1987 in British music
Encyclopedia
This is a summary of 1987 in music in the United Kingdom, including the official charts from that year.
, when Steve "Silk" Hurley's song "Jack Your Body
" became the first house music
track to reach number 1 in the UK charts. This was despite Hurley refusing to promote the song, and the 12-inch single technically breaking chart rules as it was longer than the allowed 25-minute play time. House music had been steadily growing in popularity since it started underground in the early 1980s, and another number 1 would follow in September, the huge selling "Pump Up The Volume
" by British act M|A|R|R|S which was one of the top ten biggest selling songs of the year.
For most of the 1980s, the main musical format in the charts was the gramophone record
, with songs being released on both 7-inch and 12-inch vinyl singles. However, in 1987 two new formats started to appear. The first was the digital CD single
, where songs are put on a Compact Disc
. These were first made eligible for the UK Singles Chart this year, and the first number 1 to be released as a CD single was Whitney Houston
's "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)
" released in May. The second was the cassette single
where the song is released on an audio tape
- the BPI
began recording their sales this year, but they would not become eligible until 1989. Both formats would dominate the chart throughout the 1990s.
Synthpop
bands Pet Shop Boys
and Erasure
continued their success from their breakthrough year in 1986, with the Pet Shop Boys achieving their second number 1 single ("It's a Sin
") in the summer, and two number 2 singles with "Rent
" and "What Have I Done to Deserve This?", a collaboration with Dusty Springfield
. Their album "Actually
" also sold well and peaked at number 2. Erasure's album The Circus was their first charting album and peaked at number 6, and had two top 10 hits this year with the eponymous title track
and "Victim of Love
", as well as the number 12 charting "It Doesn't Have to Be
" and their big hit from the previous year, "Sometimes
". Both bands would continue to have huge success into the early 1990s.
The sound of producers Stock Aitken Waterman
continued to grow in popularity, as they moved from their previous Hi-NRG
sound to one more pop-based. It gave them big hits with girl group Bananarama
, with their song "Love in the First Degree
" becoming their biggest hit ever when it peaked at number 3, and American singer Sinitta with "Toy Boy", the successful No.4 followup to the big selling song "So Macho" from 1986. They also achieved two number one's, one being girl duo Mel and Kim
's "Respectable
", and created a huge star with the baritone-voiced singer Rick Astley
. In 1987 he had a number one album with "Whenever You Need Somebody
", and several high charting singles including the title track
and the biggest selling single of the year, his number 1 breakthrough song "Never Gonna Give You Up
".
Madonna continued her long run of Top Ten hits throughout the year, scoring two number one's, "La Isla Bonita
" in April and "Who's That Girl" in July; the former was her third number one single from the multi-million selling album True Blue and the latter was taken from the film of the same name in which Madonna herself starred. Although the film was critically panned, the soundtrack album hit a respectable No.4 and generated two more Top 10 hits for Madonna; "Causing a Commotion
" (No.4, September) and "The Look of Love" (No.9, December).
Soul singer Ben E. King
got a surprise number 1 with a re-release of 1961's "Stand by Me
", which was used in an advert for Levi Jeans, Long running band The Bee Gees also got their first number 1 of the decade with "You Win Again
", their fifth overall in a 20-year career, and Michael Jackson
released the multi-million selling "Bad
" which as of 2008 is one of the top ten highest selling albums in UK chart history. It spawned the number 1 single "I Just Can't Stop Loving You
" (a duet with Siedah Garrett
), the number 3 title track and the number 3 "The Way You Make Me Feel
". The year also saw George Michael
launch his solo career post-Wham!
with the album "Faith
" and its title track
, which reached number 2.
The race for the Christmas number one single had many contenders this year. Rick Astley released a cover of "When I Fall In Love
", and the 1956 Nat King Cole
version was re-released at the same time, while 'Mel & Kim' released a cover of "Rocking Around The Christmas Tree" - however, this referred to comedian Mel Smith
and singer Kim Wilde
rather than the girl group of the same name, proceeds went to the charity Comic Relief
. A very popular Christmas song released this year was a collaboration with Irish band The Pogues
and singer Kirsty MacColl
, with the song "Fairytale of New York
". With its bitter tale about the breakup of two lovers, it was very different to other Christmas songs around.
In the end, it was the Pet Shop Boys who had the Christmas number one of 1987, with their cover of Elvis Presley
's "Always on My Mind
". The Pogues peaked at number 2 and has been re-issued several times since, reaching the top 10 in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
In the world of classical music, Nicholas Maw
's new work Odyssey made an impact, and veteran composer Malcolm Arnold
produced his Salute to Thomas Merritt, Op. 98, whilst Michael Nyman
and Judith Weir
both brought new operas to the stage. The BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition
was won by Italian soprano Valeria Esposito, and the Lieder prize was introduced into the competition for the first time.
Issue Date
Issue Date
NOTE: "* " - Compilation Album
winners were:
Summary
The start of the year saw an important milestone in electronic dance musicElectronic dance music
Electronic dance music is electronic music produced primarily for the purposes of use within a nightclub setting, or in an environment that is centered upon dance-based entertainment...
, when Steve "Silk" Hurley's song "Jack Your Body
Jack Your Body
Jack Your Body is a popular song by Steve 'Silk' Hurley, which was featured on the only J.M. Silk album, Hold on to Your Dream, released in 1987....
" became the first house music
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
track to reach number 1 in the UK charts. This was despite Hurley refusing to promote the song, and the 12-inch single technically breaking chart rules as it was longer than the allowed 25-minute play time. House music had been steadily growing in popularity since it started underground in the early 1980s, and another number 1 would follow in September, the huge selling "Pump Up The Volume
Pump up the Volume (song)
"Pump Up the Volume" is a song and the only single by British recording act MARRS. It was a number-one hit in many countries and is generally regarded as a significant milestone in the development of British house music and music sampling....
" by British act M|A|R|R|S which was one of the top ten biggest selling songs of the year.
For most of the 1980s, the main musical format in the charts was the gramophone record
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
, with songs being released on both 7-inch and 12-inch vinyl singles. However, in 1987 two new formats started to appear. The first was the digital CD single
CD single
A CD single is a music single in the form of a standard size Compact Disc, not to be confused with the 3-inch CD single, which uses a smaller form factor. The format was introduced in the mid-1980s, but did not gain its place in the market until the early 1990s...
, where songs are put on a Compact Disc
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
. These were first made eligible for the UK Singles Chart this year, and the first number 1 to be released as a CD single was Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
's "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)
I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)
"I Wanna Dance with Somebody " is the first single from Whitney Houston's second studio album Whitney. It was produced by Narada Michael Walden, and written by George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam of the band Boy Meets Girl, who had previously written the number-one Whitney Houston hit "How Will I...
" released in May. The second was the cassette single
Cassette single
A cassette single is a music single in the form of a Compact Cassette.- History :...
where the song is released on an audio tape
Compact Cassette
The Compact Cassette, often referred to as audio cassette, cassette tape, cassette, or simply tape, is a magnetic tape sound recording format. It was designed originally for dictation, but improvements in fidelity led the Compact Cassette to supplant the Stereo 8-track cartridge and reel-to-reel...
