Music History Today: January 28, 2022

January 28, 2007: Dreamgirls: Music from the Motion Picture was Number 1 on the U.S. album chart.

"Dreamgirls" is a musical about The Dreamettes, who climb the ladder of success before their leader Effie White (Jennifer Hudson) is kicked to the curb by the group's manager Curtis Taylor, Jr. (Jamie Foxx). 

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However, it becomes clear that Effie's replacement Deena Jones (Beyonce Knowles) is no match for Jennifer Hudson in the singing or charisma departments. Hudson owns the movie with her magnetic presence and go-tell-it-on-the-mountain voice.  

Read more: Cole Smithey

January 28, 1969: The Beatles recorded "Don't Let Me Down" featuring Billy Preston.

Of all the revelations on the Beatles’ new Let It Be box set, the biggest is the song that didn’t even make the original album. “Don’t Let Me Down” is John Lennon’s raw love ballad to Yoko Ono, much like “Two of Us,” Paul McCartney’s song for Linda. John sounds terrified of the emotional leaps he’s taking, but he leans on the other Beatles to back him up and carry him through the song. 

Read more: Rolling Stones

January 28, 1967: "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye" by The Casinos made a huge move, from Number 69 to 36, onto the American Top 40 chart.

"Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye" is a song written by John D. Loudermilk. It was first released in 1962 by Don Cherry, as a country song and again as a doo-wop in 1967 by the group The Casinos on its album of the same name. 

Read more: Wikipedia

January 28, 1978: Jay Ferguson moved into the American Top 40 with "Thunder Island."

Previously the singer for rock bands Spirit and Jo Jo Gunne, Jay Ferguson had gone the pop route by the time of his second solo album, Thunder Island. Recorded in Miami with Joe Walsh guesting on many tracks, he hit a home run with the title track mega-hit. A sun-drenched summer anthem, it would be the biggest song of Ferguson's career and later turn up on '70s compilations. 

Read more: Allmusic

January 28, 1984: The Romantics peaked at Number 3 on the US music chart with "Talking in Your Sleep."

"Talking In Your Sleep" is the biggest hit of The Romantics' career. In fact, it's their only Top-10 hit. 

The Romantics

In the UK, The Romantics' version didn't chart, so "Talking In Your Sleep" was covered by the band Bucks Fizz. While unheard-of in the US, they took it to #15 on the UK Singles chart, beating The Romantics with their own song. 

Read more: Songfacts

And I Am Telling
You I'm Not Going
Jennifer Hudson