Music History Today: January 18, 2022

January 18, 2010: "Baby" by Justin Bieber was released as a single from the album My World 2.0.

Justin Bieber

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A 15-year-old Canadian named Justin Bieber had attracted an audience and major-label attention with his YouTube videos, but the world didn't really know until he dropped his first single. Usher knew. An ambitious promoter named Scooter Braun knew. But the world didn't know. Not yet. 

Read more: E-Online

January 18, 1960: For the next three weeks, Johnny Preston is Number 1 with "Running Bear."

Written by Jiles Perry Richardson (a.k.a. The Big Bopper), “Running Bear” tells the story of two lovers: Running Bear, a “young Indian brave” and an “Indian maid” named Little White Dove. The two are much in love, but they are separated by their respective tribes who “fought with each other” and a raging river that was too wide for Running Bear to swim. 

Read more: Country Thang Daily

January 18, 1964: This week marks the beginning of Beatlemania. They enter the Hot 100 first time at number 45 with "I Want To Hold Your Hand."

The Beatles arrive in New York

January 18, 1978: Warren Zevon released the single "Werewolves of London."

Loudon Wainwright had “Dead Skunk In The Middle of the Road.” Randy Newman had “Short People.”

Kurt Cobain felt “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” was an obvious Pixies rip-off. R.E.M. wrote “Stand” just to have fun writing what they felt was their most stupid song ever. And it became one of their biggest hits. And Warren Zevon had his werewolf, with perfect hair, in London. 

Read more: American Songwriter

January 18, 2000: "Kryptonite" by 3 Doors Down was released as a single from the album The Better Life.

In the summer of 2019, Brad Arnold looked out into the crowd and noticed a bunch of kids, hands up in the air, singing along to “Kryptonite,” a song released nearly 20 years earlier—when these younger concertgoers were likely not even born—on 3 Doors Down’s debut The Better Life in 2000. 

Read more: American Songwriter

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Justin Bieber