- the BPI
British Phonographic Industry
The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...
began recording their sales this year, but they would not become eligible until 1989. Both formats would dominate the chart throughout the 1990s.
Synthpop
Synthpop
Synthpop is a genre of popular music that first became prominent in the 1980s, in which the synthesizer is the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s and early 1970s by the use of synthesizers in progressive rock, electronic art rock, disco and particularly the "Kraut rock" of...
bands Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards....
and Erasure
Erasure
Erasure are an English synthpop duo, consisting of songwriter and keyboardist Vince Clarke and singer Andy Bell. Erasure entered the music scene in 1985 with their debut single "Who Needs Love Like That"...
continued their success from their breakthrough year in 1986, with the Pet Shop Boys achieving their second number 1 single ("It's a Sin
It's a Sin
"It's a Sin" is a song recorded by Pet Shop Boys which reached number one on the UK Singles Chart for three weeks in 1987.-Background and writing:...
") in the summer, and two number 2 singles with "Rent
Rent (song)
"Rent" is a 1987 single by the Pet Shop Boys. It was released in the UK by Parlophone on 12 October 1987. The lyrics deal with a financially one-sided relationship, i.e...
" and "What Have I Done to Deserve This?", a collaboration with Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'BrienSources use both Isabel and Isobel as the spelling of her second name. OBE , known professionally as Dusty Springfield and dubbed The White Queen of Soul, was a British pop singer whose career extended from the late 1950s to the 1990s...
. Their album "Actually
Actually (album)
In 2006, Q magazine placed the album at #22 in its list of "40 Best Albums of the '80s".-Track listing:# "One More Chance" – 5:30...
" also sold well and peaked at number 2. Erasure's album The Circus was their first charting album and peaked at number 6, and had two top 10 hits this year with the eponymous title track
The Circus (song)
"The Circus" is a song by British synthpop duo Erasure, released in September 1987 as the band's seventh single overall. It is also the title track on their second album, The Circus....
and "Victim of Love
Victim of Love (song)
"Victim of Love" is a song by British synthpop duo Erasure, released in May 1987 as their sixth single overall.It was the third single to be lifted from the duo's second album, The Circus, released six weeks earlier, and was remixed for single release....
", as well as the number 12 charting "It Doesn't Have to Be
It Doesn't Have To Be
"It Doesn't Have to Be" is a song by British synthpop duo Erasure, released in February 1987. It was issued as a single six weeks before the release of the duo's second album, The Circus....
" and their big hit from the previous year, "Sometimes
Sometimes (Erasure song)
"Sometimes" is a song by British synthpop duo Erasure, released in October 1986 as their fourth single overall.After three commercial flops from their debut album Wonderland, "Sometimes" became Erasure's first bonafide hit, peaking at number one in South Africa, number two in their native United...
". Both bands would continue to have huge success into the early 1990s.
The sound of producers Stock Aitken Waterman
Stock Aitken Waterman
Stock Aitken Waterman, sometimes known as SAW, were a UK songwriting and record producing trio consisting of Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman. They had great success during the mid to late 1980s and early 1990s...
continued to grow in popularity, as they moved from their previous Hi-NRG
Hi-NRG
Hi-NRG describes a form of high-tempo disco music as well as a genre of electronic dance music originating in the United States during the late 1970s...
sound to one more pop-based. It gave them big hits with girl group Bananarama
Bananarama
Bananarama are an English female pop duo who have had success on the pop and dance charts since 1982. Rather than relying on a two part harmony, the duo generally sings in unison, as do their background vocalists. Although there have been line-up changes, the group enjoyed their most popular...
, with their song "Love in the First Degree
Love in the First Degree
"Love in the First Degree" is a song written and recorded by English girl group Bananarama. It is included on their fourth studio album Wow! and was released as its second single except in the U.S., where it was the album's third single...
" becoming their biggest hit ever when it peaked at number 3, and American singer Sinitta with "Toy Boy", the successful No.4 followup to the big selling song "So Macho" from 1986. They also achieved two number one's, one being girl duo Mel and Kim
Mel and Kim
Mel and Kim were a British pop duo, comprising sisters Melanie and Kim Appleby. They achieved success between 1986 and 1988 before Melanie succumbed to cancer.-Biography:...
's "Respectable
Respectable (Mel and Kim song)
"Respectable" was a UK number one single for one week in March 1987 for Mel and Kim. Written and produced by Stock Aitken Waterman, it was the team's second number one...
", and created a huge star with the baritone-voiced singer Rick Astley
Rick Astley
Richard Paul "Rick" Astley is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and radio personality. He is known for his 1987 song, "Never Gonna Give You Up", which was a #1 hit single in 25 countries...
. In 1987 he had a number one album with "Whenever You Need Somebody
Whenever You Need Somebody
Whenever You Need Somebody is Rick Astley's first album released in 1987 on RCA Records. It is his best selling album and, according to his own official website, sold 15.2 million copies worldwide...
", and several high charting singles including the title track
Whenever You Need Somebody (song)
"Whenever You Need Somebody" is a song written and produced by Stock Aitken Waterman, which became successful for two of their artists.- O'Chi Brown version :...
and the biggest selling single of the year, his number 1 breakthrough song "Never Gonna Give You Up
Never Gonna Give You Up
A group of London dance producers, called The Rickrollerz made a house music cover version of "Never Gonna Give You Up" on that day, and in honor of that event....
".
Madonna continued her long run of Top Ten hits throughout the year, scoring two number one's, "La Isla Bonita
La Isla Bonita
"La Isla Bonita" is a song by American singer-songwriter Madonna. It was released as the fifth and final single from her third studio album, True Blue, on February 25, 1987, by Sire Records. Originally written as a lament, the song was first offered to Michael Jackson before Madonna accepted it...
" in April and "Who's That Girl" in July; the former was her third number one single from the multi-million selling album True Blue and the latter was taken from the film of the same name in which Madonna herself starred. Although the film was critically panned, the soundtrack album hit a respectable No.4 and generated two more Top 10 hits for Madonna; "Causing a Commotion
Causing a Commotion
"Causing a Commotion" is a song by American singer-songwriter Madonna. It was released as the second single from the soundtrack album Who's That Girl on August 25, 1987, by Sire Records. Its Silver Screen Single Mix later appeared on the 1991 UK compilation EP The Holiday Collection...
" (No.4, September) and "The Look of Love" (No.9, December).
Soul singer Ben E. King
Ben E. King
Benjamin Earl King , better known as Ben E. King, is an American soul singer. He is perhaps best known as the singer and co-composer of "Stand by Me", a U.S...
got a surprise number 1 with a re-release of 1961's "Stand by Me
Stand by Me (song)
"Stand by Me" is the title of a song originally performed by Ben E. King and written by King, Jerry Leiber, and Mike Stoller, based on the spiritual "Lord Stand by Me,", plus two lines rooted in Psalms 46:2-3...
", which was used in an advert for Levi Jeans, Long running band The Bee Gees also got their first number 1 of the decade with "You Win Again
You Win Again (song)
"You Win Again" is a 1987 song written and performed by the Bee Gees. Barry Gibb wrote the melody while brother Maurice conceived the drum sounds that open the track....
