I've slowly been undertaking a Madonna music video marathon, as the Confessions II announcement put me in the mood to revisit her back catalogue and I agree she's very striking in the 'La Isla Bonita' red dress! I'd say this song is my second favourite '80s Madonna single only behind 'Like A Prayer'.

'Always On My Mind' has got to be one of my favourite cover versions. Rick may have blocked PSBs/Dusty earlier in the year but I'm glad the Pet Shop Boys were victorious in the battle of the covers here! Intrigued to see how high their remaining song finishes.

Always On My Mind is a fantastic cover version. It would certainly be part of my top 3 no.1s from the year.

Is there another video for the song? I only know the one with Joss Ackland in the back seat of their car.

5 minutes ago, King Rollo said:

Always On My Mind is a fantastic cover version. It would certainly be part of my top 3 no.1s from the year.

Is there another video for the song? I only know the one with Joss Ackland in the back seat of their car.

I’ll edit to add him in, my description does omit that! Bear with for an edit.

A great song (maybe in my top 5 for the year) and certainly a wiser choice that the original intended 4th single from "Actually". It was, to some extent, fortunate to make No 1 after EMI sabotaged the Astley track with the Nat King Cole re-issue but I suspect it would have got there anyway ultimately.

17 minutes ago, Gezza said:

A great song (maybe in my top 5 for the year) and certainly a wiser choice that the original intended 4th single from "Actually". It was, to some extent, fortunate to make No 1 after EMI sabotaged the Astley track with the Nat King Cole re-issue but I suspect it would have got there anyway ultimately.

By far the best song won!

I would say that Always on My Mind was the 4th best PSB single of 1987 but all 4 are at least 9/10s.

Such a supreme cover version, those synths are classic.

3 minutes ago, Colm said:

I would say that Always on My Mind was the 4th best PSB single of 1987 but all 4 are at least 9/10s.

That was a crazily good era for them and their peak imo.

I really have to give all #1's a proper re-listen. So many great stuff. Love "Always On my Mind". 1987 was so brilliant musicwise!!!

Always On My Mind is one of my all time favourite cover versions, completely reimagining the Elvis version (which is also excellent) exactly right the way to do it in my opinion.

I also really love the ‘Always In My House’ version on Introspective, stretching the song out to a magnificent house monster! It would be my 2nd 10/10 of the year.

6 minutes ago, Jaz13music said:

Always On My Mind is one of my all time favourite cover versions, completely reimagining the Elvis version (which is also excellent) exactly right the way to do it in my opinion.

I also really love the ‘Always In My House’ version on Introspective, stretching the song out to a magnificent house monster! It would be my 2nd 10/10 of the year.

I must get Introspective for my record collection at some point.

18 minutes ago, Jester said:

I must get Introspective for my record collection at some point.

I hardly ever listen to it. It's fine but the albums either side of it are totemic.

6. Michael Jackson - "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" (9/10)

2 weeks at number 1

Kept off number 1: Spagna – Call Me

This is clearly a controversial choice being this high up in my rate. But I score this as my favourite MJ number 1 and although an unusual choice as a lead single unlike anything else on the subsequent album it still works as a solid addition to his discography.

I Just Can’t Stop Loving You was written by Michael Jackson and recorded as a duet with American singer Siedah Garrett. It was the first single released from the massive selling album Bad and marked comeback five years after Thriller. The song was conceived as a romantic ballad and signalled a softer, more traditional (even opposing sounding) opening for an album otherwise packed with pop, funk and R&B.

By 1987, Michael Jackson was already the biggest pop star in the world. Thriller had become the best‑selling album of all time, and Jackson’s global profile was unprecedented. However, this dominance also came with intense scrutiny and expectations. Bad was positioned not simply as a follow‑up, but as a statement of continued relevance and control, with Jackson producing the album himself alongside the legendary Quincy Jones for the final time. When I Just Can’t Stop Loving You was announced as the lead single, it was clear that Jackson was deliberately choosing intimacy over spectacle as his opening move.

The single was released in the UK in August 1987, slightly ahead of the Bad album, and immediately became one of the most talked‑about releases of the year. Musically, it leaned into smooth adult‑pop and quiet storm territory, with restrained production, layered harmonies and a gentle emotional build. Siedah Garrett’s vocal role was not heavily advertised at the time, with initial pressings even omitting her credit, reinforcing Jackson’s dominant presence.

The build is one of the most notable parts of the song – it is a slow burner but once it gets going it hits a punch with the key changes and for me, this is the appeal. I know it sounds safe and lacks innovation, its still an intimate duet giving the song a layered appeal.

A music video was apparently never made, which is why I can’t find it on YouTube!

The song kept the brash Euro anthem Call Me from Spagna at number 2 – this sounds like a number 1 record to me so it’s a shame that it couldn’t quite make it.

In summary, this stands out as a more gentle moment on Bad and this is what makes it a 9/10 number 1 in a very strong year. I wonder if Smooth Criminal or The Way You Make Me Feel would be this high in my rate if released as the lead single instead? We will never know….! Let the hate/apathy begin.

To the best of my knowledge there was never an official video made for the single (which accounts for why you can't find it). I've already stated my thoughts on this, to be clear I don't dislike it, it's just rather pedestrian to my ears

My dad loves "Call Me" by Spagna so I've become fond of it over the years. A bop that I'd have liked to have seen ahead of MJ, for sure.

5 minutes ago, Gezza said:

To the best of my knowledge there was never an official video made for the single (which accounts for why you can't find it). I've already stated my thoughts on this, to be clear I don't dislike it, it's just rather pedestrian to my ears

Aha! Strange I found a description of the non existent one online. Maybe it was a fan made one or a live performance.

Yes there wasn't a music video and given Michael Jackson wasn't available to perform on Top of the Pops either the song never appeared on the show when it was at number one.

With 5 songs to go I can tell you that my favourite number one of the year is in your Top 5 and my bottom 2 are also in your Top 5.

17 minutes ago, My Random Music said:

Yes there wasn't a music video and given Michael Jackson wasn't available to perform on Top of the Pops either the song never appeared on the show when it was at number one.

With 5 songs to go I can tell you that my favourite number one of the year is in your Top 5 and my bottom 2 are also in your Top 5.

I can imagine what your bottom 2 are but I just love all 5 left. In fact the top 4 are all 10/10 for me and any of them would deserve the top spot.

Always on My Mind is a wonderful cover, I did use to be annoyed that it beat Fairytale... to number 1, but that has had many, many years of revivals since and this is one of the best Christmas number 1s the UK has had.

La Isla Bonita is also a classic, Madonna was quite unbeatable in this era and that's one of her finest Spanish-inspired songs.

'I Just Can't Stop Loving You' is not bad, but not as good as the rest of 'Bad'!

2 hours ago, Josh! said:

My dad loves "Call Me" by Spagna so I've become fond of it over the years. A bop that I'd have liked to have seen ahead of MJ, for sure.

'Call Me' is cheesy and a bit generic for the time but still charming and good along with much of the Italo-disco genre. The synth riff in place of the chorus is a bit different though, reminds me a bit of late 2010s dance-pop especially M22 & Medina - First Time.