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1987, Music, Top 40

Top 40 Songs This Week (UK Edition) – July 12, 1987: Songs 40-31

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Hi Lads and Lasses! We are way overdue for a new Top 40 countdown! This week, we will take another trip across the pond, to the UK. And if you are in the UK already, look out, here we come! This week, we will take a look at what the Top 40 songs were this week in 1987, in the UK. For those of us in the U.S., there will be some familiar songs. There will also be plenty of songs that didn’t hit it big in the U.S. As usual, you can click on the song title to get the YouTube video of the song, and you can click on the album cover to buy or listen to the song on Amazon. So, let’s Return to the week ending July 12, 1987, and get the countdown started!

40. “Jack Mix II/III” by Mirage

This is an electronic instrumental. I don’t listen to today’s EDM. Or maybe if I do hear it, I black out from the pain of that crap going into my ears. This song is OK since it has a small sample of “Axel F” in it.

39. “It’s Not Unusual (1987)” by Tom Jones

Apparently this song, a Carlton Banks favorite, had a resurgence in 1987. The Welsh Wonder (I just made that up) Tom Jones, originally had a smash hit with this song in 1965, when he was an unknown.

 

38. “Lifetime Love” by Joyce Sims

This is a pretty good freestyle song by Joyce Sims, who hails from Rochester New York. She never hit it too big in the U.S. This song did reach up to #23 on the U.S. R&B charts, but did not chart on the mainstream Billboard Hot 100. But, it reached up to #34 on the U.K. charts. She is still around, with her most recent album being released in 2014.

37. “Just Don’t Want to be Lonely” by Freddie McGregor

This song was originally recorded in 1973 by Ronnie Dyson, then made popular in 1974 by The Main Ingredient. This reggae version by Freddie McGregor became a huge hit in the U.K. reaching all the way up to #9.

 

36. “Scales of Justice” by Living in a Box

This was Living in a Box’s follow-up single to their self-titled single. It did not chart at all in the U.S., but reached #30 on the U.K charts. I’m really digging this song. It’s a very cool, upbeat song that sticks with you.

 

35. “Looking for a New Love” by Jody Watley

Here’s a song that hit it big everywhere. This was Jody Watley’s debut solo single. In 1987, she won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. Originally, Watley was a member of Shalamar, who are huge in England. I still can’t figure out why they don’t have a huge audience here.

 

34. “Victim of Love” by Erasure

This song by the synth-pop duo, Erasure, was a huge hit in the U.K., reaching all the way to #7. It did not chart at all on the Billboard Hot 100. They would have to wait for “Chains of Love” the following year for that.

 

33. “Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House

This song was a worldwide smash hit for the Australian band. It was nominated for Best Group Video, and Best Direction at the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards, and earned the group a Best New Artist award. This song was also covered by Paul Young in 1991, and by Sixpence None the Richer in 2003.

 

32. “Songbird” by Kenny G

Time for a little smooth jazz. Definitely not my kind of music. But, I do appreciate it much more now than I did when I was 16.

 

 

31. “Jive Talkin'” Boogie Box High

What the hell?!?!? Why have I not heard of this version before? I love the Bee Gees, and love this song. But, I had never heard about this super group, Boogie Box High. It consists of guitarist Nick Heyward (of Haircut One Hundred), keyboardist Mick Talbot (of The Style Council), guitarist–songwriter David Austin, bassist Deon Estus, and a singer you may have heard of – George Michael!

Well, that wraps up today’s list of songs. What do you think so far? Any new songs you hadn’t heard before? Come back tomorrow for some more gems.

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1987, Artists, Music, Top 40

Top 40 Songs This Week – February 28, 1987: Songs 40-31

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Hi Everybody! We are back this week with another Top 40 Countdown! This week, we Return to 1987. This was one of the best periods in my life. I was in my junior year of high school. I was actually doing decent in school, finally. I had met a girl who would be a great girlfriend around this time. And music, movies, and TV shows were outstanding. So, “let’s go”, and Return to the week ending February 28, 1987, and begin the countdown. As usual, you can click on the song title to watch the video, and you can click onthe album cover to listen or purchase the song on Amazon.

40. “That Ain’t Love” by REO Speedwagon

Very cool rocker by REO, who were still going strong, as this song cracked the Top 40 this week, and would go on to be a top 20 hit.

39. “Don’t Need a Gun” by Billy Idol

Yeesh, this is a timely song title right now. I had forgotten about this song. This song also mentions the album title – Whiplash Smile. I always thought it was cool when there was no title track, but a song on the album had the title in the lyrics.

38. “C’est La Vie” by Robbie Nevil

This was a huge hit for Robbie Nevil, reaching all the way up to #2 on the Hot 100. I was very much into rock at this point, so I didn’t care much for it. It didn’t help that it was constantly on the airwaves.

37. “Midnight Blue” by Lou Gramm

Great song that was Lou Gramm’s debut solo single. It would be his biggest solo hit, reaching #5. Still love this song to this day!

36. “As We Lay” by Shirley Murdock

I never heard of this song in my life. It’s a good R&B slow jam song. This would go well on the soundtrack of a Tyler Perry movie.

