We are back to continue the countdown! So far, this has been pretty cool. On today’s list, there are some very familiar songs to everybody. And there are some that we may have never heard before. And there are two songs with very familiar titles, but totally different from what we would expect. As usual, you can click on the song title to listen to the song on YouTube, and you can click on the album cover to get the song from Amazon. Now, let’s Return to the week ending July 12, 1987 in the U.K., and continue the countdown!

20. “Hold Me Now” by Johnny Logan

Not to be confused with the hit song by the Thompson Twins, this ballad by the Irish singer, Johnny Logan, was the winner of the 1987 Eurovision Song Contest. Never released in the U.S., this song was a top 5 song in most of the European countries, with the exception of Switzerland, where it peaked at #6.

19. “I Want Your Sex” by George Michael

This worldwide smash hit was the first single released from Michael’s iconic Faith album. It was also part of the Beverly Hills Cop II Soundtrack, which was an awesome soundtrack.

18. “Comin’ On Strong” by Broken English

Broken English was a British band formed in 1987 by Steve Elson (singer and guitarist), who at the time performed in a Rolling Stones tribute band. You can totally get that vibe from this song. It sounds like it could be a Rolling Stones song.

17. “Sweet Sixteen” by Billy Idol

This was the 3rd single released from Billy Idol’s Whiplash Smile album. This song also appeared in a Miami Vice episode, which automatically gives it a Cool factor, as if Billy Idol isn’t enough for that.

16. “F.L.M.” by Mel and Kim

Mel and Kim were sisters Melanie and Kim Appleby. Sadly, Melanie died of cancer in 1990 at the age of 23. She bears a striking resemblance to Maya Rudolph. This was the third single released from their debut album, F.L.M.

15. “Alone” by Heart

Unless you live under a rock, you know this signature song by Heart. It was a worldwide smash hit. But, did you know it was a cover? It was originally performed by I-Ten in 1983. Not only that, but before Heart covered it, the song was also covered by Valerie Stevenson and legendary Beach Boys drummer, John Stamos in their roles as Lisa Copley and Gino Minelli, on the original soundtrack of the CBS sitcom Dreams in 1984.

14. “When Smokey Sings” by ABC

This is a pretty cool tribute to the R&B legend, Smokey Robinson. Robinson was still going strong at the time. In October of 1987, in the U.S. on the Billboard Hot 100, Robinson’s hit, “One Heartbeat”, was in the top 10 along with this tribute song to him.

13. “Let’s Dance” by Chris Rae

Not to be confused with David Bowie’s hit song, this song is by British rock and blues singer-songwriter and guitarist, Chris Rea. This song would peak at #12 here, but only landed at #81 in the U.S.

12. “Sweetest Smile” by Black

This sounds like a combination of Bryan Ferry, Morrissey, and Chris Isaak. This is not for me.

11. “Is This Love” by Whitesnake

Back to a song familiar to the U.S. audience. This was the second single released from Whitesnake’s classic 1987 self-titled album. What an awesome rock ballad! It would reach #9 in the U.K., and #2 in the U.S.

That wraps up today’s list of songs. Come back tomorrow as we see what the biggest hits were in the U.K. this week in 1987!

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