This Day in Top 40 History: April 9

April 9 stands out as a memorable day in Top 40 music history. From chart-topping hits to cultural milestones and unforgettable performances, this date highlights the lasting impact of pop music’s biggest stars.

Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

Several iconic songs and albums reached major milestones on this day:

• 1966: The Righteous Brothers hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “(You’re My) Soul and Inspiration.” The track also crossed over internationally, reaching No. 15 in the UK.
• 1977: ABBA scored their first and only US No. 1 hit with “Dancing Queen.” The song topped charts worldwide, including in the UK, Canada, and Sweden.
• 1988: Billy Ocean’s “Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car” climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, staying there for two weeks. It also topped the Hot Black Singles chart shortly after.
• 2000: Moby reached No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart with Play. The album spent five weeks at the top, achieved platinum status in over 20 countries, and produced eight hit singles.

Cultural Milestones

April 9 has also shaped music culture in meaningful ways:

• 1962: At the 34th Academy Awards, Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer won Best Original Song for “Moon River,” featured in Breakfast at Tiffany’s starring Audrey Hepburn.
• 1972: Producer and songwriter RedOne (Nadir Khayat) was born. He later became instrumental in shaping hits for artists like Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Lopez, and Usher.
• 1999: Lil Nas X was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He would go on to earn multiple No. 1 hits, including “Old Town Road,” “Montero (Call Me by Your Name),” and “Industry Baby.”