Why this year’s Hottest 100 will make history

The Hottest 100 countdown is on — and this year the Triple J listener poll is set to make history. Here’s everything you need to know.

Radio station Triple J’s Hottest 100 is a countdown as iconic to Aussies as Bunnings’ snags and the Boxing Day test match – and this year’s countdown is set to make history.

Last week, Triple J revealed there were only a few hundred votes between pole position and second place, and Denzel Curry’s Bulls on Parade Like A Version cover, Billie Eilish’s bad guy and Tones and I’s Dance Monkey are all in the running for the top spot.

If any of the three take out number one, history will be made: a solo female artist has never won the countdown before, and neither has a Like A Version.

If you didn’t cast your votes for your top 10 favourite songs, you’ll have to wait and see if they made the Hottest 100, as voting for the countdown has now closed.

Here’s everything you need to know.

RELATED: Live coverage of Hottest 100

WHAT TIME THE COUNTDOWN STARTS

The countdown started at noon today.

While the radio station hasn’t released an official end time, the broadcast usually runs for six or seven hours, so make sure you’ve got plenty of food and drink close at hand before settling in.

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“Dance Monkey” singer Tones and I is a strong contender for the top spot in 2019’s countdown. Picture: AAP Image/Brendon Thorne

HOW TO LISTEN

The good news is, you don’t have be in Australia to listen to the broadcast.

For those at home, you can tune in by radio (check the ABC frequency finder here to find triple j).

And if you’re overseas or on the move, you can enjoy the tunes via the triple j mobile app (available iPhone and Android).

You can also listen live via triple j’s website.

WHEN DID HOTTEST 100 START

The Hottest 100 began in 1988, created by triple j producer Lawrie Zion.

According to the ABC, Zion wanted to create a listener poll to determine their 100 favourite songs of all time, inspired by polls run by Rolling Stone magazine.

Through to 1991, the Hottest 100 were votes on ‘all time’ favourite songs.

From 1993, the poll took on the form we now know and love, with listeners voting for their favourite songs of the year.

Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart” was the first ever Hottest 100 winner. Picture: Supplied