Billboard 1989: The Rankdown (Winner Revealed)

[Alex1901]

Dec 28, 2018 11:12:58 GMT -5 Unhinged said:

#31

What I Am

Edie Brickell & New Bohemians

Really already? I thought this would be a safe top 20 for sure.

[Ky]

Very happy with the top 30. My top 2 songs of the year survive another day, even with the powerhouse megastars left.

[Glove Slap]

As I predicted, Madonna and Paula Abdul were the only ones to put three in the top 40, while Bobby Brown & Guns N‘ Roses got two.

This was the round where I was expecting Cherish to go, given how ‘cutesy’ songs have normally done in this, and with the other two songs from Madonna being in the top echelon of her classics while still being more substantive in the traditional sense (of all the acts with multiple songs still in, she’s got the biggest chance of putting two in the top 10, especially if Live To Tell did as well as it did in its year).

Surprised The Living Years and So Alive are still in this as well, didn’t expect them to do so well with this group.

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

Dec 28, 2018 12:08:57 GMT -5 Glove Slap said:

As I predicted, Madonna and Paula Abdul were the only ones to put three in the top 40, while Bobby Brown & Guns N‘ Roses got two.

The Bangles, Fine Young Cannibals, and Roxette also scored two top 40s here  (Bangles & Roxette still have two in the top 30)

[Glove Slap]

Dec 28, 2018 12:23:04 GMT -5 Butterflies & Hurricanes said:

Dec 28, 2018 12:08:57 GMT -5 Glove Slap said:

As I predicted, Madonna and Paula Abdul were the only ones to put three in the top 40, while Bobby Brown & Guns N‘ Roses got two.

The Bangles, Fine Young Cannibals, and Roxette also scored two top 40s here  (Bangles & Roxette still have two in the top 30)

I know. My post was in response to the predictions made on who'd put the most into the top 40. I said that Madonna & Paula Abdul would get three, and that Guns N' Roses and Bobby Brown had an outside shot but were more likely to have two each. The Bangles, Fine Young Cannibals, and Roxette all have two, but they came in with two. I expected them to be in the top 40 (Good Thing was the one with the biggest chance of missing the region, and it was the first to go from those three acts anyway). 

One of the songs remaining from them is extremely low on my list, but I won't be surprised if it makes the top 10 with ease anyway, although I'd rather that spot go to Love Song or Buffalo Stance.

I think The Promise, Bust A Move, and Right Here Waiting are all very likely to go in the next round, and Every Little Step, Secret Rendevous, and Cherish will probably join them too.

[Red]

One song still remaining sticks out like a very sore thumb.

It may or may not be the song you think it is.

[🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲]

Glad that Bobby Brown is still in the rankdown.

[House Lannister]

There were two songs I didn't like in the top 40.

As for the top 30, those two songs remained as I saw two of my top 10 fall.

They may leave any time now.

[Deleted]

I was sure all Paula Abdul songs would be in top 10

Too bad Patience by GNR went too soon

I mistaken What I Am ith another song... I see now my ranking... it should be in top 30 at least

well shit happens


so far so good for me... only Paula Left my top 10

[Doc Indie Party Rock]

For once I didn't lose any top 10s.  Gonna mesh some of my unrevealed slots here too.

#40. Keep On Movin' - Soul II Soul
This was a real stinker. Never liked this type of music.  The percussion just stays in the same boring beat. Way too slow for someone as hyper as me.

#39. Don't Rush Me - Taylor Dayne
Taylor Dayne was pretty reliable for NRGetic music. This was a top 30 hot on my personal chart, but didn't rack enough points to make the top 100.


#38.

43.

free image upload

Armageddon It - Def Leppard (HOT 100 #3) (DOC #5)
Here is my actual 43 song of my top 100. It was the last single off "Hysteria". A great song, but I was now into the new Alice Cooper, Warrant and GNR songs.



#37. Forever Your Girl - Paula Abdul
This was alright for a peppy pop song. My favorite song of her's is still in the mix.

#36.



99. Stand - R.E.M. (HOT 100 #6) (DOC #20)
This is one of their best songs, but they have even better ones. This song also made my top 100 of 1989. My favorite is still "Shiny Happy People".



#35. The End Of Innocence - Don Henley
This one did nothing for me. Don Henley's best era was behind him. "Dirty Laundry" "Johnny Can't Read", "All She Wants To Do Is Dance". Those were the jams.

#34. Wild Thing - Tone Lōc
This is the kind of rap I can dig on. Both this one and "Funky Cold Medina" missed making my YE top 100, but they are still great songs. I'm glad it made top 40 here.

