Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Music History Today: January 11, 2023

January 11, 1992: Nirvana's Nevermind album hit Number 1 in America, and their single, "Smells Like Teen Spirit," peaked at Number 6 on Billboard. The band also made their first television appearance on Saturday Night Live.

Nirvana's Nevermind album
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January 11, 1964: Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash became the first country album to top the US pop album chart. Also, on this day, Billboard published its first Country and Western Albums chart. Ring of Fire tops it as well. 

Johnny Cash 1965
Johnny Cash 1965


January 11, 1975: The British soul group Sweet Sensation's "Sad Sweet Dreamer" debuted at Number 90 on Billboard. It became their first hit, reaching Number 14 in the US. It topped the UK Singles Chart for one week in October 1974. 


January 11, 1986: The Pet Shop Boys scored their first UK Number 1 single with "West End Girls."
"West End Girls" is a song about a journey through the club scene in London.

Pet Shop Boys  "West End Girls" cover art

The glamorous West End is where the action was, contrasting with the rougher East End. There are a number of themes running through the lyrics, but a key idea is nightlife escape, the same thing Earth, Wind & Fire sing about in "Boogie Wonderland." 
Read more: Songfacts

January 11, 1992: American record producers, songwriters, and remixers Robert Clivillés & David Cole entered Billboard's Hot 100 with a dance cover of "Pride (In the Name of Love)." It peaked at 54 in the US. In the UK Singles chart, it made it to Number 15.


Smells Like Teen Spirit
Nirvana on SNL

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