", their fifth overall in a 20-year career, and Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
released the multi-million selling "Bad
Bad (album)
Bad is the seventh studio album by American songwriter and recording artist Michael Jackson. The album was released on August 31, 1987 by Epic/CBS Records, nearly five years after Jackson's previous studio album, Thriller, which went on to become the world's best-selling album...
" which as of 2008 is one of the top ten highest selling albums in UK chart history. It spawned the number 1 single "I Just Can't Stop Loving You
I Just Can't Stop Loving You
"I Just Can't Stop Loving You" is a popular ballad by singer Michael Jackson featuring a duet with Siedah Garrett. He created "Todo Mi Amor Eres Tu", a spanish version of the song. Written and composed by Jackson, it was originally intended to be a duet between Jackson and his woman of choice:...
" (a duet with Siedah Garrett
Siedah Garrett
Siedah Garrett is an American songwriter and singer.-Biography:She appeared as a contestant on Password Plus in 1980.She performed "One Man Woman" on Quincy Jones' Grammy-Award winning "Back on the Block."...
), the number 3 title track and the number 3 "The Way You Make Me Feel
The Way You Make Me Feel
"The Way You Make Me Feel" is a song by American recording artist Michael Jackson. Released by Epic Records in November 1987, it was the third single from Jackson's seventh studio album Bad. Written and composed by Jackson, and produced by Quincy Jones , the song is credited as being a pop and R&B...
". The year also saw George Michael
George Michael
George Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley...
launch his solo career post-Wham!
WHAM!
Wham! were a short-lived British musical duo formed by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley in the early 1980s. They were briefly known in the United States as Wham! UK due to a naming conflict with an American band....
with the album "Faith
Faith (George Michael album)
Faith is George Michael's first solo album, released in October 1987 via Columbia Records/Epic Records. The album has won several awards including the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1989. To date, the album has sold over 25 million copies worldwide, and received diamond certification from...
" and its title track
Faith (George Michael song)
"Faith" is a #1 song, written and performed by George Michael, released as a single on Columbia Records, from his 1987 Faith album. According to Billboard magazine, it was the top-selling single of the year in the United States in 1988....
, which reached number 2.
The race for the Christmas number one single had many contenders this year. Rick Astley released a cover of "When I Fall In Love
When I Fall in Love
"When I Fall in Love" is a 1952 popular song recorded by many artists.When I Fall in Love may also refer to:* When I Fall in Love , an album by Chris Botti, with a version of the 1952 song...
", and the 1956 Nat King Cole
Nat King Cole
Nathaniel Adams Coles , known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American musician who first came to prominence as a leading jazz pianist. Although an accomplished pianist, he owes most of his popular musical fame to his soft baritone voice, which he used to perform in big band and jazz genres...
version was re-released at the same time, while 'Mel & Kim' released a cover of "Rocking Around The Christmas Tree" - however, this referred to comedian Mel Smith
Mel Smith
Melvin Kenneth "Mel" Smith is an English comedian, writer, film director, producer, and actor. He is most famous for his work on the sketch comedy shows Not the Nine O'Clock News and Alas Smith and Jones along with his comedy partner Griff Rhys Jones.- Early life :Smith's father, Kenneth, was born...
and singer Kim Wilde
Kim Wilde
Kim Wilde is an English pop singer, author and television presenter who burst onto the music scene in 1981 with the number 2 UK Singles Chart new wave classic "Kids in America". In 1987 she had a major hit in the United States when her version of The Supremes' classic "You Keep Me Hangin' On"...
rather than the girl group of the same name, proceeds went to the charity Comic Relief
Comic Relief
Comic Relief is an operating British charity, founded in 1985 by the comedy scriptwriter Richard Curtis and comedian Lenny Henry in response to famine in Ethiopia. The highlight of Comic Relief's appeal is Red Nose Day, a biennial telethon held in March, alternating with sister project Sport Relief...
. A very popular Christmas song released this year was a collaboration with Irish band The Pogues
The Pogues
The Pogues are a Celtic punk band, formed in 1982 and fronted by Shane MacGowan. The band reached international prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. MacGowan left the band in 1991 due to drinking problems but the band continued first with Joe Strummer and then with Spider Stacy on vocals before...
and singer Kirsty MacColl
Kirsty MacColl
Kirsty Anna MacColl was an English singer-songwriter.MacColl scored several pop hits from the early 1980s to the early 1990s...
, with the song "Fairytale of New York
Fairytale of New York
"Fairytale of New York" is a song by the Irish rock group The Pogues, released in 1987 and featuring the British singer Kirsty MacColl. The song is an Irish folk style ballad, written by Jem Finer and Shane MacGowan, and featured on The Pogues' album If I Should Fall from Grace with God...
". With its bitter tale about the breakup of two lovers, it was very different to other Christmas songs around.
In the end, it was the Pet Shop Boys who had the Christmas number one of 1987, with their cover of Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
's "Always on My Mind
Always on My Mind
"Always on My Mind" is an American country music song by Johnny Christopher, Mark James and Wayne Carson, originally recorded by Brenda Lee in 1972.Allmusic lists over 300 recorded releases of the song in versions by dozens of performers...
". The Pogues peaked at number 2 and has been re-issued several times since, reaching the top 10 in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
In the world of classical music, Nicholas Maw
Nicholas Maw
John Nicholas Maw was a British composer.-Biography:Born in Grantham, Lincolnshire, Maw was the son of Clarence Frederick Maw and Hilda Ellen Chambers. He attended the Wennington School, a boarding school, in Wetherby in the West Riding of Yorkshire. His mother died of tuberculosis when he was 14...
's new work Odyssey made an impact, and veteran composer Malcolm Arnold
Malcolm Arnold
Sir Malcolm Henry Arnold, CBE was an English composer and symphonist.Malcolm Arnold began his career playing trumpet professionally, but by age thirty his life was devoted to composition. He was ranked with Benjamin Britten as one of the most sought-after composers in Britain...
produced his Salute to Thomas Merritt, Op. 98, whilst Michael Nyman
Michael Nyman
Michael Laurence Nyman, CBE is an English composer of minimalist music, pianist, librettist and musicologist, known for the many film scores he wrote during his lengthy collaboration with the filmmaker Peter Greenaway, and his multi-platinum soundtrack album to Jane Campion's The Piano...
and Judith Weir
Judith Weir
Judith Weir CBE, is a British composer.-Biography:Her music has been appreciated by audiences and critics alike. She trained with John Tavener while still at school and subsequently with Robin Holloway at King's College, Cambridge, graduating in 1976...
both brought new operas to the stage. The BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition
BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition
BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition is a competition for opera and art singers held every two years....
was won by Italian soprano Valeria Esposito, and the Lieder prize was introduced into the competition for the first time.
