44 Years Ago, ‘Ebony and Ivory’ by McCartney and Wonder Topped the Charts Before It Became Controversial
Exactly 44 years ago today, a song that would become one of 1982's biggest hits was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite that success, "Ebony and Ivory" by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder would go on to become an extremely divisive song.
Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder's 'Ebony and Ivory' Was No. 1 on May 26, 1982
Originally released on March 29, 1982, "Ebony and Ivory" by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder didn't take long to become successful. Recorded by two of the most beloved figures in music history, the track entered the Billboard Hot 100 on April 10, 1982. It would go on to reach No. 1 on May 15, 1982, and stay there for seven consecutive weeks. Thanks to that lengthy time on top of the chart, the track remained in the No. 1 spot 44 years ago today.
"Ebony and Ivory" became the longest-running No. 1 song that was released by Wonder or McCartney. That doesn't count McCartney's work with The Beatles since "Hey Jude" stayed on top for 9 weeks. "Ebony and Ivory" enjoyed that chart success due to the track selling a truly impressive number of singles. According to the website Chart Masters, it sold roughly 5.4 million units thanks to its worldwide success.
Why the No. 1 Hit Eventually Became So Divisive
Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Looking back at "Ebony and Ivory" by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder, there are still some undeniably positive aspects of its legacy. The track is, of course, remembered first and foremost for featuring a message about racial harmony. Additionally, it provided the world with the opportunity to see two true icons perform together.
Still, the fact remains that "Ebony and Ivory" is now largely seen as extremely cheesy, overly saccharine, and incredibly simplistic by many listeners. In 2020, Stereogum's Tom Breihan expressed the problem with the song's lyrics and message.
"This is the central problem with ‘Ebony and Ivory,’ the reason that it’s aged so poorly. Racial division is not the kind of thing that can be solved through amiable adult contemporary music… It’s just: ‘Ebony and ivory live together in perfect harmony / Side by side on my piano keyboard / Oh lord, why don’t we?’… A rich and aristocratic pop star posing this question in 1982 has the same kind of energy as a major corporation putting up a vague racial solidarity tweet amidst police riots today."
The track has become so disliked by many people that in 2007, the listeners of BBC’s 6 Music took a vote and named "Ebony and Ivory" the worst musical collaboration of all time.
Next: 60 Years Ago Today, A 1966 No. 1 Hit Became One of the Most Controversial Songs to Top the Charts
source https://www.mensjournal.com/news/44-years-ago-today-1982-hit-controversial-pop-song-no-1
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