Every Friday, I’m publishing my top ten songs from a single year and this week it’s the turn of 1989.
For previous top ten tunes, please click on the year: 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Protester in Tiananmen Square
1989 was a pretty horrific year, Boeing 737 crashes into the M1 killing 44 people, a fatwa (order to kill) is placed on author Salman Rushdie following the publication of his book the Satanic Verses, the IRA bomb army barracks in Shropshire injuring 50 soldiers, Sheffield dock workers go on strike, a pleasure cruiser collides with a barge on the River Thames killing 51 people, Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips separate, the IRA bomb the Royal Marine School of Music in Kent killing 11 people, the Church of England vote to allow the ordination of women, the House of Commons is televised for the first time, George Bush Snr becomes president of the United States, the Berlin Wall comes down, Margaret Thatcher along with George Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev hail the end of the Cold War, thousands of students occupy Tiananmen Square protesting for democracy- several hundreds or thousands (final figure never confirmed) are shot dead by the Chinese army and 96 football fans are killed and 766 injured in a crush at the FA cup semi-finals between Nottingham Forrest and Liverpool at Hillsborough stadium.
When Harry Met Sally and Glory were released. I celebrated entering my teenage years (I very much doubt my parents celebrated this though).
Mate, this post was originally going to be a top 15 tunes as I simply couldn’t decide on a final top 10, but at the last minute I decided to be ruthless and have somehow narrowed it down to 10 (sorry Martika but you had to go in the end). So, here in no particular order, is my most tricky year to decide on so far- 1989…
1.Back to Life (However Do You Want Me) by Soul II Soul
2. Ride on Time by Black Box
So this was the Italian model that Black Box pretended was their singer when in fact it was British soul singer Heather Small’s vocals on their records. It was kind of a Milli Vanilli/Phoebe Buffay move.
3. Baby I Don’t Care by Transvision Vamp
4. Poison by Alice Cooper
5. The Best by Tina Turner
6. Sowing the Seeds of Love by Tears for Fears
7. Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses (ok so the below video is not from 1989. Nor is it obviously, Guns N’ Roses, but I just wanted an excuse to play a clip from one of my favourite ever comedy films Step Brothers…“you don’t even look good while you’re singing”).
8. Like a Prayer by Madonna
9. Eternal Flame by the Bangles
10. This Woman’s Work by Kate Bush
Hands down, my favourite year so far, but my favourite of the lot is still an easy choice this week. My second favourite song ever, Like a Prayer wins (my very favourite was in year 1979). So, which one is your favourite from these 1989 songs? And reading the news sections, aren’t you starting to get the feeling that it’s always been a bit rubbish and that it really isn’t just our present times?
See you next week for the start of the NINETIES!
Just Another Blog From a Woman 
It does seem that it has always been a bit rubbish. But I still think that the Orange Cheetoh takes top awards for being King of the Worst. But the music, oh the music was awesome. I am currently singing and dancing around the apartment..Back to Life…..
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Despite all the crap that was going down then, music was having a much better time. How is the Orange Cheetoh still a thing? Not that I’m suggesting anything untoward should happen to him of course…
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Music was such a good thing then. Not that I am trying to sound like I am 107 and don’t like anything current….but I do tend to drift back into my old music ways most days.
The Cheetoh, I don’t know how he got to be a thing and for the life of me still do not understand how he is still a thing. Happy to no longer live in the country of Cheetoh lovers. (But sad that I actually feel that way too).
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I was listening to my playlist last night with my husband and I was exasperated. I had a little rant that music has run out of ideas and everything was so much better in my youth. I’m sure it was probably the same rant my parents had, but….it’s just not as good these.
Ugh, it’s horrible. He’s horrible. I can absolutely understand how this saddens you.
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I remember all of these!! Very excited to be going to see Alice Cooper in June when he comes to the UK.
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Amazing! I bet he puts on a fantastic show.
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1989 was hella good
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Wasn’t it just?
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Some truly awful things happened in 1989 – particularly where so many lives were tragically lost. I think there’s some cracking songs in this list! Some “bangers” even now!!
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Absolutely!
I know, 1989 was a horrible year and I’m sad to say 1990 doesn’t get any better.
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My memory of 1989 is all about my first boyfriend, who made me a mix tape. Tears for Fears was on it. So, I’m just going to have to go with that one.
I’d love to know more about teenage Hayley! Clearly, you were a music lover–I’m hoping there were some fun hair styles.
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Oh you’ve just given me an excellent idea for 1990! I should add a photo of my truly awful hairstyle at 14yrs. Yes I was completely obsessed with music in my teen years. Music & boys were literally the two most important factors in my life. Ah that made me smile that 1989 was all about your first boyfriend. I miss doing mix tapes for people. A Spotify list is a modern day mix tape I guess. Tears for Fears is an excellent choice x
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oh my God, that Soul to Soul song was my favorite! I forgot all about it! And Eternal Flame?! I still know every single word. GnR, of course, absolutely love them to this day. Great post! Thanks for mentioning Martika…Toy Soldiers! love, love, love!
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Thank you! I loved Martika. She’ll always have a special place in my heart. Oh and I also remember every single word of Eternal Flame too 😁
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Eternal Flame… one of my all time faves!
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Oh I was so in love with that song back then & well yes I still love it now!
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Im always crooning !!!
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Oh…My….God….I love this post so much! You had me at Stepbrothers….you had me at Stepbrothers. It’s my favorite movie ever! Aside from the movie I remember almost all these songs as you and I are about the same age. My favorite song here is Madonna’s. The Guns and Roses thing made me laugh b/c I work with a much older man that blares his music ALL THE TIME in his cube. He’ll pick 1 artist/group and play it all f’ing day. 2 days ago it was all Phil Collins. Yesterday it was Guns and Roses all day long. LOL!
