This Day in Music

On this day in music, January 6, 1973, Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” (featuring Mick Jagger on backing vocals and a bass intro by Klaus Voormann), began a three-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. The brutal – yet delightfully catchy – takedown of a selfish lover would go on to be the singer-songwriter’s biggest hit and her signature song.

In 1968, The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour began an eight-week run at the top of the Billboard 200, marking their 11th US chart-topper. The album included surreal hits such as “I Am The Walrus” and “Strawberry Fields Forever.”

In 1975, Pink Floyd began recording their ninth album, Wish You Were Here, at Abbey Road Studios in London. Released in September of the same year, the LP includes the song “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” a nine-part tribute (split between two tracks, which open and close the record) to the group’s former bandmate, Syd Barrett.

In 1990, Phil Collins began a three-week run at the top of the Billboard 200 with his fourth studio album, …But Seriously. Spurred by hits like “I Wish It Would Rain Down,” “Something Happened on the Way to Heaven,” and the Grammy-winning “Another Day in Paradise,” the record became a massive global hit, topping the charts in more than 20 countries, and becoming the highest-selling album of the year in the UK.

In 1987, Eric Clapton played a six-night engagement at London’s historic Royal Albert Hall. The residency would become an annual event for the British superstar.

BORN ON JANUARY 6

1924: Earl Scruggs
1946: Syd Barrett (Pink Floyd)
1947: Sandy Denny (Fairport Convention)
1953: Malcolm Young (AC/DC)
1986: Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys)
1999: Polo G