On January 5, 2018, Liam Payne, a former member of One Direction, teamed up with Rita Ora to release their duet. The song was featured on both Ora’s albums, LP1 and Phoenix, and reached No. 8 in the U.K. On the same day in 2022, Lauren Spencer-Smith released her viral hit, which became her first No. 1 and Top 10 single.
This date has seen some memorable music milestones. In 2010, Kesha launched her debut album, Animal, in the U.S. The album included major hits like “Tik Tok,” “Blow,” and “Your Love Is My Drug,” all of which made it into the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. That same year, Kanye West released his live album, VH1 Storytellers, featuring live versions of his Top 5 singles, including “Gold Digger” and “Heartless.”
However, January 5 has also been marked by significant challenges in the music world. In 1998, Sonny Bono, known for his work with Cher, tragically died in a skiing accident. He is remembered for his hit “I Got You Babe,” which topped the charts in both the U.S. and U.K. In 2003, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong was arrested for DUI in California, and in 2004, Ray Davies of The Kinks was shot while trying to help his partner.
January 5 has shaped pop history with its mix of hit releases and tough moments, reminding us how creativity and challenges often go hand in hand.
