Billboard Dance Charts 2009: The Year's Top Club Hits
The landscape of electronic and dance music in 2009 was captured through the meticulous tracking of Billboard magazine. By monitoring three distinct metrics—club play, retail sales, and radio airplay—Billboard provided a comprehensive view of what was driving the dance floor across the United States.
The Architecture of the Dance Charts
To understand the success of 2009's hits, it is essential to look at the three primary charts used to measure performance:
- Hot Dance Club Play: Established in 1976, this chart ranks the most-played singles in dance clubs based on reports from a national sample of club DJs.
- Hot Dance Singles Sales: Launched in 1985, this chart tracks the best-selling dance singles based on retail sales throughout the U.S.
- Hot Dance Airplay: Introduced in 2003, this chart ranks singles based on airplay detections on dance-specific radio stations.
Chart-Topping Hits of 2009
The year began with the American pop group The Pussycat Dolls claiming the first number-one spot of the year with "I Hate This Part," which held the top position for two consecutive weeks.
Other notable artists who secured a number-one position during the year include The Killers with "Human," Donna Summer with "Fame (The Game)," LeAnn Rimes with "What I Cannot Change," Shontelle with "T-Shirt," and Lily Allen with "The Fear."
Mariah Carey continued her chart dominance, securing her fourteenth and fifteenth number-one singles. These were "I Stay in Love" from her 2008 album E=MC² and "Obsessed" from her 2009 album Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel.
Dominant Artists and Powerhouses
French DJ David Guetta emerged as a major force in 2009, topping the Dance Club chart twice. His collaborations included "Sexy Bitch" with Akon and "When Love Takes Over" with Kelly Rowland. The latter spent two consecutive weeks at the top and was ultimately ranked as the number one song on the 2009 Hot Dance Club Songs year-end chart.
Consistency was key for The Pussycat Dolls and Kristine W, both of whom achieved three number-one singles. The Pussycat Dolls reached the top with "I Hate This Part," "Bottle Pop" (featuring Snoop Dogg), and "Hush Hush" (featuring Nicole Scherzinger). Kristine W secured her wins with "Never," "Love Is the Look," and "Be Alright."
The most successful artists of the year were Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, the only two performers to achieve at least four number-one songs on the chart.
Beyoncé's streak was fueled by her album I Am... Sasha Fierce, with the hits "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," "Diva," "Halo," and "Sweet Dreams."
Lady Gaga matched this feat with four number-one singles of her own: "Poker Face," "LoveGame," "Paparazzi," and "Bad Romance."
Key Facts
- Top Year-End Song: "When Love Takes Over" by David Guetta and Kelly Rowland.
- Most Number Ones: Beyoncé and Lady Gaga (4 each).
- Three-Time Toppers: The Pussycat Dolls and Kristine W.
- Chart History: Hot Dance Club Play is the oldest of the three charts, dating back to 1976.
| Artist | Number of #1 Singles | Notable Tracks |
|---|---|---|
| Beyoncé | 4 | Single Ladies, Diva, Halo, Sweet Dreams |
| Lady Gaga | 4 | Poker Face, LoveGame, Paparazzi, Bad Romance |
| The Pussycat Dolls | 3 | I Hate This Part, Bottle Pop, Hush Hush |
| Kristine W | 3 | Never, Love Is the Look, Be Alright |
| David Guetta | 2 | Sexy Bitch, When Love Takes Over |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which song was the top dance club song of the entire year in 2009?
"When Love Takes Over," a collaboration between David Guetta and Kelly Rowland, ranked number one on the 2009 Hot Dance Club Songs year-end chart.
How did Billboard determine the Hot Dance Club Play rankings?
The rankings were based on reports provided by a national sample of club DJs regarding the most-played singles in dance clubs.
Who were the only artists to achieve four or more number-one dance songs in 2009?
Beyoncé and Lady Gaga were the only artists to reach this milestone, each securing four number-one singles.
Which Mariah Carey songs hit number one on the dance charts in 2009?
Mariah Carey achieved number ones with "I Stay in Love" (from E=MC²) and "Obsessed" (from Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel).
What is the difference between the Hot Dance Singles Sales and Hot Dance Airplay charts?
The Hot Dance Singles Sales chart tracks retail sales of singles, while the Hot Dance Airplay chart tracks how often songs are played on dance radio.