Number-one singles
| Song | Artist(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 January | "Reet Petite Reet Petite "Reet Petite " is a song made popular by Jackie Wilson... " | Jackie Wilson Jackie Wilson Jack Leroy "Jackie" Wilson, Jr. was an American singer and performer. Known as "Mr. Excitement", Wilson was important in the transition of rhythm and blues into soul. He was known as a master showman, and as one of the most dynamic singers and performers in R&B and rock history... |
| 11 January | ||
| 18 January | ||
| 25 January | ||
| 1 February | "Jack Your Body Jack Your Body Jack Your Body is a popular song by Steve 'Silk' Hurley, which was featured on the only J.M. Silk album, Hold on to Your Dream, released in 1987.... " | Steve "Silk" Hurley |
| 8 February | ||
| 15 February | "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) I Knew You Were Waiting (for Me) "I Knew You Were Waiting " is a song performed by Aretha Franklin and George Michael as a duet in 1987. It was written by Simon Climie and Dennis Morgan.-Music video:... " | Aretha Franklin Aretha Franklin Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All... and George Michael George Michael George Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley... |
| 22 February | ||
| 1 March | "Stand By Me Stand by Me (song) "Stand by Me" is the title of a song originally performed by Ben E. King and written by King, Jerry Leiber, and Mike Stoller, based on the spiritual "Lord Stand by Me,", plus two lines rooted in Psalms 46:2-3... " | Ben E. King Ben E. King Benjamin Earl King , better known as Ben E. King, is an American soul singer. He is perhaps best known as the singer and co-composer of "Stand by Me", a U.S... |
| 8 March | ||
| 15 March | "Everything I Own Everything I Own "Everything I Own" is a song written by David Gates. Originally recorded by Gates's band Bread for their 1972 album Baby, I'm a Want You, the single was recorded by The Connells, Jack Jones, Ken Boothe, Olivia Newton-John, Georgie Fame, Boy George, *NSYNC, Jude, Rod Stewart, Crystal Gayle, Nicole... " | Boy George Boy George Boy George is a British singer-songwriter who was part of the English New Romantic movement which emerged in the early 1980s. He helped give androgyny an international stage with the success of Culture Club during the 1980s. His music is often classified as blue-eyed soul, which is influenced by... |
| 22 March | ||
| 29 March | "Respectable Respectable (Mel and Kim song) "Respectable" was a UK number one single for one week in March 1987 for Mel and Kim. Written and produced by Stock Aitken Waterman, it was the team's second number one... " | Mel and Kim Mel and Kim Mel and Kim were a British pop duo, comprising sisters Melanie and Kim Appleby. They achieved success between 1986 and 1988 before Melanie succumbed to cancer.-Biography:... |
| 5 April | "Let It Be" | Ferry Aid |
| 12 April | ||
| 19 April | ||
| 26 April | "La Isla Bonita La Isla Bonita "La Isla Bonita" is a song by American singer-songwriter Madonna. It was released as the fifth and final single from her third studio album, True Blue, on February 25, 1987, by Sire Records. Originally written as a lament, the song was first offered to Michael Jackson before Madonna accepted it... " | Madonna Madonna (entertainer) Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983... |
| 3 May | ||
| 10 May | "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" is a #1 hit song co-written by Albert Hammond and Diane Warren, recorded by Starship. Featured as the theme to the romantic comedy film Mannequin, it hit #1 in the Billboard Hot 100 on April 4, 1987 and reached #1 on the UK Singles Chart for four weeks the following... " | Starship Jefferson Airplane Jefferson Airplane was an American rock band formed in San Francisco in 1965. A pioneer of the psychedelic rock movement, Jefferson Airplane was the first band from the San Francisco scene to achieve mainstream commercial and critical success.... |
| 17 May | ||
| 24 May | ||
| 31 May | ||
| 7 June | "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) "I Wanna Dance with Somebody " is the first single from Whitney Houston's second studio album Whitney. It was produced by Narada Michael Walden, and written by George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam of the band Boy Meets Girl, who had previously written the number-one Whitney Houston hit "How Will I... " | Whitney Houston Whitney Houston Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among... |
| 14 June | ||
| 21 June | "Star Trekkin' Star Trekkin' "Star Trekkin" is a novelty song written by Rory Kehoe with music by John O'Connor, Graham Lister and Bill Martin. It is a parody of the original TV series of Star Trek... " | The Firm |
| 28 June | ||
| 5 July | "It's a Sin It's a Sin "It's a Sin" is a song recorded by Pet Shop Boys which reached number one on the UK Singles Chart for three weeks in 1987.-Background and writing:... " | Pet Shop Boys Pet Shop Boys Pet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards.... |
| 12 July | ||
| 19 July | ||
| 26 July | "Who's That Girl" | Madonna |
| 2 August | "La Bamba La Bamba (song) "La Bamba" is a Mexican folk song, originally from the state of Veracruz, best known from a 1958 adaptation by Ritchie Valens, a top 40 hit in the U.S. charts and one of early rock and roll's best-known songs... " | Los Lobos Los Lobos Los Lobos are a multiple Grammy Award–winning American Chicano rock band from East Los Angeles, California. Their music is influenced by rock and roll, Tex-Mex, country, folk, R&B, blues, brown-eyed soul, and traditional Spanish and Mexican music such as cumbia, boleros and norteños.-History:The... |
| 9 August | "I Just Can't Stop Loving You I Just Can't Stop Loving You "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" is a popular ballad by singer Michael Jackson featuring a duet with Siedah Garrett. He created "Todo Mi Amor Eres Tu", a spanish version of the song. Written and composed by Jackson, it was originally intended to be a duet between Jackson and his woman of choice:... " | Michael Jackson Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records... and Siedah Garrett Siedah Garrett Siedah Garrett is an American songwriter and singer.-Biography:She appeared as a contestant on Password Plus in 1980.She performed "One Man Woman" on Quincy Jones' Grammy-Award winning "Back on the Block."... |
| 16 August | ||
| 23 August | ||
| 30 August | "Never Gonna Give You Up Never Gonna Give You Up A group of London dance producers, called The Rickrollerz made a house music cover version of "Never Gonna Give You Up" on that day, and in honor of that event.... " | Rick Astley Rick Astley Richard Paul "Rick" Astley is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and radio personality. He is known for his 1987 song, "Never Gonna Give You Up", which was a #1 hit single in 25 countries... |
| 6 September | ||
| 13 September | ||
| 20 September | ||
| 27 September | ||
| 4 October | "Pump Up the Volume Pump up the Volume (song) "Pump Up the Volume" is a song and the only single by British recording act MARRS. It was a number-one hit in many countries and is generally regarded as a significant milestone in the development of British house music and music sampling.... " | MARRS MARRS MARRS was a 1987 one-off recording act formed by the groups A.R. Kane and Colourbox which only released one commercial disc... |
| 11 October | ||
| 18 October | "You Win Again You Win Again (song) "You Win Again" is a 1987 song written and performed by the Bee Gees. Barry Gibb wrote the melody while brother Maurice conceived the drum sounds that open the track.... " | Bee Gees Bee Gees The Bee Gees are a musical group that originally comprised three brothers: Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The trio was successful for most of their 40-plus years of recording music, but they had two distinct periods of exceptional success: as a pop act in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and as a... |
