25TH APRIL- CAN'T BE WITH YOU TONIGHT- Judy Boucher (4 weeks)

 

http://www.chartstats.com/images/artwork/9128.jpg

 

Now I consider myself to be pretty clued up on late 80s chart music and up until I started doing this thread a list only a few records would have genuinely stumped me to recall them, Kate Robbins, Laurie Anderson, Hooked on Classics can all be forgiven for being early 80s hits so I was only a kid but by the age of 11 and 1987 this is the only song on that list that I still not heard. The fact that this spent 4 weeks at No 2 just astounds me, not that it's an awful record, it's just instantly forgettable, and it seems to have to have been erased for the 80s collective memory, probably just for that exact reason.

 

Boucher was a St Vincent crooner who had relocated to the UK in the 70s, and this was, one of only 2 hits for her in this country. It's hard to review really, a reggae tinged track which floats nicely enough, but it's hard to pin down the attraction, and the track is the first No 2 since probably 1984 that I don't recall from the time at all (I do remember the fabulous "La Isla Bonita" being at No 1 and denying this record however).

 

In short this record is a mystery to me, and thusly a not altogether welcome surprise....

 

Edited July 30, 201113 yr by gezza76

23RD MAY- A BOY FROM NOWHERE- Tom Jones (1 week)

 

http://www.chartstats.com/images/artwork/9152.jpg

 

Actually he was the boy from Pontypridd, but it was certainly the hit from nowhere. Tom Jones was, of course, one of the biggest names in chart history back in the 60s and early 70s when a string of hits made him one of the heart throbs of the decade, but the hits had dried up by the mid 1970s and Jones had taken to recording country music between 1980-86 with some success in the US.

 

Tom's return to the UK charts was thanks to Mike Leander (famous producer/ arranger and responsible for major artists from the 50s-70s) who was interested in making a musical, "Matador" (hence the record number OLE 1) which didn't actually see the light of day until 1991, but back in 87 Jones was eager to take the lead role having given up his Vegas residency to come back to the UK and "Boy From Nowhere" was a track taken from that musical. It proved to be his biggest hit in 16 years! Jones is on fine vocal form belting out the tale of a poor matador who is in search of fame and fortune, it's a track which attempts to bludgeon you into submission with the force of that voice, as with so much of Jones's back catalogue the music sometimes strains to contain his voice (which is the star here as always). It's all a load of old tosh obviously, but engaging for 3 minutes.........

 

Edited July 30, 201113 yr by gezza76

25TH APRIL- CAN'T BE WITH YOU TONIGHT- Judy Boucher (4 weeks)

 

http://www.chartstats.com/images/artwork/9128.jpg

 

In short this record is a mystery to me, and thusly a not altogether welcome surprise....

 

I agree 100% with that final sentence. I also don't remember this song at all from 1987 - and this when I started to get more interested in Top Of The Pops. I guess this can only be put to one thing; I found the song boring aged 6. Imagine it, 6 year old watching TOTP on. A song this kid doesn't like comes on, the kid swiftly goes into the kitchen to get a class of orange juice. That sounds pretty much like me in April 1987. :D I'm actually amazed that this went on to outsell 'La Isla Bonita' (my brother had already bought 'True Blue' the album by this point and I loved Madonna's song so much at the time) - I guess we should thankful for Starship preventing this non event from ever going to #1.

 

23RD MAY- A BOY FROM NOWHERE- Tom Jones (1 week)

 

http://www.chartstats.com/images/artwork/9152.jpg

 

On the other hand, I actually remember seeing a clip of this on TOTP. I suppose this and the Jody Boucher track were likely to have been bought by the same type of "music lovers" who bought 'Starting Together' and 'Only Love' a couple of years prior to these songs becoming hits. They're both incredibly MOR - perhaps they were getting good radio airplay hence the popularity of these songs getting so high?

13TH JUNE- HOLD ME NOW- Johnny Logan (1 week)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/64/Johnny_Logan_-_Hold_Me_Now.jpg

 

The only artist to win Eurovision twice (three times if you count his 1992 victory as a writer) is Johnny Logan. After triumphing in 1980 with "What's Another Year" which topped the UK Charts, his 1987 victory track "Hold Me Now" would have repeated the feat but for Whitney Houston. It's a typically drippy affair sadly, a power ballad without the power, lyrically his girl is leaving him for somebody else and I can't say I blame her. What astounds me is its entire lack of anything new or original and Logan lacks any kind of charisma to impress or convince, one can only assume that Eurovision 87 was a generally poor affair.

