This Day in Top 40 History: October 16
On Oct. 16, 2004, the Rascal Flatts’ album Feels Like Today debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and the Top Country Albums charts. The album was the band’s…
On Oct. 16, 2004, the Rascal Flatts' album Feels Like Today debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and the Top Country Albums charts. The album was the band's highest-ranking debut and included the singles "Feels Like Today" and "Bless the Broken Road." It would be another two years before the group released their now-signature song "Life Is a Highway." Keep reading for more Top 40 history from Oct. 16.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Just like with Rascal Flatts' rendition of "Life Is a Highway," sometimes artists find success in unlikely places:
- 1961: Patsy Cline released her rendition of "Crazy," a Willie Nelson song. Cline's version peaked at No. 2 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart and quickly became one of her most popular songs.
- 1976: Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The album included enduring hits such as "Isn't She Lovely" and "Sir Duke" — it also took home the GRAMMY for Album of the Year.
- 1989: Kate Bush released The Sensual World. The album's title track received a GRAMMY nomination for Best Alternative Music Performance.
- 2021: "Stay" by The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was the pair's second collaboration after "Unstable" from Bieber's album Justice.
- 2023: Morgan Wallen set a new record with his album One Thing at a Time. It was the longest-running No. 1 country album of all time.
Cultural Milestones
These moments from Oct. 16 highlight the real people behind the music:
- 1977: John Mayer was born. He went on to have multiple hit songs, including "Your Body Is a Wonderland" and "Gravity."
- 2012: Darius Rucker became the third African American artist to be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, joining DeFord Bailey and Charley Pride.
- 2024: Liam Payne tragically died in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Payne had four No. 1 albums and six top 10 singles as a member of One Direction.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Oct. 16 has hosted concerts that reveal how interconnected artists often are in the music industry:
- 1991: The Red Hot Chili Peppers launched the tour for their album Blood Sugar Sex Magik in Madison, Wisconsin. They had two opening acts: The Smashing Pumpkins and the up-and-coming Pearl Jam.
- 1992: Bob Dylan's 30th Anniversary concert was held in New York City at Madison Square Garden. The tribute concert included performances from Neil Young, Tom Petty, and Sinead O'Connor.
Whether you prefer Stevie Wonder or the Red Hot Chili Peppers, artists from every genre got their moment in the spotlight on Oct. 16.