35. “We Connect” by Stacey Q

Another song I had forgotten about. Stacey Q performed this on an episode of The Facts of Life. I kind of dig the guitar solo in this!

34. “Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House

This worldwide smash hit by Australia’s own Crowded House, reached all the way to #2 in the U.S.

33. “We’re Ready” by Boston

I love Boston! They were on fire in the late ’70s with back-to-back smash albums. However, it then took 8 years to release their 3rd album, Third Stage. It was another great album. But, what I remember most was when I bought the cassette, and in the liner notes, there were all kinds of excuses of why it took so long to release this album. Even back then, I thought that was strange.

32. “Let’s Go” by Wang Chung

My favorite Wang Chung song! No matter how down I am, this song always seems to lift me up.

31. “Facts of Love” by Jeff Lorber Featuring Karyn White

We’ll close out today with another song I had never heard of before. I’ve been missing out! This song was off of Jeff Lorber’s Private Passion album. In 1988, Karyn White would go on to release her debut album, and had a great run as a solo artist.

Well, that wraps up today’s list of songs. Any favorites so far, or any forgotten hits for you? What were you doing at this time in 1987? I’d love to hear from you! Come back tomorrow as we continue the countdown.

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1987, Artists, Music, Top 40

Top 40 Songs This Week: August 8, 1987 – Songs 30-21

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Welcome back as the countdown continues. If you missed the first 10 songs, you can go back and check them out. In the early ’80s, radio was quite diverse. Disco was still winding down, and there were a lot of singer/songwriter, rock, and pop tunes. In the late ’80s, the Top 40 countdowns were still diverse. There was a good combination of pop, rock, and R&B. And today’s list is no exception. So, let’s go back to the good ole days, and Return to the week ending August 8, 1987, and go on with the countdown.

30. “Point of No Return” by Exposé


Often imitated, but never duplicated! This pioneering female freestyle group had an incredible start, landing four top 10 hits from their debut album, Exposure. And this was one of them.

29. “When Smokey Sings” by ABC


Am I the only one that thinks this video would be awesome if it featured Jackie Gleason, Burt Reynolds, and Jerry Reed from Smokey and the Bandit?

28. “Doing It All For My Baby” by Huey Lewis & The News


Not one of my favorite Huey Lewis songs. But man, were the videos fun back then! The music doesn’t even start until over 3 1/2 minutes in!

27. “Something So Strong” by Crowded House


Much like Exposé, Crowded House got off to a strong start, turning out hits like this and “Don’t Dream It’s Over” from their debut album.

26. “Hearts On Fire” by Bryan Adams


Yes, people born post ’80s, Bryan Adams had more hits than “Summer of ’69” and “Cuts Like a Knife”. For example…this song! I can’t get enough of it.

25. “Living In a Box” by Living In a Box


Often, the question comes up, Can you name a song with the same name as its artist? This, Night Ranger, and Danger Danger are always my go-to’s. This song has that classic ’80s pop sound.

24. “Girls, Girls, Girls” by Mötley Crüe


Meh. If you want to listen to some real Crüe, go back to their first 2 albums – Too Fast For Love and Shout At the Devil.

23. “Can’t We Try” by Dan Hill and Vonda Shepard


Music whiplash! We go from a rocker to a slow duet ballad. There were a lot of great duets in the ’80s, and this is definitely one of them.

22. “I’d Still Say Yes” by Klymaxx


Another ballad I remember slow dancing to back in those high school days.

21. “Love Power” by Dionne Warwick and Jeffrey Osborne


We wrap up today with a classy song. This song was written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager. I love both Dionne Warwick’s and Jeffrey Osborne’s voices. And together, they sound great.

Well, we’re halfway through the countdown. What do you think so far? Do you have any favorites, or are there any surprises that you had forgotten about? Let me know.

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Artists, Music, Remember That Song?

Remember That Song: 2/11/16

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Can you name the artist and song:

Tonto, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it…
Kemosabi, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it

Last Song: “Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House from the album Crowded House (1986)

I’m so happy that there was a lot of participation yesterday! Great job Po napisach (@ponapisach), Karina (@WillieSun), MC Chunky (@MCChunkyA), and Andy (@andytorah)!!!

There is freedom within
There is freedom without
Try to catch a deluge in a paper cup

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Artists, Music, Remember That Song?

Remember That Song – 3/5/13

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Can you name the artist and song:

I have only come here seeking knowledge
Things they would not teach me of in college

Last Song: “Something So Strong” by Crowded House

Great job Kickin’ It Old School (@oldschool80s) and Kids Inc Daily (@kidsincdaily)

Love can make you weep
Can make you run for cover
Roots that spread so deep
Bring life to frozen ground

 

And courtesy of @kidsincdaily:

 

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Artists, Music, Remember That Song?

Remember That Song – 6/7/12

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Can you name the artist and song/lyrics:

___ _____ __ _______ and the tough guys tumble
Can’t be too careful with your company

Last Song: “Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House:

When the world comes in
They come, they come
To build a wall between us
We know they won’t win

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