 

I don;t recall his victory, the first one I do remember was actually the bobby socks in 1985 which could only make a rather shabby No 44 in the charts, and whilst that was an uplifting finely crafted peice of pop music Logan remains a mystery. The fact that it was an english sung entry of course helped considerably with sales (despite the fact that previous winners between 1980 and 1987 had been translated to English for our consumption) it seems that the UK has always a more natural affinity with our Irish neighbours.

 

Anyway here's Logan, if you care.....incidently since this he's been promoting McDonalds in Ireland back in 2007 my case is closed...

 

Edited July 30, 201113 yr by gezza76

11TH JULY- UNDER THE BOARDWALK- Bruce Willis (2 weeks)

 

http://www.chartstats.com/images/artwork/39867.jpg

 

Consisting of only 5 singles and one album the record career of Willis was short (some might say thankfully) and his sole album consisited in the main of covers. Here's his interpretation of the 1964 Drifters hit "Under The Boardwalk" featuring (though uncredited) the fantastic Temptations. Now i've always quite liked Willis, as an actor he's quite engaging and an affability about him which makes his likeable in my opinion, as a pop star he's passable, but his version is uninspired and slightly underwhelming. He doesn't massacre the song that's fair to say, but neither does he does any new dimension to it.

 

1987 follows 1986 in its close links between Film, Tv and music, and of course as has been pointed out there is a heavy 50s/60s feel to the year which is only consolidated by Willis' appearance here, it's quite difficult to write about the track though. Whilst it's competant I can't stretch further than that, all in all I'll award a c+ to Willis....

 

 

Edited July 30, 201113 yr by gezza76

22ND AUGUST- CALL ME- Spagna (1 week)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8e/Call_me.jpg

 

Two great reviews coming up people. Maybe it's because the year has had a curiously retro feel, but hearing a prime slice of 1987 has come as a refreshing change. Spagna was of course Italian, and had been a star on the continent for a while before third single "Call Me" broke her in the UK. For reasons unknown the vidoe was filmed in Nottingham/ Belvoir Castle, but that aside this piece of europop is about as catchy as they come.

 

Of course it's easy to be dimissive of such songs as 80s cheese, but the one thing the late 80s did better than almost any other time, was its ability to revel in hedonism, the optimism of late 80s pop will be a reoccuring theme, and that synth line will forever be a memory of my annual summer holiday, which, by 1987, was starting to branch out from the Costa's (Tunisia it was I believe). Ok it's not winning any Ivor Novello awards but that's not really the point, it's fun, poppy, and very 1987...

 

29TH AUGUST- WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS?- Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield ( 2 weeks)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/5d/WHIDTDTCD.jpg

 

From Spagna who was never going to get an Ivor Novello Award to PSB who had only just recieved one for "West End Girls" when this track was released. It was during their "imperial" phase when they claimed a hat trick of No 1 singles in just 10 months, that "What Have I Done To Deserve This" was unleashed, it seems almost like a crime was committed against it in not reaching No 1. Springfield is on glorious form in this tale of ungrateful lovers who realise what they have lost, and whilst I love 80s PSB it's Dusty who is the star here, and cleverly I suspect that was always the plan from the boys.

 

The last minute or so of the song are clearly the best with Springfield almost ad libbing over the track, the steeliness of Tennant's vocals contrast with the warm of Springfield's, it's the contrast that grabs in this, the best no 2 of 1987 yet....

 

13TH JUNE- HOLD ME NOW- Johnny Logan (1 week)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/64/Johnny_Logan_-_Hold_Me_Now.jpg

 

I believe this was a song my mum liked at the time. I don't think my mum has ever been interested in Eurovision but seems to like a young Irish male singer complete with "Irish charm" (mum also likes Ronan Keating and Daniel O'Donnell) so there you go. I sort of remember this but it was probably more down to seeing this on TOTP more than anything else.

 

11TH JULY- UNDER THE BOARDWALK- Bruce Willis (2 weeks)

 

http://www.chartstats.com/images/artwork/39867.jpg

 

How much did I hate this song in 1987? :D Well, a lot. As a mere 6 year old I found this song incredibly boring to listen to, and the extremely deep backing vocals from The Temptations sort of scared me a little. It was as if the backing vocals were playing at the wrong speed or something. I never liked it then and I don't like it now. Next... :P

 

22ND AUGUST- CALL ME- Spagna (1 week)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8e/Call_me.jpg

 

Aah yes, this is more like it. Uptempo, uplifting, catchy Europop. You can't beat a good slice of Europop every now and again. I rememeber by brother bought this on 12" so he must've liked the extended remixes for some reason? One track from 1987 I remember well and think of quite fondly. It has aged badly though. Like Five Star, this track pretty much defines the sound of 1987 pop music.

