I began 1988 with some voids in my life and ended it feeling much more fulfilled than I’d been since college. First up, my career. I didn’t really know where I was going but having been fired from a job at the end of ’87 gave me license to check out all sorts of possibilities and “new sensations.” (Ok, it’s my theme of the year…)
(I think at least one Richard Marx and INXS song were required to be on everyone's lists in '88)
* Addicted - Dan Seals
(Uh-oh ... country music sneaking in)
* Make me lose control - Eric Carmen
* What I'd Say - Earl Thomas Conle
(More country? Although this one always made me think "I know what I'D say and it wouldn't be 'wish you well')
* Wild Wild West - The Escape Club
* There She Goes - The La's
Runners up: Don't Mean Nothing; Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters; When You Say Nothing at all ( Keith Whitley version NOT Allison Krauss ... although I did eventually appreciate Allison Krauss, I didn't like when she redid this song); Handle With Care; Every Rose Has Its Thorn; Pour some Sugar on Me (ok ... really? Country and Hair Bands ... what was I thinking?)
I didn't LOVE a lot of these songs. I find Fast Car to be really depressing. I listened to it at the time but it always brought me down! Still, it's a great song. I haven't listened to the others very much since that era.
Another roller coaster year! I’m glad it comes out with a positive ending. I was never fond of Tony so his exit is ultimately a good thing but I can see how hard it would be when he was so close at the time. Brenda Russell shows up for me below as well. Such a talent!! Nice to see the origins of the chili party and the start of your long career in Higher Education get their starts here.
Love Brenda Russell, and enjoyed seeing her on your list! I first heard and fell in love with her with her '79 self-titled debut album. I particularly loved "In the Thick of It": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwRnvectcgo, with a cool acoustic guitar solo by Fred Tackett. If you haven't checked out her debut, you might dig it. She does everything....write, produce, arrange!
For the record, I've also temped and subbed....and collected unemployment! Living a full life, we sometimes share many of the same things! All this helps make your anecdotes so relatable...most of us have been there! Same with friends deserting you by moving, or their lives simply moving beyond you with promotions, etc.
I loved your account of your radio station weeks! The sales staff were always a hoot! You may recall that's what my dad did in the '60s and '70s that allowed him to bring home all those promos.
At the FM rocker in Baton Rouge (WFMF-FM 102) where I did the 7-midnight shift ('76-'77....I was 21), we had one gal who was a scream! I was in the vicinity when someone asked her the secret of her sales success at the station. "Oh, I strap a bed to my back!" Well, there ya go!
Ha! That's hilarious! Brenda Russell...she should have been more celebrated for Piano in the Dark. Such a great production! "In the Thick of It" is new to me!
INXS was major for me too. Drove up to Summerfest that summer to see them perform. The show got rained out. Boooo. Got to see them years later with their replacement lead singer.
My 1988 list (no order at all)
* Straight Up - Paula Abdul
* Angel - Aerosmith
* Fast Car - Tracy Chapman
* Endless Summer Nights - Richard Marx
* Never Tear Us Apart - INXS
(I think at least one Richard Marx and INXS song were required to be on everyone's lists in '88)
* Addicted - Dan Seals
(Uh-oh ... country music sneaking in)
* Make me lose control - Eric Carmen
* What I'd Say - Earl Thomas Conle
(More country? Although this one always made me think "I know what I'D say and it wouldn't be 'wish you well')
* Wild Wild West - The Escape Club
* There She Goes - The La's
Runners up: Don't Mean Nothing; Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters; When You Say Nothing at all ( Keith Whitley version NOT Allison Krauss ... although I did eventually appreciate Allison Krauss, I didn't like when she redid this song); Handle With Care; Every Rose Has Its Thorn; Pour some Sugar on Me (ok ... really? Country and Hair Bands ... what was I thinking?)
This one is tougher... I'd go:
1. Fast Car
2. Wild Wild West
3. Straight Up
4. Never Tear Us Apart
5. There She Goes
Why was this tougher?
I didn't LOVE a lot of these songs. I find Fast Car to be really depressing. I listened to it at the time but it always brought me down! Still, it's a great song. I haven't listened to the others very much since that era.
Another roller coaster year! I’m glad it comes out with a positive ending. I was never fond of Tony so his exit is ultimately a good thing but I can see how hard it would be when he was so close at the time. Brenda Russell shows up for me below as well. Such a talent!! Nice to see the origins of the chili party and the start of your long career in Higher Education get their starts here.
My 10 favorite songs of 1988 in random order
Pump Up the Volume-M/A/R/R/
Never Gonna Give You Up-Rick Astley
Twilight World-Swing Out Sister
Piano in the Dark-Brenda Russell
When We Kiss-Bardeux
Paradise-Sade
I’ll Always Love You-Taylor Dayne
Time and Tide-Basia
Giving You the Best That I’ve Got-Anita Baker
Waiting For a Star to Fall-Boy Meets Girl
Also liked:
I Found Someone-Cher
Shattered Dreams-Johnny Hates Jazz
Night and Day-Al B Sure
Mercedes Boy-Pebbles
Fast Car-Tracy Chapman
Missed Opportunity-Hall & Oates
Till I Loved You-Barbra Streisand $ Don Johnson
Smooth Criminal-Michael Jackson
Don’t Rush Me-Taylor Dayne
For the Love of You-Whitney Houston
The origin of your chili party! No idea. The all in or nothing friend. So different than a friend for a season, a reason or for life.
Interesting point! He came in and out of my life for many years. It’s now been about 15 years since our last connection.
Maybe a reason.
Love Brenda Russell, and enjoyed seeing her on your list! I first heard and fell in love with her with her '79 self-titled debut album. I particularly loved "In the Thick of It": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwRnvectcgo, with a cool acoustic guitar solo by Fred Tackett. If you haven't checked out her debut, you might dig it. She does everything....write, produce, arrange!
For the record, I've also temped and subbed....and collected unemployment! Living a full life, we sometimes share many of the same things! All this helps make your anecdotes so relatable...most of us have been there! Same with friends deserting you by moving, or their lives simply moving beyond you with promotions, etc.
I loved your account of your radio station weeks! The sales staff were always a hoot! You may recall that's what my dad did in the '60s and '70s that allowed him to bring home all those promos.
At the FM rocker in Baton Rouge (WFMF-FM 102) where I did the 7-midnight shift ('76-'77....I was 21), we had one gal who was a scream! I was in the vicinity when someone asked her the secret of her sales success at the station. "Oh, I strap a bed to my back!" Well, there ya go!
Ha! That's hilarious! Brenda Russell...she should have been more celebrated for Piano in the Dark. Such a great production! "In the Thick of It" is new to me!
INXS was major for me too. Drove up to Summerfest that summer to see them perform. The show got rained out. Boooo. Got to see them years later with their replacement lead singer.
Yeah, I never did get to see them. Great band!!