Only 7 Live Songs Have Hit No.1 on the Hot 100 – Here they Are
Most of the songs you hear on the radio or the ones that top the charts like the Billboard Hot 100 are polished studio recordings. But every once in a while, a live recording captures lightning in a bottle and becomes a big hit.
Out of the 1,000+ No.1 singles in Hot 100 history, only seven have been live recordings. That’s even rarer than live albums that reached No.1 (18 chart-toppers). Here are the seven live songs that made history.
7 Live Number One Singles
1. “Fingertips” – Little Stevie Wonder
Reached No.1: August 10, 1963 | Weeks at No.1: 3
Recorded at the Regal Theater in Chicago during the Motortown Revue tour, “Fingertips” captured captured the brilliance of 12-year-old Stevie Wonder who also became the youngest artist to ever top the Billboard Hot 100. It was also the first live recording to reach No.1 on the chart.
Apart from his incredible vocal range, the live version also showed off his skills on the harmonica and bongos, leaving both the crowd and every listener in awe. The song helped launch Wonder into superstardom. Not bad for a middle schooler.
2. “My Ding-a-Ling” – Chuck Berry
Reached No.1: October 21, 1972 | Weeks at No.1: 2
Chuck Berry‘s only No.1 hit on the Pop chart was this cheeky live track, recorded during a concert live at Coventry’s Lanchester Arts Festival in England.
The innuendo-laced lyrics combined with Berry‘s infectious charm and signature guitar licks had the entire audience giggling, dancing and chant along which undoubtedly helped make “My Ding-a-Ling” one of the most unexpected chart-toppers in rock history.
3. “Coming Up” – Paul McCartney and Wings
Reached No.1: June 28, 1980 | Weeks at No.1: 3
The studio version of “Coming Up” was cool, but American audiences fell in love with McCartney‘s energy of the funky and synth-driven live version, recorded in Glasgow, Scotland during the Wings Over Europe tour.
This was Paul‘s first chart-topper in nearly a decade and even his former Beatles rival – John Lennon reportedly preferred the live version!
4. “At This Moment” – Billy Vera and the Beaters
Reached No.1: January 24, 1987 | Weeks at No.1: 2
Originally a minor 1981 R&B release, this heartfelt ballad only took off half a decade later after being featured in an emotional Family Ties episode.
The live version, recorded at the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, LA, showcased Billy Vera‘s soulful and raspy voice and the band’s studio-like performances which deeply resonated with various audiences, especially Family Ties fans. It was a surprise chart-topper but a welcome one.
5. “Mony Mony” – Billy Idol
Reached No.1: November 21, 1987 | Weeks at No.1: 1
Billy Idol‘s raucous and high-octane live cover of Tommy James & the Shondells’ hit was recorded at New York’s Pier 84 in 1987 and quickly became a party anthem.
The raw and rebellious energy of the cover along with the explicit crowd chants between verses (which radio stations had to censor), made Billy‘s version a staple at parties, stadiums and karaoke nights.
6. “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me” – George Michael and Elton John
Reached No.1: February 1, 1992 | Weeks at No.1: 1
The original 1974 version by Elton was already iconic, but the epic duet recorded at a benefit concert at Wembley Arena in London, and the chemistry between George Michael and Elton John was nothing short of magical.
The raw emotion and vocal power from both legends earned them a well-deserved No.1. It’s a prime example of how a live setting can bring a new and unique sound.
7. “I’ll Be There” – Mariah Carey
Reached No.1: June 20, 1992 | Weeks at No.1: 3
Mariah Carey’s cover of The Jackson 5 classic was recorded during her MTV Unplugged performance and became an instant sensation.
The track features Trey Lorenz on co-lead vocals, and the stripped-back arrangement showcased Mariah’s stunning voice without any studio polish. The performance was so good that Columbia Records rushed to release the live track as a single.
Sadly it has been over 30 years since Mimi topped the Hot 100 chart, and no new live track has reached the top spot ever since.
Final Thoughts
Live No.1 hits are a rare breed due to the crowd energy, raw emotion, and various other factors required to give birth to a special recording. It’s akin to catching a lighting in a bottle.
These seven tracks broke the mold and proved that live performances can not only stand toe-to-toe with studio perfection but also top the charts. In the era of polished studio tracks and streaming, a live song will hopefully once again top the charts.