On this day in 1984: The cream of the British pop world gathered at S.A.R.M. Studios, London to record the historic ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ The single, which was written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, featured Paul Young, Bono, Boy George, Sting and George Michael. It went on to sell over three million copies in the U.K, becoming the bestselling record ever, (It held this title until 1997 when it was overtaken by Elton John’s ‘Candle In the Wind 1997’, released in tribute to Princess Diana following her death) and raised over £8 million ($13.6 million) worldwide. In the U.S., the single fell short of the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 due to an initial lack of airplay, but it had sold an estimated 2.5 million copies in the U.S. by January 1985.
On this day in 1989: Milli Vanilli started a two week run at #1 on the U.S. singles chart with “Blame It On the Rain.” The song was written by Diane Warren.
“Blame It on the Rain” debuted on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 on October 7, 1989, at #65. Seven weeks later, on November 25, 1989, it reached #1, and occupied the spot for two weeks. It also spent a total of twenty-three weeks on the Hot 100. The song became Milli Vanilli’s third #1 single on the Hot 100 after “Baby Don’t Forget My Number”, and “Girl I’m Gonna Miss You.” “Blame It On the Rain” was preceded at #1 on the Hot 100 by Bad English’s “When I See You Smile” (also written by Diane Warren) and succeeded by Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire. “The song was ranked at #21 on Billboard’s Year-End Singles list for 1989, and #46 for 1990.
Here’s a look at the complete Top 20 on the U.S. singles chart from this day back in 1989:
1 2 BLAME IT ON THE RAIN –•– Milli Vanilli – 8 (1)
2 1 WHEN I SEE YOU SMILE –•– Bad English – 11 (1)
3 3 LOVE SHACK –•– The B-52’s – 13 (3)
4 4 (IT’S JUST) THE WAY THAT YOU LOVE ME –•– Paula Abdul – 15 (4)
5 6 WE DIDN’T START THE FIRE –•– Billy Joel – 7 (5)
6 7 ANGELIA –•– Richard Marx – 8 (6)
7 9 POISON –•– Alice Cooper – 10 (7)
8 10 BACK TO LIFE –•– Soul II Soul Featuring Caron Wheeler – 10 (8)
9 12 DON’T KNOW MUCH –•– Linda Ronstadt & Aaron Neville – 9 (9)
10 22 ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE –•– Phil Collins – 4 (10)
11 14 GET ON YOUR FEET –•– Gloria Estefan – 9 (11)
12 15 DON’T CLOSE YOUR EYES –•– Kix – 12 (12)
13 20 WITH EVERY BEAT OF MY HEART –•– Taylor Dayne – 6 (13)
14 5 LISTEN TO YOUR HEART –•– Roxette – 14 (1)
15 18 LEAVE A LIGHT ON –•– Belinda Carlisle – 9 (15)
16 21 LIVING IN SIN –•– Bon Jovi – 8 (16)
17 16 BUST A MOVE –•– Young M.C. – 18 (7)
18 23 DON’T SHUT ME OUT –•– Kevin Paige – 15 (18)
19 25 PUMP UP THE JAM –•– Technotronic Featuring Felly – 7 (19)
20 8 DIDN’T I (BLOW YOUR MIND) –•– New Kids On The Block – 11 (8)