| 25 October | ||
| 1 November | ||
| 8 November | ||
| 15 November | "China in Your Hand China in Your Hand "China in Your Hand" is a song by British band T'Pau, released from their album Bridge of Spies. A re-recorded version was released as a single in October 1987, spending five weeks at number 1 in the UK and is arguably the song for which the group is best known in their native Britain, though... " | T'Pau T'Pau (band) T'Pau was a 1980s British Rock group led by singer Carol Decker. They had a string of Top 40 hits in the UK, and several hits in the United States and Europe... |
| 22 November | ||
| 29 November | ||
| 6 December | ||
| 13 December | 20 December | "Always on My Mind" | Pet Shop Boys |
| 27 December |
Number-one albums
| Album | Artist(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 January | Now That's What I Call Music 8 | Various Artists |
| 11 January | ||
| 18 January | The Whole Story The Whole Story -VHS and Laserdisc Editions:-Personnel:*Kate Bush - Keyboards, Vocals, Producer*Ian Cooper - Cutting Engineer*Jon Kelly - Producer*Andrew Powell - Producer-Charts:-Certifications:... | Kate Bush Kate Bush Kate Bush is an English singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Her eclectic musical style and idiosyncratic vocal style have made her one of the United Kingdom's most successful solo female performers of the past 30 years.In 1978, at the age of 19, Bush topped the UK Singles Chart... |
| 25 January | ||
| 1 February | Graceland Graceland (album) Graceland was Paul Simon's highest charting album in the U.S. in over a decade, reaching #3 in the national Billboard charts, receiving a certification of 5× Platinum by the RIAA and eventually selling over 14 million copies, making it Simon's most commercially successful album... | Paul Simon Paul Simon Paul Frederic Simon is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.Simon is best known for his success, beginning in 1965, as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, with musical partner Art Garfunkel. Simon wrote most of the pair's songs, including three that reached number one on the US singles... |
| 8 February | ||
| 15 February | ||
| 22 February | The Phantom of the Opera | London Stage Cast |
| 1 March | ||
| 8 March | ||
| 15 March | The Very Best of Hot Chocolate | Hot Chocolate |
| 22 March | The Joshua Tree The Joshua Tree The Joshua Tree is the fifth studio album by rock band U2. It was produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, and was released on 9 March 1987 on Island Records. In contrast to the ambient experimentation of their 1984 release The Unforgettable Fire, U2 aimed for a harder-hitting sound on The Joshua... | U2 U2 U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music... |
| 29 March | ||
| 5 April | Now That's What I Call Music 9 | Various Artists |
| 12 April | ||
| 19 April | ||
| 26 April | ||
| 3 May | ||
| 10 May | Keep Your Distance | Curiosity Killed the Cat Curiosity Killed the Cat Curiosity Killed the Cat was a British pop band that found success in the UK Singles Chart in the late 1980s and early 1990s.-Career:The band tried to play soulful, jazzy, and funky pop music and was initially signed to Phonogram Records' Mercury imprint. They first came to notice of the UK music... |
| 17 May | ||
| 24 May | It's Better to Travel | Swing Out Sister Swing Out Sister Swing Out Sister are a British "sophisti-pop" group best known worldwide for their 1986 song "Breakout". Other hits include "Surrender", "Twilight World", "Waiting Game" and a remake of "Am I the Same Girl?" Though album sales in the U.S. and Europe have levelled off since the early 1990s, the... |
| 31 May | ||
| 7 June | Live in the City of Light Live in the City of Light -Side two:-Side three:-Side four:-Side two:-Side three:-Side four:-Side two:-Side three:-Side four:-References:... | Simple Minds Simple Minds Simple Minds are a Scottish rock band who achieved worldwide popularity from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. The band produced a handful of critically acclaimed albums in the early 1980s and best known for their #1 US, Canada and Netherlands hit single "Don't You ", from the soundtrack of the... |
| 14 June | Whitney Whitney (album) Whitney is the second studio album by American pop/R&B singer Whitney Houston, released in the United States on June 2, 1987 by Arista Records as the follow-up to her best selling debut album, Whitney Houston. The album met the expectations of many people and was sensationally popular after its... | Whitney Houston Whitney Houston Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among... |
| 21 June | ||
| 28 June | ||
| 5 July | ||
| 12 July | ||
| 19 July | ||
| 26 July | Introducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D'Arby Introducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D'Arby Introducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D'Arby is Terence Trent D'Arby's debut album. It was released in July 1987 on Columbia Records, and became an instant number-one smash in the UK and spending a total of nine weeks at the top of the UK Album Chart and eventually being certified 5x... | Terence Trent D'Arby |
| 2 August | Hits 6 Hits 6 Hits 6 is a compilation that was released in July 1987 by CBS, WEA and BMG in the UK. It was a successful album, and reached #1 and achieved a Platinum BPI award... | Various Artists |
| 9 August | ||
| 16 August | ||
| 23 August | ||
| 30 August | Hysteria | Def Leppard Def Leppard Def Leppard are an English rock band formed in 1977 in Sheffield as part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. Since 1992, the band have consisted of Joe Elliott , Rick Savage , Rick Allen , Phil Collen , and Vivian Campbell... |
| 6 September | Hits 6 | Various Artists |
| 13 September | Bad Bad (album) Bad is the seventh studio album by American songwriter and recording artist Michael Jackson. The album was released on August 31, 1987 by Epic/CBS Records, nearly five years after Jackson's previous studio album, Thriller, which went on to become the world's best-selling album... | Michael Jackson Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records... |
| 20 September | ||
| 27 September | ||
| 4 October | ||
| 11 October | ||
| 18 October | Tunnel of Love Tunnel of Love (album) Tunnel of Love is the eighth studio album by Bruce Springsteen released in 1987.In 1998, Q magazine readers voted Tunnel of Love the 91st greatest album of all time.... | Bruce Springsteen Bruce Springsteen Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band... |
| 25 October | Nothing Like the Sun | Sting |
| 1 November | Tango In the Night Tango in the Night Tango in the Night is the 14th studio album by the British-American band Fleetwood Mac. Released in April 1987, it is the fifth and final studio album from the line-up of Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood.... | Fleetwood Mac Fleetwood Mac Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood... |
| 8 November | ||
| 15 November | Faith Faith (George Michael album) Faith is George Michael's first solo album, released in October 1987 via Columbia Records/Epic Records. The album has won several awards including the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1989. To date, the album has sold over 25 million copies worldwide, and received diamond certification from... | George Michael George Michael George Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley... |
| 22 November | Bridge of Spies | T'Pau T'Pau (band) T'Pau was a 1980s British Rock group led by singer Carol Decker. They had a string of Top 40 hits in the UK, and several hits in the United States and Europe... |
