Van Halen: Finish What You Started (1988)

Eddie Van Halen came up with the riff at 2am one morning. He woke up neighbor and band mate Sammy Hagar and the pair penned this song about unfulfilled sex. The song is about blue balls and is quite straight forward.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIlBeqM0mRE

Mother Love Bone: Chloe (1989)

"Chloe/Crown of Thorns" is Mother Love Bone's most famous song. It appeared in Say Anything with John Cusak, but did not break into the public consciousness until Singles three years later. It proved the late Andrew Wood's greatest moment. It also led to a spate of babies named Chloe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH0gnwtSEGI

David Bowie: Modern Love (1983)

This might be Bowie's most infectious song. He claims Little Richard inspired the song about the battle between God and man. Nile Rodgers produced and played guitar and Stevie Ray Vaughan played lead guitar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hDbpF4Mvkw

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

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

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

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

Top 25 song of 1989 (#11-20)

My favorites again...

11. Living in Sin- Bon Jovi
12. A Girl Like You- The Smithereens
13. This Monkey's Gone To Heaven- The Pixies
14. All I Want Is You- U2
15. Figure of Eight- Paul McCartney
16. Personal Jesus- Depeche Mode
17. Higher Ground- RHCP
18. Pop Singer- John Mellencamp
19. Get Up- REM
20. Pop Song '89-REM

Top 25 songs of 1989 (#21-25)

My favorites...

21. Fire Woman- The Cult
22. Paradise City- GnR
23. My Brave Face- Paul McCartney
24. You Got It- Roy Orbison
25. Zombie Zoo- Tom Petty

The Scorpions: The Zoo (1980)

The Scorpions penned "The Zoo" with New York City in mind. Indeed, the city had become a hell hole by the late 70s. However, the song also seems to emote a Cold War feel as well. Whether New York of the late 70s or Soviet East Berlin, the urban decay is palatable in this song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMaJyUQfwv4

Sammy Hagar: Heavy Metal (1981)

"Heavy Metal" is one of Sammy Hagar's best works. It appeared in the movie of the same name and on the classic 1981 album Standing Hampton.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQE1Q1NILfQ

The Rolling Stones: Hang Fire (1982)

The Rolling Stones use surf rock to make social commentary. Basically, it laments the demise of the working class in the late 70s. The term "Hang Fire" itself means to delay action and was a shot at the politicians.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xbtlW16Gts

Bruce Springsteen: Brilliant Disguise (1987)

I always thought this was one of Springsteen's rawest songs. In it, Bruce admits the failings and doubts of his marriage. He divorced in 1988.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idnJnjV_8rg

Sting: Fortress Around Your Heart (1985)

Using Medieval imagery, Sting translates his personal pain emanating from a divorce to a pop hit. He said the song is about "appeasement" and "trying to build a bridge between individuals."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qcVtEy6G1Q

Def Leppard: Rock Rock (Til You Drop) (1983)

This song is just a jam. Def Leppard rocking out at their first peak.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpgUJLKC5tc

Eric Clapton: Forever Man (1985)

Classic mid-80s Clapton. The record company complained his album Behind the Sun did not have enough singles. Enter this track...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bt2qBm4qS4w

Sting: Russians (1985)

Sting attacks the Cold War in "Russians." He criticizes both American and Soviet leadership in the anti-war piece. At the same time, Sting seems to lay more of the blame on the Soviets. At the time, people had grown more worried about the threat of nuclear annihilation as American rhetoric and Soviet military action heated up worldwide.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHylQRVN2Qs