This Day in Music

On this day in music, May 22, 1976, Paul McCartney and Wings began a five-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with “Silly Love Songs.” The single, which marked the former Beatle’s fifth No.1 as a solo artist, was written in response to taunts by critics that he wrote “lightweight” love songs. McCartney, however, had the last laugh. Not only did the song rank as the biggest hit of the year in the US, but it also gave him the record for the most No.1 singles ever by a songwriter – 27, to be exact.

In 1971, Sticky Fingers became The Rolling Stones’ second chart-topping album in the US. In addition to being considered among the band’s best works by critics over the decades, Sticky Fingers also boasted some of the era’s most inventive (and suggestive) jacket art, featuring a zippable image of a man’s jeans, designed by Andy Warhol. The release also marked the first use of the Stones’ now-classic “tongue and lips” logo.

In 1993, Swedish pop group Ace of Base scored their first No.1 hit in the UK with “All That She Wants.” The song also topped the charts in more than ten countries, including Canada, Australia, and Italy. In the US, it peaked at No.2 and became one of the best-selling singles of the year.

In 2017, Drake set a new bar for the most wins at the Billboard Music Awards when he took home 13 BMAs, breaking a record previously held by Adele (with 12 wins). The Canadian rapper, singer, and songwriter won Top Artist, Top Male Artist, and Top Billboard 200 Album, among other categories – all based around the success of his fourth studio album, Views, and its singles.

In 2004, on his 45th birthday, Morrissey returned to Manchester for his first hometown show in 12 years. All 18,000 tickets to the M.E.N. Arena concert sold out in 90 minutes.

BORN ON MAY 22

1924: Charles Aznavour
1950: Bernie Taupin (Lyricist)
1955: Mary Black
1959: Morrissey (The Smiths)
1962: Jesse Valenzuela (Gin Blossoms)
1966: Johnny Gill (New Edition, LSG)