This Week in Billboard Chart History: In 1989, Roxette Saw Its Way to No. 1 With 'The Look'

The Swedish duo crossed to the U.S. with the help of a vacationing student. Plus, remembering chart feats by Paula Abdul, Rascal Flatts & Usher.

Your weekly recap celebrating significant milestones from more than seven decades of Billboard chart history.

Feb. 8, 1992

Before there was LMFAO and "Sexy and I Know It," Right*Said*Fred similarly boasted "I'm Too Sexy," which began a three-week Billboard Hot 100 command 24 years ago today.

Feb. 9, 1991

Twenty-five years ago today, Mark Chesnutt notched his first of eight No. 1s on Hot Country Songs, "Brother Jukebox." Chesnutt was a force at the format in the '90s, reaching the top 10 with his first 12 singles and collecting 20 top 10s overall. He earned his eighth leader in 1999 with a country cover of Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing."

Feb. 10, 1990

Paula Abdul and her cartoon pals the Wild Pair began a two-week reign atop the Billboard Hot 100 with "Opposites Attract," the fourth No. 1 from her debut album Forever Your Girl. Almost exactly a year earlier (Feb. 11, 1989), "Straight Up" had become the set's first leader.

Feb. 11, 1989

After an exchange student traveling in Europe brought a copy of the song to the U.S., spurring interest at U.S. radio, Roxette soared onto the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 50 with its eventual first No. 1 "The Look." Click here for the full backstory. "It still sounds special and different," Roxette's Per Gessle mused to Billboard last year. "It's got great production. It makes you smile. It sounds like a hit record, doesn't it?"

Feb. 12, 2005

Rascal Flatts began its longest command of Hot Country Songs, as "Bless the Broken Road" spent its first of five weeks at No. 1. The trio is currently climbing the chart with the Meghan Trainor co-write "I Like the Sound of That."

Feb. 13, 1999

Whitney Houston notched her eighth and final No. 1 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, as "Heartbreak Hotel," featuring Faith Evans and Kelly Price, began a seven-week domination.

Feb. 14, 1998

Perfectly timed for Valentine's Day, Usher earned his first of nine Billboard Hot 100 No. 1s to date with the sensual "Nice & Slow."