This 80s TOP 10 Will TRULY MAKE You Wonder...What the HELL Happened to Music? | Professor of Rock

Up next we’re going to count down the top 10 songs of this very same timeframe from the year 1988. We have interviews and stories from the artists… as well as your stories and dedications. And then we’ll recalibrate them based on their all-time performance since then. It’s a great show with so many great songs a couple of artists who reached the coveted BILLION VIEWS CLUB and today’s Top 10 countdown may be the only one in music history to have the worst song of the 80s go up against arguably the best song of the 80s… See if you agree and who wins the battle. Coming up next on Professor of Rock.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Executive Producer
Brandon Fugal
Honorary Producers
Junal Garnett, Samuel Cohen, Jeff Kolek, Steve, Anthony Fedora
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check out my Hand Picked Selection Below
Professor's Store
- Van Halen OU812 Vinyl Album amzn.to/3tLsII2
- The 80s Collection amzn.to/3mAekOq
- 100 Best Selling Albums amzn.to/3h3qZX9
- Ultimate History of 80s Teen Movie amzn.to/3ifjdKQ
- 80s to 90s VHS Video Cover Art amzn.to/2QXzmIX
- Totally Awesome 80s A Lexicon amzn.to/3h4ilrk
- Best In Ear Headphones (I Use These Every Day) amzn.to/2ZcTlIl
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check Out The Professor of Rock Merch Store -bit.ly/Professo...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check Out Patron Benefits
bit.ly/Professo...
Help out the Channel by purchasing your albums through our links! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you, thank you for your support.
Click here for Premium Content: bit.ly/SignUpF...
bit.ly/Faceboo...
bit.ly/Instagr...
#classicrock #80smusic #vinylstory #onehitwonder
Hey Music Junkies Professor of Rock Always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest songs of all time. If you love classic rock and pop Subscribe below right now to be a part of our community's exclusive stories straight from the artists and watch our exclusive content on Patreon by clicking on the link in the description and check out our cool new merch.
As a child of the 80s, born in the 70s, and growing up in the 80s, I was raised on Casey Kasem’s American Top 40. I listened every week without fail, rooting for my favorite song to hit #1. Today we honor his memory as we count down the top 10 songs of this same time frame from the year 1988 and then we recalibrate them based on how many times they’ve been heard, streamed or watched on KZbin all of these years later to find out what is the real #1 hit!
Well after some tweaking, I’m ready to make this a regular feature, including your stories, your dedications and the actual artists commenting on their own songs, and then after we count them down you can listen to the playlist we’ve linked to below.
So here it is, we go back to this same week September 17th in the year 1988. Coming in at Number 10: there are only a few artists at this point who have had a music video top 1 billion views and two are in this top 10. Some artists that have done it so far are The Police, Wham, Guns N Roses, Michael Jackson, A-ha, and Mr. Rick Astley who is at the 10 slot with It Would Take A Strong Strong man, its peak position… It actually went to #1 on the AC charts and in Canada, from the Stock Aiken Waterman hit machine.. this was the third hit from Rick’s album Whenever You Need Someone after Never Gonna Give You Up and Together Forever both went to #1, this song’s is in the vein those old soul songs like Aint Too Proud to beg.
I give you fair warning… someone will get rickrolled before this is over.. this song has done so-so since its original release with about 7.5 million streams between KZbin and Spotify, far from Rick’s 1 billion views from Never Gonna Give You Up…
at the number 9 spot, we have a song that Def Leppard Lead singer said was a play on words, when somebody chews on your neck, you get a bruise, so in Britain the word for a hickey according to Joe is Love bites. From their mega album hysteria, and their first and only number one hit in the US. Guitarist Phill Collen said that everyone in the band was scared of this song because the vocal parts were so high. WE had a lot of people comment on this, Sean Smith says that the Hysteria tour was the first concert that he and his wife attended, while she was pregnant with their first child, a son who now loves Def Leppard…
viewer Jay a remember that his family had a stereo in their lounge room and they all rocked out to it.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Poll: What are your picks for the BEST and WORST song of the 80s?

[@TerrickTerran]

Best Alimony. Worst......probably something rap that's obscene.

[@christineml1476]

Best: Prince "1999" Worst: "Don't Worry, Be Happy" - only because it was in heavy rotation. I saw Bobby McFerrin live in the late 90s and he was incredible, he didn't do DWBH.

[@RBS_]

....Oh, this One's a DOOZY......you can't really say a tune is 'best' or 'worst', It's in the eye of the Beholder....BUT..........methinks if Bobby McFerrin HIMSELF stayed away from *"Don't Worry Be Happy"* , there's SUMPTHIN' there, about 'Worst'! ...ha-HAAA!

[@BillGraper]

Best: Total Eclipse Of The Heart- Bonnie Tyler Worst: Kiss- The Art Of Noise feat. Tom Jones (arguably)

[@RBS_]

@@christineml1476 ....GREAT MINDS on the 'Worst'! ...ya beat me by A SECOND, Lady Christine! ...ha-HAA!

[@tracycase4520]

MTV killed MTV

[@DC8091]

Reality TV killed the Video Star

[@ProfessorofRock]

THat's right!

