Sure, you hear music facts like these all the time. But did you know that Record Research is the original source for authoritative chart data? Our founder, Joel Whitburn, introduced the world to his reliable  research of the music charts with the publication of his first book in 1970.

Since then, Record Research has meticulously examined thousands of charts, tracking the rise and fall of every entry, and preserving everything from one-hit wonders to timeless classics.  Each book represents a decades of rigorous investigation, transforming raw numbers into meaningful music history. Along the way, Record Research helped introduce chart-research standards such as "Song and Artist Rankings," "Peak Position," and "Debut Date" into the cultural lexicon.

For more than 50 years, Joel Whitburn ensured that America’s music history wasn’t left to fading memories, but carefully documented and preserved. Today, Record Research proudly continues that legacy, expanding its reach as the definitive source for music-chart data.

From collectors and DJs to music historians and lifelong fans, Record Research has long been a trusted companion because  behind every song is a story worth keeping.

Music isn’t just data. It’s memory.

And nobody keeps those memories alive quite like Record Research.  Dive in and discover your music’s history.