On May 7, superstars Harry Styles, Justin Bieber, and Lil Nas X were riding high on the Billboard Hot 100, making them some of the month’s most listened-to Top 40 artists. Lady Gaga had two shows at Madison Square Garden broadcast on HBO, and there were two surprise guests on American Idol.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
May 7 saw some chart-toppers and streamed shows, including:
- 2011: Lady Gaga had taped two shows earlier in the year at Madison Square Garden in New York City, where she performed with a 10-piece band and 10 backup dancers. The shows were broadcast on HBO on May 7 as a special titled Lady Gaga Presents the Monster Ball Tour: At Madison Square Garden.
- 2022: Harry Styles hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “As It Was.” The song spent 15 nonconsecutive weeks at the top of the chart.
- 2022: Ed Sheeran’s “Bad Habits” and “Shivers” were prominent in the Billboard Hot 100. They were accompanied by Justin Bieber’s “Ghost” and Lil Nas X’s “That’s What I Want.”
Cultural Milestones
This day in Top 40 music history saw significant cultural milestones, including:
- 2023: Pop diva Taylor Swift wrapped up the Nashville segment of her Eras tour with the rain pouring down at Nissan Stadium. At the end of the performance, Swift brought out special guest Aaron Dessner, her co-writer and co-producer and a founding member of The National, to play second guitar on “Midnights.”
- 2023: Pop star Ed Sheeran and rocker Alanis Morissette were guest judges on American Idol, as regular judges Katy Perry and Lionel Ritchie were in the United Kingdom for the coronation of King Charles III. Sheeran and Morissette performed while on their temporary gig as judges.
Notable Recordings and Performances
May 7 saw these significant performances from pop superstars:
- 2016: Adele had a stellar performance at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany, as part of her Adele Live 2016/17 tour. Her setlist included fan favorites “Hello,” “Rumour Has It,” and “Set Fire to the Rain.”
- 2017: Singer/songwriter Travis Scott stopped by Bayfront Park in Miami, Florida, as part of his Bird’s Eye View tour. The fan favorites he performed included “Way Back” and “90210.”
Industry Changes and Challenges
On this day, there were also music industry changes and challenges:
- 2010: As part of the National Association of Music Merchants’ National Wanna Play Music Week, May 7 was National Store Appreciation Day. This part of the week’s awareness campaign directed music lovers to visit and support their local music store to learn more about the power of music and the local community.
- 2024: Drake’s security guard was shot and seriously injured outside the pop/rapper star’s home in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Police didn’t confirm whether the shooting was premeditated or a drive-by incident.
With major hits, challenges, and ground-breaking performances, May 7 was a significant day in the Top 40 music industry. These artists continue to shape today’s pop culture and inspire tomorrow’s performers.
