On July 28, 2007, the Plain White T’s hit single “Hey There Delilah” finally topped the charts two years after its release. Written for a real person, the song earned a 2008 GRAMMY nomination.
Breakthrough hits and milestones from July 28
1986: R.E.M. released their fourth album, Lifes Rich Pageant. It showed clearer vocals and sharper lyrics. The LP reached No. 23 on the U.S. Billboard 200. Standouts included “Fall on Me,” “Superman,” and “(Don’t Go Back To) Rockville.”
1987: Kylie Minogue dropped her debut single, a cover of “The Loco-Motion.” The dance-pop hit launched her pop career.
1990: Elton John’s Sleeping with the Past began a five-week run at No. 1 on the U.K. album chart.
2008: Ida Maria released her debut, Fortress Round My Heart. It featured “I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked” and “Oh My God.” The single hit No. 13 in the U.K., and the album reached No. 39.
2023: Travis Scott released UTOPIA, with guest spots from The Weeknd, SZA, Future, Young Thug, and Beyoncé. The album debuted at No. 1 in the U.S. and U.K., and spawned Top 40 singles like “K-POP” and “FE!N.”
Cultural moments from July 28
1954: The Crew Cuts’ cover of “Sh-Boom,” originally by The Chords, spent nine weeks at No. 1 in the U.S.
1957: Jerry Lee Lewis made his TV debut on The Steve Allen Show. The appearance helped propel hits like “Great Balls of Fire” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.”
1984: The Billboard Hot 100 featured two movie hits: Ray Parker Jr.’s “Ghostbusters” at No. 2 and “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” from Footloose at No. 12.
1990: DeAndre Cortez Way — Soulja Boy — was born in Chicago. He broke out in 2007 with “Crank That (Soulja Boy),” which hit No. 1 and led to other Top 40 tracks.
1992: Mary J. Blige debuted with What’s the 411?, which reached No. 6 on the Billboard 200.
1999: Gloria “GloRilla” Woods was born in Memphis. She’s now a rising voice in rap.