| 29 November | Whenever You Need Somebody Whenever You Need Somebody Whenever You Need Somebody is Rick Astley's first album released in 1987 on RCA Records. It is his best selling album and, according to his own official website, sold 15.2 million copies worldwide... | Rick Astley Rick Astley Richard Paul "Rick" Astley is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and radio personality. He is known for his 1987 song, "Never Gonna Give You Up", which was a #1 hit single in 25 countries... |
| 6 December | Now That's What I Call Music 10 | Various Artists |
| 13 December | 20 December | |
| 27 December |
Top 50 Singles of 1987
| Position | Song Title | Artist | Sales | Peak Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Never Gonna Give You Up | Rick Astley Rick Astley Richard Paul "Rick" Astley is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and radio personality. He is known for his 1987 song, "Never Gonna Give You Up", which was a #1 hit single in 25 countries... |
759,000 | 1 |
| 2 | Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now | Starship Jefferson Starship Jefferson Starship is an American rock band formed in the early 1970s. The group is a spin-off from the iconic 1960s psychedelic/folk group Jefferson Airplane. The band has undergone several major changes in personnel and genres through the years while retaining the same Jefferson Starship name... |
735,000 | 1 |
| 3 | I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) | Whitney Houston Whitney Houston Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among... |
660,000 | 1 |
| 4 | You Win Again | Bee Gees Bee Gees The Bee Gees are a musical group that originally comprised three brothers: Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The trio was successful for most of their 40-plus years of recording music, but they had two distinct periods of exceptional success: as a pop act in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and as a... |
590,000 | 1 |
| 5 | Respectable | Mel & Kim | 580,000 | 1 |
| 6 | China In Your Hand | T'Pau T'Pau (band) T'Pau was a 1980s British Rock group led by singer Carol Decker. They had a string of Top 40 hits in the UK, and several hits in the United States and Europe... |
585,000 | 1 |
| 7 | Stand By Me | Ben E. King Ben E. King Benjamin Earl King , better known as Ben E. King, is an American soul singer. He is perhaps best known as the singer and co-composer of "Stand by Me", a U.S... |
540,000 | 1 |
| 8 | It's A Sin | Pet Shop Boys Pet Shop Boys Pet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards.... |
495,000 | 1 |
| 9 | Star Trekkin' Star Trekkin' "Star Trekkin" is a novelty song written by Rory Kehoe with music by John O'Connor, Graham Lister and Bill Martin. It is a parody of the original TV series of Star Trek... |
The Firm | 480,000 | 1 |
| 10 | Pump Up The Volume | M/A/R/R/S | 455,000 | 1 |
| 11 | I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) | George Michael George Michael George Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley... & Aretha Franklin Aretha Franklin Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All... |
445,000 | 1 |
| 12 | Under The Boardwalk | Bruce Willis Bruce Willis Walter Bruce Willis , better known as Bruce Willis, is an American actor, producer, and musician. His career began in television in the 1980s and has continued both in television and film since, including comedic, dramatic, and action roles... |
440,000 | 2 |
| 13 | Let It Be | Ferry Aid | 425,000 | 1 |
| 14 | Got My Mind Set On You | George Harrison George Harrison George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other... |
400,000 | 2 |
| 15 | Can't Be Without You Tonight | Judy Boucher Judy Boucher Judy Boucher is a singer who moved to High Wycombe, England in the 1970s.After joining her brother's band, ‘Judy Jack and the Beanstalk’, she became a solo artist and had a No 1 hit in the reggae charts with the song, "Dreaming Of A Little Island", in 1985... |
397,000 | 2 |
| 16 | La Isla Bonita | Madonna Madonna (entertainer) Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983... |
395,000 | 1 |
| 17 | La Bamba | Los Lobos Los Lobos Los Lobos are a multiple Grammy Award–winning American Chicano rock band from East Los Angeles, California. Their music is influenced by rock and roll, Tex-Mex, country, folk, R&B, blues, brown-eyed soul, and traditional Spanish and Mexican music such as cumbia, boleros and norteños.-History:The... |
393,000 | 1 |
| 18 | Hold Me Now | Johnny Logan Johnny Logan (singer) Johnny Logan , is an Australian-born Irish singer and composer. He is regarded as "Mister Eurovision", having participated in the Eurovision Song Contest many times since the 1970s, and, since 1992, has been the most successful artist in Eurovision history.Logan has won the international contest on... |
390,000 | 2 |
| 19 | Always On My Mind | Pet Shop Boys Pet Shop Boys Pet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards.... |
405,000 | 1 |
| 20 | Who's That Girl? | Madonna Madonna (entertainer) Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983... |
380,000 | 1 |
| 21 | Everything I Own | Boy George Boy George Boy George is a British singer-songwriter who was part of the English New Romantic movement which emerged in the early 1980s. He helped give androgyny an international stage with the success of Culture Club during the 1980s. His music is often classified as blue-eyed soul, which is influenced by... |
373,000 | 1 |
| 22 | Down To Earth | Curiosity Killed The Cat Curiosity Killed the Cat Curiosity Killed the Cat was a British pop band that found success in the UK Singles Chart in the late 1980s and early 1990s.-Career:The band tried to play soulful, jazzy, and funky pop music and was initially signed to Phonogram Records' Mercury imprint. They first came to notice of the UK music... |
360,000 | 3 |
| 23 | When A Man Loves A Woman | Percy Sledge Percy Sledge Percy Sledge is an American R&B and soul performer who recorded the hit "When a Man Loves a Woman" in 1966.-Early career:... |
350,000 | 2 |
| 24 | Heartache | Pepsi & Shirlie Pepsi & Shirlie Pepsi & Shirlie were a British pop duo who released two albums, All Right Now in 1987 and Change in 1991.-Career:The act comprised Helen "Pepsi" DeMacque and Shirlie Holliman , who had been Wham! backing vocalists. Holliman's original singing partner, Dee C... |
345,000 | 2 |
| 25 | Always | Atlantic Starr Atlantic Starr Atlantic Starr was a 1980s R&B band. Among their biggest hits were "Always" and "Secret Lovers."- History :The group was started in 1976 in White Plains, New York by trumpeter Duke Jones , drummer Porter Carroll Jr., bassist Clifford Archer, percussionist and flautist Joseph Phillips, and three... |
350,000 | 3 |
| 26 | Toy Boy | Sinitta | 335,000 | 4 |
| 27 | Whenever You Need Somebody | Rick Astley Rick Astley Richard Paul "Rick" Astley is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and radio personality. He is known for his 1987 song, "Never Gonna Give You Up", which was a #1 hit single in 25 countries... |
348,000 | 3 |
| 28 | I Get The Sweetest Feeling | Jackie Wilson Jackie Wilson Jack Leroy "Jackie" Wilson, Jr. was an American singer and performer. Known as "Mr. Excitement", Wilson was important in the transition of rhythm and blues into soul. He was known as a master showman, and as one of the most dynamic singers and performers in R&B and rock history... |
328,000 | 3 |
| 29 | Faith | George Michael George Michael George Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley... |
315,000 | 2 |
| 30 | I Just Can't Stop Loving You | Michael Jackson Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records... with Siedah Garrett Siedah Garrett Siedah Garrett is an American songwriter and singer.-Biography:She appeared as a contestant on Password Plus in 1980.She performed "One Man Woman" on Quincy Jones' Grammy-Award winning "Back on the Block."... |
299,000 | 1 |
