Billboard 1988: The Rankdown (Winner Revealed)

[Unhinged]

The Top 10 (in alphabetical order)...

Faith - George Michael
Fast Car - Tracy Chapman
Father Figure - George Michael
Heaven Is A Place On Earth - Belinda Carlisle
Man In The Mirror - Michael Jackson
Need You Tonight - INXS
Shattered Dreams - Johnny Hates Jazz
So Emotional - Whitney Houston
The Way You Make Me Feel - Michael Jackson
What Have I Done To Deserve This? - Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield

[Deleted]

...woah. Now THAT was unexpected.

I was actually beating myself up for not ranking it top 10!

[Deleted]

3, 7, 9, 18, 29, 30, 41, 50, 79, 81

79 and 81 are the only two that I don't care for, but it's more so tepid indifference than outright loathing.

[singingrulebritannia]

Dec 3, 2018 11:19:15 GMT -5 Glove Slap said:

Mess @ some of these ranks. Imagine thinking this is one of the 20 worst tracks of the year.

Axl Rose's decrepit-ass voice singing a cheesy, overstuffed, overplayed ballad was never going to score high with me, sorry 🤷

---

1 8
16 17 20
21 22 30
34


70

By far the worst I've done in an 80s Hot 100 RD. I'm not sure how you guys screwed up such an easy year

[Deleted]

Nov 21, 2018 12:36:05 GMT -5 @antigonerising said:

1. George Michael 2x, Guns 'n Roses probably, Bobby Brown and one INXS song hopefully, and maybe a really unexpected one-off like Shattered Dreams.

I know that this was for top 5 predictions and not top 10 and I apparently don't know how to count some days b/c I listed six things smh, but I feel really proud of myself for more or less nailing the bolded lol.

[Glove Slap]

Dec 3, 2018 11:39:02 GMT -5 @antigonerising said:

Nov 21, 2018 12:36:05 GMT -5 @antigonerising said:

1. George Michael 2x, Guns 'n Roses probably, Bobby Brown and one INXS song hopefully, and maybe a really unexpected one-off like Shattered Dreams.

I know that this was for top 5 predictions and not top 10 and I apparently don't know how to count some days b/c I listed six things smh, but I feel really proud of myself for more or less nailing the bolded lol.

OMG @ U thinking that BOBBAY had a shot at making the top 5 with this crew.

[Deleted]

Dec 3, 2018 11:45:28 GMT -5 Glove Slap said:

Dec 3, 2018 11:39:02 GMT -5 @antigonerising said:

I know that this was for top 5 predictions and not top 10 and I apparently don't know how to count some days b/c I listed six things smh, but I feel really proud of myself for more or less nailing the bolded lol.

OMG @ U thinking that BOBBAY had a shot at making the top 5 with this crew.

I was not paying attention to who all of the participants were when I made that prediction When I saw all the other NJS songs go out in a row in the 40s I realized I was in trouble

[Glove Slap]

Dec 3, 2018 11:47:54 GMT -5 @antigonerising said:

Dec 3, 2018 11:45:28 GMT -5 Glove Slap said:

OMG @ U thinking that BOBBAY had a shot at making the top 5 with this crew.

I was not paying attention to who all of the participants were when I made that prediction When I saw all the other NJS songs go out in a row in the 40s I realized I was in trouble

I will say that at least two of his entries for '89 are guaranteed high-ish spots for me, maybe up to four. One is definitely not, or anywhere near as much as the others.

[Zeebz]

Nooo @ “Tell It To My Heart” just missing the top ten. Such a jam; her best uptempo (and song, tbh.) An absolute classic.

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

a decent Top 10! but Belinda & Whitney? they should've exited today (or even earlier)

[Juanca]

Dec 3, 2018 10:41:45 GMT -5 Unhinged said:

#13

Dirty Diana

Michael Jackson

Total Points: 2188

Billboard Hot 100: 1⁽¹⁾

Billboard Top 100 of 1988: 61

From: Bad

This record breaking track was released as the 5^th single from Bad, topping the Billboard Hot 100 the week ending July 2, 1988 becoming the 5^th single from the album to do so, a record. It remains a record for a male artist to this day.

This was my most pleasant surprise as I saw this leaving in the 30's.

I lose my highest rank yet and 5 others lose a Top 10 with this leaving the rankdown...

