On this day in 1982: Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder started their third of SEVEN weeks at #1 on the U.S. singles chart with “Ebony and Ivory.” The song would not give up the #1 spot until July 3, 1982 when ‘Don’t You Want Me’ by The Human League would finally take over the #1 position. Even though ‘Ebony and Ivory’ spent seven weeks at #1, it would be ranked the #4 song for the year of 1982 behind ‘Physical’ by Olivia Newton John (#1), ‘Eye of the Tiger’ by Survivor (#2), and ‘I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll’ by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts (#3). ‘Ebony and Ivory’ would also be ranked the #14 song for the entire 1980s decade by Billboard Magazine. It was the lead single from McCartney’s album ‘Tug Of War.’ Written by McCartney, the song aligns the black and white keys of a piano keyboard with the theme of racial harmony.

Here’s a look at the Top 20 on the U.S. singles chart from this day back in1982:

1 1 EBONY AND IVORY –•– Paul McCartney with Stevie Wonder (Columbia)-8 (3 weeks at #1) (1)
2 2 DON’T TALK TO STRANGERS –•– Rick Springfield (RCA)-13 (2)
3 3 I’VE NEVER BEEN TO ME –•– Charlene (Duncan) (Motown)-16 (3)
4 4 867-5309/JENNY –•– Tommy Tutone (Columbia)-19 (4)
5 5 THE OTHER WOMAN –•– Ray Parker, Jr. (Arista)-11 (5)
6 6 ’65 LOVE AFFAIR –•– Paul Davis (Arista)-14 (6)
7 8 DON’T YOU WANT ME –•– The Human League (A&M)-13 (7)
8 11 ALWAYS ON MY MIND –•– Willie Nelson (Columbia)-13 (8)
9 9 DID IT IN A MINUTE –•– Daryl Hall and John Oates (RCA)-11 (9)
10 10 GET DOWN ON IT –•– Kool and the Gang (De-Lite)-14 (10)

11 13 HEAT OF THE MOMENT –•– Asia (Geffen)-7 (11)
12 7 CHARIOTS OF FIRE – TITLES –•– Vangelis (Polydor)-25 (1)
13 15 EMPTY GARDEN (Hey Hey Johnny) –•– Elton John (Geffen)-11 (13)
14 16 MAN ON YOUR MIND –•– Little River Band (Capitol)-9 (14)
15 18 IT’S GONNA TAKE A MIRACLE –•– Deniece Williams (ARC)-9 (15)
16 20 ROSANNA –•– Toto (Columbia)-7 (16)
17 21 CRIMSON AND CLOVER –•– Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (Boardwalk)-5 (17)
18 19 RUN FOR THE ROSES –•– Dan Fogelberg (Full Moon / Epic)-9 (18)
19 22 MAKING LOVE –•– Roberta Flack (Atlantic)-13 (19)
20 12 THE BEATLES MOVIE MEDLEY –•– The Beatles (Capitol)-10 (12)

On this day in 1983: U.S. boy band (which included Bobby Brown), New Edition were at #1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Candy Girl’. Songwriter & producer Maurice Starr discovered New Edition performing at a local talent show. Starr went on to produce and write for New Kids On The Block.