#33. Good Thing - Fine Young Cannibals
This was alright. Didn't get the "hoo-ya" about it, but at least its better than that first single of their's.

#32. I Don't Want Your Love - Duran Duran
Nice to see Duran Duran in the top 40 here. I was a big fan of this one when it was on the radio.

#31. What I Am - Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
I forgot this song was still here. Eh doesn't do much for me. "What I Am" is bored when this song is on. 

[Juanca]

FINALLY a reveal without a top 30 loss!!

40. Keep on Movin' (81): This was a first listen in its original version. I've always liked the beat behind Enigma's Sadeness, so it was good to listen to the song that beat came from. The song itself, however, got a bit repetitive, which affected my ranking of it.

39. Don't Rush Me (69): I was a fan of TITMY and PYL, but this one didn't measure to the energy and power of those songs. This song didn't make enough of an impression back in 1989 to enter my personal chart. The melody and more pop-rock beat were leaning a bit into generic territory, although her vocals soared as always. It overstayed...

38. Armageddon It (52): This one made it to my personal chart for a few weeks, below my top 20. The chorus is much stronger than the verses.

37. Forever Your Girl (43): Her first hit back home, and personal top 5. I really liked its bubbly pop energy, and this song still makes me smile

36. Stand (56): Mmmm. The One I Love was REM's first song in my chart -and it reached my personal top 10. Stand barely made it to my chart, without reaching my top 20. It was a bit too simple, poppy for my liking -and even though I appreciate its cuteness and melodic pop-rock vibe, this is not amongst my top 20 REM songs...

35. The End of the Innocence (48): I like the piano melody, lyrics and mellow vocals. This wasn't played back home and didn't make my personal chart, but I grew to like it a bit more with time. Not as strong as either Don's or Bruce's biggest hits, but a good enough melodic pop song that wasn't as common anymore in 1989.

34. Wild Thing (82): I like the use of the guitar sample, and the overall idea of mixing rap and rock --but that's pretty much it. I felt that FCM was a much more complex, dynamic, interesting song than this one. In any case, I'm happy that this FINALLY left, as I've cleared my bottom 28 now :)

33. Good Thing (66): This was a hit back home, reaching #1 in radio --and it made it to #2 in my personal chart. I like the retro vibe, harmonies, and music, although overall it is a bit too plain, which made me

32. I Don't Want Your Love (34): As a Duran Duran fan, I was anticipating their new material, especially following the success of Notorious. I did like this song quite a bit since the first time I heard it. I liked the more modern sound and production, the background vocals, and overall dance pop vibe. It reached #2 in my personal chart, and I recently ranked it as my #12 favorite Duran Duran song. Good to see it make the top 40!

31. What I Am (39): This was a hit back home, and a personal #2. I've always liked the quirkiness almost hippie vibe to it, and I feel Eddie's vocals very fitting. I've ranked the longer version that doesn't cut the first verse short (that version is disappointing...) Good to see it this high, too!

[Unhinged]

#30

Every Little Step
Bobby Brown



Total Points: 1661

Billboard Hot 100: 3⁽²⁾

Billboard Top 100 of 1989: 48

From: Don't Be Cruel

Peaking the week ending June 3, 1989 at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, "Every Little Step" was released as the 4^th single from the singers sophomore album Don't Be Cruel. In addition, it hit No 1 on the Hot Black Singles chart. 

Mirago nets a perfect rank, 🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲 loses her No. 2 and 7 others (including myself) see a Top 20 fall with this leaving the rankdown...

@phillippe  - 59
craziaskowboi  - 47
singingrulebritannia  - 72
God  - 37
Butterflies & Hurricanes  - 67
newpower  - 51
gonecountry - 23
mamooshka  - 18
tallen2001  - 8
Doc Indie Party Rock - 18
astorknight  - 22
rgreen0625  - 31
Cody Wants Out... - 4
rowellfarm490  - 18
🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲  - 2
campbellssoup - 94
Sambalada  - 91
Mic Technique  - 43
Az Paynter - 34
Red  - 47
Alex1901  - 45
Mirago  - 30
Juanca  - 71
House Lannister  - 59
peacebone  - 47
Glove Slap  - 15
Unhinged - 13

Following

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Ky
filthy
@crapkuki23

[Unhinged]

#29

Right Here Waiting
Richard Marx



Total Points: 1668

Billboard Hot 100: 1⁽³⁾

Billboard Top 100 of 1989: 11

From: Repeat Offender

One of 1989's longest running No. 1's, this topped the Billboard Hot 100 the week ending August 12 (on its 6^th chart week) where it would remain for 3 weeks. It was his 3^rd straight No. 1 and the second from his sophomore album Repeat Offender. 

