My Top 5 Songs for 1990

We made it to 1990, woohoo!  Let's start the decade off with Billy Joel's We Didn't Start The Fire.
Billy Joel Made the list for 1980 and now 1990 with a very different sound.

Next, M.C. Hammer's U Can't Touch This.  There was loads of rap hits this year - when rap was still fun and before it turned gangsta.  This is a great example.

B-52s's Love Shack is another tune where I don't really know why I'm including it, other than it's just goofy fun.  It's a great party song.

Tom Petty's Free Fallin'. I like the song as is, but there was also a memorable duet that Tom Petty did with Axel Rose with this tune.

Lastly, I felt I had to include Madonna's Vogue.  The song wasn't my personal favorite, but it created a huge craze and has shown great staying power.

Honorable mention:

Wilson Phillips.  Hold On. #1 for 1990 and deservedly so.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIbXvaE39wM

Vanilla Ice.  Ice Ice Baby.  One of the more polarizing figures from this period.  Most either liked him or hated him and he was hard to like.  Good song though, even if the beat may have been stolen from "Under Pressure" which is a great song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rog8ou-ZepE

Janet Jackson.  Rhythm Nation.  It's Janet Jackson!  I had to include her somewhere.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAwaNWGLM0c

Snap.  The Power.  One of the funner dance songs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm6DO_7px1I

Jon Bon Jovi.  Blaze Of Glory.  I believe this went with the movie Young Guns 2.  I liked the song better than the movie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfmYCM4CS8o

1989's Top 5 Songs

Time to say goodbye to the 80s.  We started the 80s with some rebellious, independent songs.  So, a good way to end it is with another:  Bobby Brown's My Prerogative.  Bobby's biggest and best tune.

Next is R.E.M.'s Stand. Great group dance song - except this video doesn't show the dance :(.

Young M.C.'s Bust A Move.  Nice groove.

Roxette.  The Look.  This wasn't Roxette's biggest hit, but I believe it was their coolest.

Milli Vanilli.  Blame It On The Rain.  Turns out these guys were lip syncing.  It was quite the scandal.  It's admittedly the only reason their in the top 5.  I thought the music was okay - but the guys bugged me.  So, I almost liked the music better knowing that it wasn't these guys.

Honorable Mention:

Chicago.  Look Away.  #1 song for the year.  My friend who was a Chicago freak would be so proud.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uKLTtVqQpE

Boy Meets Girl.  Waiting For A Star To Fall.  Cute.  Romantic. Catchy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhxF9Qg5mOU

Fine Young Cannibals. She drives me crazy.  Unique voice in a song that gets stuck in your head.  Your welcome or I'm sorry depending on if you like it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sw54Pdh_m8

When In Rome.  This Promise.  How did I not put this in the top 5?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HI_xFQWiYU

Paula Abdul.  Straight Up.  My peer pressure pick of the week since she had 2 in top 6.  But, honestly, good song, nice video - deserves to be here.  Maybe top 5.  Probably better than Milli Vanilli anyways.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El1kgCqD7Xk

My Top Songs of 1988

We'll start 1988 with what, in my opinion, is by far George Michael's best hit - Faith.  This was also #1 for the year.  Sorry the official video couldn't be loaded.

Next is one of the more humorous music videos in the world thanks to Robin Williams and company.  Bobby McFerrin's Don't Worry, Be Happy.

Now for a couple of unique hits from '88.  Escape Club's Wild, Wild West (not thrilled with the video, maybe just listen) . . .

And Information Society's What's On Your Mind.

We'll end with the #2 song of '88: Need You Tonight by INXS.

Honorable Mentions:

Dedicated to my son who is an Elvis fan: Cheap Trick's remake of Don't Be Cruel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-oYFEXScEU

George Harrison.  Got My Mind Set On You.  #3 Song of the year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZGYYDvZnpg

Guns N' Roses.  Sweet Child O' Mine. Lots of glam rock/heavy metal this year so here's a nod of recognition for the highest ranked of the bunch (#5 for 1988).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w7OgIMMRc4

Aerosmith.  Angel.  One of the few slow songs I've included.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBTOGVb_cQg

Michael Jackson.  Man In The Mirror.  No Weird Al this time, just a good MJ tune.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PivWY9wn5ps

My Top 5 of 1987

There's so...much... variety in 1987.  Argh!  It's hard to decide.  So, we'll start with the #1 song of the year:  Bangles. Walk Like An Egyptian.

Next up is Los Lobos La Bamba.  Who can stop themselves from at least trying to singing along with this?

Billy Idol's Mony Mony was the designated "slam dance" song back in the day. You know, where people slam into each other and it usually lasted about 5 seconds before the music was stopped and we were all called to repentance.

Just for goofs I've included Wang Chung's Everybody Have Fun Tonight.  Whatever happened to these guys? Wait, I'm writing a blog, maybe I should tell you? Nah, it's not that type of blog.  So, just sit back and have fun (or should I say sit back and "Wang Chung"?).

We'll end with U2's With Or Without You which may be my favorite U2 hit.

