Welcome back to a new Top 40 Countdown! You may have seen my article kicking off 1990-1991 Week. If not, then “Surprise!” It was this week in 1990 that I left Oakland Naval Hospital to go on to the hospital ship, USNS Mercy, and head to the Gulf War (Desert/Shield Desert Storm). This was a life changing event for me. And my grandmother dying at the same time also added some drama. I know a lot of ’80s music fans are not very fond of the music of this period. But, I have a real soft-spot for it. This music was my outlet as my life was totally changing, post-high school. So, let’s take a look back at what was on the countdown this week in 1990. Things were a little crazy that week, so I’m pretty sure I wasn’t listening to the radio. So come with me, and Return to the week ending August 11, 1990.

40. “Thieves in the Temple” by Prince

This song is from Prince’s soundtrack album, Graffiti Bridge. I had heard of this album, and knew it was a movie soundtrack. But, that was all I knew. I did not know that this was a sequel to Purple Rain. I suppose that shouldn’t be too surprising. The movie was a critical and commercial flop. It was also nominated for five Golden Raspberry Awards including Worst Picture, Worst Actor (Prince), Worst Director (Prince), Worst Screenplay (Prince), and Worst New Star (Ingrid Chavez).

As far as this song, “Thieves in the Temple” goes, I kind of remember this song – especially when it gets to the chrous. It’s actually not too bad. I’m not a big fan of Prince’s work post-Revolution. But, I don’t hate this song. It topped the R&B chart, and peaked at #6 on the Billboard chart.

39. “Close to You” by Maxi Priest

Maxi Priest. In the words of Obi-Wan Kenobi, “That’s a name I’ve not heard in a long time. A long time.” Maxi Priest is a British reggae singer. He would hit #1 with this song on October 6, 1990. This song was released just before I left for the Gulf, so I had no idea that it became a huge hit. Although I was heavy into rock music, I also loved R&B at the time. I liked this song, but not enough to run out and buy it.

38. “Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)” by Mötley Crüe

Now, this was in my wheelhouse back then! This was the fourth single from the great Dr. Feelgood album. In my opinion, this was their best album since Shout at the Devil. This is a fun, great kiss-off song.

37. “We’re All in the Same Gang” by West Coast Rap All-Stars

This is a collaboration of the who’s-who of the West Coast hip-hop artists at the time. It promoted anti-violence. Here is a list of the artists performing in this song:

King Tee
Body & Soul (including Dee Barnes)
Def Jef
Michel’le
Tone-Loc
Above the Law
Ice-T
Dr. Dre, MC Ren and Eazy-E of N.W.A
J.J. Fad
Young MC
Digital Underground (Money-B and Shock G)
Oaktown’s 3.5.7
MC Hammer

36. “The Girl I Used to Know” by Brother Beyond

Brother Beyond were a British boy band group, who only released two albums – Get Even in 1988, and Trust in 1989. This song, “The Girl I Used to Know”, was off of their Trust album, and would be their last hit song. They broke up in 1991.

35. “Pure” by Lightning Seeds

This song, is from the British band’s debut album, Cloudcuckooland. I’m not a huge New Wave fan, so I was not exactly blown away by this song. I probably like it more now than I would have back then. This was completely off my radar, and I never heard of the band or the song.

[Not on iTunes]

34. “Enjoy the Silence” by Depeche Mode

More New Wave. But, I do like some of Depeche Mode’s songs. This song isn’t bad, and it’s classic late-’80s Depeche Mode.

33. “It Must Have Been Love” by Roxette

For some reason, I thought this song was released a little bit later in the ’90s. They released this song in 1990, hot off their Look Sharp! album, for the Pretty Woman soundtrack. Roxette has quite a few great songs, but this is probably the one they are best known for. Here is a fact that I had not been aware of: This song was originally called “ It Must Have Been Love (Christmas for the Broken Hearted)“, and was released in 1987 as a Christmas single. It became a Top 10 hit in Sweden. You learn something new every day!

32. “(Can’t Live Without) Your Love and Affection” by Nelson

I bought Nelson’s After the Rain just before I left for the Gulf. I loved every sing song on that album, including this lead single. When I got back, it seemed like they had more of a boy band reputation instead of a rocker reputation. It doesn’t matter to me. I still love that album, and this song. I think it rocks, and the harmonies are incredible.

31. “My Kinda Girl” by Babyface

We wrap today’s list of songs with an R&B tune. I didn’t remember this song. It was the fourth and final single from Babyface’s album Tender Lover. Babyface has been very successful over the years, as he has written and produced over 26 No. 1 R&B hits and has won 11 Grammy Awards.

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Well, that wraps up today’s list of songs. What a variety! We had R&B, Rock, Rap, and boy bands. So, there’s a little something for everyone. And tomorrow will be more of the same. I hope you’re enjoying your trip back to 1990 so far, and will come back to continue the countdown tomorrow.

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