15 Top 50 placements fall with this leaving...

@phillippe  - 5
craziaskowboi  - 63
singingrulebritannia  - 70
God  - 46
Butterflies & Hurricanes  - 35
newpower  - 60
gonecountry  - 57
mamooshka  - 17
tallen2001  - 63
Doc Indie Party Rock - 34
astorknight  - 54
rgreen0625  - 74
Cody Wants Out... - 15
rowellfarm490  - 33
🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲  - 40
campbellssoup - 40
Sambalada  - 6
Mic Technique  - 53
Az Paynter  - 29
Red  - 89
Alex1901  - 97
Mirago  - 52
Juanca  - 17
House Lannister  - 42
peacebone  - 65
Glove Slap  - 37
Unhinged  - 43

Following

Zach
Ky
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@crapkuki23

[Alex1901]

Completely forgot this was still in.

[Unhinged]

#28

Secret Rendesvous
Karyn White



Total Points: 1684

Billboard Hot 100: 6

Billboard Top 100 of 1989: 69

From: Karyn White

4^th single from the singers self-titled debut album, "Secret Rendezvous" was released in May of 1989, reaching No. 6 in the US the week ending August 26^th. 

Handing out another perfect rank to rgreen0625 and still clearing out those bottom 10's...

@phillippe  - 25
craziaskowboi  - 48
singingrulebritannia  - 29
God  - 2
Butterflies & Hurricanes  - 37
newpower  - 12
gonecountry  - 18
mamooshka  - 54
tallen2001  - 70
Doc Indie Party Rock  - 64
astorknight  - 16
rgreen0625  - 28
Cody Wants Out... - 65
rowellfarm490  - 45
🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲  - 22
campbellssoup - 92
Sambalada  - 86
Mic Technique  - 5
Az Paynter - 9
Red  - 36
Alex1901  - 40
Mirago  - 39
Juanca  - 70
House Lannister  - 57
peacebone  - 30
Glove Slap  - 27
Unhinged  - 17

Following

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Ky
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@crapkuki23

[God]

Wow okay.....................wow

[Unhinged]

#27

Real Love
Jody Watley



Total Points: 1687

Billboard Hot 100: 2⁽²⁾

Billboard Top 100 of 1989: 46

From: Larger Than Life

"Real Love" was released in March of 1989 from the album Larger Than Life and would go on to peak at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on Hot R&B Singles.

Congrats singingrulebritannia on your p-p-p-p-perfect rank!

@phillippe  - 18
craziaskowboi  - 90
singingrulebritannia  - 27
God  - 18
Butterflies & Hurricanes  - 49
newpower  - 50
gonecountry  - 31
mamooshka  - 8
tallen2001  - 42
Doc Indie Party Rock  - 54
astorknight  - 34
rgreen0625  - 40
Cody Wants Out...  - 84
rowellfarm490  - 32
🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲  - 23
campbellssoup  - 82
Sambalada  - 16
Mic Technique  - 35
Az Paynter  - 11
Red  - 56
Alex1901  - 43
Mirago  - 10
Juanca  - 61
House Lannister  - 24
peacebone  - 48
Glove Slap  - 12
Unhinged  - 42

Following

Zach
Ky
filthy
@crapkuki23

[Glove Slap]

Three of the songs are mentioned are already out, not surprised Real Love joined them too.

As expected, my lowest ranked Bobby Brown song is his highest one here.

[Unhinged]

#26

In Your Room
The Bangles



Total Points: 1708

Billboard Hot 100: 5

Billboard Top 100 of 1989: 66

From: Everything

Lead single from the album Everything, this peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and also charted in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. 

@phillippe  - 31
craziaskowboi  - 28
singingrulebritannia  - 16
God  - 32
Butterflies & Hurricanes  - 12
newpower  - 65
gonecountry  - 76
mamooshka  - 41
tallen2001  - 38
Doc Indie Party Rock  - 25
astorknight  - 10
rgreen0625  - 22
Cody Wants Out...  - 18
rowellfarm490  - 44
🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲  - 78
campbellssoup  - 27
Sambalada  - 21
Mic Technique  - 39
Az Paynter  - 79
Red  - 17
Alex1901  - 16
Mirago  - 89
Juanca  - 57
House Lannister  - 25
peacebone  - 12
Glove Slap  - 58
Unhinged  - 18

Following

Zach
Ky
filthy
@crapkuki23

[Unhinged]

#25

The Living Years
Mike & The Mechanics



Total Points: 1736

Billboard Hot 100: 1⁽¹⁾

Billboard Top 100 of 1989: 31

From: Living Years

Nominated for 4 Grammy awards in 1990, including Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, "The Living Years" was released in December of 1988, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 the week ending March 25, 1989. 

astorknight and 🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲 score perfect ranks with this leaving the rankdown...

