Welcome back as we conclude this week’s countdown. If you missed the previous songs, can go back and take a listen to songs 40-31, 30-21 and 20-11. Honestly, the songs this week have had their ups and downs with me. And today is no different. So, let’s Return to the week ending August 27, 1988, and wrap up the countdown.

10. “1-2-3” by Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine

Not a bad way to start of the top 10. This is a noice, upbeat song. I kind of like the guitar solo in it too.

9. “Love Will Save the Day” by Whitney Houston

This is the song that ended Whitney’s string of #1 hits, ending it at 7. It still cracked the top 10 anyway – and that’s without a music video.

8. “Perfect World” by Huey Lewis & The News

Not a perfect song, but not bad either. This was the first single released off of their Small World album.

7. “Roll With It” by Steve Winwood

This Steve Winwood smash hit rolled into the #1 spot on the charts for four straight weeks.

6. “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman

This was Tracy Chapman’s breakthrough hit. It doesn’t have that classic ’80s sound, but I still like it. It was the beginning of the female singer/songriter sound of the ’90s.

5. “Simply Irresistible” by Robert Palmer

Robert Palmer and the ladies are back in the top 10. I like this song better than most of his others. But, do you think his songs would have been as popular if it wasn’t for the videos?

4. “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses

And Rock is still alive in this countdown! I did get sick of this song not long after it was released. But, I like more now than I did then.

3. “I Don’t Wanna Live Without Your Love” by Chicago

With their Chicago 18 album, Chicago proved that they could still be successful without Peter Cetera. Their follow-up, Chicago 19, was even better. This was the first single released from that album.

2. “I Don’t Wanna Go On With You Like That” by Elton John

There are quite a few Elton John songs from the ’80s that I don’t like. But, this isn’t one of them. It’s not my favorite, but I like it a lot. This was Elton John’s biggest hit of the ’80s peaking right here at #2.

1. “I Don’t Wanna…I’m sorry, we had a trend going with songs with long titles beginning with I Don’t Wanna Monkey” by George Michael

George Michael was riding sky high at this point. This was his eighth #1 song in the U.S., and it was his fourth straight #1 from his awesome Faith album.

Well that wraps up this week’s countdown. We had some good times, didn’t we? We’ll be back with a new week and year next week. Until then Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.

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Welcome back to this week’s countdown. If you missed the previous songs, you can check out songs 40-31 and 30-21. Let’s just jump right into it, and Return to the week ending August 27, 1988, and continue the countdown.

20. “It Would Take a Strong Strong Man” by Rick Astley

I didn’t remember this song. This is from the same album (Whenever You Need Somebody) as “Never Gonna Give You Up” and “Together Forever”.

“It Would Take a Strong Strong Man” was actually a top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

19. “All Fired Up” by Pat Benatar

This is a great rocker by Pat Benatar. This was originally performed by the Australian band, Rattling Sabres in 1987. But, Benatar’s version that became a smashing success.

18. “Nobody’s Fool” by Kenny Loggins

This is my favorite Kenny Loggins tune, and it was the best thing about the movie Caddyshack II.

17. “Another Part of Me” by Michael Jackson

This was the sixth single released from Michael Jackson’s Bad album. It was also featured in the 3D movie, Captain EO in the Disney parks.

16. “I’ll Always Love You” by Taylor Dayne

Time for a slow dance! This is a nice ballad from Taylor Dayne’s debut album, Tell It to My Heart.

15. “If It Isn’t Love” by New Edition

This is one of those songs that I had forgotten about, but remembered when it got to the chorus. This was the post-Bobby Brown New Edition. Ironically, this song was kept out of the #1 spot on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop charts by Bobby Brown’s “Don’t Be Cruel.”

14. “Sign Your Name” by Terence Trent D’Arby

This was a song that I didn’t like when it was first released, but I like it a little more now.

13. “When It’s Love” by Van Halen

This is a good ballad from Van Halen’s OU812 album, which was a follow-up of 5150. This was probably the most successful song from the album.

12. “Hands to Heaven” by Breathe

I love this song. This was Breathe’s breakthrough hit in the U.S. and U.K.

11. “Make Me Lose Control” by Eric Carmen

I had been sick of Eric Carmen by now after “Hungry Eyes,” from Dirty Dancing, got played to death. But, he won me back over with this song. I still like this one.

Well, that wraps up the countdown for today. Are you liking this countdown so far? What are your favorite and least favorites so far? We will finish the countdown on Friday.

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Welcome back to this week’s countdown. If you missed the first 10 songs, you can still check them out. Now, let’s Return to the week ending August 27, 1988, and continue the countdown.

30. “Love Bites” by Def Leppard

This ballad by Def Leppard is probably my least favorite song by them. But, it was the band’s only song that became a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, so what do I know?

29. “Missed Opportunity” by Daryl Hall & John Oates

This song is OK. I much prefer their hits from the early ’80s.

28. “Please Don’t Go Girl” by New Kids On The Block

Today’s songs aren’t exactly starting out strong. This was The New Kids’ breakout hit. The lead vocals og this ballad was sung by Joey McIntyre, Jordan Knight, and spoken by Danny Wood.

27. “Just Got Paid” by Johnny Kemp

This was a fun dance song. However, I think that at the time that this came out, I got paid on Thursdays, so I couldn’t relate to this song.

26. “I Hate Myself For Loving You” by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

Joan Jett just plain rocks.

25. “Don’t Worry Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin

Ugh. Just when things were starting to get good, one of my most hated songs of the ’80s gets thrown in the mix!

24. “Here With Me” by REO Speedwagon

OK, now I’m happy. I always liked REO Speedwagon. I think it’s funny and presumptuous when new songs get introduced on a greatest hits album, as is the case with “Here With Me.” Well, this song proved that it was worthy to be on REO’s greatest hit album, The Hits.

23. “Rag Doll” by Aerosmith

This would have been a good song if it wasn’t played to death.

22. “One Good Woman” by Peter Cetera

I’m loving this countdown again! This is one of my favorite Peter Cetera songs.

21. “Hold On to the Nights” by Richard Marx

Good. Today’s songs end on a good note. This is one of those songs that got played a lot, but I still liked it anyway. I still like it a lot. This was the fourth and final single released from Richard Marx’s self-titled debut album.

Wow, that was a schizophrenic list of songs for me today! I loved some songs and hated (or am totally sick of) others. What do you think of this countdown so far? This countdown will get better. So come back and see for yourself as we continue tomorrow.

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