 

29TH AUGUST- WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS?- Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield ( 2 weeks)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/5d/WHIDTDTCD.jpg

 

Absolute 100% :wub: This is the first no. 2 of 1987 that I still enjoy listening to some 24 years on. It's an incredible song and whilst I thought 'Never Gonna Give You Up' was a pop masterpiece aged 6 (and still do!!! :P ) it's a shame this couldn't have been released a couple of weeks later. Why? Because I'd rather have seen this knocked Rick Astley off no. 1 rather than awful mess that was 'Pump Up The Volume'. I don't care if it supposedly "revolutionsised" dance music. I hated it then and I don't particularly care for it now. :(

 

I've just realised one of my favourite songs of all time is coming up soon. :D (clue; I believe T'Pau kept this off no. 1 for 4 weeks)

12TH SEPTEMBER- WIPEOUT- Fat Boys Featuring The Beach Boys ( 1 week)

 

http://www.chartstats.com/images/artwork/9378.jpg

 

I must confess that Hip Hop/ rap etc is not a genre that I know very well nor care for really, and such records like this are never gonna score highly with me. I don't know- I guess i'm old school like that, it just sounds shouty to me, I think also in part that I'd feel slightly like a fraud liking it. It's not a medium I feel I can connect it, i'm not black, never lived in a ghetto, middle class, and never had any real trauma or struggle in life against the "system", now I know that doesn't stop others who are exactly the same as me liking it but I just can't.

 

This is a re-interpretation of the Surfaris 1963's hit "Wipeout" updated by the Fat Boys (who we'll meet again in 1988) and they've somehow managed to rope in the Beach Boys who were presumably after a revival (actually that worked for them when "Kokomo" hit the US no 1 In 88). I suppose it's ok though I wouldn't lose any sleep if I could never hear it again, it's not real rap of course, it's like an introduction to it, like one of those "rap for dummies" guides- to be honest I don't want to progress to intermediate level.....

 

10TH OCTOBER- FULL METAL JACKET- Abigail Mead And Nigel Goulding (2 weeks)

 

http://www.chartstats.com/images/artwork/9432.jpg

 

Of course released to tie in with Stanley Kubrick's 1987 Film of the same name concerning the Vietnam War, Abigail Mead is actually a pseudonym for Kubrick's daughter who produced the incidental music for the film.

 

It's unusual in so much as there is no discernable tune here as far as I can make out- a series of samples, a guitar, and a syntheziser is about as near as you get. 1987 is proving to be a great let down, and one of the poorest of the decade yet, and tracks like this are doing little to buck it up. I recall seeing the film when it was on TV (presumably in the 90s when I could stay up late :) ) and being quite impressed by it, this track however is tosh.....

 

12TH SEPTEMBER- WIPEOUT- Fat Boys Featuring The Beach Boys ( 1 week)

 

http://www.chartstats.com/images/artwork/9378.jpg

 

From the sublime Pet Shop Boys to...this?!!! :manson: Of course I can only assume this was considered a novelty record a bit like 'Beautiful Girls' by Sean Kingston a good 20 years later. Absolutely dreadful in every way but the UK public always fall in love with a tragic US novelty hit. I also imagine a load of typically English teenagers in 1987 buying this and thinking they were cool. They were WRONG!!! :lol:

 

10TH OCTOBER- FULL METAL JACKET- Abigail Mead And Nigel Goulding (2 weeks)

 

http://www.chartstats.com/images/artwork/9432.jpg

 

A forgotton gem - and long may it remain this way. I can't believe this got to no. 2 yet alone stay there for a fortnight. In fact, if it wasn't for Bee Gees 'You Win Again' ( :wub: ) this monstrosity would've been a no. 1 hit. :o So yes, even more love for 'You Win Again' in this respect. Whilst I sort of remember 'Wipeout' from 1987, I don't remember this at all. In fact, I know for a fact the first time I heard this was on YouTube a few years ago when I wondering what this song sounded like. Oh well, 4 minutes of my life I'll never get back. Well, probably 2 minutes as I doubt I listened to the entire song. :heehee:

24TH OCTOBER- CROCKETT'S THEME- Jan Hammer (1 week)

 

http://www.chartstats.com/images/artwork/9424.jpg

 

Instrumentals are hard to review- no lyrics means that songs are harder to nail down so I'm still struggling (1987 is itself proving a difficult year for me). Czech Born Hammer had already had a UK top 5 single with "Miami Vice Theme" in 1985 and again struck it big with "Crockett's theme" named after Don Johnson's character in said drama which, although still going strong, had past its peak. These paid of hits were Hammer's only contribution to the Top 75 in this country so it's even more difficult to review due to lack of comparator.