@phillippe  - 68
craziaskowboi  - 56
singingrulebritannia  - 73
God  - 43
Butterflies & Hurricanes  - 52
newpower  - 61
gonecountry  - 6
mamooshka  - 50
tallen2001  - 13
Doc Indie Party Rock  - 85
astorknight  - 25
rgreen0625  - 41
Cody Wants Out...  - 99
rowellfarm490  - 14
🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲  - 25
campbellssoup  - 8
Sambalada  - 39
Mic Technique  - 11
Az Paynter  - 69
Red  - 4
Alex1901  - 9
Mirago  - 7
Juanca  - 14
House Lannister  - 17
peacebone  - 22
Glove Slap  - 59
Unhinged  - 21

Following

Zach
Ky
filthy
@crapkuki23

[Ky]

Secret Rendezvous we been my #2, and Real Love woulda been my #4. Glad they lasted this long.

[Glove Slap]

Lyrically, as far as the PC uprise of the HW period is concerned, The Living Years is up there (and benefits from not being overly preachy), but as a song it's never really struck me.

[Unhinged]

#24

Paradise City
Guns N' Roses



Total Points: 1741

Billboard Hot 100: 5

Billboard Top 100 of 1989: 86

From: Appetite For Destruction

Written in the back of a rental van as the band was on their way back from playing a gig in San Francisco, "Paradise City" was released in November of 1988 as the 4^th single from the massively successful album Appetite For Destruction. It peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and within the Top 10 in 10 other countries.

Sad to see this one leave before the Top 20...smdh.

@phillippe  - 23
craziaskowboi  - 43
singingrulebritannia  - 40
God  - 63
Butterflies & Hurricanes  - 26
newpower  - 24
gonecountry  - 43
mamooshka  - 40
tallen2001  - 11
Doc Indie Party Rock  - 13
astorknight  - 23
rgreen0625  - 39
Cody Wants Out...  - 28
rowellfarm490  - 24
🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲  - 99
campbellssoup  - 44
Sambalada  - 31
Mic Technique  - 72
Az Paynter  - 68
Red  - 8
Alex1901  - 54
Mirago  - 32
Juanca  - 35
House Lannister  - 12
peacebone  - 57
Glove Slap  - 23
Unhinged  - 11

Following

Zach
Ky
filthy
@crapkuki23

[Unhinged]

#23

Welcome To The Jungle
Guns N' Roses



Total Points: 1760

Billboard Hot 100: 7

Billboard Top 100 of 1989: 74

From: Appetite For Destruction

Second single from Appetite For Destruction, "Welcome To The Jungle" peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December of 1988. Axl Rose wrote the lyrics while visiting a friend in Seattle stating: "It's a big city, but at the same time, it's still a small city compared to L.A. and the things that you're gonna learn. It seemed a lot more rural up there. I just wrote how it looked to me. If someone comes to town and they want to find something, they can find whatever they want."

With this Guns 'N Roses have left the building... 

@phillippe  - 26
craziaskowboi  - 51
singingrulebritannia  - 28
God  - 54
Butterflies & Hurricanes  - 20
newpower  - 53
gonecountry  - 5
mamooshka  - 80
tallen2001  - 7
Doc Indie Party Rock  - 4
astorknight  - 51
rgreen0625  - 26
Cody Wants Out...  - 44
rowellfarm490  - 28
🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲  - 95
campbellssoup  - 25
Sambalada  - 71
Mic Technique  - 71
Az Paynter  - 51
Red  - 7
Alex1901  - 58
Mirago  - 16
Juanca  - 42
House Lannister  - 3
peacebone  - 19
Glove Slap  - 7
Unhinged  - 25

Following

Zach
Ky
filthy
@crapkuki23

[Red]

On one hand, the "sore thumb" song is out. I'm shocked it made it as far as it did. I think we've taken care of the rest of the riff raff, too...except for one.

On the other hand, three top ten (one of them top five) losses in a row. Woof.