Honorable Mention:

Tiffany.  I Think We're Alone Now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6Q3mHyzn78

U2.  I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For.  Great song!  Close to making it in the top 5.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdCJRybAtso

Michael Jackson.  Bad.  Another MJ song listed for a lead in to another Weird Al song: Fat.  Which would make my top 5 music videos of all time.  So, I'm including the video below instead of the link. It's even funnier after watching Bad first.  Yo ding dong man, ding dong ding dong yo.
Bad

Bon Jovi.  Wanted Dead Or Alive.  Bon Jovi's dream of being a cowboy song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRvCvsRp5ho

Georgia Satellites.  Keep Your Hands To Yourself.  Cheeky Southern Rock fun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdpAop7gp0w

My Top 5 Songs For 1986

Let's start 1986 with Run-D.M.C.'s mash up with Aeorosmith's Walk This Way.  This pioneered a new style of rap.  The hit also revitalized Aerosmith's career.

For those desiring the opposite of rap, I've added John Cougar Mellencamp's Small Town.  Plus, I grew up in a small rural area. So, I might as well celebrate it.

Next, I've included the upbeat Latin flavor of Miami Sound Machine's Conga.  I'm giving you all kinds of different music this week!  I hope you like variety ;)

Speaking of different, here's Falco's unusual, but fun, Rock Me Amadeus.  Good luck trying to understand the lyrics.  The chorus is awesome though!

I've wrapped up the Top 5 with Prince's classic, Kiss.  YouTube doesn't seem to carry Prince, but here's a Glee version I found.  

Or if you want a less risque video, here's a cover from some random band at a Paris metro.

Honorable Mention:

Dionne and Friends.  That's What Friends Are For.  #1 song of the year.  Also includes Elton John, Gladys Knight & Stevie Wonder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyTpu6BmE88

Mr. Mister.  Kyrie.  No idea what's going on in the song, but it made it to the top 10 for the year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NDjt4FzFWY

Pet Shop Boys.  West End Girls.  Time to see if you like Pet Shop Boys.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZv7amQjB00

James Brown.  Living In America.  Yeah, America!  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5BL4RNFr58

John Cougar Mellencamp.  R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A.  For not being a huge Mellencamp fan, I seem to include a lot of his tunes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgtmStUrXMQ

My Top 5 for 1985

There was fund raising across the world in 1985 for hunger relief in Africa due to massive famines that had hit.  This included the first tune of the day U.S.A. For Africa's We Are The World.  Soooo many famous people.  Fund raising that year also included $11 million raised from those of the LDS Faith.  This marked the beginning of LDS Charities which in the 30 years since has delivered $1.2 billion in assistance to people who are suffering.   Pretty impressive.

And now for something completely different, Dire Straits Money For Nothing.  Just so that you understand the reference, when they say "I want my MTV" over and over it is because MTV used to play music.  Get it?  MTV? MUSIC television?  Makes sense, huh?

Here's Bryan Adams' Summer Of '69. I don't have much to say about it, other than, "Enjoy!"

Of course, I had to include Bruce Springsteen's Born In The USA, which is a little deeper than what people usually give it credit for.

Lastly, I've added  Pat Benatar's We Belong.  It seemed to add a nice bit of symmetry to the Top 5  this week.

Honorable Mentions:

Wham! Careless Whisper. #1 song of the year. Hard to believe this ranked higher than Whams Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.  Well, maybe not.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izGwDsrQ1eQ

Simple Minds.  Don't You (Forget About Me).  TV show Pysch fans may recognize this because it was part of the Breakfast Club movie soundtrack, which movie Psych seemed almost obsessed with.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdqoNKCCt7A

Starship.  We Built This City.  This was playing everywhere, all the time.  I didn't really understand why everybody loved it in 1985 and admittedly still don't.  I guess I've included it due to peer pressure and perhaps a curiosity for what a fresh set of ears thought.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1b8AhIsSYQ

Murray Head.  One Night In Bangkok.  Unique song of the week. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9mwELXPGbA

Madonna.  Material Girl.  Fun music video and remarkably tame for Madonna.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNSUOFgj97M

My Top 5 1984 Song Recommendations

1984.  The year of Michael Jackson's Thriller.  Okay, so it was released in 1983, but it was in the top 100 for 1984.  Made like a movie, some say that the music video changed the industry.  Maybe.  But, Vincent Price does the voice work and it's worth listening to for that alone.  Plus, everyone needs to know a bit of the "Thriller" dance.

Next are a couple of songs from actual blockbuster movies.  First, Ray Parker Jr.'s Ghostbusters.  Everybody's probably heard this song, because they watched the movie.  If you haven't seen the film go out and watch it today!!  

Second, Kenny Loggin's Footloose.  So. Fun. To. Dance. To.  Also linked with another great movie you should probably watch once in your life. If you watch it, make sure it's the movie with Kevin Bacon - not the newer version.

Switching to life outside of the film industry, I'm going with Corey Hart's Sunglasses At Night. After this song, you couldn't be considered cool without wearing sunglasses.

To wrap up I'll use Stevie Wonder's I Just Called To Say I Love You.  One of my favorite Stevie Wonder hits.  Makes me think of my wife.  Hi Julee!

Honorable Mentions:

Prince, When Doves Cry. #1 in 1984 for a reason.
http://video.naij.com/view=6qgucczw&ref=search_redirect&autoplay=1

Cyndi Lauper, Girls Just Want To Have Fun. If you didnt like this one try:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIb6AZdTr-A

Cyndi Lauper, Time After Time. If you don't like this one, well I guess you don't like Cyndi Lauper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdQY7BusJNU

ZZ Top, Sharp Dressed Man. You should probably watch at least one ZZ Top video in your life.  If nothing else, to at least get the visual jokes that you still see from time to time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wRHBLwpASw

Cars, You Might Think.  It's fun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dOx510kyOs