[@TerrickTerran]

so true.

[@SuperMarioBrosIII]

@@ProfessorofRock Robin Williams cameo with Bill Iwrin in Don't Worry Be Happy music video! I see you mentioned it LOL!🎩🤓👏🙋

[@Jims_Camera_at_dawn]

All too true. They forgot their name, Music Television. Didn't they learn anything from New Coke? In short, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[@parks51998]

We lost our first baby in April of 1988, "Sweet Child of Mine" was what we listened to before and after we lost her. Married still since 1986, that song will bring stillness to our house, and sometimes tears, but always a love so deep it's hard to write this. Thanks for what you do!

[@badgerpa9]

The lose of a baby is one of the most difficult things in life, most people do not understand that. Peace, love and stay safe and healthy.

[@DonitaSilk]

My condolences for your loss.

[@CYBERVISIONSdotCom]

@@parks51998 1986? Gotta Love Newlyweds…😬 We were married in 1981, both of us in the Navy. We nearly lost our daughter, but a couple of years earlier in ‘83. They took her by C-Section 1 month premature; she was just 4 lbs, 12 ounces. Head to feet, she didn’t quite measure between both of my hands - from the base of my hands, held palms up, fingertips touching, just short of the base of each of my palms She had an extremely low blood sugar level in addition to everything else. They had her in an incubator for nearly 2 weeks. They had to take a blood sample every hour for several days, and it was hard because her veins were so small. Even today she hates needles.

[@TheNoodle6]

I graduated HS in 1988, and I can confirm that, there will NEVER be a better time in music/movies than the 80'! The year 1984 in music alone! Come on, perfection! I wish almost everyday that we could all go back to the 80's! GEN X FOREVER! ❤😢

[@michaelward5370]

Damn, I totally miss the 80s! Great movies, great tv shows, awesome music, and no social media!!

[@vixstert.5642]

Right on!

[@CarlGorn]

Unless you count notes passed in the classroom. 😀

[@marktait2371]

​@@CarlGornhaha we used to do that

[@cherylmaden5989]

My son loved Motley Crue as a fetus( in utero) but unfortunately is not as much of a fan now at 20.. but maybeeee.... I'll have to look into this, you give me hope

[@leunga]

The early stage of social media was great in the early 2000s. It had just enough tech to keep in touch with people. Its when social media mixed with smart phones that got people addicted.

[@BaddogSports]

Sunmer of 88. Was headed into 8th grade, had my first girlfriend, and was loving the music! Nostalgia overload!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Awesome!

[@SuperMarioBrosIII]

@@ProfessorofRock And you forgot to mention the British motown ahem production team of Stock Aitken & Waterman produced most of the tracks on Rick Astley's first two albums!💽🤗🤓👍

[@SuperMarioBrosIII]

@@ProfessorofRock Heart Of Glass sung by Tamara Champlin is my reason for buying the Caddyshack II Soundtrack CD! 🙋‍♀💽🦫🏌⛳

[@fmbbeachbum8163]

Yup 8th grade, girlfriend & the Bengals going to the Super Bowl. My favorite year of my life.

[@BaddogSports]

@@fmbbeachbum8163 That Super Bowl was probably the best one of the decade. All the other ones were blowouts, except for SB XVII

[@johnreilly9452]

Rick Astley is now seen as a national treasure now here in the Uk. He may have been seen as cheesy but boy the guy can sing . Hes recently completed a sell out Uk arena tour. A double slot at the Glastonbury festival and has had 3 top ten albums since 2016. Hes endured , he may not be the critics favourite, but no one cares,people just like him.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I’ve seen him in a couple commercials. He’s become a punchline.

[@IrishTexan09]

I loved Rick Astley!

[@CarlGorn]

I always respected how such a big voice could come out of such a diminutive man. He's a legit talent, always will be in my book.

[@ricksatterstrom7461]

I love the deep richness in his voice

[@stpaulimdog]

He had more hits in the UK than here in the States. Here it's pretty much those 2 songs he's known for. For the younger generation, just the one.

[@christineml1476]

Anything looking back at 80s music gets me wicked nostalgic. Great music, fun fashion, a much simpler and innocent time. I miss all of it.

[@TheSlowoldman]

As someone who was a young man in the 80's I have two words..... big hair.....you gals were BEAUTIFUL!

[@christineml1476]

@@TheSlowoldman I used a LOT of hairspray in the 80s. I may or may not have contributed to the ozone layer's destruction.

[@TheSlowoldman]

@@christineml1476 Well done! All I can say is that hole in the ozone was worth it! 😁

[@ProfessorofRock]

For sure!

[@ProfessorofRock]

@@TheSlowoldman Those BANDS!

[@jonhammer7109]

70s. 80s. Just a lucky time to be alive and have such music. So many great great songs. Became little pieces of my life and past.

