On July 28, 2007, the Plain White T’s reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Hey There Delilah,” two years after the song was originally released. Written about a real woman named Delilah DiCrescenzo, the heartfelt ballad became one of the decade’s biggest surprise hits and earned a nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 2008 GRAMMY Awards.
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Here’s a look at other memorable Top 40 moments from July 28.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Several albums and singles released on July 28 went on to leave a lasting mark on popular music.
- 1986: R.E.M. released its fourth studio album, Lifes Rich Pageant. Although it narrowly missed the U.K. Top 40 Albums Chart, it climbed to No. 23 on the Billboard 200 and featured standout tracks including “Fall On Me,” “Begin the Begin,” and “These Days.”
- 1987: Kylie Minogue released her debut single, “The Loco-Motion.” The dance-pop cover launched the career of the future “Princess of Pop.”
- 1990: Elton John’s Sleeping with the Past began a five-week run at No. 1 on the U.K. Albums Chart.
- 2008: Norwegian singer Ida Maria released her debut album, Fortress Round My Heart. The album included “Oh My God” and “I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked,” helping the record reach the U.K. Top 40.
- 2023: Travis Scott released UTOPIA, featuring collaborations with The Weeknd, SZA, Future, Young Thug, and Beyoncé. The album debuted at No. 1 in multiple countries and produced several hit singles, including “FE!N,” “K-POP,” and “DELRESTO (ECHOES).”
Cultural Milestones
July 28 has also produced unforgettable moments that helped shape pop culture.
- 1954: The Crew Cuts’ version of “Sh-Boom,” originally recorded by The Chords, reached No. 1 in the United States, where it remained for nine weeks.
- 1957: Jerry Lee Lewis made his television debut on The Steve Allen Show, introducing “The Killer” to a national audience.
- 1984: The Billboard Hot 100 featured two blockbuster movie songs. Ray Parker Jr.’s “Ghostbusters” held the No. 2 spot, while “Almost Paradise” from Footloose was at No. 12.
- 1990: Rapper Soulja Boy (DeAndre Cortez Way) was born in Chicago. He would later top the charts with “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” before adding hits including “Kiss Me Thru the Phone” and “Turn My Swag On.”
- 1992: Mary J. Blige released her groundbreaking debut album, What’s the 411?, which climbed to No. 6 on the Billboard 200.
- 1999: Memphis rapper GloRilla was born. She has since earned multiple Billboard Top 40 hits, including “Tomorrow 2,” “TGIF,” and “Yeah Glo!”
- 2023: The Barbie soundtrack made U.K. chart history by placing three songs simultaneously in the Top 5: Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?,” Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night,” and “Barbie World” by Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Some unforgettable live performances also took place on this date.
- 1966: The Beach Boys performed “God Only Knows” live for the very first time at a Massachusetts club. Although only a modest hit upon release, the song is now considered one of pop music’s greatest achievements.
- 2016: Katy Perry performed “Roar” and “Rise” during the closing night of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
- 2018: Paul McCartney returned to Liverpool for an intimate two-hour concert featuring Beatles classics alongside songs from his solo career.
Industry Changes and Challenges
July 28 also reflects the ever-changing music industry.
- 1969: Moscow police reported thieves were stealing components from public telephone booths to convert acoustic guitars into homemade electric guitars.
- 1987: Yoko Ono and The Beatles sued Nike over the use of “Revolution” in television commercials. The case was later settled out of court.
- 1996: Marge Ganser of the Shangri-Las died from breast cancer. She helped the group score classics including “Leader of the Pack.”
- 2000: Jerome Smith, guitarist for KC and The Sunshine Band, died at age 47 following a construction accident in Miami. Smith had contributed to five Billboard No. 1 hits with the group.
- 2004: George Williams, lead singer of The Tymes, passed away in New Jersey. The group is remembered for classics including “So Much in Love,” “You Little Trustmaker,” and “Ms. Grace.”
- 2020: British music magazine Q published its final issue after more than three decades covering artists, albums, and the evolving music scene.
A Memorable Day in Top 40 History
From the unexpected rise of “Hey There Delilah” to landmark albums, unforgettable performances, and historic chart achievements, July 28 has delivered plenty of memorable moments in Top 40 music history. Whether celebrating classic rock, pop, hip-hop, or contemporary chart-toppers, this date reminds us that some songs become timeless long after their initial release.