Best of 1988- Top 50 Singles

In the 20th Century, the year 1988 was the year with the most Roman numeral digits, but more important, in science and technology, it was the year of the first Internet-based chat protocol between  the USA and Europe. 

On the music level, in the UK the charts were dominated by the Stock-Aitken-Waterman hits who received the Brit Award for their production skills most notably for the success of Kylie Minogue and Rick Astley. In the USA the charts were dominated by George Michael, Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson. 

On the different floors House music was slowly emerging, while Alternative and indie rock were even more diversified into various other musical expressions including the emerging Shoegaze sound. Of course there was a whole lot of different music moving people' hearts...

01. The Church - Under The Milky Way

02. Morrisey - Everyday is Like Sunday

03. Enya - Orinoco Flow

04. Pet Shop Boys - Domino Dancing

05. Morrissey - Suedehead

06. The La's - There She Goes

07. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - The Mercy Seat

08. Tracey Chapman - Fast Car

09. The House of Love - Christine

10. Sonic Youth - Teenage Riot 

11. The KLF - What Time is Love? (1988)

12. Michael Jackson - Smooth Criminal

13. INXS - Never Tear Us Apart

14. S'Express - Theme from S'Express 

15. Inner City - Good Life

16. Bryan Ferry - Kiss and Tell

17. Fine Young Cannibals - She Drives Me Crazy

18. Eighth Wonder - I'm Not Scared

19. George Michael - One More Try

20. Tanita Tikaram - Twist in my Sobriety

Instant Hit: Mekons - Ghosts of American Astronauts

Mekons released "Ghosts of American Astronauts" in 1988 and it was taken from their sixth album So Good it Hurts and the only song released by them in that year. It was backed by "Robin Hood" and issued on Cooking Vinyl in the UK.

Instant Hit: The Legendary Pink Dots- Under Glass

“Under Glass” was released by The Legendary Pink Dots as single in 1988 on Play it again Sam Records and featured two other tracks. This song used to mix neo-psychedelia, elements of goth with vivid and dark Synth-pop. During the same year they also released their album Any Day Now. In 2001, when this album was reissued, beside the standard track listing, it featured all three tracks previously only released on single format.

Best of 1988- The Album List

In the 20th Century, the year 1988 was the year with the most Roman numeral digits, but more important, in science and technology, it was a year of the first Internet-based chat protocol between the USA and Europe.
On the music level, the charts were still dominated by the Stock- Aitken-Waterman hits who received the Brit Award for their music production skills. On the different floors, House music was slowly emerging, while Alternative and indie rock were even more diversified into various other musical sub-genres.

Retrovision: The Fall - Victoria

One last tribute and farewell to Mark E. Smith from the Fall who released "Victoria" thirty years ago. Throughout his impressive music career, Mark E. Smith remained as the only constant member of the Fall since its foundation in 1976 with a band that featured over 60 different members in forty years.

As the Fall, Mark released more than 30 albums, numerous EP and more than 50 singles. He died in the age of 60 after a long illness. RIP Mark!

Retrovision: Neneh Cherry- Buffalo Stance

Hope you have had a nice festive season and in fact are enjoying it still. Happy 2018 and let's hope it will be another year of musical excitements and delights. In parallel with 2018, we will turn to 1988 and celebrate a thirty years anniversary with our Album and Singles charts. As part of this promo, we have picked Neneh Cherry' debut "Buffalo Stance" which was released during this year and which  reached #3 in the UK and and top positions in Netherlands and here home country Sweden.

 

Retrovision: Pet Shop Boys- Left to My Own Devices

Twenty five years ago, Pet Shop Boys released their single "Left To My Own Devices". Personally on of my favorite Pet Shop Boys to this date. The song was released as the second single from their third studio album, Introspective. It became the first track that Pet Shop Boys recorded with an orchestra, arranged by Richard Niles reaching the top ten charts in several European countries including the UK. 

The music video, directed by long time Pet Shop Boys director, Eric Watson. 

Retrovision: Erasure- A Little Respect

Twenty five years ago Erasure released their tenth single, one of their biggest hit and certainly one of our favorite. Known as one of their signature tunes, "A Little Respect" continued Erasure's success on the UK Singles Chart, where it hit number four to become the band's fifth Top 10 single. It was also Erasure's second consecutive Top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, where it climbed to number 14, and hit number two on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Songs chart. The music video was directed by The Malloys and premiered in July 2001. It featured actor Shawn Hatosy and actress Brittany Murphy. 

Meanwhile imapatiently waiting for the brand new Erasure album 'Snow Globe' which will be out next month.

Retrovision: Marc Almond- Tears Run Rings

Twenty five years ago Marc Almond released "Tears Run Rings" which remained one of his most successful solo singles of all time. The single was taken from the album The Stars We Are which was released during the same year. The song reached #26 in the UK charts and managed to enter the US Billboard charts as the only Marc Almond solo single. There were two different video versions recorded for the song.

Factory Benelux Announces the Reissue of Section 25's Love and Hate Album

Factory Benelux presents a newly remastered edition of 'Love & Hate' - the fourth studio album by Section 25, originally issued by Factory Records in 1988. Recorded in 1986 by Larry and Jenny Cassidy after the original group splintered, the self-produced album explores both electronic and acoustic terrain. The 7 bonus tracks include both remixes of Bad News Week by Bernard Sumner of New Order, released as a Factory maxi single. Factory Benelux single Crazy Wisdom also features (produced by Sumner with Donald Johnson of A Certain Ratio), along with several previously unreleased demo tracks and remixes. The album will be out on May 20th.

http://news.factorybenelux.com/

 

The Smiths Deluxe Remaster Boxset Available on Pre-Order

Rhino Records UK is proud to present ‘Complete’, eight albums by The Smiths lovingly reworked by Johnny Marr and Rhino UK and packaged together for the first time - the ultimate The Smiths remasters collection.

 The collection includes all four of the band's studio albums – ‘The Smiths’ (1984), ‘Meat Is Murder’ (1985), ‘The Queen Is Dead’ (1986), ‘Strangeways, Here We Come’ (1987) and their sole live album ‘Rank’ (1988) as well as firm fan favourite compilations ‘Hatful Of Hollow’ (1984), ‘The World Won’t Listen’ (1987) and ‘Louder Than Bombs’ (1987). Each has been taken back to original tape sources and remastered by Johnny Marr and Frank Arkwright at the world famous Metropolis Studios in London. 

  http://www.rhino.co.uk/the-smiths-complete-deluxe-collectors-boxset

Instant Hit: He Said- Could You?

He Said was the stage name Graham Lewis of Wire was using for his solo releases during the 1980s. He released two albums and several singles between 1985 and 1989 for 'Mute' including this song which seems, has remained as the last single release entitled "Could You?".