[@LaManteca76]

I still listen to Casey Kasem. There's just something comforting & nostalgic about his voice. I was 11 in 1988 & I remember we went to the movies to see Roger Rabbit for my lil bro's bday. Money was tight so it was the first time we kids went together. We shared soda & popcorn & it was so exciting! 😄

[@marktait2371]

yes our local classic rock has flashback show so.etimes has a casey top 10 for a week in the 80s

[@dranderson6071]

@@LaManteca76 I agree. Casey’s velvet voice helped me sleep as a teenager. Loved his voice. It was America to this Canadian

[@sburns2421]

I was friends with a guy then whose relative was an autistic savant. Every week he recorded and memorized Kasey's top 40, and could recall each list in order by week. I remember quizzing him on a few obscure songs that I knew had made it somehow into the top 40 years before. really amazing how the human brain works.

[@raymondtitano3819]

@@marktait2371 We used to have that where I live, until the station changed formats a couple of years ago. Sirius XM has his 70's AT40 rebroadcasts and an 80's countdown show with MTV VJ's, but I miss CASEY counting down 80's hits because that's what I listened to originally. If I was bad and my mother needed to punish me, she would take away my radio on Sunday morning so I'd have to miss his show that week. Worse than being grounded!

[@cherylmaden5989]

I was 10. Yup❤

[@duket1449]

Class of '88 here. What a time to graduate from high school! So much good music, movies, TV shows, and even commercials (where's the beef?? 😂)! I'd go back if there's a way.

[@FlyingTerk]

Class of 90, was just behind you

[@cherylmaden5989]

My 15year old and everyone his age I've asked likes Rick astley too. They viewed being "Rick rolled" with affection 😂❤

[@Slinger43]

Couldn't agree with you more concerning The Great Robert Palmer! Always felt he was so under-appreciated because he just didn't look like a Rockstar, But more like a pretty cool businessman 🤷🏻‍♂️ His two HUGE hits, "Addicted to Love" and "Simply Irresistible" were so great, they'll be playing those songs still a hundred years from now! 💪 Another great episode Professor!

[@Tonsvtunes]

Add the power station to some great music with Palmer n a couple of the guys from Duran Duran! Fantastic remake of the tune Bang a gong

[@julieaskingforafriend]

Graduated high school 82, graduated college 86, married 88. I LIVED through the 80s, and music has never been the same. "Nobody's Fool" was on rewind in my car cassette player, the first of the motivational bangers. And I didn't need to buy "Simply Irresistible" because EVERYONE was playing it.

[@RobertL_0563]

Robert Palmer was such a talented artist. He died way too young.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I agree. The James bond of Pop Music.

[@marktait2371]

same of all places was driving flipping channels he was on the jim rome show talking about his start in pubs like 15 years old and had interesting bits about his life in music then not long after sj said he had passed away kinda shocker and think commented he was a heavy smoker dj of course

[@amyrussell860]

Yes, he did.

[@sebastianstark8517]

I remember when I first heard Rick Astley's voice on the radio, I envisioned some big guy cranking out the lyrics. Then I saw him on a video show on TV (yes, we used to be able to watch music videos on TV), and was blown away that this little guy had such a big, powerful voice! He gets clowned a lot these days, but Rick Astley has an amazing voice.

[@IrishTexan09]

Loved his voice and songs!

[@ricksatterstrom7461]

I agree !!!

[@Nicky986]

Child of seventies music and in my twenties rocking to eighties music. Love your channel 👍

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks!

[@robsteingruber9488]

The summer of 88, I was going into my Senior year of High School that fall. This whole list takes me back. Hanging out with my friends, the smells, the world as I knew it then. Thanks for the Time Machine escape.

[@karamia1392]

My son was born in 1986 and my daughter in 1989. They both became black-metal heads in their teenage years and beyond but my daughter loves 80s music … as do I … the music of my 20s. We love synth pop especially Nik Kershaw (who is still releasing fabulous music to this day). I’m not sure that it’s fitting to your question but one of my favourite 80s music memories is Donald Fagen’s album ‘Nightfly’. What a magnum opus!!! I remember it playing on the car cassette deck as my kids’ dad and I drove along the coast. ‘What a beautiful world it will be … what a glorious time to be free …..’. A magical song for what to me was a magical time. Love from Australia ❤

[@musicmamma]

Great album!! One of my favorites I have on cassette as well.

[@jeromethiel4323]

I loved the Van Hagar era. The original Van Halen lineup was also good, but bringing Sammy in didn't ruin the band, like some people think. At least in my opinion.

[@MikeDavis-be8gf]

They sold more albums with Sammy

[@Prof_Jeff]

I prefer that era, too. Sammy added a musician to the lineup. DLR could barely play tambourine and maracas. 5150 is my favorite Van Halen album; to me, it's mostly killer with very little fillet. Too many albums from the DLR era had WAY too much filler, IMO.

[@mackangelwings]

Absolutely!!

[@shane8915]

My best friend and I use to argue till our faces turned blue over Van Halen. He was in the Hagar camp. I was in Roth's camp. As I've gotten older, Hagar's version of Van Halen really grew on me. So much so, that I now prefer Van Hagar. They were much more musically dynamic with Sammy. With Roth, Van Halen were stuck in teenage party hearty rebellion mode. That just doesn't work when your core fan base has matured and the band members are in their 30's. And let's not even get me started on Roth's uncanny ability to be an absolute cringe inducing embarrassment.

