On This Day in Music: November 12
On November 12, 1983, Lionel Richie reached No. 1 on the U.S. charts with his infectious hit, “All Night Long (All Night).” The Caribbean-inspired R&B track ruled the charts for four weeks. Many listeners thought the song included Swahili lyrics—but Richie later revealed that the words were just fun, made-up sounds meant to match the upbeat rhythm.
More Music Milestones from November 12
1966: The Monkees released their self-titled debut album, which topped the Billboard 200 for an incredible 13 weeks.
1984: Madonna dropped her second album, Like A Virgin. It became her first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 and was later preserved by the Library of Congress (2023) for its cultural impact.
1988: Kylie Minogue’s version of “The Loco-Motion” hit No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100—making it the third time this song became a hit after chart-topping versions in 1962 and 1974.
2010: Rihanna released Loud, her fourth studio album, featuring hits like “Only Girl (In the World)” and “What’s My Name?” It debuted at No. 3 and remains one of her most beloved albums.
2011: Rihanna’s collaboration with Calvin Harris, “We Found Love,” dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for 10 weeks, becoming one of the biggest hits of her career.
Cultural Moments on November 12
1973: Queen kicked off their very first tour, opening for Mott The Hoople.
2021: Britney Spears was officially freed from her conservatorship, marking a major victory in pop culture history.
Whether you’re dancing to Lionel Richie’s joyful rhythms or jamming to Rihanna’s powerhouse hits, November 12 has proven to be a date full of unforgettable music moments.