This Day in Top 40 History: September 10
On Sept. 10, 2022, Harry Styles notched a 13th week at No. 1 with his single “As It Was” from his third album, Harry’s House. The synth-pop tune was named…
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On Sept. 10, 2022, Harry Styles notched a 13th week at No. 1 with his single "As It Was" from his third album, Harry's House. The synth-pop tune was named Song of the Summer and was the longest-running No. 1 single in the U.S. by a U.K. artist. Continue reading for more Top 40 history from Sept. 10.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
These chart-topping hits defined generations:
- 1988: Guns N' Roses reached the top of the charts with their song "Sweet Child O' Mine" and stayed there for two weeks. Multiple pieces of media, including "Step Brothers," have featured the song and its opening riff.
- 1991: The music industry changed when Nirvana released their debut single, "Smells Like Teen Spirit," from their album Nevermind. The song gained traction when MTV began playing the accompanying music video regularly.
- 2011: Maroon 5 got a second wind after their single "Moves Like Jagger," featuring Christina Aguilera, rose to No. 1. The song was the first of several hit singles that defined the sound of the 2010s.
Cultural Milestones
Music and culture will always find a way to coexist:
- 1990: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air premiered on NBC. It ran for six seasons and starred the young rapper, Will Smith, who performed the show's iconic opening number.
- 2010: Rihanna released "Only Girl (In the World)" as the lead single for her album Loud. She released the song as a digital download before it went to radio stations around the country.
- 2020: After a summer of protests and racial tension, Alicia Keys performed "Lift Every Voice and Sing" at the NFL Kickoff event. The song is widely regarded as the Black National Anthem.
Notable Recordings and Performances
These live performances were all memorable in their own way:
- 2001: Michael Jackson held the second of his 30th anniversary celebration concerts at Madison Square Garden. The show featured guest appearances by Gladys Knight, Usher, and others.
- 2022: Harry Styles made his 12th appearance at Madison Square Garden as part of his 15-show Love On Tour. The setlist featured songs from "Harry's House," "Fine Line," and "Harry Styles."
Industry Changes and Challenges
The music industry is an interesting world, but it has its challenges:
- 1995: Cyndi Lauper won an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series. She appeared as a guest on Mad About You.
- 2009: In England, John Fellas bought Bob Dylan's harmonica at auction for £2,700, approximately $5,200. Dylan had signed and dedicated the case in 1974 when he gifted it to a wardrobe assistant.
This day saw the release of three iconic songs from different genres, demonstrating how the Top 40 fluctuates in sync with the industry.
Megan ZahndWriter