[@fjcrod]

That was a great list, professor. Then you got to number one and my mind travelled back to 1988. It's no wonder that song has become a cultural touchstone. To this day, it remains as wondrous and magical as ever. It never fails to transport me back to the first time I heard it. And to think, that for the longest time, the album was a flop. Today, it's absolutely one of the greatest albums and songs of all time.

[@BB-yh5rd]

Graduated high school in 1988, music defined my adolescence. Excited to see how this episode goes.

[@FrizleFry00]

Appetite for Destruction was the first cassette I ever bought. I went on to buy in multiple times as I often lost it. This channel always reminds me of childhood memories both with the music and with the nostalgia bit you often do at the start of the show. Cheers, buddy! This is my favourite KZbin Channel!!!

[@PeopleRdum]

Something about the mid-late 80's was just so great. Best music from pop, hard rock, glam metal, horror movies still awesome, Halloween was the best time of the year. Nintendo and MTV after school. What a time to be a kid in the USA!

[@stephenhanft1226]

Excellent top 10. It showed that the quality of popular music was still going strong in 1988 with great diversity. I was glad to see songs from Rick Astley and Taylor Dayne on the countdown. 2 of my favorite new pop artists in the late 1980's.

[@MultiCamdaddy]

Well Your right my friend there were so much diversity in the 80s music and top10s never will be duplicated again ever I would live it all over again if I could

[@megmcguigan3857]

I entered my senior year in high school in about a week back in 88. I was a punk/alternative/goth weirdo and even I bought Appetite For Destruction back then. It was one of those albums that everybody genuinely liked, which was a rare thing back then.

[@ProfessorofRock]

COOL!

[@michaelward5370]

Appetite For Destruction is such a classic that I can still listen to it from start to finish and love every song! It's definitely in my top 5 best albums of all time!!

I'm blown away by how great music was back in the 80's. As for someone who lived and rocked out during that time, you are still able to surprise me with music trivia that I've forgotten about. Thanks for all you do for music!

[@OwenRona]

I loved Queen as a kid but GnR (Appetite), Bon Jovi (New Jersey), and INXS (Kick) were the albums that really got me into Rock

[@Jcruzer70]

I worked at a big record store in NYC in 1988. What a summer of hits and amazing music. Phenomenal memories that are always looked back on with a smile. So many ppl just couldn't get enough of all the charted songs from Def Leppard, GnR, Metallica, Bobby Brown, The Bangles, Bobby McFerrin etc. What a time to be a young music lover. 🤘🤘

[@Tumbleweed_Tx]

this week in 88, I was on the road with a metal band. We were all broke, them because of alcohol, me because I gave one of the girls I had strung across the country all the money I had to pay her phone bill.... We were in Pensacola, FL, staying at a hotel on the beach, getting ready to play a gig at the Naval Air Station there. I found $5 in my pocket, so we were rich. We bought some bait, did some fishing, and had a nice little fish fry that night. I miss the 80's.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for sharing!

[@johnnyjohnson1326]

Let me guess.. the Howard Johnson's? Lol

[@karentrimmer]

You ripped my heart out with "Sweet Child of Mine." It was my 10 year old son's favorite song and I still see him dancing, singing and playing the air guitar to it. Now in his 40s, that sweet child of mine has spent the past month in and out of the hospitals and doctor's offices, undergoing medical treatments. My little boy with the big brown eyes, "I hate to look into those eyes and see an ounce of pain." "Where do we go now?"

[@HunterXWorld95]

I’m a simple man. I see Professor of Rock, I click.

[@RBS_]

...Hell, I'm just SIMPLE! ...ha-HAAA!

[@sariahut1]

What an incredible list! Some absolutely timeless classics. Speaking of Robert Palmer, he’s an artist I’ve never stopped loving. I got very heavily into the grunge music and new wave before that. But, Robert Palmer never went out of style for me. I just found his album Riptide on vinyl last week and I squealed with glee in the middle of the record store. He’ll always be a favorite of mine.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Couldn't agree more!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Robert Palmer could really rock your world.

[@marktait2371]

i found riptide last fall also g.c. recent bin local.indie not real expensive either plus sally and a few others all are really good records

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

Robert Palmer was a cool dude. I spent 10 days at his home in the Caribbean

[@littlecatfeet9064]

Wow, what? RIP

[@flavellinator]

Def Leppard, Van Halen, and Guns n' Roses all in one top 10... Count me in!

[@ProfessorofRock]

BOOM!

[@SynthMusicWorld]

Summer of 1988. I was in the Navy and stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. I was about to turn 20. I'm not ashamed to admit that I had a copy of Rick's debut album. The Smith's live album "Rank" released a couple of week before my 20th birthday in 1988. What a year! And September 17 was a day before my birthday.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Awesome!

[@purplelove392]

Thanks for your service. My dad was a 20 year, ret-USN CPO and my brother's birthday is Sept 18 too. Happy early birthday!