🅳🅸🆂🅲🅾 - 26
Butterflies & Hurricanes - 57
craziaskowboi - 7
mamooshka  - 26
campbellssoup - 55
gonecountry - 100
newpower - 46
tallen2001 - 8
singingrulebritannia - 3
God - 16
@crapkuki23 - 13
astorknight - 11
Alex1901 - 30
Doc Indie Party Rock  - 40
Mic Technique - 33
Sambalada - 16
narp - 56
Az Paynter - 24
rgreen0625 - 17
🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲 - 69
Cody Wants Out...  - 5
peacebone - 34
Mirago - 48
rowellfarm490  - 15
Red - 2
Ky - 26
Glove Slap  - 28
@antigonerising  - 16 
Zeebz - 28
Juanca - 75
Unhinged - 3

It’s worth noting that this was the second time MJ had a great guitar solo collaboration. Following Eddie Van Halen’s collaboration for Beat It, MJ had Steven Stevens for this track. Steven was the guitar player for most of the iconic Billy Idol hits (you can see him in many videos like Eyes without a face) and the Top Gun Anthem.

[gonecountry]

Sweet Child of Mine doesn't make the Top 10? That is another clear sign of the upcoming Armageddon. The most distinctive rock and roll song with the most iconic opening in the last 30 years...

Stunned.

[gonecountry]

Dec 3, 2018 11:23:42 GMT -5 Unhinged said:

The Top 10 (in alphabetical order)...

Faith - George Michael
Fast Car - Tracy Chapman
Father Figure - George Michael
Heaven Is A Place On Earth - Belinda Carlisle
Man In The Mirror - Michael Jackson
Need You Tonight - INXS
Shattered Dreams - Johnny Hates Jazz
So Emotional - Whitney Houston
The Way You Make Me Feel - Michael Jackson
What Have I Done To Deserve This? - Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield

4 of my top 10 have made it to the top 10, but again no Sweet Child of Mine?!?!?
Fast Car - Tracy Chapman
Need You Tonight – INXS
What Have I Done To Deserve This? - Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield
Heaven Is A Place On Earth - Belinda Carlisle

[Mic Technique]

What I think are a small group of Moldovan bots participating really got Man in the Mirror into the top 10. I have to LAUGH.

I was rooting for What's on Your Mind but I do love how Shattered Dreams became the top 10 dark horse here.

I'm all but certain I mixed up my PSB rankings. Love both songs but I do prefer Always on My Mind by a slim margin.

GnR narrowly missing the top 10 is a tiny victory for what has otherwise been a torturous rankdown for me. But it's almost a miracle that even two of my top 10 entries remain at this rate. You can always count on George.

Dec 3, 2018 11:32:00 GMT -5 singingrulebritannia said:

Dec 3, 2018 11:19:15 GMT -5 Glove Slap said:

Mess @ some of these ranks. Imagine thinking this is one of the 20 worst tracks of the year.

Axl Rose's decrepit-ass voice singing a cheesy, overstuffed, overplayed ballad was never going to score high with me, sorry 🤷

Tell him! And join me as I happily tank GnR's entries in next rankdown, too.

[Unhinged]

Dec 3, 2018 15:24:45 GMT -5 Mic Technique said:

What I think are a small group of Moldovan bots participating really got Man in the Mirror into the top 10. I have to LAUGH.

Laugh it up but we do the lords work. =p

[Unhinged]

Crap, I meant to ask in my last reveal today what you all think might be the order of the Top 10? Predictions?

[gonecountry]

My guess regarding the top 10.

10 Shattered Dreams - Johnny Hates Jazz
9 Heaven Is A Place On Earth - Belinda Carlisle
8 What Have I Done To Deserve This? - Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield
7 The Way You Make Me Feel - Michael Jackson
6 Father Figure - George Michael
5 So Emotional - Whitney Houston
4 Man In The Mirror - Michael Jackson
3 Fast Car - Tracy Chapman
2 Need You Tonight - INXS
1 Faith - George Michael

[newpower]

Will be:
1. Faith - George Michael
2. The Way You Make Me Feel - Michael Jackson
3. Need You Tonight - INXS
4. Man In The Mirror - Michael Jackson
5. So Emotional - Whitney Houston
6. Fast Car - Tracy Chapman
7. Father Figure - George Michael
8. Heaven Is A Place On Earth - Belinda Carlisle
9. What Have I Done To Deserve This? - Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield
10. Shattered Dreams - Johnny Hates Jazz

I would like it to be:
1. What Have I Done To Deserve This? - Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield
2. The Way You Make Me Feel - Michael Jackson
3. Shattered Dreams - Johnny Hates Jazz
4. Need You Tonight - INXS
5. Father Figure - George Michael
6. Faith - George Michael
7. Man In The Mirror - Michael Jackson
8. So Emotional - Whitney Houston
9. Heaven Is A Place On Earth - Belinda Carlisle
10. Fast Car - Tracy Chapman

[Juanca]

Dec 3, 2018 14:17:19 GMT -5 gonecountry said:

Sweet Child of Mine doesn't make the Top 10? That is another clear sign of the upcoming Armageddon. The most distinctive rock and roll song with the most iconic opening in the last 30 years...

