September 22 has been a memorable date in music history, with major chart milestones, influential album releases, unforgettable performances and important moments involving some of the biggest names in popular music.
On Sept. 22, 2012, Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” spent its third consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The lead single from her fourth studio album, Red, became one of the defining hits of Swift’s transition from country music into mainstream pop.
The song also spent nine weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, further highlighting Swift’s crossover appeal.
From blockbuster singles and landmark albums to artists’ birthdays and memorable live performances, here is a look back at notable Top 40 moments from September 22.
Breakthrough Hits and Chart Milestones
September 22 has been associated with several important chart achievements and releases across multiple decades.
1998: Goo Goo Dolls Release Dizzy Up the Girl
The Goo Goo Dolls released their sixth studio album, Dizzy Up the Girl, on Sept. 22, 1998.
The album eventually peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard 200 and produced four Top 40 singles on the Billboard Hot 100.
Among those hits were “Iris” and “Slide,” two songs that became closely associated with the band’s late-1990s success.
2007: Soulja Boy Takes “Crank That” to No. 1
In 2007, “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” by Soulja Boy was sitting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The infectious hit became one of the era’s signature dance songs and helped establish Soulja Boy as a major name in hip-hop.
Its dance craze also gave the song a lasting presence at parties, school dances, weddings and other celebrations.
2012: Taylor Swift Rules the Billboard Hot 100
One of the biggest September 22 milestones came in 2012, when Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” remained at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for a third consecutive week.
The song served as the lead single from Red, an album that represented an important evolution in Swift’s sound.
While the singer had already achieved major success in country music, the single demonstrated her growing ability to reach a broad mainstream pop audience.
2017: Macklemore Releases GEMINI
Macklemore released his studio album GEMINI in 2017 following his professional split from producer Ryan Lewis.
The album featured guest appearances from artists including Offset, Lil Yachty and Skylar Grey.
GEMINI reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and also spent a week at No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
2017: Fergie Releases Double Dutchess
Fergie released her second studio album, Double Dutchess, in September 2017.
The album reached No. 19 on the Billboard 200 and included collaborations with artists such as Nicki Minaj and Rick Ross.
The project followed Fergie’s highly successful solo debut, The Dutchess, and continued her work as a solo artist after her years with the Black Eyed Peas.
2018: Drake’s “In My Feelings” Tops the Hot 100
Drake’s “In My Feelings” spent its 10th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2018.
The hit appeared on Drake’s fifth studio album, Scorpion, which became one of the year’s biggest releases.
The song also became a major part of 2018’s viral dance culture, further extending its reach beyond traditional radio and streaming audiences.
2020: Fleet Foxes Release Shore
Fleet Foxes released their fourth studio album, Shore, in 2020.
The album included songs such as “Going-to-the-Sun Road,” “A Long Way Past The Past” and “Can I Believe You.”
Shore reached No. 5 on the U.K. Official Albums Chart and No. 28 on the U.S. Billboard 200.
Cultural Milestones From September 22
September 22 has also marked important birthdays, television premieres and entertainment-industry milestones.
1958: Joan Jett Is Born
Joan Marie Larkin, better known as Joan Jett, was born on Sept. 22, 1958.
As the frontwoman of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, she became one of rock’s most recognizable performers.
The band’s best-known hit, “I Love Rock ‘N Roll,” became a chart-topping success and remains a staple of classic rock and pop culture.
1958: Andrea Bocelli Is Born
Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli was also born on Sept. 22, 1958, in Lajatico, Italy.
Bocelli has enjoyed an international career spanning classical and popular music. His 2018 album Si reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
His U.S. Top 40 album history also includes releases such as Passione, Amore and My Christmas.
1970: Mystikal Is Born
Michael Lawrence Tyler, professionally known as Mystikal, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Sept. 22, 1970.
The rapper went on to earn three Grammy nominations and scored several successful singles.
Among his biggest chart appearances were “Danger (Been So Long),” which reached No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, and “Stutter,” his collaboration with Joe.
1994: Friends Debuts on Television
One of television’s most recognizable sitcoms, Friends, premiered on Sept. 22, 1994.
