behindthegrooves:

On this day in music history: May 15, 1993 - “That’s The Way Love Goes” by Janet Jackson hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 8 weeks, also topping the R&B singles chart for 4 weeks on May 8th, and topping the Club Play chart for 1 week on June 26th. Written by Janet Jackson, James Harris III, and Terry Lewis, it is the sixth pop and ninth R&B chart topper for the youngest member of the Jackson musical family. After almost ten years recording for A&M Records, which produce four albums including the multi-platinum selling “Control” and “Rhythm Nation 1814”, Janet Jackson’s contract with the label will expire in 1991. During that time she will be approached by Virgin Records founder Richard Branson that will offer her a deal she will be unable to refuse. Jackson will sign a deal with the label estimated to be worth between $32 - 50 million. At the time it will make her the highest paid artist in the history of the music industry (until her brother Michael signs a new deal with Sony for $65 million). With the deal signed, Janet will get right to work with her longtime collaborators, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. One of the first things the duo will give the singer is demo tape for the track that will become “That’s The Way Love Goes”. Based around a sample of James Brown’s classic “Papa Don’t Take No Mess”, at first Janet isn’t particularly enthused by it. But by the time she returns to Minneapolis after Christmas in January of 1993, she will have a dramatic change of mind about it. She’ll also come up with idea of writing the lyrics with a more sultry tone, rather than the original theme of love gone wrong. Once they submit the album, Virgin is initially hesitant to release the laid back, down tempo track as the first single, preferring the song “If”. However, Jackson is adamant that “That’s The Way” be released first, and they will comply with her wishes. Issued on April 12, 1993, the single is an immediate smash. Entering the Hot 100 at #14 on May 1, 1993, it will rocket to the top of the chart two weeks later, becoming her most successful single ever. “That’s The Way Love Goes” will also win a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1994, and is certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

behindthegrooves:

On this day in music history: May 15, 1976 - “Love Hangover” by Diana Ross hits #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart for 1 week, also topping the Hot 100 for 2 weeks on May 29th. Written by Pam Sawyer and Marilyn McLeod, it is the second R&B and fourth pop chart topper for the Motown superstar. With the departure of The Jackson 5 from Motown after the release of their album “Moving Violation”, producer Hal Davis will be left without his top act after working together for five years. During this time he will hear the original demo of “Love Hangover” in a Motown colleague’s office. Instantly excited about the song’s hit potential, he’ll cut it right Recorded at Paramount Studios in Hollywood in mid 1975, it features musicians such as Joe Sample (keyboards), James Gadson (drums), and Henry Davis (of the band L.T.D.) (bass) playing on the track. Davis will also come up with the idea for the song’s signature dual tempos, which the musicians are initially resistant to, but he will convince them otherwise. Shortly after, Davis will play the completed track for Berry Gordy who will hear it as a smash for Diana Ross. Though initially, Ross doesn’t care for the song, but will agree to record it. Upon arriving at the studio, Davis will pour her a drink and they’ll get work. The producer will have recording engineer Russ Terrana install a strobe light in the vocal booth to add some ambience to the session, helping to put Ross in the proper frame of mind. The end results of which will be heard on the finished record. “Love Hangover” will be rush released as a single in March of 1976 when a competing version by The 5th Dimension is released on ABC Records just before it. Both versions will enter the chart the same week, with The 5th Dimension’s version will stall at #80 on the Hot 100 the week of April 24th, while Ross’ version will soar to #1 three weeks later.