[@marktait2371]

same yall rank.a frienr of mine bought when it first came out he was big into the smiths my late dad was 101 60s and national guard for at least 20 years after

[@kevinraymond488]

1988 I was a DJ in a local bar playing all of these hits ! A certain beautiful brunette would always drag me out of my booth to dance to Love Bites !

[@ProfessorofRock]

Cool!

[@catherine6653]

I ❤ this! My brain instantly went back to age 17. This is when I preferred preferred riding my horse over driving a car. Bobby McFerrin "Don't Worry Be Happy" taught me not to worry. It is an important message. Worry doesn't accomplish anything.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks Catherine. Long live 1988

[@CowGirlKat8691]

I still do! 🤠

[@catherine6653]

@@CowGirlKat8691 Try not to worry today. It's a happy Friday 😊

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I wonder if you can use a horse as primary transportation.

[@catherine6653]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Too much traffic to ride a horse where live now.

[@RobertL_0563]

Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns and Roses - Appetite For Destruction. Absolutely mind blowing debut!

[@ProfessorofRock]

No kidding!

[@PeopleRdum]

My first cassette tape ever!

[@tartantexan007]

I got married in 1988. Lots of great music that year. Rick Astley is on my wedding video along with Whitney Houston, One moment in time.

[@CarlGorn]

Not only did Bobby McFerrin do "Don't Worry, Be Happy" a cappella, he did the entire album Simple Pleasures like that. DWBH is the most layered, most complete-sounding track off the album, although his cover of Cream's "Sunshine of your Love" is a respectable effort. For a while, McFerrin was creative chair of the Minnesota Orchestra. My wife and I spent $90 back in 2003 to see him and his vocal orchestra Voicestra in a Christmas concert. One of the most fun concerts I've ever been too, featuring improvisational vocal jazz that honestly communicates, rather than engaging in self-indulgent thought experiments. The son of opera singers, it's no wonder the Germans call him _Stimmwunder_ (Wonder Voice). For the record, he says he's sick of Don't Worry, Be Happy, too. Makes me wonder if the song wouldn't get so much hate if it just wasn't overplayed. But that's a question for the multiverse.

[@aaronleverton4221]

His all-acapella cover of the (Young) Rascals' Good Lovin' is pure magic.

[@kathyjaissle6791]

OMG, I love Simply Irresistible!!! The lyrics are awesome! And Van Halen’s, How Do I Know When It’s Love. And then my ALL TIME FAVORITE song…ever….Sweet Child of Mine!!! I’m not joking when I tell you that to this day, I get so excited when it comes on the radio! If I play it on KZbin, I hit replay at least 4 times. Absolutely love it!!! The lyrics, the music, the guitar solo!!! It has it all!!!!!

[@Fregulus5]

Summer 88, I was going into my HS Senior year. The song that stands out the most was Traci Chapman "Fast Car".

[@littlecatfeet9064]

Fantastic song! ❤

[@rogertemple7193]

The top 10 was okay not perfect but okay better than whatever is on the charts these days, I don't listen to the current music anymore but still Thanks for the Memories Professor. 🎶🎤🎸🎸🎹🥁🎶

[@HVDonkeyPark]

Was expecting yet another top 10 demonstrating how awesome the music of the time was and, for the first time, was disappointed. Yes, a few very good songs, but most only resonate long term, in my humble opinion, with those who associate formative events with them. Music appreciation is highly subjective, and these songs have racked up big numbers, so maybe its just my taste. I just wouldn't select this week if I was looking to showcase the music of the 80's.

[@vixstert.5642]

In 1988, my friends & I were always on the Sunset Strip at the many famous clubs along the Boulevard. That was the place to be if you were a rocker in the late 80s. Saw so many bands before they got signed... Good times, great memories & amazing music!

[@paranormalnightmaretv]

Just found your channel awesome channel. Takes me back to when I was younger and the music was awesome. Remember we had no tv and all you had was the radio and music. Lived with my grandparents remember different people always coming to the house on the weekends.They came Kentucky and Tennessee and all others states. They would start playing music as soon as the sun started to set. And it would go on till late at night. It was an amazing time.

[@DanieVargas]

MAN!! I LOVED Rick Astley’s voice when I first heard it WAY BACK in the 80’s!! He epitomized EuroTrash music!! I LOVED THAT GENRE BACK IN HIGH SCHOOL (it also helped that most of my friends back then were diplomat kids. Living in the Wash DC area, this will happen) I was listening to SO MUCH DANCE MUSIC that never made it to US music scene… it was great. So when I first heard Rick Astley and saw how he dressed, I was a TOTAL FAN! (and you all can stuff the Howdy Doody references! LOL) Every song was just fantastic and, IMO, could stand the test of time. Go ahead! Play any Astley song and tell my you don’t end up humming along! I know you will… I love these re-assessments of old countdowns!

