tracks with club trends and DJ preferences, enabling artists to convert mainstream hits into club staples efficiently. In comparison, earlier disco-era figures like Donna Summer experienced a more gradual buildup despite her genre-defining status; her first number one, "Love to Love You Baby," arrived in December 1975 after initial singles like "Hostage" in 1974 failed to chart significantly, reflecting a pre-remix era where success relied more on organic radio-to-club crossover over several releases. This contrast highlights how modern promotional mechanics, including remix pushes, have shortened the path to chart dominance on Dance Club Songs.[36]Song Achievements
Longest Runs at Number One
The longest runs at number one on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart measure a song's sustained dominance in club play, often reflecting enduring DJ support and genre resonance. The record is 11 weeks, tied by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes' "Bad Luck" in 1975 and Michael Jackson's "Thriller (All Cuts)" in 1983, the latter charting as a full album selection before Billboard shifted to single tracks in 1991.[37][2] Other notable extended stays include Change's "The Glow of Love (LP Cuts)" with 9 weeks in 1980 and the Bee Gees' "You Should Be Dancing" with 7 weeks in 1976, both exemplifying disco's emphasis on immersive, multi-track experiences in clubs.[38] In the 1980s and early 1990s, remixes and house tracks like CeCe Peniston's "Finally" (6 weeks in 1991) maintained similar longevity, blending ballad elements with upbeat rhythms to capture sustained airplay.[39] Pre-1980 disco entries frequently averaged 4-6 weeks at the top, driven by the era's focus on high-energy floor fillers and album-side charting. By contrast, the 2010s EDM surge shortened typical reigns to 1-3 weeks, as rapid remix cycles and diverse subgenres accelerated turnover; for instance, many of Madonna's later hits, contributing to her record 50 number-ones overall, held the peak for just one week each.[4]| Rank | Artist | Song | Weeks at #1 | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (tie) | Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes | "Bad Luck" | 11 | 1975 |
| 1 (tie) | Michael Jackson | "Thriller (All Cuts)" | 11 | 1983 |
| 3 | Change | "The Glow of Love (LP Cuts)" | 9 | 1980 |
| 4 | Bee Gees | "You Should Be Dancing" | 7 | 1976 |
| 5 (tie) | CeCe Peniston | "Finally" | 6 | 1991 |
| 5 (tie) | Donna Summer | "Hot Stuff"/"Bad Girls" | 7 | 1979 |
| 5 (tie) | C+C Music Factory feat. Freedom Williams | "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)" | 5 | 1990 |