As the live shows for Season 12 of American Idol continue, Billboard magazine takes a look back at the show's success by releasing a chart with Idol's top 100 hits.
Kelly Clarkson's "Since You Been Gone" took the No. 1 spot on the chart. The Season 1 winner remains one of Idol's bestselling artists. She dominates the list with six songs in the top 10 and is considered the bestselling Idol internationally.
"You look at the number of albums sold the number of singles she's charted and even the number of number 1s she has had without question Kelly Clarkson is the American Idol," says Ralphie Aversa, the host of The Ralphi Show on 95.5/PLJ.
Then there's Idol's other chart-topper from Season 4: country star Carrie Underwood. She is the bestselling Idol in the U.S. and has more songs on the Idol 100 than anyone, with 20 songs.
So who managed to break Kelly Clarkson's top-5 hot streak? It was Jordin Sparks. Her 2008 hit "No Air" came in at No. 3.
Out of the Billboard's top 20 there were only six singles recorded by male contestants, and only two by male winners.
2012 winner Phillip Phillips earned the No. 6 spot with his song "Home."
"Phillip has been the most successful Idol not just of those 5 guys but in recent memory," Ralphi says. "With his track 'Home' that really isn't just a hit single. 'Home' really became an anthem… Olympics turned to Sandy as well."
But the success of Idol is bigger than Clarkson and Underwood. The franchise has produced 379 No. 1 songs to date.
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