This Day in Top 40 History: March 5
March 5 has been a noteworthy day for Top 40 music, marked by significant highlights, milestones, and industry changes. From the release of popular songs to the introduction of new…
March 5 has been a noteworthy day for Top 40 music, marked by significant highlights, milestones, and industry changes. From the release of popular songs to the introduction of new coffee drinks by superstar Ariana Grande, March 5 has been a memorable day in music history.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Several well-known songs and albums have been recorded or released on March 5 over the years, including these:
- 1959: Crooner Booby Darin recorded his iconic hit song "Dream Lover." A talented performer, singer, and dancer, Darin gained widespread fame as a major pop star.
- 1991: Christian music singer/songwriter Amy Grant released her first pop album, Heart in Motion. This album showcased how an artist can successfully cross genres.
- 2012: Lionel Ritchie released his 10th studio album, titled Tuskegee. Hit songs from this collection included "Say You, Say Me" and "Endless Love."
Cultural Milestones
Songs and performances can leave a lasting impact on the music culture and artists:
- 1977: The song "Evergreen," the love theme from the movie A Star Is Born, sung by Barbara Streisand, hit No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks. In 2018, pop diva Lady Gaga revived Streisand's leading role in the movie remake, singing the songs with costar Bradley Cooper.
- 1981: E.Y. “Yip” Harburg, the legendary pop lyricist who wrote "Over the Rainbow" for the movie The Wizard of Oz, tragically died in a car crash on March 5. The song was originally sung by Judy Garland and later famously re-created by the Hawaiian singer Israel Kamakawiwoʻole.
- 2016: To help raise funds for music scholarships, Pharrell Williams hosted a Masterclass at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU Tisch School of the Arts as an artist in residence.
Notable Recordings and Performances
March 5 had several notable recordings and performances including:
- 1977: Kate Bush's single "Wuthering Heights" hit No. 1 on the U.K. charts, where it remained for four weeks. The 17-year-old songwriter was inspired to write this song after watching an adaptation of Emily Brontë's book of the same name.
- 2000: Madonna's version of Don McClean's 1971 song "American Pie" went to No.1 on the U.K. charts. This song was from the soundtrack to the movie The Next Best Thing.
- 2017: Superstar Adele performed at The Gabba, a renowned cricket ground in Brisbane, Australia, as part of her Adele Live 2017 tour.
Industry Changes and Challenges
In the pop music industry, challenges are a given. Artists often encounter technical difficulties, and in times of crisis, companies can play a crucial role in providing support. Take these examples from March 5 in past years:
- 2013: Justin Bieber apologized to fans for a late start to his show the night before at O2 Arena in London, England. He blamed technical issues for his tardiness.
- 2019: Ariana Grande launched a new flavor of coffee, called the Cloud Macchiato, at select Starbucks coffee shops. Grande worked with Starbucks to develop the new beverage.
- 2020: Gibson Gives, a division of Gibson Guitars, pledged to give local musicians guitars after a tornado ravaged many of their homes in Nashville, Tennessee. These acts of charity and kindness show the bonding power of the music industry.
March 5 is a notable day in music history. Many of the events and songs of this day have left a lasting
