Hello! Welcome back to 80s countdown top 5 recap. Every week SiriusXM’s 80s on 8 channel broadcasts a countdown from the “decade of excess” hosted by the original MTV VJs. (Remember music videos?)
The 80s countdown is based on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart for a given week somewhere between 1980 and 1989. Every week, it’s a different year and I will be providing fun feedback about the song and trivia tidbits about songs on the countdown. We’re calling it Nick’s Mix as a nod to the mixtapes we all made back in the day.
Remember Dan has started building a community here on his new web site. Please check it out!
As 2024 draws to a close, there is just one more countdown left this year. But before we bid goodbye to another year, we’re taking a look back at what was hot in pop music as the 1980s drew to a close.
Without further ado, let’s kick off December 16, 1989, when Back to the Future 2 and Parenthood were popular at the box office. Here are the top 5 songs from that week!
Number Five: It’s all about the heartbeat
“With Every Beat of my Heart” by Taylor Dayne. Did you know that Taylor’s government name is Leslie Wunderman? Regardless of what you call her, she had a string of huge hits in the late 80s and early 1990s, including “Prove your Love” and “I’ll Always Love You”. Taylor notched seven Top 10 singles on the Billboard charts.
FUN FACT: Taylor Dayne is a Pisces like me (March 7) two days after me. It should also be noted that Dan is also a Pisces!
FUN FACT 2: Taylor Dayne appeared as a contestant on The Masked Singer sporting a Popcorn costume! Check out her performances and unmasking. PopCorn aka Taylor Dayne Compilation on Masked Singer
Number Four: Coming Back Life… Literally
“Back to Life” by Soul II Soul. This song is not the party song you think it is. The singer Caron Wheeler said she died and came back to life. When she woke up, she was mad because what she saw in death was beautiful. The questions and lyrics in the song — “How ever do you want me?” and “How ever do you need me?” — reference talking to the Creator.
This song was a huge dance hit, so knowing that might make us twice about what the song is all about. The song hit #4 and won a Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group. The beat, though! You can watch the video below.
Number Three: This much I know: I love this duet
“Don’t Know Much” by Aaron Neville and Linda Ronstadt. This is their second duet, the first was called “All My Life.” Let me tell you something. These duets are amazing!
The song at #3 was written by powerhouse team Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. It was performed by several artists, but no one hit the Top 10 — let alone the Top 40 — until Linda and Aaron took it all the way to number two.
If you want to give their other song a listen, check it out here.
Number Two: Not about paradise
“Another Day in Paradise” by one of my favorites, Phil Collins. This song would hit the top of the charge and become the final chart topper of the decade — and then become the first of the 1990s.
Despite its title, this song from Phil Collins’ fourth album, …But Seriously, is not about paradise. It is about homelessness.
This song was nominated for a Grammy and well-known singer, David Crosby also sings on the record.
Phil has an amazing voice and the entire album is amazing. Please check it out on your listening devices.
One fun fact: If you watch Emily In Paris on Netflix, that is Phil’s daughter as the lead: Lily Collins!
… and the number one song this week in 1989
AND NOW #1 Hints: It was panned by critics as his worst single. The artist now dislikes the song. It was nominated for a Grammy award. It is a rapid-fire chronological song from the year he was born 1949 until 1989.
DRUMROLL PLEASE
If you guessed, “We Didn’t Start the Fire” by Billy Joel, you got it!
I actually love this song. I just like to sing it by heart. There is a new version of the song by Fall out Boy. It’s not the same. You can watch the original version here: Billy Joel – We Didn’t Start the Fire (Official HD Video)
Many of you will know Billy as being a Piano Man and a great singer!
Until the next record spins
Thanks for learning and reading about songs from December 1989. My favorite song was at #9 — “Just Like Jesse James” by Cher. I choose it as an extra. It might be slightly cheesy, but I love this song. If you love the 80’s like me you know Diane Warren, and she co-wrote this with Desmond Child.
In the meantime, let me know what you think of this and ideas for a topic! And if you are on Twitter/X, be sure to join our live tweets every Friday night at 9pm Eastern/6pm Pacific using the hashtag #80sCountdown to be part of the fun! Next week it will be all about 1982!
Nick