[@mbd22803]

1988 the year of Graduation. OU812 was one of the best concerts I've seen and the 80s were filled with great shows. When It's Love one of the best songs ever written. While I miss the music of the 80s I have so many memories good and bad about the decade. 1988 will always have special meaning because I graduated from High School but it was bittersweet because my Stepdad passed away 1 week from my birthday in May and 1 month from graduation. He would have been so proud of how far i came. He taught me so much in so little time we had together that I can raise my step daughter's right. My medical condition isn't perfect but I keep fighting just to see them graduate at the end of this school year and in 3 years from now. Thank you Professor for going down memory lane. ❤

[@badgerpa9]

Robert Palmers song "Sneaking Sally Through the Alley" was an early song showing his unique sound and awesome singing ability, it should have been a much bigger hit. I remember hearing the Van Halen album played over and over by the young ladies that lived downstairs from me in a house style duplex. Friday and Saturday night when they got ready to go out they would play the same album over and over to get pumped up for the night. I do miss them though they were always nice to me, cooked even cleaned my place when I was gone sometimes. They were very sweet to me and so I fixed their vehicles and whatever they needed done. Life was so much calmer and at least where I lived you did not need to worry about violence, someone might steal your stuff but no one was really violent there.

[@paulendicott9151]

By 1988 I was starting to go all around the world for work. I was surprised to hear a lot of this music in these countries. They were still making great music back then. ***** for this show.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for sharing!

[@gojohngo106]

That was one amazing summer. So lucky i was there!

[@michaellarusch4317]

I hate to see that you're having so many issues with these. I love to remember these great songs. Reminds me of the best years of music, movies, TV....all of it was great. I appreciate you doing this!

[@Huscar80]

You know you don't hear much Whistling in music anymore?...but Dont' worry be happy was played by one of my teachers before we took tests -- I think she thought it would help us relax but the entire class would be whistling while taking whatever test we had that day.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Point well taken!

[@askdrsullivan]

My God you eloquently verbalize my youth so perfectly! I think had we gone to the same high school we would have likely been best friends!

[@coryb6810]

No other decade like the 80’s! You had to be there to understand !!

[@kafkal2281]

From the top 10, Huey & the News and G&R did it for me. April '88 is when my first daughter was born, so the year is very special. She's always been that Sweet Child of Mine. And Huey, always a favorite! Then Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up. There used to be a GIF (it seems to have been taken down now as I can't find it) of Michigan J Frog singing and dancing to it. Something you can never unsee in your brain. Does anyone else recall it?

[@jimmyramone7396]

Still love the old Def Leppard. Joe Elliots voice isn't the same anymore. It breaks my heart everytime i hear him sing nowadays.

[@Mr-Flibble]

September 1988 was amazing for me. I had just turned 17, my parents had bought me my first Technics Hi-Fi system & I got 3 albums with it. Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, Appetite for Destruction & the newly released ....And Justice for All.

[@duromusabc]

George Michael , Michael Jackson , Richard Marx, Rick Astley, Debby Gibson , GNR, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard , Cheap Trick, Poison , Terence Trent D Arby, Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown , - a great year in music !

[@ProfessorofRock]

Amen!

[@SuperMarioBrosIII]

@@ProfessorofRock Terence Trent D' Arby had a follow up single which I like better Sign Your Name. 🤗✍🕺💽

[@user-eh6se9om4f]

Let’s goooo…Friday redux! Cold beer, late summer sun and Prof of Rock in the headphones. Couldn’t ask for more🕺

[@markmcarthy596]

Corporate interests care about cash-not creativity.

[@MegaDcmp]

🤦‍♂️

[@Rocker85872]

“Sweet Child O Mine” was the first cassette single I bought. My Dad had a huge 45 vinyl collection and this song was the beginning of my 500+ cassette single collection!

[@hercules1073]

I was at the Guns and Roses concert opening for Motley Crue. We had never heard of them and after the concert we all made fun of them on the long drive home... each of us had secretly gone to the mall and bought their album within days after the concert. I still remember when we were all together and came clean about having bought the album... my late friend said "we ought to be shot! I mean just listen to them...they're great". It wasn't long after that concert that everyone knew who they were and their fame was rising with teenagers as the Crue's was becoming a thing of the past.

[@dcimedic]

My freshman year of High School was 88 and I asked for Def Leopard for Christmas, my father tells the story that he went into the “Wall” and asked the salesman about band names after a large cat with a hearing problem 😂

[@KarlHalliday-q6j]

Professor great review of 1988.

[@JoeRoscoe_DFW]

I had just proposed to my wife. My life at the time was loaded with travel for work; wishing for a break in the routine that wouldn't break for a couple of months more. We announced our engagement on my 30'th birthday in Oct and got married in December. We're still going strong 36 years later.

[@ponzo1967]

Epic guitar solo in Sweet Child, I miss those.

[@bicyclist2]

I was 13 in 88'. Great songs. Great memories. Thank you.

[@eggsngritstn]

You Rick Rolled ALL OF US. The first 1 Million Roll count! 1988 - Pixies: "Surfer Rosa", Morrissey: "Viva Hate", They Might Be Giants: "Lincoln" It's only a niche audience, but My Bloody Valentine: "Isn't Anything" also came out in 1988.

[@ProfessorofRock]

YES!

