Musical Anniversaries of 2022

Maybe it's because I was born in the early '90s, but I tend to get caught up in moments of nostalgia fairly often. The beginning of a new year has me thinking simultaneously about new music that could come out this year and also really excellent music that's come before 2022. Having just celebrated a milestone birthday myself, I thought it would be fun to go back and give a salute to some classic tunes that have "momentous" anniversaries coming up over the next twelve months. I only picked a handful for each anniversary block, so if you have a favorite that isn't listed it definitely wasn't intentional, but I hope you have fun looking back on these songs and thinking of others from that time as well!

10th Anniversaries

Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) by Kelly Clarkson - released January 17th, 2012

-Featured on Clarkson's 2011 album Stronger (other singles included Mr. Know-It-All and Dark Side)

-Peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #1

-Certified 4x Platinum by the RIAA

-Written by J. Elofsson, A. Tampposi, D. Gamson, G. Kurstin

Starships by Nicki Minaj - released February 14th, 2012

-From Minaj's 2012 album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (other singles included Right by My Side, Beez in the Trap, Pound the Alarm, and Va Va Voom)

-Peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #5

-Certified 6x Platinum by the RIAA

-Written by O. Maraj, N. Khayat, C. Falk, R. Yacoub, W. Hector, B. Hajji

Mercy by Kanye West, Big Sean, Pusha T, & 2 Chainz - released April 3rd, 2012

-Featured on West's 2012 album Cruel Summer (other singles included Cold, New God Flow, and Clique)

-Peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #13

-Certified 4x Platinum by the RIAA

-Written by K. West, S. Anderson, T. Thornton, T. Epps, M. Williams, R. Birchard, M. Dean, S. Taft, J. Thomas, D. Beagle, W. Riley, R. Williams

Payphone by Maroon 5 ft. Wiz Khalifa - released April 16th, 2012

-From Maroon 5's 2012 album Overexposed (other singles included One More Night, Daylight, and Love Somebody)

-Peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #2

-Certified 7x Platinum by the RIAA

-Written by A. Lavine, A. Malik, B. Levin, C. Thomaz, D. Omelio, K. Schuster

We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together by Taylor Swift - released 8/13/12

-From Swift's 2012 album Red (other singles included Begin Again, I Knew You Were Trouble, 22, Red, Everything Has Changed, and The Last Time)

-Peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #1

-Certified 6x Platinum by the RIAA

-Written by T. Swift, M. Martin, K. Schuster

20th Anniversaries

Soak Up the Sun by Sheryl Crow - released February 11th, 2002

-From Crow's 2002 album C'mon, C'mon (other singles included Steve McQueen, C'mon, C'mon, and It's So Easy)

-Peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #17

-Certified Gold by the RIAA

-Written by J. Trott, S. Crow

Complicated by Avril Lavigne - released March 11th, 2002

-From Lavigne's 2002 album Let Go (other singles included Sk8er Boi, I'm with You, Losing Grip, Mobile, and Nobody's Fool)

-Peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #2

-Written by A. Lavigne, D. Alspach, G. Edwards, L. Christy, S. Spock

Without Me by Eminem - released May 13th, 2002

-From Eminem's 2002 album The Eminem Show (other singles included Cleanin' Out My Closet, Superman, Sing for the Moment, and Business)

-Peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #2

-Certified 4x Platinum by the RIAA

-Written by A. Dudley, J. Bass, K. Bell, M. McLaren, M. Mathers, T. Horn

A Moment Like This by Kelly Clarkson - released September 17th, 2002

-From Clarkson's 2003 album Thankful (other singles included Miss Independent, Low, and The Trouble With Love Is)

-Peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #1

-Certified Gold by the RIAA

-Written by D. Arch, J. Reid, J. Elofsson

The Scientist by Coldplay - released November 11th, 2002

-From Coldplay's 2002 album A Rush of Blood to the Head (other singles included In My Place, Clocks, and God Put a Smile upon Your Face)

-Certified Gold by the RIAA

-Written by C. Martin, G. Berryman, J. Buckland, W. Champion

30th Anniversaries

Jump by Kris Kross - released February 6th, 1992

-From Kris Kross's 1992 album Totally Krossed Out (other singles included Warm It Up, I Missed the Bus, and It's a Shame)

-Peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #1

-Certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA

-Written by J. Dupri

Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cyrus - released March 23rd, 1992

-From Cyrus's 1992 album Some Gave All (other singles included Could've Been Me, Wher'm I Gonna Live?, and She's Not Cryin' Anymore)

-Peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #4

-Certified Platinum by the RIAA

-Written by D. Tress

Baby Got Back by Sir Mix-a-Lot - written by May 7th, 1992

-From Sir Mix-a-Lot's 1992 album Mack Daddy (other singles included One Time's Got No Case and Swap Meet Louie)

-Peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #1

-Certified Gold by the RIAA

-Written by A. Ray

End of the Road by Boyz II Men - released June 30th, 1992

-From Boyz II Men's 1991 album Cooleyhighharmony (other singles included Motownphilly, It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday, Uhh Ahh, Please Don't Go, and In the Still of the Night (I'll Remember))

-Peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #1

-Certified Platinum by the RIAA

-Written by K. Edmonds, A. Reid, D. Simmons

Free Your Mind by En Vogue - released September 24th, 1992

-From En Vogue's 1992 album Funky Divas (other singles included My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It), Give Him Something He Can Feel, Give It Up, Turn It Loose, and Love Don't Love You)

-Peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #8

-Certified Gold by the RIAA

-Written by D. Foster, T. McElroy

40th Anniversaries

Always on My Mind by Willie Nelson - released March 6th, 1982

-From Nelson's 1992 album Always on My Mind (other singles included Last Thing I Needed First Thing This Morning)

-Peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #5

-Certified Platinum by the RIAA

-Written by J. Christopher, W. Thompson, M. James

Ebony and Ivory by Stevie Wonder & Paul McCartney - released March 29th, 1982

-From McCartney's 1982 album Tug of War (other singles included Take It Alway and Tug of War)

-Peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #1

-Certified Gold by the RIAA

-Written by P. McCartney

Eye of the Tiger by Survivor - released May 31st, 1982

-From Survivor's 1982 album Eye of the Tiger (other singles included American Heartbeat, The One That Really Matters, and Ever Since the World Began)

-Peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 a #1

-Certified 8x Platinum by the RIAA

-Written by F. Sullivan, J. Peterik

Africa by Toto - released May 31st, 1982

-From Toto's 1982 album Toto IV (other singles included Rosanna, Make Believe, I Won't Hold You Back, and Waiting for Your Love)

-Peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #1

-Certified 6x Platinum by the RIAA

-Written by D. Paich, J. Porcaro

Jack & Diane by John Cougar Mellencamp - released July 24th, 1982

-From Mellencamp's 1982 album American Fool (other singles included Hurts So Good and Hand to Hold On To)

-Peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #1

-Written by J. Mellencamp

50th Anniversaries

Puppy Love by Donny Osmond - released February 19th, 1972

-From Osmond's 1972 album Portrait of Donny (other singles included Hey Girl)

-Peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #3

-Certified Gold by the RIAA

-Written by P. Anka

Lean On Me by Bill Withers - released April 21st, 1972

-From Withers's 1972 album Still Bill (other singles included Use Me)

-Peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #1

-Certified Gold by the RIAA

-Written by B. Withers

School's Out by Alice Cooper - released April 26th, 1972

-From Cooper's 1972 album School's Out

-Peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #7

-Written by A. Cooper, D. Dunaway, G. Buxton, M. Bruce, N. Smith

Burning Love by Elvis Presley - released August 1st, 1972

-From Presley's 1972 album Burning Love and Hits From His Movies, Volume 2

-Peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #2

-Certified Platinum by the RIAA

-Written by D. Linde

You're So Vain by Carly Simon - released November 8th, 1972

-From Simon's 1972 album No Secrets (other singles included The Right Thing to Do)

-Peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #1

-Certified Gold by the RIAA

-Written by C. Simon

I realized after I'd already submitted the post last week that I forgot to sign off - I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and that you enjoyed this week's walk down memory lane. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!