 

I must admit the song does little for me, it speaks volumes of the charts of 1987 that this was allowed to rise as high as No 2 in fact- it will however remain for folk of my generation (and those a bit younger) as the Nat West advert music of the early 90s which caused this hit to re-enter the charts, but fear not my friends 1987 can, and does only get better for its remainder.....

 

24TH OCTOBER- CROCKETT'S THEME- Jan Hammer (1 week)

 

As far as instrumental tracks go, I actually find this song quite haunting and endearing to listen to. Well, the first minute of the track at least. I suppose as well as the TV exposure, the track itself must've been quite unique at the time. It can definitely be categorised with 'Axel F' from 1985 as instrumental tracks which struck a chord with the record buying public of the time.

 

Then of course in 1996 we had 'Children' by Robert Miles which I thought was a glorious slice of instrumental Eurodance - the lack of lyrics or vocals again making the song seem more unique than it probably was.

31ST OCTOBER- FAITH- George Michael (2 weeks)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/cc/Faith_-_George_Michael_-_CD_Single.jpg

 

If only 1987 was as good as the last four No 2 hits of the year then I wouldn't complain. The beauty of "Faith" is it's simplicity, build around a plain guitar riff the track, and the era, converted teen scream fame into International stardom, in one stroke it made Michael a corporate star but perversely this was also the cause of much trouble for the man. After the demise of Wham! in 1986 Michael's solo career (which had had starts and stops) really got into its stride, and the image he portrayed in "Faith" (stubble, sunglasses, Leather Jacket, and ripped jeans) proved TOO successful stateside, it made the image synonymous with the star to the point of no escape, and whilst it certainly worked (4 US No 1 and a further 2 top 5 hits) it ended up becoming an image that the star was keen to escape.

 

The symbology is strong however, the beginning of "Faith" shows his previous hit "I Want Your Sex" being played on a jukebox before the needle is nudged off the record (to symbolise that that wasn't the "real" Michael but this is) before the pipe organ emerges from the silence playing Wham!'s 1984 No 1 "Freedom" presumably meaning he was free from the constraints of the group, and hey presto the solo star is born. This follows a highly sexualised representation of Michael as brooding popstar charged with sexuality (which was at the time very much perceived as heterosexuality) the stripped down no frills production emphasis the very masculine feel of the record, no gimmicks, it;s force of sexual representation that it is being both projected and consumed.

 

There is no disputing that the song is catchy, punchy, and succinct, its flirtation with country music may have been a part explanation of its US success, what is the most interesting aspect of the record is the deep division between what Michael attained at this point in his career and what he ended up wanting (the "no promo" attitude of subsequent album "Listen Without Prejudice" was a direct reaction to this era), the paradox of a star who got what he wanted and ended up realising it wasn't what he wanted all along. Make no mistake "Faith" delivered all he wanted at the time, it is therefore the perfect illustration of how to launch a solo career and he became the blueprint for every ex-boyband member from here on in.....

 

31ST OCTOBER- FAITH- George Michael (2 weeks)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/cc/Faith_-_George_Michael_-_CD_Single.jpg

 

Definitely one of the classic tracks to have been released in 1987. Whilst other UK #2 hits have quickly been forgotton about, 'Faith' remains at "all time classic" status still receiving a far amount of regular airplay. I've seen the video to this quite a few times on VH-1 Classic on a weekday morning.

 

Like you say, this was his defining moment when George Michael went from ex-Wham! member to international super-stardom sex God. :lol: I guess marketing played a big part in promoting this single, almost as if the whole package was manufactured for the US market. Hence why the Americans loved this so much. Only for George Michael to kill off the "persona" in 1990 with the video to 'Freedom' (the burning of the leather jacket, the explosion of the jukebox, the Naomi Campbell lip sync :kink: ).

 

Nonetheless a great track, and another that would've been a more than welcome UK #1 had it got there.

Definitely one of the classic tracks to have been released in 1987. Whilst other UK #2 hits have quickly been forgotton about, 'Faith' remains at "all time classic" status still receiving a far amount of regular airplay. I've seen the video to this quite a few times on VH-1 Classic on a weekday morning.

 

Like you say, this was his defining moment when George Michael went from ex-Wham! member to international super-stardom sex God. :lol: I guess marketing played a big part in promoting this single, almost as if the whole package was manufactured for the US market. Hence why the Americans loved this so much. Only for George Michael to kill off the "persona" in 1990 with the video to 'Freedom' (the burning of the leather jacket, the explosion of the jukebox, the Naomi Campbell lip sync :kink: ).