The series quickly became a cultural phenomenon, and its theme song, “I’ll Be There for You” by The Rembrandts, became inseparable from the show’s identity.
Decades later, the song remains one of television’s most recognizable theme songs.
2002: The 54th Primetime Emmy Awards
The 54th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards took place in Los Angeles on Sept. 22, 2002.
Among the night’s winners was Sting, who received an Emmy for the documentary Sting in Tuscany: All This Time.
Sting’s long music career includes such well-known songs as “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free” and “We’ll Be Together.”
Notable Performances on September 22
The date has also produced memorable live performances from artists across rock, pop, country and hip-hop.
1972: David Bowie Begins the Ziggy Stardust Tour
David Bowie launched the North American leg of his iconic Ziggy Stardust Tour at Cleveland Music Hall in Ohio on Sept. 22, 1972.
The performance marked Bowie’s first U.S. concert during the Ziggy Stardust era.
With its theatrical presentation, distinctive costumes and ambitious stage concept, the tour helped introduce American audiences to one of Bowie’s most influential artistic personas.
1990: Nirvana Performs in Seattle
Nirvana played a major concert at the Motorsports International Garage in Seattle in 1990.
The performance is notable because it was the band’s only show featuring drummer Dan Peters.
Dave Grohl would audition for the band just days later, eventually becoming Nirvana’s permanent drummer and an important part of the band’s history.
1992: Bruce Springsteen Appears on MTV Unplugged
Bruce Springsteen appeared on MTV Unplugged in 1992, but the performance did not unfold as a traditional acoustic set.
Springsteen performed only one acoustic song, “Red Headed Woman,” a previously unreleased track.
Because of his decision to perform primarily with electric instruments, the program was promoted as MTV Plugged.
2013: Rihanna Performs in Singapore
Rihanna brought her Diamonds World Tour to The Padang in Singapore on Sept. 22, 2013.
The 23-song set included hits such as “Hate That I Love You,” “Don’t Stop the Music” and “Phresh Out the Runway.”
The tour supported Rihanna’s 2012 album Unapologetic, which became another major commercial success for the singer.
2019: Carrie Underwood Takes the Cry Pretty Tour to Louisiana
Carrie Underwood performed at the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana, on Sept. 22, 2019, as part of her Cry Pretty Tour 360.
Her set included fan favorites such as “Good Girl,” “Last Name” and “Cowboy Casanova.”
The tour supported her album Cry Pretty and showcased material from across her country career.
2019: Post Malone Performs in Las Vegas
Post Malone brought his Runaway Tour to Downtown Las Vegas’ Fremont Street in 2019.
The concert featured 19 songs, including “Circles,” “Better Now” and “Take What You Want.”
The tour supported Hollywood’s Bleeding, which became another No. 1 album for the superstar.
Industry Changes and Challenges
September 22 has also been connected to significant moments away from the charts and concert stage.
1989: Irving Berlin Dies
Legendary songwriter Irving Berlin died in New York on Sept. 22, 1989, at the age of 101.
Born Israel Beilin, Berlin became one of the most influential songwriters in American music history.
Among his best-known compositions is “God Bless America,” a song that has been performed and recorded by generations of artists.
1999: Diana Ross Is Arrested at Heathrow
In 1999, Diana Ross was taken into custody at London’s Heathrow Airport following an alleged assault involving a female airport security officer.
Ross, whose career includes major hits such as “Upside Down,” had already established herself as one of the most successful performers in pop and R&B history.
The incident became another notable entry in the long and eventful history of September 22.
September 22 in Top 40 History
From Taylor Swift’s continued reign atop the Billboard Hot 100 to the debut of Friends, September 22 has produced plenty of memorable moments in music and entertainment.
The date connects artists from very different generations and genres, including Taylor Swift, Joan Jett, David Bowie, Nirvana, Rihanna, Drake, Carrie Underwood and Post Malone.
And if reading about September 22 has one unavoidable consequence, it may be this: there’s a good chance “I’ll Be There for You” is now playing in your head.
That’s the power of a memorable song — and another reason music history continues to connect generations.