Top 10 songs of 1988

My favorites...

1. Desire- U2
2. Pour Some Sugar on Me- Def Leppard
3. Armegeddon It- Def Leppard
4. Orange Crush- REM
5. Finish What Ya Started- Van Halen
6. Black and Blue- Van Halen
7. Tall Cool One- Robert Plant
8. God Part 2- U2
9. Take It So Hard- Keith Richards
10. Bad Medicine- Bon Jovi

Top 30 songs of 1988: #11-20

11. Mine All Mine- Van Halen
12. Sweet Child O Mine- GnR
13. Handle Me With Care- Travelin' Wilburys
14. Spare Parts- Bruce Springsteen
15. Got My Mind Set On You- George Harrison
16. When We Was Fab- George Harrison
17. When It's Love- Van Halen
18. Ragdoll- Aerosmith
19. Heatseeker- AC/DC
20. Hawkmoon 269-U2

Top 30 songs of 1988 (#21-30)

My favorites...

21. Heaven Knows- Robert Plant
22. Angel of Harlem- U2
23. I Used to Love Her- GnR
24. Paradise City- GnR
25. Born to be My Baby- Bon Jovi
26. Cabo Wabo- Van Halen
27. I Hate Myself For Loving You- Joan Jett
28. Say You Will- Foreigner
29. I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That- Elton John
30. Tougher than the Rest- Bruce Springsteen

The Doors: Five to One (1968)

Jim Morrison experienced a meltdown while performing "Five to One" in Miami. He was arrested for inciting a riot and indecent exposure. STP frontman Scott Weiland said this song inspired him to go into rock n roll. Like Morrison, Weiland died young from drug abuse. In college, a friend put this on at his house parties at 12:55.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tHPsphg9xc

Eric Clapton: Pretending (1989)

"Pretending" features some of Clapton's greatest vocal work. It also contains a great riff and hook. It marked a transition between 80s pop and Clapton's move back to his blues roots.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm2PvnM7Vds

John Mellencamp: Lonely Ol Night (1985)

The song was inspired by Hud starring Paul Newman. The strained relationship between father and son informed many of the lyrics. The song emotes loneliness especially for a mid-80s teen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQMkRzWT8mo

Cream: SWLABR (1967)

The b-side to "Sunshine of Your Love" stands for "She Walks Like a Bearded Rainbow"--whatever that means...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngIxuGOVGeQ

Pink Floyd: Arnold Layne (1967)

"Arnold Layne" is based on a real person. In the song, the character steals women's clothes from a wash line. In real life, Roger Waters knew someone that stole knickers and bras for fun. This provided inspiration for the tune.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQTFRq1hjtM

U2: Running to Stand Still (1987)

The song, like "Bad,"  is about heroin addiction. In fact, Adam Clayton called it "Bad Part II." It reminds me of high school and a time now long gone. However, the theme still resonates as drug addiction continues...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvUI-s4Azw4

Eric Clapton: Motherless Child (1994)

In 1994, Eric Clapton released a wonderful album of blues covers. "Motherless Child" might be the best song on the album. It's about an orphan that refused to follow their deceased mother's advice and regretting it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uf84YrUPQUU

Thunderstruck by AC/DC (1990)

This single surprised the critics as it raced up the charts.  It could have been the anthem for the 1994 midterms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2AC41dglnM

Jimi Hendrix: Purple Haze (1967)

Psychedelic rock with obvious drug references combined with one of the all-time greatest riffs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjwWjx7Cw8I

Top 10 songs of 1989

My favorites.

1. Rockin' in the Free World- Neil Young
2. Running Down a Dream- Tom Petty
3. Armageddon It- Def Leppard
4. Chloe- Mother Love Bone
5. I Won't Back Down- Tom Petty
6. We Didn't Start the Fire- Billy Joel
7. Beds Are Burning- Midnight Oil
8. Free Fallin'- Tom Petty
9. Dirty Blvd- Lou Reed
10.Dr. Feelgood- Motley Crue