Alexander O’Neal | Return to the 80s

Welcome to a new week of Top 40 music! This week, we are back to the U.S. charts. This week, we are hopping in the Delorian, and heading to 1986. At this time in 1986, I was beginning to head towards the end of my Sophomore year of high school. Academically, this was a horrible time for me. But, there was great music, TV, and movies to help get me by.
As usual, if you want to listen to the song/watch the video, you can click on the song title. If you want to purchase or listen to the song on Amazon, you can click on the album cover. Now, let’s Return to the week ending April 5, 1986, and start the countdown!

40. “Greatest Love At All” by Whitney Houston

This cover of George Benson’s 1977 hit enters the Top 40 this week. This would be one of many iconic Whitney songs.

39. “I Can’t Wait” by Nu Shooz

Time to hit the dance floor!

38. “Something About You” by Level 42

Level 42 had about 42 top 40 hits in the U.K. OK, I may be exaggerating a bit. They actually had 20, but 42 would have been cooler. However, in the U.S., they only had 2 hits in the U.S., with this being the first. Maybe we’ll catch more Level 42 songs when we head back to the U.K.

37. “I Do What I Do… (Theme From “9-1/2 Weeks”)” by John Taylor & Jonathan Elias

This song, from the soundtrack of 9 1/2 Weeks, which starred Kim Basinger and Mickey Rourke, was John Taylor’s first solo singing performance during Duran Duran’s hiatus.

36. “For America” by Jackson Browne

I had never heard this song. It is a pretty good rocker. And it could be just as appropriate today as it was 32 years ago.

35. “If You Leave” by Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark

Iconic ’80s tune from an iconic ’80s movie – Pretty in Pink.

34. “Saturday Love” by Cherrelle & Alexander O’Neal

Here is another music discovery for me. I’m loving this R&B hit!

33. “Bad Boy” by Miami Sound Machine featuring Gloria Estefan

This was Miami Sound Machine and Gloria Estefan’s second English language hit, after “Conga”. This was the beginning of a long string of hits for Gloria Estefan.