Billboard is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its Hot 100 by ranking the most popular songs of the past five decades. And the No. 1 song (1958-2008) is surprise, surprise. . . “The Twist” by Chubby Checker. The Chubster, 66, was ecstatic his 1960 dance hit was recognized, comparing The Twist with the creation of the telephone as a ground-breaking moment — yeah, I always think of Alexander Graham Bell and Chubby Checker in the same sentence — as he said it was the first time people danced “apart to the beat”.

It’s an odd list, which prompted Richard Witts, of Edinburgh University music department, to say: “The Billboard Hot 100 exposes the hazards of using sales and airplay statistics of varying precision, and different periods, to indicate worth.”

Here’s the Top 20:

1. The Twist. Chubby Checker
2. Smooth, Santana feat. Rob Thomas
3. Mack The Knife, Bobby Darin
4. How Do I Live, Leann Rimes
5. Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix), Los Del Rio
6. Physical, Olivia Newton-John
7. You Light Up My Life, Debby Boone
8. Hey Jude,The Beatles
9. We Belong Together, Mariah Carey
10. Unbreak My Heart, Toni Braxton
11. Yeah!, Usher feat. Lil Jon & Ludacris
12. Bette Davis Eyes, Kim Carnes
13. Endless Love, Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
14. Tonight’s The Night (Gonna Be Alright), Rod Stewart
15. Foolish Games, Jewel
16. (Everything I Do) I Do It For You, Bryan Adams
17. I’ll Make Love To You, Boyz II Men
18. The Theme From A Summer Place, Percy Faith & His Orchestra
19. Le Freak, Chic
20. How Deep Is Your Love, Bee Gees