Tonight’s debate topic is inspired by this famed, disco-era cover of Dynamite Magazine. But instead of exploring “Who’s the Greatest?,” this thread will examine “Who Had the Greatest Year in Chart History?” Our top 2 contenders: The ‘64 Beatles and the ‘78 Bee Gees.

I’ll look at the similarities in their peak years, then break down arguments for each. All the while considering other options that include ‘56 Elvis, ‘67 Monkees, ‘70 Jackson 5, ‘75 Elton, ‘83 Michael Jackson, and ‘84 Prince.

First, we’ll start with some similarities: Both acts had the number one albums for their respective years. Not only that, but at the time, each album instantly vaulted into the spot as Best Selling Album of All Time at that moment.

Both bands replaced themselves at the top of the Hot 100 singles chart.

Both had a hand in the top two songs of the year.

And now, on to the debate:

In 1964, The Beatles had 7 number one singles.

Six as performers. One they wrote for Peter & Gordon.

In 1978, The Bee Gees had 8 number one singles.

But only 3 as performers. And 5 they (or Barry) wrote for Yvonne Elliman, Samantha Sang, Frankie Valli, and Andy Gibb.

PS, this will comprise the “issue” throughout. What counts more, Beatles as Performers or Bee Gees as Writers

At one point in ‘64, the Beatles held the top spot for 14 consecutive weeks.

At one point in ‘78, the Bee Gees held the top spot for 15 weeks, IF we include songs written by them & performed by others.

As an aside, let’s not forget that one week the Beatles held the TOP FIVE singles on the Hot 100. A feat that’s never been duplicated.

In the first 35 weeks of 1978, the Bee Gees held number one on the singles’ chart for 25 weeks.

Over a 28 week stretch of 1964, the Beatles were number one for 18 weeks.

What else?

Beatles had 4 out of 6 number ones.

Bee Gees had 5 out of 6 number ones in a row, as writers.

3 of 5 as performers.

But Bee Gees also had 3 songs on Billboard’s All Time Top 100.

Beatles had one from 1964. And also Hey Jude from ‘68.

I know that’s a lot to process. So I’ll take a short break to consider others who had historically standout years.

Then I’ll let you all debate, while I go pick up turkey burgers.

Probably the strongest case not already made is ‘56 Elvis Presley. But it predates me, so I have no emotion attached to it.

Elvis had Top 2 songs of the year.

3 of top 8.

And 5 of the top 15.

The Monkees of 1967 are the only act ever with 4 number one albums in a single calendar year.

Michael Jackson in ‘83. Biggest selling album of all time. Plus, two number one singles that both finished in the top 5 for the year.

In 1970, the Jackson 5 vaulted into our consciousness with FOUR number one singles in one year.

Prince had the best selling album and single of 1984. Two number one songs and a number two.

To borrow a phrase from the great Chris Molanphy of Slate, Elton John’s “Imperial Period” really spanned more ‘74 to ‘75 than one massive year.

But in ‘75, he did have the best selling album of the year + 7th best selling album. Also, 3rd highest ranked single and 3 number ones

Katy Perry had 5 straight number ones, I believe, stretching from 2010 to 2011. Three in ‘10 and 2 more the following year.

Okay friends, those are all the stats I’ve got. Must feed my family. Feel free to discuss in my absence. But preferably don’t discuss me.

Ultimately, I’d say it was pretty miraculous that The Bee Gees (or just Barry in a few cases) wrote 8 of the top 19 songs of 1978. Spanning five different artists. And this is 11 years after The Bee Gees first charted on our shores. That is dialed in to America’s tastes.

But there’s a reason that Beatlemania remains the gold standard for single year pop hysterias. The Beatles had 5 of the top 16 songs of 1964, including the top two. All as writers AND artists. Plus over 80 million Americans watched their debut on Ed Sullivan. Amazing.

And how about props to Dynamite Magazine. One of the great covers ever. But more so, even though this felt like a silly question when this issue came out in 1978, they very presciently pin-pointed the two greatest years in Billboard chart history. Mazel Tov!

Obviously, I’m thrilled that anyone is participating in this discussion. But just a reminder that the question we’re supposedly debating isn’t who’s better, but who had the single greatest chart year?