This Week in Billboard Chart History: In 1995, Michael Jackson’s ‘You Are Not Alone’ Became First Song to Debut Atop Hot 100
Plus, remembering feats by Bee Gees, Luke Bryan & The Notorious B.I.G.
Your weekly recap celebrating significant milestones from more than seven decades of Billboard chart history.
Aug. 28, 1976
Billboard‘s Dance Club Songs chart began as a national weekly survey, capped initially by the Bee Gees‘ “You Should Be Dancing,” certainly an appropriate title to lead the first list.
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Aug. 29, 2015
Luke Bryan notched his third No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, as Kill the Lights launched at the top spot. The set would go on to become the first to produce six No. 1s on the Country Airplay chart, capped off when “Fast” reached the summit in April 2017.
Aug. 30, 1997
After Diddy (then Puff Daddy) and Faith Evans’ ode to slain rapper The Notorious B.I.G., “I’ll Be Missing You,” led the Billboard Hot 100 for 11 weeks, Biggie himself took over atop the list posthumously. His “Mo Money Mo Problems,” featuring Diddy and Mase, began a two-week reign.
Aug. 31, 1996
On the Billboard Hot 100, it peaked at No. 2 for nine weeks, below Los Del Rio’s juggernaut “Macarena.” On the Pop Songs airplay chart, however, Donna Lewis‘ “I Love You Always Forever” would not be denied. On this date 21 years ago, Lewis’ breakthrough hit lifted 2-1 on Pop Songs, beginning an 11-week rule; it’s tied with four other songs for the chart’s second-longest domination, trailing only Ace of Base’s 14-week run at No. 1 with “The Sign” in 1994.
Sept. 1, 1984
After 20 Billboard Hot 100 entries as half of Ike & Tina Turner in 1960-75, and her first solo hit (“Let’s Stay Together”) earlier in 1984, the legendary diva topped the Hot 100 at last with “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” which would lead the list for three weeks.
Sept. 2, 1995
Michael Jackson‘s “You Are Not Alone” became the first song ever to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The ballad became the last of Jackson’s 13 solo leaders (following four Jackson 5 No. 1s).
Sept. 3, 2005
Hilary Duff earned her second, and most recent, Billboard 200 No. 1, as Most Wanted lived up to its title, debuting at the apex. The set followed 2003’s Metamorphosis to the top.