Hi Everybody, welcome back to this week’s countdown. You can go back and check out songs 40-31 and 30-21 if you missed them. There is a decent variety of music today, although there are no hair bands. However, there are two people on today’s list who each currently star on successful television crime dramas. So, let’s Return to the week ending August 5, 1989, and continue the countdown.

20. “No More Rhyme” by Debbie Gibson

This is no “Lost In Your Eyes”. However, this is still a really good ballad by my late ’80s crush. Speaking of which – yes, that is Danica McKellar (The Wonder Years‘ Winnie Cooper) playing the cello in the video. Be still my heart!

Don’t worry my female readers. You get your turn coming up in a few songs.

19. “Friends” by Jody Watley featuring Eric B. & Rakim

I had not remembered this song. I like this one, which also features a rap by the hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim.

18. “Hey Baby” by Henry Lee Summer

This is one of those songs that I had forgotten about, but remembered it when I heard the chorus. I like this song a lot. It doesn’t hurt that it was written by Lou Gramm and Mick Jones of Foreigner.

17. “Hangin’ Tough” by New Kids On the Block

Here you go girls. This is actually one of the few songs by NKTOB that I find somewhat tolerable. They do score some points with me because they are from my general area. And Donnie Wahlberg, who sings the lead vocals on this song, is currently starring as a kick-ass detective on the show Blue Bloods, which also stars Magnum P.I.’s Tom Selleck as Donnie’s father.

OK ladies, which New Kid was your favorite? I know you have one.

16. “Dressed for Success” by Roxette

I love Roxette, and this is a great song. It was the second single released from their awesome Look Sharp! album.

15. “I’m That Type of Guy” by LL Cool J

I had only heard of a couple of LL Cool J songs, and this was not one of them. The Ladies my Love Cool James, but I’m not a big fan. He is pretty decent on the television show NCIS: Los Angeles.

14. “Don’t Wanna Lose You” by Gloria Estefan

This ballad by Gloria Estefan would go onto become her second #1 single. This song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance but lost against Bonnie Raitt’s “Nick of Time.”

13. “Secret Rendezvous” by Karyn White

R&B singer Karyn White scored a big hit with this song, which would reach #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, and would be a #1 hit on the dance chart.

12. “Crazy About Her” by Rod Stewart

Rod Stewart was on a hot streak through the ’70s and ’80s. I forgot how good his 1988 album Out of Order was, which not only featured this song, but also had “Lost in You“, “Forever Young“, and “My Heart Can’t Tell You No.”

11. “Express Yourself” by Madonna

Speaking of artists who used to be good, but aren’t so good these days, we will wrap up today’s list with this awesome song by Madonna. This is one of my favorites from the Like a Prayer album.

The video was directed by David Fincher.

Even though there was a song or two that I wasn’t too crazy about, I think this countdown has been very good so far this week. Tomorrow’s list is also going to be very good as we wrap up the countdown. So come on back if you dare!

Follow @returntothe80s