Longest span for a single to reach the Top 10 in the USA

“Jingle Bell Rock” by Robert “Bobby” Helms (USA, 1933–97) first charted on the Billboard Hot 100 on 22 December 1958, but the festive favourite didn’t reach the Top 10 until 5 January 2019 – 60 years 14 days later – when it climbed from No.13 to No.8.

The Hot 100 was inaugurated on 4 August 1958, but Helms did have US hits previously, including “Jingle Bell Rock”, which peaked at No.6 in 1957. In that year, Billboard published four charts: Best Sellers in Stores, Most Played by Jockeys, Most Played in Jukeboxes and Top 100, an early version of the Hot 100.

“Jingle Bell Rock” debuted at No.57 on the chart dated 22 December 1958, climbing to a peak position of No.35 the following week. At No.1 both weeks was “The Chipmunk Song”, by The Chipmunks with David Seville, the most successful holiday hit in the history of the Hot 100.