2 April 1988 Here's Tiffany back at number one, but in the two months since 'I Think We're Alone Now' things had changed. Now Kylie Minogue and the Goss twins, all still only 19 in early 1988, were the new teen pop sensations on this side of the Atlantic, and Kylie in particular had become … Continue reading Tiffany – ‘Could’ve Been’ →

26 March 1988 Bros-mania was now in full swing and, as Stock, Aitken and Waterman have shown us, fans will buy anything in a frenzy. I remember Bros in Smash Hits interviews being uncomplimentary about Stock, Aitken and Waterman's songs and stars, but 'Drop The Boy' is almost wilfully horrible and certainly poorer than anything … Continue reading Bros – ‘Drop The Boy’ →

19 March 1988 My first memory of listening to the week's new Irish singles chart was when the mighty Larry Gogan on 2FM counted them down on this week in March 1988 and revealed the new Irish number one to be 'Feet On The Ground' by the Hothouse Flowers. I remember its stompy beat and … Continue reading Hothouse Flowers – ‘Feet On The Ground’ →

12 March 1988 If anyone was "robbed" by the Pet Shop Boys of the 1987 UK Christmas number one, it wasn't The Pogues. The ante-post favourite was actually Rick Astley's version of 'When I Fall In Love', and it duly looked like romping home in the sales race. However, on the Christmas run-in Nat King … Continue reading Rick Astley – ‘Together Forever’ →

27 February 1988 In two-channel provincial Ireland in 1988 we didn't have Neighbours; instead we made do with Home And Away. Like any kid made to feel uncool, I slightly resented having to experience Neighbours-mania vicariously by peeking in the windows of Smash Hits and, more cruelly, Dublin-based Irish kids TV. So, while I was … Continue reading Kylie Minogue – ‘I Should Be So Lucky’ →

20 February 1988 How do you follow a surprise number one hit? As closely as possible! Even the long, clumsy two-part title is similar to that of 'When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going', as if some record company exec suddenly had the blinding insight that pop punters love it when Billy sings … Continue reading Billy Ocean – ‘Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car’ →

13 February 1988 Time hasn't been kind to Matt and Luke Goss. Their 2018 behind-the-scenes reunion documentary After The Screaming Stops, featuring their total lack of self-awareness and conkers-are-still-legal-awareness, made them a laughing stock. That's a pity, because they have an interesting story to tell: teen hysteria, family tragedy, follow-up failure, and (as the title … Continue reading Bros – ‘When Will I Be Famous?’ →

30 January 1988 Maybe it was a natural swing of the pendulum away from the decade's MTV glamour. Perhaps the relatable everyday drama of 'Papa Don't Preach' was an influence only now coming to market. Whatever the reasons, 1988 sees a surge of teen-next-door pop stars: sensibly dressed, not trying to be sexy, so down … Continue reading Tiffany – ‘I Think We’re Alone Now’ →

23 January 1988 Sananda Maitreya no longer goes by how we knew him in the late-'80s. He has since re-released and streamed all his old material under his present name, which is what I will use here. I slightly resented 'Sign Your Name' when it was top of the charts. (It only got to number … Continue reading Sananda Maitreya – ‘Sign Your Name’ →

16 January 1988 The video for 'Heaven Is A Place On Earth' was directed by Diane Keaton! The lucky guy smooching with Belinda Carlisle in the video is the lucky guy who happens to be her husband, and who also happens to be the son of James Mason; next time you catch North By Northwest … Continue reading Belinda Carlisle – ‘Heaven Is A Place On Earth’ →