[Unhinged]

#22

If I Could Turn Back Time
Cher



Total Points: 1782

Billboard Hot 100: 3⁽²⁾

Billboard Top 100 of 1989: 35

From: Heart Of Stone

Written by Diane Warren (like many other songs on this list), "If I Could Turn Back Time" was a major comeback for Cher, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 the week of September 23, 1989. It reached the Top 40 in over 15 countries and was her biggest hit in the US since 1974's No. 1 "Dark Lady."

Saying good-bye to 4 more Top 10's...

@phillippe  - 7
craziaskowboi  - 57
singingrulebritannia  - 68
God  - 5
Butterflies & Hurricanes  - 43
newpower  - 33
gonecountry  - 30
mamooshka  - 9
tallen2001  - 21
Doc Indie Party Rock  - 58
astorknight  - 44
rgreen0625  - 67
Cody Wants Out...  - 19
rowellfarm490  - 21
🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲  - 61
campbellssoup  - 37
Sambalada  - 14
Mic Technique  - 47
Az Paynter  - 3
Red  - 65
Alex1901  - 49
Mirago  - 14
Juanca - 31
House Lannister  - 46
peacebone  - 51
Glove Slap  - 13
Unhinged  - 29

Following

Zach
Ky
filthy
@crapkuki23

[singingrulebritannia]

Wow, spectacular set so far! I don't think I've ever cleared my bottom 50 this quickly in an 80s rankdown before. And a perfect ranking to boot.

[Unhinged]

#21

Bust A Move
Young M.C.



Total Points: 1817

Billboard Hot 100: 7

Billboard Top 100 of 1989: 42

From: Stone Cold Rhymin'

Winning the 1990 Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance, "Bust A Move" contains samples of "Found a Child" by Ballin' Jack, "Radio-Activity" by RoyalCash, "Scorpio" by Dennis Coffey and the Detroit Guitar Band, and "Daytime Hustler" by Bette Midler. It features guest vocals by Crystal Blake and bass guitar by Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea. It peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on Hot Rap Songs. 

Ending today's reveal with 20 Top 20 loses...

Reveal will continue on December 31^st.

@phillippe  - 72
craziaskowboi  - 40
singingrulebritannia  - 5
God  - 30
Butterflies & Hurricanes  - 16
newpower  - 49
gonecountry  - 12
mamooshka  - 37
tallen2001  - 24
Doc Indie Party Rock  - 98
astorknight  - 11
rgreen0625  - 11
Cody Wants Out... - 39
rowellfarm490  - 25
🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲  - 47
campbellssoup  - 38
Sambalada  - 57
Mic Technique  - 4
Az Paynter  - 38
Red  - 6
Alex1901  - 14
Mirago  - 18
Juanca  - 72
House Lannister  - 26
peacebone  - 17
Glove Slap  - 92
Unhinged  - 12

Following

Zach
Ky
filthy
@crapkuki23

The Top 20 (in alphabetical order...):

B-52's - Love Shack
Bangles - Eternal Flame
Bobby Brown - My Prerogative
Cure - Love Song
Donna Summer - This Time I Know It's For Real
Fine Young Cannibals - She Drives Me Crazy
Janet Jackson - Miss You Much
Love and Rockets - So Alive  
Madonna - Cherish
Madonna - Express Yourself
Madonna - Like A Prayer
Martika - Toy Soliders
Michael Jackson - Smooth Criminal
Neneh Cherry - Buffalo Stance
Paula Abdul - Cold Hearted
Paula Abdul - Straight Up 
Roxette - Listen To Your Heart
Roxette - The Look
Tears For Fears - Sowing The Seeds Of Love
When In Rome - The Promise

[singingrulebritannia]

Aw. Well, had to lose another top 10 at some point, and the next one was bound to be this. Just happy Bust's performance wasn't a *cough* bust. *ba-dum pish*
From the production and overall vibe of this song, I'm always amazed it didn't come from a couple years or so later. Just a fun, tight little romp. (My PM title was "Girls are rankin', goodness sakin'", btw )

1 2 3 4 6 7 9 10
11 12 15 17 19 20
22 25 26
37
41 50

My two lowest left are from the same artist, which should narrow it down considerably for those who care to guess. Originally had #50 a fair bit higher, but I decided it didn't need the help since it was already guaranteed to do well, and might as well bump some lesser known songs up 1 in the process.

[newpower]

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 11
15 - 21 - 25 - 26 - 27 - 41 - 45 - 47 - 56 - 58

Great Top 20. I like all 20 songs... some better than others. Surprised that a generic Donna Summer song made it to the Top 20 (not bad, but she has so many great songs).
Also, Love & Rockets and When in Rome still in?