Sorry to too my own horn, but "Wicked Game" didn't become a hit because of its inclusion in "Wild At Heart"... there's so much more to the story and it involves, well... me! Haha. The story is told well here: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-02-17-ca-1705-story.html
It's pretty obvious that Ingrid Chavez was the true songwriter of "Justify My Love" when you listen to her other songs. I always liked this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEM23lep2Uk
The best thing Stevie B ever did was "If You Leave Me Now", which he wrote and produced for Jaya in 1989. It reached #41 on the Hot 100. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JmKYsVpSMc
I met Jon Bon Jovi once back in the mid 90's. He's one of those very rare celebrities who was even more attractive in person than in videos and photos. And a supremely nice guy.
Peaking at #7 behind New Kids was After 7 with the silky-smooth "Ready or Not", which hit #1 on the R&B chart. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fohpiig8N4U
Peaking at #8 behind New Kids on the Block was Depeche Mode with "Enjoy the Silence", the highest charting single of their career. It's a 10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGSKrC7dGcY
Totally agree. Prince has written so many fantastic songs that are undeniable, stone cold classics, but for me, "Nothing Compares 2 U" is his finest moment as a songwriter.
I'm just here to say that "I'll Be Your Shelter" is much better than a 5. If Tina Turner had recorded it, it might've been a defining single for her. I'd give it a 9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaNkNG3E29c
Peaking at #5 behind Billy Joel was Taylor Dayne's "With Every Beat of My Heart", the lead single from her 2nd album -- the video premiered a whole look for Taylor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLqavsL003Q
Peaking at #4 behind Billy Joel was Soul II Soul with the chill classic "Back To Life." It was a 10 then and it's still a 10 now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB54dZkzZOY
Peaking at #3 behind Milli Vanilli was Paula Abdul with "(It's Just) The Way That You Love Me", her 4th Top 10 single from the "Forever Your Girl" album, but it won't be the last. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqg82l8WniQ
Peaking at #7 behind Milli Vanilli was Alice Cooper, who in 1989 must have looked around and wondered "How can I get back into the game?" and then came up with "Poison", one of the finest hair metal songs of all time (thanks to a Desmond Child co-write). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qq4j1LtCdww
"Blame It On The Rain" is easily Milli Vanilli's strongest song and it's also one of Diane Warren's very best. I first met Diane at a Grammy party in the late 90s and I told her how fantastic I thought "Blame It On the Rain" was. I also mentioned that one of my favorite things about the song is the part in the verse where the song unexpectedly shifts into a different key. Diane told me that was an accident that happened while she was playing it on the piano, but she liked it so much she decided to keep it! I've cued this clip up to the part I'm taking about.... it happens on the word "fool". https://youtu.be/-61WSsx3lnc?t=70
Also peaking at #2 behind Janet Jackson's 4th week at #1 was Tears For Fears with "Sowing the Seeds of Love", their final top 10 hit. https://youtu.be/VAtGOESO7W8?t=4
Peaking at #7 behind Milli Vanilli were the Bee Gees with "One", the final Top 10 hit of their career (in the US). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRUeMgzOCCo
Peaking at #3 behind Milli Vanilla was the now-classic "If I Could Turn Back Time", a song that Cher hated. Songwriter Diane Warren had to get on her knees and literally beg Cher to record it. https://youtu.be/GgD9FyE60hs?t=5
We interrupt this program to inform you that Tom is wrong about Jon Secada's "Just Another Day". It's not a 6 --- it's a 10, at least in my book!
https://youtu.be/vMCgWjHS5Wk
I'm just here to cheer Tom giving Madonna's "Express Yourself" a well-deserved 10, although I prefer the single version to the one used in the video and greatest hits packages. https://youtu.be/G9HUQqClc7c
It apparently was a week for deeply uncool music. Peaking at #2 behind Michael Damien was "Soldier of Love" by Donny Osmond. One of the most unexpected comebacks of all time. https://youtu.be/AkgoQkFOaYA
My personal favorite #1's of the 80s:
1. Don't You (Forget About Me) - Simple Minds
2. Bette Davis Eyes - Kim Carnes
3. Afica - Toto
4. I Can't Go For That (No Can Do) - Hall & Oates
5. Don't You Want Me - Human League
6. Upside Down - Diana Ross
7. Flashdance...What a Feeling - Irene Cara
8. Jessie's Girl - Rick Springfield
9. Here I Go Again - Whitesnake
10.Beat It - Michael Jackson
Peaking at #4 behind The Bangles was "My Heart Can't Tell You No" by Rod Stewart. Although he would chart a half dozen more Top 10 songs after this one, "My Heart..." is was last truly great hit. A 10 for me. https://youtu.be/NtNKowPiB2w?t=4
Most people think of Information Society as a one hit wonder, but "Walking Away" (basically a rehash of "What's On Your Mind") peaked at #9 behind Paula Abdul. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyoUQisz8Fw
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