BBC News Online: Entertainment: Music

Beatles top US 2001 chart

The Beatles at the BBC, shortly before a tour of Italy

A collection of the band's 27 US number one singles occupied the music trade magazine's top slot for eight weeks in 2001.

The magazine describes the Beatles' taking pole position as a "stunning fact", and "the biggest shock of the chart year 2001".

The number two album is Shaggy's Hot Shot - whose single It Wasn't Me heads the UK chart for 2001.

In 1964, the Beatles' first album, Meet the Beatles - called With the Beatles in the UK - was the number eight album of the year.

The bestseller that year was Louis Armstrong's Hello, Dolly!

In 1965, the Beatles had their highest year-end ranking until now, when Beatles '65 - a US-only release - came second.

Another US-exclusive album, Beatles VI, came in 10th.

In 1966, two of the band's finest albums made the top 10.

Rubber Soul came in at number four, and Revolver was number eight.

In 1967, the revolutionary Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was number 10 in the annual chart.

The same album was sixth in 1968, the year that saw Magical Mystery Tour at number four.

In 1969, the double album called The Beatles, popularly known as The White Album, was number eight.

In 1970, Abbey Road was number four and Let It Be number 31.

Twenty-five years later, in 1995, Live at the BBC was number 46.

Anthology I put them at number eight in 1996 as Anthology II came in at number 39.

In 1997, Anthology III reached 107.