Don’s Top 10 From October 12, 1988
Back...back...back into the mists of time, as the Time Machine lands on Wednesday, October 12, 1988. Let's check out the local survey:
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- 10
"Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses
(#6 last week) I admit, this was not one of my favorites when new. I'm just not a metalhead or hard rocker, but something about the hook of this huge hit has gotten to me over the years. So I'm in!
- 9
"Please Don't Go Girl" by New Kids On The Block
(#12 last week) The first hit of the "boy band" era. Again, a song I didn't appreciate at the time, but now I'm hearing traces of classic soul in it..
- 8
"Don't Be Cruel" by Cheap Trick
(#9 last week) Talk about a forgotten hit! This has completely disappeared from radio. Good to bring it back. And how about another "Don't Be Cruel" on the chart! Bobby Brown is at #14 with a different song that has the same title. Weird chart coincidence.
- 7
"Kokomo" by The Beach Boys
(#14 last week) One of the most polarizing songs in music history. An instant huge smash, there's very little in-between here: either you love it or you hate it. No, Brian Wilson had nothing to do with it. Written by a couple of 60s vets, Papa John Phillips & Scott McKenzie.
- 6
"I'll Always Love You" by Taylor Dayne
(#3 last week) Taylor's real name is Leslie Wunderman. Hey, that's a cool name! She should have kept it for show biz. In 1985, when Taylor was 23, she married an 18-year old guy.
- 5
"Bad Medicine" by Bon Jovi
(#8 last week) The first single from "New Jersey", co -written by Jon, Richie & Desmond Child. Anyone remember when Desmond had his own group, Desmond Child & Rouge?
- 4
"Love Bites" by Def L:eppard
(#4 last week) At this time in 1988, after over 200 shows on tour in support of "Hysteria", the band began work on their fifth album.
- 3
"A Groovy Kind Of Love" by Phil Collins
(#5 last week) The female voice on The Archies #1 hit "Sugar, Sugar" co-wrote this! I'm referring to Toni Wine, who also sang on Dawn's "Candida" & "Knock Three Times".
- 2
"Don't Worry Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin
(#1 last week) Along with "Kokomo" (both were from the movie "Cocktail"), another very polarizing hit record. The only a cappella song to ever hit #1. Bobby McFerrin used his astounding voice to make all the sounds heard here. The Grammy winner for Song Of The Year & Best Pop Vocal Performance.
- 1
"Red Red Wine" by UB40
(#2 last week; 1st week at #1) Originally a mid-chart record in 1984, this became one of those "secret weapon" undiscovered older songs that radio likes to find. Guy Zapoleon did, while in Phoenix, & used his influence to get this rereleased. This time, it went all the way to the top. UB40 did not know this was first written & recorded by Neil Diamond until after the record peaked at #1. They only saw "N. Diamond" & were surprised to learn later it was Neil. Hey, this wasn't his only song about red wine. Remember "Cracklin' Rosie"?