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Stepbrothers is so bloody funny. I absolutely love it. Oh my god you’re kidding (re your colleague), I don’t think I could’ve handled Phil Collins all day. Shouldn’t there be rules about playing music loud enough for everyone to hear in the office?!
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There are rules! They even purchased nice ear buds for all of us to wear to avoid this but no one wants to reprimand so he gets away with it. Despite my co-working telling him she hates Dream Weaver, he continues to play it. And the worst thing? My other co-worker will occasionally sing along. DON’T ENCOURAGE HIM!!!
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There’s only one thing for it, you need to listen to Taylor Swift at full volume.
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Do you know what he had blaring today while NOT at his desk? West Virginia. I believe by John Denver. You couldn’t pay me enough money to live in West Virginia. I cringe every time I hear that song.
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am enjoying your posts. I enjoy the news blurb at the beginning. Reading and thinking WHAT. I remember that and this and oh no that. Can’t wait for the 1990. Have to say I think I slept through them music wise as someone in the office went to 90s concert and I was like I don’t know that or that!! Will have to wait and see.
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Hope you’ll still recognise a few tunes from the 90s. 1990 is a pretty terrible year for news & events- just to warn you. Thanks so much- glad you enjoy these posts.
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I have to say my favorite is Tina Turner’s “Simply the Best.” It brings back memories and it’s so inspiring. I also love her song, “Be good to Me.” She seems to get right to the heart of the matter and she’s such an inspiration to women. The fact that she got herself out of an abusive situation and was able to be so successful says something about the human spirit.
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She is a truly remarkable woman. I love Tina Turner. Thanks Lisa.
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This is a pretty cool post because I was born in 1989. It is interesting to see all of the crazy things that were happening in the world then!
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Oh that’s brilliant. Hope you found it if some interest. You were born in a very good musical year.
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You’ve actually blown my mind here. I did not realise that it was Heather Small singing on that Black Box track. I just assumed it was that woman who remained nameless to me! I remember watching the woman dancing around on ToTP, and my mum moaning about the song saying that she was wailing! I now need to go and listen to it again!
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I know. When you listen to it again, you’ll be able to tell it’s Heather’s vocals. Loved a bit of Black Box me.
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Dang! I just checked, and found the song that I’ve always associated with ’89 actually came out in ’88!
Yeah, the year had more downs than ups, but in October Jim & I swayed to, “I’ll Always Love You” by Taylor Dayne for our first dance as a married couple.
Doing a bit of sharing, by the way. *hugs*
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Aaah lovely. So 1989 was most definitely a good year for. Thanks so much Traci xxx
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What a year. I was nine and remember thinking the news was like a horror show.
Thanks god for Guns n roses though
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Indeed. They were so good.
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Oh, wow. 1989. She Drive’s Me Crazy by the Fine Young Cannibals and Janie’s Got A Gun by Aerosmith are just a couple that I consider Simply The Best!
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Oh I lived Fine Young Cannibals too. Cheers Jennifer
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Holy! All I wanted that year was to be Wendy James! And the boys at my high school were obsessed with GnR. We listened to Apetite non stop for 12 months in the seniors common room. Good times.
I was also unhealthily fixated on the Batman soundtrack, despite the fact it was rubbish.
Oh, and Richard Marx – that hair! You know you can follow him on Insta? Take a look.
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Haha Richard Marx. I might check it out, just to see if he has the same hair. Appetite for Destruction was such a good album.
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I was listening to Soul II Soul on the train the other day–still love that song!
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It’s great, isn’t it?
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YES! We are finally getting to years when I was old enough to know some of the songs! These posts are so much better when you recognize them!
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Hopefully, you’ll start recognising more & more as the years go by.
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Yep! You’ve made it firmly into my childhood now. 🙂
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I only know a few of these, but When Harry Met Sally is one of my fav movies!!
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It’s so good. I haven’t watched it in ages. Need to see it again soon, I think.
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What? No Jason Donovan and Too Many Broken Hearts. Now my heart is broken at not seeing my favourite ‘Jason’ song in your Top 10. Please tell me he was he your Top 15? 🤞
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Haha. Of course! I absolutely LOVED Jason. I was convinced we were meant for each. To be honest, I think I still hold a special place for him in my heart.
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Numbers 2 & 3 aren’t even vaguely familiar to me. I think they must have been popular in the UK but not the States. Of the rest my top pick is Sweet Child o’ Mine. I love your historical recaps too
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I think they probably were just popular in the UK. Guns ‘n’ Roses is an excellent choice. I will never not get excited when I hear the opening bars of that song.
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Got to agree with the Top 2 completely! Clubbing favourites easily. I knew most of these at the time except for our Kate wasn’t on my radar at this point. Not sure what to expect in the 90’s, but hear we go. Once of the best decades for music has passed!
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Yay! You’re back! I’ve missed you on these here pages. Agree one of the best decades has passed. The early 90s is good, but the music definitely gets weaker in the late 90s. I’ve noticed how selecting the songs have got easier as time has progressed i.e. I’ve had less good tunes to choose from compared to the earlier years. Soul II Soul and Black Box are fantastic tunes. Still both sound so good.
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Yes I’m back. Been so busy haven’t had much time to write my own blog! It’ll be interesting to see what your 90’s lists look like!
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It’s all done and up on my blog. If you can believe it, I’ll be publishing 2001 tomorrow! Only 17 years left!
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Some more catching up to do! The 2000’s! Kylie?
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Oh there very well might be a bit of Kylie in there 😉
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