 

Nonetheless a great track, and another that would've been a more than welcome UK #1 had it got there.

Knocking off the mighty Bee Gees? :o Next you'll be suggesting that George Harrison should have knocked T'pau off No 1.........................oh you will..... :D :D :D

Edited August 3, 201113 yr by gezza76

well, why not? :D Had it happened, just imagine the run of UK #1 singles.

 

'Never Gonna Give You Up' > 'What Have I Done To Deserve This' > 'You Win Again' > 'Faith' > 'Got My Mind Set On You' > 'China In Your Hand' > 'Always On My Mind' > 'Fairytale Of New York'. :D

 

Well, at least I like all those tracks to some extent. Personally, I much prefer George Harrison's track to T'Pau's though.

14TH NOVEMBER- GOT MY MIND SET ON YOU- George Harrison (4 weeks)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f6/Got_My_Mind_Set_on_You.jpg

 

Like a bride waiting at the alter, Harrison spent 4 whole weeks patiently waiting for a glipse of the top of the charts. How great is this song? The answer is Very! Harrison’s return for the pop wilderness was as unexpected as it was welcome, “Got My Mind Set On You” is driven by that drum beat and a tight musical arrangement . The song’s actually a cover of a 1962 James Ray track which never charted here in the UK (which I never knew) and adds to 1987’s retro feel, and I think in part its appeal lies in the endlessly optimistic feel of the track, not many tracks about not getting the girl are so upbeat, whilst I love GMSOY “China In Your Hand” (the chart topper at the time) was my favourite record EVER at the time so at no time did I wish this No 1- with hindsight i’d let it have a week.

 

 

The sense of fun about the track I suspect caught many out, a “zany” video (that’s such an 80s word I thought it appropriate) contributes to the image of pop star thoroughly enjoying himself on the track. Only his death in 2001 would result in him returning to the top of the charts with a re-released “My Sweet Lord” so I suppose this is the real goodbye for the British public, and it’s a glorious one at that, your heart would have to have stopped not to tap along with this one.....

 

Edited August 4, 201113 yr by gezza76

19TH DECEMBER- WHEN I FALL IN LOVE/ MY ARMS KEEP MISSING YOU- Rick Astley (2 weeks)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/cb/Whenfalleninlove.jpg

 

 

It’s not a massacre of the Nat “King” Cole really, even as a fan I concede that S/A/W could massacre a classic, but Astley gives a surprisingly convincing and earnest interpretation of “When I fall In Love” originally Doris Day track but more famously covered by the silky smooth tones of Cole in 1956. The favourite for the Christmas No 1 in 1987 this actually debuted at No 2 (the second track on this rundown to do so and not progress to No 1- the first was obviously Wham! so it’s clearly a festive thing) but it went nowhere thanks of course to the Pet Shop Boys/ T’pau combo. Astley’s vocals are warm and soulful, a quality he’s rarely given credit for, and the whole thing, whilst hardly original or new, is delivered with suitable respect and subtlety.

 

 

“My Arms Keep Missing You” is classic S/A/W, and in keeping with the precedent set by Wham! they flipped this single after Xmas day and promoted this as the A Side though it barely halted the decent of the track down the charts. The usual elements of a S/A/W production are here, Hi- energy backing track coupled with an the standard bridge. For Astley it was his third top 3 hit, and though the act and the producer are forever entwined in history it’s easy to forget that Astley’s career with them lasted little more than 18 months....

 

Edited August 4, 201113 yr by gezza76

14TH NOVEMBER- GOT MY MIND SET ON YOU- George Harrison (4 weeks)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f6/Got_My_Mind_Set_on_You.jpg

 

Alongside 'What Have I Done To Deserve This', this is the only other #2 hit of 1987 that I'm more happy to listen to. Sometimes I might just go into 80s mode and watch the videos if not listen to them on mp3. I loved this song at the time - the uplifting, upbeat feel of the song being far more interesting to a 6 year old than an, albeit good,power ballad with big female vocals and sax solo. Perhaps had I been 11 years old in 1987 maybe I would've preferred this too.

 

19TH DECEMBER- WHEN I FALL IN LOVE/ MY ARMS KEEP MISSING YOU- Rick Astley (2 weeks)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/cb/Whenfalleninlove.jpg

 

Well, I know my older brother didn't just buy the singles but also the album too. :lol: I actually remember 'My Arms Keep Missing You' better than the textbook Nat King Cole cover. Again, this was down to my brother buying this on 12" and always playing the initial b-side. I guess it was his fave song in the charts at that point although he was also a big Pet Shop Boys fan and I'm sure he bought 'Always On My Mind' on 7" iirc.