| 31 | Live It Up | Mental As Anything Mental As Anything Mental As Anything are an Australian New Wave–rock music band formed at an art school in Sydney in 1976. Their most popular line-up was Martin Plaza on vocals and guitar; Reg Mombassa on lead guitar and vocals; his brother Peter "Yoga Dog" O'Doherty on bass guitar and vocals; Wayne "Bird"... |
296,000 | 3 |
| 32 | Crockett's Theme | Jan Hammer Jan Hammer Jan Hammer is a composer, pianist and keyboardist. He first gained his most visible audience while playing keyboards with the Mahavishnu Orchestra in the early 1970s, as well as his film scores for television and film including "Miami Vice Theme" and "Crockett's Theme", from the popular 1980s... |
291,000 | 2 |
| 33 | Love In The First Degree | Bananarama Bananarama Bananarama are an English female pop duo who have had success on the pop and dance charts since 1982. Rather than relying on a two part harmony, the duo generally sings in unison, as do their background vocalists. Although there have been line-up changes, the group enjoyed their most popular... |
294,000 | 3 |
| 34 | Alone | Heart Heart (band) Heart is an American rock band who first found success in Canada. Throughout several lineup changes, the only two members remaining constant are sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. The group rose to fame in the 1970s with their music being influenced by hard rock as well as folk music... |
289,000 | 3 |
| 35 | Wipe Out | The Fat Boys The Fat Boys The Fat Boys are a successful African American hip-hop music trio from Brooklyn, New York City, that emerged in the early 1980s. Briefly, the group was known originally as the Disco 3.-Members:*Mark Morales a.k.a. "Prince Markie Dee"... & The Beach Boys The Beach Boys The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962... |
287,000 | 2 |
| 36 | Call Me | Spagna Spagna Spagna is an Italian singer and songwriter.-Career:She started her career singing in English and in the early 1980s she provided vocals and wrote songs for an Italo Disco duo project called Fun Fun; as well as writing songs for many other dance music projects until 1986, when she embarked on a solo... |
285,000 | 2 |
| 37 | Let's Wait Awhile | Janet Jackson Janet Jackson Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years... |
283,000 | 3 |
| 38 | Jack Your Body | Steve 'Silk' Hurley | 282,000 | 1 |
| 39 | The Great Pretender | Freddie Mercury Freddie Mercury Freddie Mercury was a British musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Queen. As a performer, he was known for his flamboyant stage persona and powerful vocals over a four-octave range... |
273,000 | 4 |
| 40 | Male Stripper | Man 2 Man meets Man Parrish Man Parrish Man Parrish is an American composer, songwriter, vocalist and producer. He, along with artists such as Yellow Magic Orchestra, Kraftwerk, Art of Noise, Arthur Baker, Afrika Bambaataa, John Robie, Jellybean Benitez and Aldo Marin helped create and define electro in the early 1980s... |
269,000 | 4 |
| 41 | Lean On Me | Club Nouveau Club Nouveau Club Nouveau is a contemporary R&B-pop band that was formed by record producer/performer Jay King in 1986 in Sacramento, California, subsequent to the breakup of the Timex Social Club. Other members of Club Nouveau included original members Denzil Foster, Thomas McElroy, Samuelle Prater, and... |
268,000 | 3 |
| 42 | What Have I Done To Deserve This | Pet Shop Boys Pet Shop Boys Pet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards.... & Dusty Springfield Dusty Springfield Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'BrienSources use both Isabel and Isobel as the spelling of her second name. OBE , known professionally as Dusty Springfield and dubbed The White Queen of Soul, was a British pop singer whose career extended from the late 1950s to the 1990s... |
266,000 | 2 |
| 43 | Is This Love | Alison Moyet Alison Moyet Alison Moyet , is an English singer, songwriter and performer noted for her bluesy voice.Her UK album sales have reached a certified 2.3 million, with 800,000 singles sold, all in the UK, where all seven of her studio albums and three compilation albums have charted in the Top 40 UK Album Chart,... |
264,000 | 3 |
| 44 | A Boy From Nowhere | Tom Jones Tom Jones (singer) Sir Thomas John Woodward, OBE , known by his stage name Tom Jones, is a Welsh singer.Since the mid 1960s, Jones has sung many styles of popular music – pop, rock, R&B, show tunes, country, dance, techno, soul and gospel – and sold over 100 million records... |
262,000 | 2 |
| 45 | With or Without You | U2 U2 U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music... |
260,000 | 4 |
| 46 | Wishing Well | Terence Trent D'arby | 258,000 | 4 |
| 47 | Heart & Soul | T'Pau T'Pau (band) T'Pau was a 1980s British Rock group led by singer Carol Decker. They had a string of Top 40 hits in the UK, and several hits in the United States and Europe... |
256,000 | 4 |
| 48 | Fairytale of New York | The Pogues The Pogues The Pogues are a Celtic punk band, formed in 1982 and fronted by Shane MacGowan. The band reached international prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. MacGowan left the band in 1991 due to drinking problems but the band continued first with Joe Strummer and then with Spider Stacy on vocals before... with Kirsty MacColl Kirsty MacColl Kirsty Anna MacColl was an English singer-songwriter.MacColl scored several pop hits from the early 1980s to the early 1990s... |
255,000 | 2 |
| 49 | Full Metal Jacket (I Wanna Be Your Drill Instructor) | Abigail Mead & Nigel Goulding | 253,000 | 2 |
| 50 | When I Fall in Love/My Arms Keep Missing You | Rick Astley Rick Astley Richard Paul "Rick" Astley is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and radio personality. He is known for his 1987 song, "Never Gonna Give You Up", which was a #1 hit single in 25 countries... |
252,000 | 2 |
Top 10 Albums of 1987
| Position | Album Title | Artist | Peak Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bad | Michael Jackson Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records... |
1 |
| 2 | The Joshua Tree | U2 U2 U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music... |
1 |
| 3 | Whitney | Whitney Houston Whitney Houston Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among... |
1 |
| 4 | Now That's What I Call Music 10* | Various Artists | 1 |
| 5 | Tango In The Night | Fleetwood Mac Fleetwood Mac Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood... |
1 |
| 6 | Hits 6* | Various Artists | 1 |
| 7 | Whenever You Need Somebody | Rick Astley Rick Astley Richard Paul "Rick" Astley is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and radio personality. He is known for his 1987 song, "Never Gonna Give You Up", which was a #1 hit single in 25 countries... |
1 |
| 8 | Bridge of Spies | T'Pau T'Pau (band) T'Pau was a 1980s British Rock group led by singer Carol Decker. They had a string of Top 40 hits in the UK, and several hits in the United States and Europe... |
1 |
| 9 | The Phantom of the Opera | Original Cast | 1 |
| 10 | Running In The Family | Level 42 Level 42 Level 42 are an English pop rock and jazz-funk band who had a number of worldwide and UK hits during the 1980s and 1990s.The band gained fame for their high-calibre musicianship—in particular that of Mark King, whose percussive slap-bass guitar technique provided the driving groove of many of the... |
2 |
NOTE: "* " - Compilation Album
BRIT Awards
The 1987 BRIT AwardsBrit Awards
The Brit Awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The name was originally a shortened form of "British", "Britain" or "Britannia", but subsequently became a backronym for British Record Industry Trust...
winners were:
- Best British producer: Dave StewartDavid A. StewartDavid Allan Stewart , often known as Dave Stewart, is an English musician, songwriter and record producer, best known for his work with Eurythmics. He is usually credited as David A. Stewart, to avoid confusion with other musicians named "Dave Stewart".-Early life:Stewart was born in Sunderland,...