Stunned.

Totally!
I’m much more of a pop poster, but this is a high-quality song however you consider it. I’m sorry but stuff like The way you make me feel or even Need you tonight or Faith are too simple and undercooked to compare with the complexities and richness of a song like SCoM. I’d admit that Axl’s voice may be hard to digest at first (I wasn’t a big fan at the beginning, and songs like Welcome to the Jungle and Paradise City didn’t fare well in my personal chart), but his power, emotion, strength and rawness are undeniable.

[Mirago]

^ I enjoy Welcome to the Jungle much more than SCOM although SCOM seems to certainly stir more of a frenzy when people hear it.

6 top 10s left, not bad considering how quickly the wrong Winwood song was dismissed.

I’d be fine with GM or MJ not scoring #1 as there is one stronger song in this bunch I'm rooting for.

[Juanca]

20 One More Try (24): An underperformer back home, but a song I've appreciated much better with time. Great vocals here.

19 Devil Inside (12): This is arguably INXS' most popular song back home. It was their biggest hit this era, and one of the top 20 songs of the year. It was a personal chart-topper as well. I've always liked the change in vibe from mysterious, dark, to more playful, joyous in the last minute. The guitar in the bridge makes the perfect transition.

18 Valerie (9): Even though this was practically a flop back home this year, I've always had it in high regard as a pure pop gem. With time it has become my favorite SW song, surpassing HL. Good to see it this high.

17 What's On Your Mind (27): A hit back home and a personal top 3. I think it's a great example of a song that sounded progressive back then and would not feel out of place in other decades either.

16 Never Tear Us Apart (4): This was an underperformer back home and in my personal chart, but I rediscovered it and significantly increased my appreciation of it after watching the Kick videos back-to-back in our music TV station. It's such an epic ballad, with great instrumentation, production, vocals, lyrics. It's become my favorite song off Kick.

15 Tell It To My Heart (28): A personal top 5, and a song that has also gotten better with time. I was close to rank it in my top 20.

14 Always On My Mind (3): This is one of my favorite covers ever. It was only a mid-size hit back home, but a BIG hit in my personal chart, staying on top for 3 weeks and finishing in my year-end top 5. As with other PSB songs, they have a way to convey emotions through fitting production, instrumentation, and vocals, and this was a great example of it. Despite being a dance song, the lyrics are not buried but supported by the production. One of my favorite PSB songs, and likely the song that made me stan for PSB :)

13 Dirty Diana (75): I've always appreciated when pop singers try to do a rock song. MJ did it best with Beat It, and later on with GITM. DD always felt like an afterthought, try-to-hard-to-rock effort to me. An undercooked chorus, precluded by simple verses. The best thing for me is Steven Stevens' contribution. I'm an MJ fan, but not of this song.

12 New Sensation (8): This was a top 10 in my personal chart even when it was a sort of flop in radio stations back home. However, its popularity back home significantly increased with time, and this is now one of their songs with most recurrent airplay. I also increased my appreciation of the song at the time I rediscovered NTUA. Sad that it lost to NYT as INXS' highest peaking song in this RD, but happy to see it almost top 10 :)

11 Sweet Child O' Mine (1): I admit that I wasn't a big fan of this song when I first heard it, as I wasn't a hard-rock fan at all. I gave it a chance though, and it managed to reach the top of my personal chart, as the more I heard it the more I saw the undeniable quality of this track. Even if Axl's voice was a bit harsh, the dude sang like no other. Slash did a superb job in guitar from beginning to end. And the song structure was different and rich, going from a more tender ballad-like verse to a slightly darker bridge (where do we go now?) and a mad outro. Regardless of genre, this was one of the best original songs that I heard in the second half of the 1980s --and it should've made the top 10 here!!

