This Day in Top 40 History: September 22
On Sept. 22, 2012, Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” spent its third consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. This song, the lead…
On Sept. 22, 2012, Taylor Swift's "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" spent its third consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. This song, the lead single from her fourth album, Red, also spent a record nine weeks at the top of the Top Country Songs chart and marked Swift's successful crossover from her country roots into mainstream pop. Keep reading for more Top 40 history from Sept. 22.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Charting successes on Sept. 22 included:
- 1998: The Goo Goo Dolls launched their sixth studio effort, Dizzy Up the Girl. This record peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard 200. It also spawned four Top 40 singles on Billboard's Hot 100, including “Iris” and “Slide.”
- 2007: The enduring club classic "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. This song remains a staple at weddings, school dances, and other celebratory events.
- 2017: Following his split with Ryan Lewis, Macklemore issued GEMINI, which featured guest appearances from Offset, Lil Yachty, Skylar Grey, King Draino, and more. It reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and spent a week at No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart.
- 2017: Fergie's sophomore studio album, Double Dutchess, was released. It stalled at No. 19 on the Billboard 200 and delivered a couple of U.S. Top 40 singles, including “L.A.LOVE (la la).” Some of the guests featured on this set were Nicki Minaj and Rick Ross.
- 2018: "In My Feelings" by Drake spent its 10th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single was from his fifth studio album, Scorpion.
- 2020: Fleet Foxes dropped their fourth studio LP, Shore, featuring “Going-to-the-Sun Road,” “A Long Way Past The Past,” and “Can I Believe You.” This album peaked at No. 5 on the U.K. Official Albums Chart and No. 28 on the U.S. Billboard 200.
Cultural Milestones
The music industry saw several impactful events on Sept. 22 in years gone by:
- 1958: Joan Marie Larkin, known professionally as Joan Jett, was born. Her band, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, found success with their chart-topping song "I Love Rock 'N Roll."
- 1958: Andrea Bocelli was born in Lajatico, Italy. His 2018 record, Si, spent a week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Besides, Bocelli has scored more Top 40 albums in the U.S., including Passione, Amore, and My Christmas.
- 1970: Michael Lawrence Tyler, better known as Mystikal, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. The three-time GRAMMY nominee has several Top 40 singles, including “Danger (Been So Long),” which reached No. 14 on the Hot 100, and “Stutter,” his chart-topping collaboration with Joe.
- 1994: Friends debuted on TV, and the theme song by The Rembrandts became forever ingrained in public memory.
- 2002: The 54th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards took place in Los Angeles, California. Sting, known for hits such as “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free” and “We'll Be Together,” won the award for the documentary Sting in Tuscany: All This Time.
Notable Recordings and Performances
These live performances from Sept. 22 highlight the diverse talent and influence found in contemporary pop music:
- 1972: David Bowie launched the North American leg of his iconic Ziggy Stardust Tour at the Cleveland Music Hall in Ohio. This was Bowie's first-ever live performance in the United States during the Ziggy Stardust era, and the tour's unique theatrical elements and press coverage helped establish him as a superstar in the country.
- 1990: Nirvana played a large concert at the Motorsports International Garage in Seattle, Washington. It was the band's only show with Dan Peters on the drums, as Dave Grohl successfully auditioned for the role of drummer just a few days later.
- 1992: Bruce Springsteen appeared on MTV Unplugged, but he only played one acoustic song, the previously unreleased "Red Headed Woman." The show was marketed as MTV Plugged to accommodate his artistic decision.
- 2013: Rihanna graced The Padang in Singapore and played a 23-song setlist featuring “Hate That I Love You,” “Don't Stop the Music,” and “Phresh Out of the Runway.” She was on the Diamonds World Tour, which supported her chart-topping 2012 album, Unapologetic.
- 2019: While on her Cry Pretty Tour 360, Carrie Underwood performed at the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana. Among the songs on her setlist were “Good Girl,” “Last Name,” and “Cowboy Casanova.”
- 2019: Post Malone took the Runaway Tour, which promoted his No. 1 record Hollywood's Bleeding, to Downtown Las Vegas Fremont Street in Nevada. During this show, he sang 19 songs, including “Circles,” “Better Now,” and “Take What You Want.”
Industry Changes and Challenges
Top 40 industry changes and challenges from September 22 include:
- 1989: Irving Berlin died in New York at 101. Born Israel Beilin, he is credited with penning “God Bless America,” a patriotic anthem that has been covered by Top 40 artists such as Kate Smith and “My Heart Will Go On” singer Celine Dion.
- 1999: At Heathrow Airport in London, England, Diana Ross was taken into custody after allegedly assaulting a female airport security officer. The “Upside Down” singer was arrested again a few years later, in 2002, on charges of driving under the influence.
Sept. 22 is packed with memorable Top 40 moments — and you probably have the Friends theme song stuck in your head right now.
Dawn Palmer-QuaifeWriter
