Billy Joel releases the single "The Stranger" 1978

Billy Joel released the title track from his album The Stranger as a single May 21, 1978 in Japan.  It peaked at #2 on the Oricon chart, which is kind of a Japanese version of our Billboard charts.  It also made the top 10 in New Zealand.  It charted in Australia and France.

Pointer Sisters release "Fire" 1978

My girls the Pointer Sisters released their cover of Bruce Springsteen's Fire, October 2, 1978, with Anita taking the lead.  It became their first gold single and was an international hit, reaching #1 in Belgium, the Netherlands, South Africa and New Zealand.  It reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

It was released prior to their album Energy, their fifth studio album, in November 1978.