[@SuperMarioBrosIII]

@@ProfessorofRock Yes we had to wait so long for the Back To the Future sequel because Robert Zemickas and Bob Gale, weren't planning a sequel originally. The film originally didn't have the "To Be Continued" in the theater release but was later added to the VHS around 1987-88📼to hype the sequel which Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd agreed to do! And for the record Crispin Glover didn't ask for more money hence why he wasn't in the sequels. He claimed that in a radio interview Bob Gale fabricated that story. Also the whole thing with them using a mold of his face and placing it on another actor for the sequels and Crispin and the whole lawsuit and screen actors guild is another story LOL! However he has only talked with Robert Zemickas and worked with him and was in the film "Beowulf" but not Bob Gale since. This is Heavy!🎥🎬🚗💥

[@marktait2371]

my younger brother had the valentine cd the instrumental clun hit comes on the local retro show sometimes club of course

[@eggsngritstn]

@@marktait2371 Yep. Most folks would identify their next record as the touchpoint. It's almost perfect shoegaze with a danceable beat. Somewhere in my brain there's a place that only dense shoegaze can reach.

[@marktait2371]

yeh a few months ago i get uncut each monrh had an interview with kevin think they have some reissues cant recall gave them all to my niece a few weeks ago my brother was a valentine fan had a few cds we had the pixies also on vinly i thinkby coincidence i heard the new pixies single on indie a few days ago

[@bobbynip66]

In 1988 I was 22 and in college. I’m 58 now, but man I’m glad I was young in the 80’s and didn’t miss out on this music!

[@mournblade1066]

This was literally my first week of school of my freshman year in college. I can't imagine this list will be any good. I'm typing this before watching the video. I'll follow up after watching.

[@VegascoinVegas]

Commenting just so I get a notification.

[@mournblade1066]

Well, it could have been worse. "Perfect World" by Huey Lewis, "Simply Irresistible" by Robert Palmer, and "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns 'n' Roses are pretty decent songs. "Nobody's Fool" by Kenny Loggins is okay, but pales compared to his other stuff. But Taylor Dayne and New Edition epitomize why the late 80s music scene sucked so bad: Soulless, corporate junk food--all style, no substance.

[@ProfessorofRock]

So cool!

[@lisapop5219]

It was my first week of high school.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I just had a first week of school of a freshman year of college, and…what a great soundtrack to start it off! Some lesser known gems.

[@patschamps]

“When it’s love”. One of my favorite VH songs. The video to the song is also great!

[@cindysnow2123]

Thanks for sharing this countdown!! My nephew Rob was born a couple of weeks after this countdown debuted!! He was born with the music loving gene in him!! I loved most of these songs!! The only good thing about Don’t Worry Be Happy is Robin Williams in the music video!! Have an amazing weekend!! Cindy S.

[@purplelove392]

I just watched it Wed. It's on my playlist here on screwyoutube.

[@skincarver462]

Thank you so much for the ride down memory lane Casey Kasem would be very proud of your version of his job.

[@TerrickTerran]

Even though it's not necessarily meant to be an upbeat song, Don't Worry Be Happy is actually an important reminder that life really is worth living.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks Terrick.

[@purplelove392]

Which is ironic, considering who's in the video.

[@jstnxprsn]

Worst song ever.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I agree. It helps relieve stress and anxiety.

[@tripletlyblessed]

I saw GNR in 92 when I was a senior in high school. This year I took my eldest to see them at the Hollywood Bowl. She had a blast and said her friends don’t understand why she doesn’t like a lot of modern pop. Her only complaint about liking older music is they aren’t touring like the modern shows but it’s a sacrifice she’ll make.

[@maxshea1829]

Favorite bands in 1988: The Cure, The Smiths, Depeche Mode,, New Order. The Cure would soon have a U.S. Top10 (#2) with "Love Song," Depeche Mode with "Enjoy the Silence" (#8). However, New Order's "Regret" fell just shy at #11, The Smiths had nada U.S. Top 40 hits, believe it or not. Just a couple of low chart showing on U.S. Dance. Ensturzende Neubauten? Don't ask!

[@scubasteve3032]

Man, this brought back a myriad of memories and emotions. Thanks for the video!

[@random-guitar]

Robert Palmer’s “Simply Irresistible” has one of the funniest, yet most poignant lines ever: “She’s so fine, it don’t matter where the money went!”

[@amycrittendon3269]

I lived for Casey’s countdown every week….such incredible memories!! 80’s music is and always will be the BEST!! Thanks, Professor! ❤

[@Bulldbill]

Rock is not dead, it just moved to Mexico. #thewarningrockband ⚡️⚡️🔥⚡️⚡️

[@ProfessorofRock]

Rock on!

[@austintrousdale2397]

Not dead by any means. It’s not potentially lucrative for emerging talent like things were up until the late aughts. Positives and negatives associated with that… don’t really feel motivated to elaborate.

[@ueno1]

Simply Irresistible is my go-to air guitar jam! The crunch that player gives to that song is infectious!

[@jpt7342]

Best of the 80s is Master of Puppets Worst is The Super Bowl Shuffle

[@fletchbg]

Stipulated /gavels/

[@MegaDcmp]

Love Bites is one of those songs that immediately pulls me into a feeling/mood, along with Faithfully, Suddenly Last Summer and (apologies) Been A Long Time

[@Whisper_292]

Great list, happy memories. The hubby actually joinwd me ri wat h this one, which made me even happier.

