How many people can say that they’ve dedicated, what one can only assume to be, hours collating entire spreadsheets on Hottest 100 stats? Not many, but Hottest 100 super fan Patrick Avanell has spent quite a bit of time collecting data on the infamous annual countdown, and this year, he’s been spitting some straight facts via his Twitter.
The Sydney writer, journalist and broadcaster is arguably THE foremost authority on triple j‘s Hottest 100, and if you’re a huge music trivia nerd like me, then you’re in for a bloody treat.
If you want to keep up with the countdown, Music Feeds is covering each track as they’re being announced.
Let’s kick things off with some info on the #100 slot.
A quick note about #100:
Cat Empire has twice landed at #100 (The Chariot in 2003 and Party Started in 2005).
Both of Ian Kenny's bands came #100 (We Are by Karnivool in 2013 and Brace by Birds of Tokyo in 2016).
Powderfinger and Ocean Alley were #100 in the years they won.
— Patrick Avenelllllllllll (@Patrickavenell) January 23, 2021
He’s also given some insight as to why you should always tune in from the start!
Make sure you're tuned in from the start because the last four Hottest 100 winners (Flume, Kendick Lamar, Ocean Alley and Billie Eilish) also scored tracks in the 90s. We should know within in the hour who is going to win this thing (maybe)!
— Patrick Avenelllllllllll (@Patrickavenell) January 23, 2021
He’s given us stats on things like which artists have had consecutive Hottest 100 appearances – more specifically how DMA‘s and Peking Duk are on track to catch up to The Living End‘s decade long streak of appearing in the countdown.
Hoo boy! Peking Duk are in seventh heaven! Matching DMAs and keeping their consecutive countdown run going! It's seven in a row for Peking Duk and DMAs, and both will continue chasing down Living End next year! pic.twitter.com/NRuQDgR2sY
— Patrick Avenelllllllllll (@Patrickavenell) January 23, 2021
He’s even put our eyes to some more niche highlights, letting us in on which animal has been the most successful in the countdown.
As it stands, Wombats have 14 Hottest 100 entries, making them the most successful animal in countdown history! Arctic Monkeys and Tame Impala both have 13 entries, Wolfmother and Birds Of Tokyo have 11.
— Patrick Avenelllllllllll (@Patrickavenell) January 23, 2021
Joji‘s Run coming in at #62 adds to an ever-growing lists of tracks that share the same title – one that is officially the most common title in Hottest 100 history.
Run is the most common song title in Hottest 100 history! Joji's is the sixth entrant named Run!
#92 Run — George (2001)
#77 Run — Snow Patrol (2004)
#71 Run — Cog (2005)
#33 Run — San Cisco (2014)
#59 Run — Alison Wonderland (2015)
#62 Run — Joji (2020)— Patrick Avenelllllllllll (@Patrickavenell) January 23, 2021
Billie Eilish continues to rack up the Hottest 100 milestones. And manages to avoid one too.
Billie Eilish has now racked up 11 Hottest 100 tracks in just four years! She has now overtaken Lorde has the most successful solo female artist in Hottest 100 history (though Florence Welch has 14 entries across her various projects).
— Patrick Avenelllllllllll (@Patrickavenell) January 23, 2021
Look it was never in doubt but Billie coming in at #90 means she will not join Denis Leary, Bernard Fanning and Augie March as the only winners never to chart again.
— Patrick Avenelllllllllll (@Patrickavenell) January 23, 2021
As of 2020, there are officially two (2!!!!) chicken-themed tracks that have made the countdown.
#84 Chicken Tenders by Dom Fike joins #33 Chicken Payback by Bees as the only two chicken-themed (at least by title) tracks in Hottest 100 history. Can Hot Chicken by Ocean Alley make it number three????
— Patrick Avenelllllllllll (@Patrickavenell) January 23, 2021
Illy‘s now on par with Green Day, The Wombats and Arctic Monkeys for 13 entries into the countdown.
Illy's 13 Hottest 100 hits (2009-2020):
66 Pictures
29 It Can Wait
35 Cigarettes
76 Heard It All
66 Ausmusic Month Medley (Like A Version)
77 Youngbloods
17 Tightrope
39 Swear Jar
7 Papercuts
23 Catch-22
10 Exit Sign
68 Then What
95 Loose Ends— Patrick Avenelllllllllll (@Patrickavenell) January 23, 2021
Since the countdown’s first year in 1989, the music landscape has truly evolved.
Hilltop Hoods looking to equal the all-time record; Flume v Kanye for most successful solo artist and Tame Impala looking to go clear of Wombats and Arctic Monkeys for successful animal.
— Patrick Avenelllllllllll (@Patrickavenell) January 23, 2021
And to top it all off, some insight on Tame Impala‘s Breathe Deeper cracking #33. I’m sure this is not the last we’ll see of Kevin Parker in this countdown.
If you're experiencing deja vu…
Tame Impala also came in at #33 in 2010 with Solitude Is Bliss. A decade's difference is no difference for the gentle gazelle.
— Patrick Avenelllllllllll (@Patrickavenell) January 23, 2021
His Twitter is literally an encyclopaedia of Hottest 100 insights, and he’s live tweeting as the countdown progresses. Check it out here.
Keep up with who’s cracking the Hottest 100 of 2020 countdown with us live, right here on Music Feeds.
UPDATE 23/01/21, 8.00pm (AEDT): Here’s The Winner Of Triple J’s Hottest 100 Of 2020
