Cherry Bomb – John Cougar
By the late 1980s, John Cougar Mellencamp had become one of America’s most respected rock songwriters. Having moved beyond the straightforward arena rock of…
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– 1987
Always on My Mind – Pet Shop Boys
Some songs seem destined to find new life with each generation. “Always on My Mind” had already become a country hit for Brenda Lee,…
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When Smokey Sings – ABC
By 1987, ABC had already carved out a unique place in pop music history. Emerging from the British new wave movement with their landmark…
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Say You Will – Foreigner
By 1987, Foreigner had already established themselves as one of the most successful rock bands of the previous decade. From arena-shaking anthems like “Juke…
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Need You Tonight – INXS
By the late 1980s, INXS had spent years building a loyal following through relentless touring and a series of increasingly successful albums. While they…
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Didn’t We Almost Have It All – Whitney Houston
By 1987, Whitney Houston had become the biggest female pop star in the world. Her self-titled debut album had transformed her into an international…
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U Got the Look – Prince
Few artists embraced musical reinvention as fearlessly as Prince. By 1987, he had already conquered funk, rock, pop, R&B, and psychedelic soul while building…
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Sign O’ the Times – Prince
Released in 1987, “Sign o’ the Times” stands as one of Prince’s most daring and socially conscious recordings. While much of his catalog is…
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Only in My Dreams – Debbie Gibson
When “Only in My Dreams” arrived in 1987, it introduced listeners to a remarkable new talent who was unlike many of her teen pop…
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Rock Steady – The Whispers
When The Whispers released “Rock Steady” in 1987, they proved that veteran soul groups could still dominate the charts in an era increasingly defined…
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ust to See Her – Smokey Robinson
The Soulful Comeback That Returned Smokey Robinson to the Top of the Charts Released in April 1987 as the lead single from One Heartbeat,…
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I Don’t Want to Live Without You – Foreigner
The Emotional Power Ballad That Showcased Foreigner’s Romantic Side Released in December 1987 as the third single from Inside Information, “I Don’t Want to…
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Tonight, Tonight, Tonight – Genesis
The Epic That Proved Genesis Could Balance Pop Success with Progressive Ambition Released in February 1987 as the fourth single from Invisible Touch, “Tonight,…
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Who’s That Girl – Madonna
The Soundtrack Hit That Kept Madonna’s Unstoppable Run Alive Released in June 1987, “Who’s That Girl” continued one of the most remarkable streaks in…
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Let’s Wait Awhile – Janet Jackson
When people think about Janet Jackson’s breakthrough album Control, energetic hits like “Nasty,” “What Have You Done for Me Lately,” and “When I Think…
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Never Gonna Give You Up – Rick Astley
Very few songs have managed to become chart-topping hits, cultural touchstones, internet phenomena, and beloved classics all at the same time. Rick Astley’s “Never…
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The Loco-Motion – Kylie Minogue
Released in 1987 in Australia and internationally in 1988, “The Loco-Motion” launched Kylie Minogue’s recording career in spectacular fashion. Already a household name in…
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Lean on Me – Club Nouveau
Released in 1987, Club Nouveau’s version of “Lean on Me” accomplished what many people thought was impossible: it successfully reinvented one of the most…
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Tiffany – I Think We’re Alone Now
Few songs are as closely associated with late-1980s teen pop as Tiffany’s “I Think We’re Alone Now.” Released in 1987 as the lead single…
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Luka – Suzanne Vega
Released in 1987, “Luka” transformed Suzanne Vega from a respected folk singer-songwriter into an international pop star. Appearing on her second album, Solitude Standing,…
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I Want Your Sex – George Michael
Few pop songs of the 1980s generated as much controversy before listeners had even heard them as George Michael’s “I Want Your Sex.” Released…
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Bad – Michael Jackson
Following the unprecedented success of Thriller was one of the toughest assignments in music history. Michael Jackson had created the biggest-selling album of all…
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Valerie – Steve Winwood
Some songs enjoy instant success. Others take a more surprising path before becoming classics. “Valerie” by Steve Winwood falls into the second category. Originally…
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Tell It to My Heart – Taylor Dayne
Every so often, a debut single arrives with such confidence and energy that it immediately announces the arrival of a major new star. That…
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La Bamba – Los Lobos
Few songs have traveled a journey quite like “La Bamba.” Long before it became a chart-topping hit for Los Lobos in 1987, it had…
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Here I Go Again – Whitesnake
Few rock songs capture the spirit of determination and starting over quite like “Here I Go Again.” Performed by Whitesnake, the song became one…
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Control – Janet Jackson
Released in February 1987 as the fourth single and title track from her breakthrough album Control, “Control” became far more than just another hit—it…
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Mony Mony – Billy Idol
Released in 1987 as the lead single from the live album Vital Idol, Billy Idol’s version of “Mony Mony” became one of the biggest…
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Father Figure – George Michael
Released in December 1987 as the fourth single from Faith, “Father Figure” became one of George Michael’s most memorable and emotionally complex songs. Built…
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Hungry Eyes – Eric Carmen
Released in October 1987 as part of the soundtrack to the hit film Dirty Dancing, “Hungry Eyes” became one of Eric Carmen’s biggest solo…
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She’s Like the Wind – Patrick Swayze
When people think of Patrick Swayze, they usually picture him dancing through Dirty Dancing, surfing in Point Break, or delivering unforgettable performances in films…
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Is This Love – Whitesnake
By the late 1980s, Whitesnake had become one of the biggest rock bands in the world. Fueled by the explosive success of their self-titled…
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Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now – Starship
Few songs capture the optimism and larger-than-life spirit of the 1980s quite like “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.” Released in 1987, the soaring power…
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Alone – Heart
There are power ballads, and then there is “Alone.” Released in 1987 as the lead single from Heart’s album Bad Animals, the song became…
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Heaven Is a Place on Earth – Belinda Carlisle
When Belinda Carlisle left The Go-Go’s to launch a solo career, many wondered whether she could achieve the same level of success on her…
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Livin’ on a Prayer – Bon Jovi
Few songs capture the spirit of perseverance, hope, and determination quite like “Livin’ on a Prayer.” Released in 1986 as the second single from…
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I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking for – U2
By the mid-1980s, U2 had already established itself as one of rock music’s most exciting bands, but “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking…
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Faith – George Michael
Breaking away from a massively successful group is one of the toughest challenges in music. Expectations are enormous, comparisons are unavoidable, and every new…
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The Way You Make Me Feel – Michael Jackson
By 1987, Michael Jackson faced an impossible challenge. After the unprecedented success of Thriller, many wondered whether he could ever create another album capable…
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Welcome to the Jungle – Guns N’ Roses
Some songs announce the arrival of a new band. “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses declared war on everything that came before…
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With or Without You – U2
Every great band has a defining moment—a song that transforms them from popular artists into global icons. For U2, that song was “With or…
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Pour Some Sugar on Me – Def Leppard
There are rock songs, and then there are songs that become events. The moment “Pour Some Sugar on Me” by Def Leppard begins, audiences…
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