[@PartyAnimalzEnt]

Awesome job!!! You are the New Casey Kasem!!! Really enjoyed this episode!!! This coming from a Professional DJ of almost 40 years!!! Keep up the great work!!

[@blazerhawkdarren68]

3:07 we just got Rick rolled 😅

[@ProfessorofRock]

Indeed!

[@JonathanKine]

And we liled it ​@@ProfessorofRock

[@timomalley9332]

September 19, 1988, I started my first “full time” job at a radio station. It was an oldies format, with CBS news and sports. It was great for me to rediscover all types of music, and keep up with all the current sounds of the time.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Awesome! Tell me more.

[@duromusabc]

Summer of 1988 had the best music that year imo ! Especially Guns N Roses (Welcome to the Jungle and Sweet Child O Mine ) - also Bon Jovi’s New Jersey album and Poison’s 2nd studio album all came out in August 1988

[@jayclarke6671]

Appetite For Destruction didn't become a huge hit until a couple of years later when it was re-released. I remember Djing at a rock station in Palm Springs California in the summer of 87 and tracks from that album were just gaining some traction. I think it wasn't until 89 or 90 until became a massive hit album.

[@duromusabc]

@@jayclarke6671 I was a junior in high school in the fall of 88 and Appetite was the most popular album the guys were talking about at school by September 88

[@duromusabc]

@@jayclarke6671 Appetite was one of the top 10 best selling studio albums of 1988 also (from August to December 88)- the Paradise City music video came out in December 88 too

[@gojohngo106]

Hysteria and Appetite were both released in the summer of '87.

[@duromusabc]

@@gojohngo106 I just remember Pour Some Sugar on Me and Love Bites being huge top 10 hits in the summer of 88

[@KenAdams426]

Dude. The way you talk and explain things, you could be the new 2024 Casey Kasem!!! I need more of his shows in my life!!! Brings back back to listening to his show Sunday morning and then Rick Dee's Weekly top 40 at night to end the weekend and getting ready for a new week of school.

[@ponzo1967]

🎶She's so fine there's no telling where the money went 🎶 Says Robert Palmer Lol

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ha ha!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

She’s simply pink! 😊

[@ponzo1967]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 😆

[@TPeeps]

Ah Sweet Child , such an epic one. I couldn’t walk into my local bar without the owner getting up and walking over to the karaoke DJ and say “he’s next “ without even telling them what song it was. It was just known. The crowd always was off the chain when it was over. If you could tally up karaoke plays I bet it would be right up there too. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@DC8091]

Prof starting it off with a Rick Roll . . .😐🤨

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ya baby!

[@DC8091]

@@ProfessorofRock🤣🤣

[@iamza.]

My mom worked at a resident home where Axel mom was at. He would come visit late at night and they were fine with it. She met him a few times. Was very nice but very quite and kept to himself. She didn't want to bother him while visiting her even though she knew I was a fan. Just told him I was and he told my mom to thank me and he appreciates it.

[@rogerdeahl9629]

❤🎉 HAPPY FRIDAY! ❤🎉 What happened to music? Auto tune, and laziness. Most music today has no soul or creativity. Thanks for the memories Professor. The Delorean was a bumpy ride. 😂

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks Roger!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

People couldn’t even try to sing correctly nowadays.

[@rogerdeahl9629]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Haven't seen you in a while. Hope all is ok.

[@bainsey89]

Summer of '88, before my senior year in college, I was working as an overnight DJ at an adult contemporary radio station, for $4/hour. I was dating a cute brunette from another school, who called me at the station every time I played Eric Carmen's "Make Me Lose Control." I didn't have the heart to tell her the playlist made me play it. Wasn't my decision or dedication. That relationship didn't make it through the summer, but in the fall, I spent more time with a cuter blonde from my class. In January '89, she asked me out. This month, we celebrate 33 years of marriage.

[@flavellinator]

I thought it was bizarre when singers like Rick Astley and Robert Palmer wore business suits on stage... It kinda reminded me of some Wall Street guy singing karaoke at happy hour...

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ha ha!

[@michaeleasterwood6558]

A lot of bands wore suits in the sixties including the Animals, and the early Beatles

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Hahahaha

[@dranet47]

My husband and I chose I'll Always Love You as our song when we got engaged. We were married 30 years, 32 together, when cancer took him away.

[@BillGraper]

I always bought 45's growing up. I didn't want a bunch of filler music. I just wanted the hits. That changed in 1988, when I was 16. I had to get Debbie Gibson's "Out Of The Blue" album. I can't even count how many times I read the notes on the back of the album in my room, while listening to the album. How many times can you read the same thing over & over? I might've set the record. Great top 10, and we definitely got #1 right. 😎

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks Bill! The year of the DEB!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

We saw a lot of teen idols that year.

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

The New Edition is some old friends of mine. I have seen them 4x this year. Brings back memories of my misspent youth!