Music History Today: January 29, 2023

January 29, 1986: The movie Pretty in Pink premiered at Mann's Chinese Theatre.

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As with previous films by John Hughes, Pretty in Pink featured a soundtrack composed mostly of new wave music. The title song by the Psychedelic Furs acted as inspiration for the film. It was re-recorded specifically for the film's opening sequence. 

Read more: Wikipedia

January 29, 1966: Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels topped out at Number 10 in the US with "Jenny Take a Ride."

Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels  racked up five Top 30 singles between January 1966 and May 1967.  The group's trademark sound scored significant chart hits with "Jenny Take a Ride," "Devil with a Blue Dress On/Good Golly Miss Molly," and "Sock It to Me, Baby!" before Ryder was lured away for a solo career.  

Read more: Allmusic

January 29, 1977: Rose Royce's theme song to the movie "Car Wash" hit Number 1 on Billboard's Hot 100. The soundtrack album went gold, and this track won the 1976 Grammy Award for Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture.

January 29, 1994: Their second week on Billboard's chart, Salt N' Pepa moved into the top 40 section, from Number 69 to 22, with "Whatta Man." It peaked at Number 3.

"Whatta Man" is based on a 1968 song called "What A Man" by the soul singer Linda Lyndell. They collaborated with En Vogue. The girls got to pick their fantasy men to appear with them in the video. Salt's man is Tupac Shakur. The clip won MTV Video Music Awards for Best Dance Video, Best R&B Video, and Best Choreography. 

Read more: Songfacts

January 29, 2000: Sisqó debuted on Billboard's Hot 100 with "Thong Song." It reached Number 3.

Sisqó was a member of the '90s R&B group Dru Hill, known more for their smooth sounds than their club beats. He created this jam that combined his soulful vocals and distinctive look with a pumping beat. With lots of airplay on MTV, the song picked up speed as the network promoted it on their spring break coverage. 

Read more: Songfacts

Pretty in Pink
Psychedelic Furs