Sad to see the loss of 3 top 5s with this reveal :(
I have left: 2, 7, 10, 13, 16, 18, 19, 32, 36, 47

I mean, any song in my 16-36 range could've switched positions, as they were very close in terms of my preferences, so I wouldn't be mad if any of them takes the crown. I hope my #47 doesn't tho

And I may be very close with predictions (still argh at SCoM!):

Nov 21, 2018 11:27:36 GMT -5 Juanca said:

1. What songs do you expect to see in the top 5?
Need You Tonight, Faith, Man in the Mirror, So Emotional, Sweet child o mine
(Only one of these in my top 5)
3. Which artist/group will have the most Top 40 entries?
INXS

[Juanca]

A few other 1988 hits back home -and in my personal chart:

- Margarita (Wilkins): After the success of the Dirty Dancing soundtrack singles, we also enjoyed some of the Salsa soundtrack singles, starting with Margarita, which became a big hit back home in radio and TV stations, and a multi-week #1 in my Tropical chart.


- Puerto Rico (Michael Sembello, Wilkins, Bobby Caldwell, Marisela, Charlie Palmieri): The second Salsa single played back home was only credited to Michael Sembello, likely because of his fame as the Maniac and Mega Madness singer. It was very interesting to associate him with such a Latino song, though! I was a fan of this song and took it to the top of my personal chart.


- Chicos y Chicas (Marvis Vega Davis): The third Salsa single was more of an underperformer in radio, but had a good rotation in TV stations. I liked this one as well, despite its messiness it reached my personal top 5


- Cali Pachanguero (Grupo Niche): One thing Latinos liked a lot about Salsa was that more people could listen to and enjoy one of the biggest/best Salsa groups and songs of the 1980s -1984 to be more precise- with a new bilingual version that still stuck to the original rhythm and production.



1988 was another year where Indochine was all over our radio stations -and I fully embraced them, taking them to the top 3 of my personal chart multiple times:
- Un Grand Carnaval (Indochine): After Les Tzars hit in 1987, this song became a quick BIG hit at the beginning of 1988, becoming the Song of the Summer back home. It was also a 2-week personal chart-topper. Just a fun, sing-along, breezy type of song


- Le Chevauchee des Champs de Ble (Indochine): The third single off 7000 Danses was my favorite one, though. It was darker, moodier, and different. The album version is (to me) much stronger than the video version, but I'm sharing both anyway. It was a personal chart-topper with longevity, even though back home it barely made the top 5 in a couple radio stations.



- Les Citadelles (Indochine): This song made the top 5 of main radio stations back home (and in my personal chart). It opened Indochine's performances back home and the long, epic intro was very useful for promotional purposes


- Il Y A Un Risque (Indochine): This 5th single was promoted around the time Indochine visited Peru, so it became a BIG, multi-week #1 hit back home. I wasn't a big fan of the song at the beginning (those iye iye were a bit too childish...), but then I caved in and it also reached the top of my personal chart as I was an official stan at that point I'm less of a fan of this one nowadays, though.


- Leyla (Indochine): Although from an earlier album, this was another #1 hit back home for Indochine in 1988 -and yet another personal chart-topper. It had this sort of Asian sounding influence that was different and haunting, plus the synth sounds closer to the new-wave vibe that I liked


- La Machine A Ratrapper Le Temps (Indochine): Actually, this song was barely played by one small station back home, but it was my 4th favorite of the album (after Chevauchee, Tzars and Carnaval), so it made my personal chart and actually reached the top Really like the dynamics of the production, vocals and melody that are very nostalgic and create this perfect mood of longing for times past...

[Doc Indie Party Rock]

Dec 3, 2018 11:32:00 GMT -5 singingrulebritannia said:

Dec 3, 2018 11:19:15 GMT -5 Glove Slap said:

Mess @ some of these ranks. Imagine thinking this is one of the 20 worst tracks of the year.

Axl Rose's decrepit-ass voice singing a cheesy, overstuffed, overplayed ballad was never going to score high with me, sorry 🤷

---

1 8
16 17 20
21 22 30
34


70

By far the worst I've done in an 80s Hot 100 RD. I'm not sure how you guys screwed up such an easy year

"LOL! "Sweet Child o' Mine" was not a ballad. It wasn't even a Powerballad. It was hair metal at its best. "Patience" was a ballad. and not a very good one.

[Doc Indie Party Rock]

#20. One More Try - George Michael
I don't know how one of George Michael's most epic ballads is out first, but then again, "fast car" is still in here, so I can expect anything from this rank down.

#19. Devil Inside - INXS
This is a good bop. I bet all the INXS songs are out before we reach the top 10.

#18. Valerie - Steve Winwood
besides "Higher Love" I don't know how Steveie Winwood scores this high with PULSE. Nice song, but it should have exited eons ago.

