The #1 song on December 13, 1989
Billy Joel
Billy Joel's rapid-fire history lesson set to a driving rock beat became an unlikely #1 hit in 1989. The song catalogues major news events from 1949 to 1989, the year of Joel's birth, in a relentless list format. It reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and held that position for two weeks — part of a 9-week chart stay — and became one of Joel's most discussed and debated songs.
Active: 1964-present
Genre: Pop Rock, Rock, Piano Rock
Notable Hits: Piano Man, We Didn't Start The Fire, It's Still Rock and Roll to Me, Uptown Girl, The Stranger
The Battle of Fredericksburg took place on December 13, 1862, one of the bloodiest engagements of the American Civil War
Dartmouth College was established by royal charter on December 13, 1769