- Best classical recording: Julian Lloyd WebberJulian Lloyd WebberJulian Lloyd Webber is a British solo cellist who has been described as the "doyen of British cellists".-Early life:Julian Lloyd Webber is the second son of the composer William Lloyd Webber and his wife Jean Johnstone . He is the younger brother of the composer Andrew Lloyd Webber...
/Royal Philharmonic OrchestraRoyal Philharmonic OrchestraThe Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is a British orchestra based in London. It tours widely, and is sometimes referred to as "Britain's national orchestra"...
"Elgar Cello Concerto" - Best international solo artist – Paul SimonPaul SimonPaul Frederic Simon is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.Simon is best known for his success, beginning in 1965, as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, with musical partner Art Garfunkel. Simon wrote most of the pair's songs, including three that reached number one on the US singles...
- Best soundtrack: "Top GunTop GunTop Gun may refer to:* Top Gun is a 1986 film starring Tom Cruise.**Top Gun , soundtrack to the movie**Top Gun , a number of games based on the movie...
" - British album: Dire StraitsDire StraitsDire Straits were a British rock band active from 1977 to 1995, composed of Mark Knopfler , his younger brother David Knopfler , John Illsley , and Pick Withers .Dire Straits' sound drew from a variety of musical influences, including jazz, folk, blues, and came closest...
"Brothers in Arms" - British breakthrough act: The HousemartinsThe HousemartinsThe Housemartins were an English indie pop band that was active in the 1980s. Many of the Housemartins' lyrics were a mixture of Marxist politics and Christianity, reflecting singer Paul Heaton's beliefs at the time .-Formation:The band was formed in late 1983 by Paul Heaton and...
- British female solo artist: Kate BushKate BushKate Bush is an English singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Her eclectic musical style and idiosyncratic vocal style have made her one of the United Kingdom's most successful solo female performers of the past 30 years.In 1978, at the age of 19, Bush topped the UK Singles Chart...
- British group: Five StarFive StarFive Star are a British pop / R&B group, formed in 1983. Comprising siblings Stedman, Lorraine, Denise, Doris and Delroy Pearson, they were known for their flamboyant image, matching costumes and heavily choreographed dance routines...
- British male solo artist: Peter GabrielPeter GabrielPeter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
- British single: Pet Shop BoysPet Shop BoysPet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards....
- "West End GirlsWest End Girls"West End Girls" is a song by British pop duo Pet Shop Boys. Written by Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, the song was released twice as a single. It is a synthpop song, influenced by hip hop music. The lyrics focus on class, and inner-city pressure, and were inspired by T.S. Eliot's poem The Waste Land...
" - British Video: Peter GabrielPeter GabrielPeter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
- "SledgehammerSledgehammer (song)"Sledgehammer" is a song by British musician Peter Gabriel from his 1986 album So. It hit number one in Canada on 21 July 1986 where it spent four weeks; number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States on 26 July 1986; and number four in the UK singles chart, thanks in part to a...
" - International group: The BanglesThe BanglesThe Bangles are an American all-female band that originated in the early 1980s, scoring several hit singles during the decade.-Formation and early years :...
- Outstanding contribution: Eric ClaptonEric ClaptonEric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
Births
- January 9 - Paolo NutiniPaolo NutiniPaolo Giovanni Nutini is a Scottish singer, songwriter and musician from Paisley. His father is of Italian descent, from Barga, Tuscany, although both his parents are Scottish, his family having been in Scotland for three generations....
, singer, songwriter - March 11 - Timothy Furse, musician, (The HorrorsThe HorrorsThe Horrors are an English band from Southend on Sea, formed in 2005. Their debut Strange House, was released in 2007 and reached number thirty-seven on the UK Albums Chart, their second album Primary Colours was released in 2009 and peaked at number 25 in the UK...
) - April 10 - Hayley WestenraHayley WestenraHayley Dee Westenra is a New Zealand soprano, classical crossover artist, songwriter and UNICEF Ambassador. Her first internationally released album, Pure, reached No. 1 on the UK classical charts in 2003 and has sold more than two million copies worldwide...
, soprano - April 11 - Joss StoneJoss StoneJocelyn Eve Stoker , better known by her stage name Joss Stone, is an English soul singer-songwriter and actress. Stone rose to fame in late 2003 with her multi-platinum debut album, The Soul Sessions, which made the 2004 Mercury Prize shortlist...
, singer - April 12 - Brendon UrieBrendon UrieBrendon Boyd Urie is an American musician and the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, pianist and singer-songwriter of Panic! at the Disco. He also plays drums, bass guitar, accordion, organ, cello, violin, and trumpet.-Early life:...
, musician, (Panic! At The DiscoPanic! at the DiscoPanic! at the Disco is an American alternative rock duo, formed in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2005. Since its split, the band's line-up includes Brendon Urie and Spencer Smith . Former members Ryan Ross and Jon Walker left the group in 2009...
) - June 6 - Kyle FalconerKyle FalconerKyle Francis Falconer is the lead vocalist with Scottish band The View. Along with the other band members, Falconer hails from the Dryburgh district of Dundee...
, musician, (The View) - July 6 - Kate NashKate NashKate Marie Nash is an English singer, songwriter, and musician. She had a UK no. 2 hit "Foundations" in 2007, followed by the platinum selling UK number 1 album Made of Bricks. She was named Best Female Artist at the 2008 BRIT Awards....
, singer, songwriter - November 30 - Dougie PoynterDougie PoynterDougie Lee Poynter is an English musician and the bass guitarist and vocalist for the pop rock boyband McFly.- McFly :...
, musician, (McFlyMcFlyMcFly are an English pop rock band who first found fame in 2004. The band consists of Tom Fletcher , Danny Jones , Dougie Poynter and Harry Judd . They were signed to the Island Records label from their 2004 launch until December 2007, before creating their own label, Super Records...
)
Deaths
- January 15 - Dolores HawkinsDolores HawkinsDolores Hawkins was a singer from Brooklyn, New York. She is a part of the roots of both the rhythm & bluesand hip hop record genres.-Vocal career:...
, singer (Guy Mitchell Show) (aged 58) - February 4 - LiberaceLiberaceWladziu Valentino Liberace , best known simply as Liberace, was a famous American pianist and vocalist.In a career that spanned four decades of concerts, recordings, motion pictures, television and endorsements, Liberace became world-renowned...
, pianist (aged 67) - March 20 - Norman HarrisNorman HarrisNorman Harris was an American guitarist, producer, arranger and songwriter associated with Philly soul. He was a founding member of MFSB and one-third of the production trio of Baker-Harris-Young...
, guitarist, (O'Jays) (aged 39) - December 5 - "Fat" Larry James, drummer (Fat Larry's BandFat Larry's BandFat Larry's Band was an American R&B/funk band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who enjoyed some commercial success in the early 1980s.-Career:...
) (aged 38)