#17. What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy) - Information Society
Great song. I don't know why this Freestyle song became so much bigger than the ones from Stevie B., Noel, TKA, etc..I think its because the vocals were sort of New Wave style. Not complaining, cuz that why I loved it too.

#16. Never Tear Us Apart - INXS
Out of the few songs I got left in the upper part of my list, this should have been higher on this list.

#15. Tell It To My Heart - Taylor Dayne
Now this makes me ecstatic. Love this song. The extended version of this song is a freestyle Hi-NRG Dance Pop master piece. She manages to insert all the best Dance gengres styles into one song. I also Loved Taylor Dayne's bigger than Life vocals. Loved her extensions too. She was smoking hot.

#14. Always On My Mind - Pet Shop Boys
Never cared for Willie Nelson's original, but this was an awesome cover.

#13. Dirty Diana - Michael Jackson
Damn! Out of all the M.J. songs still left the one I like the most is out. WTF? Plus Billy Idol's Guitarist Steve Steven's plays the guitar solo in this.

#12. New Sensation - INXS
Eh this has never been one of my favorite INXS songs. Sounds a bit too simple for them.

#11. Sweet Child 'O Mine - Guns 'N Roses
F U C K ! F U C K! F U C K!. 8D This was the one hair Metal song I was sure would make the top 10.

...and that dull "Fast Car" is still in this. Who is responsible for that??

[craziaskowboi]

Hey, I'm back!

Shit, I don't have any of my top 10 left?

12, 17, 19, 20, 21, 36, 47, 48, 77, 89.

I like all the songs left in my top 50, and my #77 is OK. I've never cared much for my #89, though.

[craziaskowboi]

Nov 23, 2018 14:03:08 GMT -5 @antigonerising said:

My brain: Don't say it, Cynthia. Don't say it, Cynthia. Don't say it, Cynthia. Don't say it, Cynthia. Don't say it, Cynthia. Don't say it, Cynthia. Don't say it, Cynthia. Don't say it, Cynthia. Don't say it, Cynthia. Don't say it, Cynthia. Don't say it, Cynthia. Don't say it, Cynthia. Don't say it, Cynthia. Don't say it, Cynthia. Don't say it, Cynthia. Don't say it, Cynth...

My mouth: "OMG these f**king BECKIES"

Nov 23, 2018 12:08:17 GMT -5 🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲 said:

such an abomination! This is an R&B classic! Apparently, there are no R&B lovers in this rankdown smh 😏

It's just you and me, apparently

Hey, I ranked Roger at #33! That's firmly in the upper-middle quintile on my list!

I was never a fan of Taylor Dayne, though. Sorry.

[craziaskowboi]

Nov 29, 2018 11:20:01 GMT -5 🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲 said:

Nov 29, 2018 10:33:13 GMT -5 Unhinged said:

#46

Nite And Day

Al B. Sure!

Total Points: 1599

Billboard Hot 100: 7

Billboard Top 100 of 1988: 87

From: In Effect Mode

Earning a nomination at the 1989 Grammy Awards for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, this was released in late February of 1988 from the album In Effect Mode and would peak at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 the week ending July 16^th.

Losing the first No. 1 with this leaving the rankdown, sorry 🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲 and 4 more Top 10's fall...

Such a shame! I really love his music! I'm just glad it made it this far. He's such an underrated artist!

I empathize. Virtually my entire top 10 got killt in the middle of this rankdown, including this song. :(

[craziaskowboi]

Nov 30, 2018 9:59:31 GMT -5 singingrulebritannia said:

I don't know why but I've always felt this song was hokey as hell

"Weird Al" Yankovic made a parody of it called "This Song's Just Six Words Long."

[craziaskowboi]

Nov 29, 2018 22:19:00 GMT -5 Doc Indie Party Rock said:

Nov 29, 2018 10:15:07 GMT -5 newpower said:

They actually had two more top 40 hits in the 90s. One of them was a Top 10.

Now I feel dumb.  I get over excited when it comes to Go West.  Right you are. I meant to say this was the first time they broke the top 40. Those two you mention were "King Of Wishful Thinking" (#8),and  "Faithful"(#14). 

Not a Top 40 hit, but "Call Me" was another excellent Go West song, from 1985.

[craziaskowboi]

Heh, The Beach Boys made a song about a town in northern Indiana. Fiat Chrysler builds automatic transmissions there. I think the town got hit by a tornado a few years ago too. Dam. :(