On This Day: The Irish Charts Were Born
On This Day: The Irish Charts Were Born
Words: Rachel Hannon
On October 1st, 1962, RTÉ broadcaster Jimmy Magee announced the very first Official Irish Charts, a Top 10 that set the foundation for how Ireland measures its most popular hits. The very first No. 1 in Ireland? Elvis Presley’s ‘She’s Not You’, which held the top spot for four weeks. Two years later, Cilla Black became the first woman to claim No. 1 with ‘Anyone Who Had a Heart.’ And while the charts may not hold the same cultural weight they once did, their influence on shaping the music industry is undeniable.
In the early years, the charts weren’t based on fan purchases, but on the number of records that labels shipped to shops. For a stint between 1975 and 1977, the Evening Herald even ran a readers’ vote that briefly shaped the rankings. It wasn’t until 1992 that things levelled up: Gallup installed barcode scanners in record shops nationwide, finally making the charts reflect actual sales. From 1996, Chart-Track took over from Gallup, and this system continued compiled consumer sales.
The longest reigning No. 1 on the Irish chart is Bill Whelan’s ‘Riverdance‘, which spent an unmatched 18 weeks on the top position. Close behind on 15 weeks is ‘Decpacito (Remix)’ from Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber. In 2023, Jazzy became the first Irish woman in 14 years to to reach a homegrown No. 1 with ‘Giving Me’.
Today, streams sit alongside sales, and the rules set by IRMA (Irish Record Music Association) aim to keep the charts honest and reflective. Over six decades from that first RTÉ countdown, the way we listen to music has transformed. But the Irish Charts continue to offer a snapshot in time.
Find out more: here.
