The
Adult Contemporary chart is published weekly by
Billboard magazine and lists the most popular songs on
adult contemporary radio stations in the United States. The chart is compiled based on airplay data submitted to
Billboard by stations that are members of the Adult Contemporary radio panel. The chart debuted in
Billboard magazine on July 17, 1961. Over the years, the chart has gone under a series of name changes, being called
Easy Listening (1961–1962; 1965–1979),
Middle-Road Singles (1962–1964),
Pop-Standard Singles (1964–1965),
Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks (1979–1982) and
Adult Contemporary (1983–present).