I was really pretty cool in 1988. I was on a heavy Bon Jovi kick, listened day in and day out to mid-Michigan rock radio (really, it was much better than one would have thought) and wore charm necklaces and jelly shoes. You got it. I was what? 12 years old? Anyway now that both you and I feel old, most of rock/pop radio was polluted by much of what I hate about radio today. Too many girl/boy bands, too much sound-alike rock, and way the hell too many singers NOT songwriters.
Rock On 1988 came to me via Wal-Mart for about $6 or $7. Just about the perfect price for this collection of albums completely forgettable collection of tracks. There are fortunately some more memorable tracks like Wait by White Lion (man, don’t laugh…I had the entire cassette tape), Simply Irresistible from Robert Palmer, Don’t Worry, Be Happy from Bobby McFerrin and Shattered Dreams from Johnny Hates Jazz. But like the rest of this series of discs it’s largely forgettable.
I hate to admit the fact that I do in fact remember every single here. Yes, I do remember Mercedes Boy from Pebbles and even Don’t Shed a Tear from the forgotten Paul Carrack. Not to say that all those years ago I had any interest in either. Anyway, again clocking in at 12 songs the compilation could have been much better. I’d never, ever, call this rock and roll. It is by all definitions pop. Disposable, forgettable, regrettable pop.
So lets pause a moment to get back in the groove. George Bush, Sr. was president. Your hair was stiffened by Aqua Net. You jeans were perfectly rolled…
1. Don’t Worry Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin
Distinctive and unique, Bobby McFerrin had his only pop hit with Don’t Worry Be Happy. As a whole, his style isn’t ever going to be popular with the mainstream. It’s generally jazzy, experimental, and sparse. Don’t Worry Be Happy had all of those elements, but in moderation and proved to be popular among most sectors of the American public. As a 12-year-old I thought it was pretty cool. Today, I’ve heard it about a zillion times.
2. Simply Irresistible – Robert Palmer
First, a side story. My dad loved this song more for the video than for the actual music. You know the video too. A whole gaggle of women dressed up and made up almost identically. The dance, pretend to play instruments, and look completely uninterested about everything. That aside, the song is fun and upbeat and relatively decent by any judge. Palmer possesses great vocal talents.
3. Seasons Change – Expose
I really do despise Expose despite the fact that they do have a tiny bit better sound than most similar groups. I’m not keen on the forced melodrama, but it could be worse. They could be completely utterly forgettable…not just music made unconsciously with Muzak in mind. Seasons Change went number one. Why? I have no clue except for the fact that Americans are suckers for a ballad.
4. Some Kind of Lover – Jody Watley
Dance-pop princess Jody Watley debuted in 1987 with her self titled album. Among the three top ten hits was Some King of Lover. It’s easy to see why people flocked to stores to pick up the single and the album back in 1987/1988. I did not even then. Why? Well, despite having a decent voice she sounded manufactured and over processed and not in the least bit appealing. I might just call her the queen of crap music.
5. Rocket 2 U – The Jets
I was fascinated with The Jets as a child. The group was family oriented with every member being one of the Minnesota Wolfgramm siblings. Their 1987 album was Magic. By name, yes, but by content well that’s another story. As a youngster their image was a tiny bit too sticky sweet for me. Rocket 2 U appealed to hordes of youngsters I’m sure because of the kickin’ beats and the catchy chorus. It’s aged better than similar songs from other artists, yet I to this day can’t quite grasp what the point of the group was…
6. Wait – White Lion
And then there is the beautiful White Lion and their first true hit single Wait. Melodic, understated, and crooned by likely Danish frontman Mike Tramp (yes, that is in fact his name) the song was a MTV hit with young women. I was in love with Tramp, his voice, his locks, oh yeah…and the song too. Anyway, Wait has a distinctive guitar solo and not particularly obtrusive melody. The track has no particular point…but darn it all Tramp is a beauty.
7. When I’m With You – Sheriff
Monster rock ballad wannabe When I’m With You remains one of the most perfect of the entire genre. Every hair band in the 1980’s just had to have a ballad. There was no question that by 1988 this Sheriff track was among the few best along side the likes of the not-so-hard Journey. Anyway. Great song even if now it is the tiniest bit laughable.
8. I Get Weak – Belinda Carlisle
Former Go-GoBelinda Carlisle mellowed out with her 1988 release Heaven on Earth. Even if the album and subsequent singles (like I Get Weak) lacked the edge of her former incarnation they were nonetheless popular. Her tiny, quivering, nasally voice lent itself well to the typically touching lyrics and music on I Get Weak. She’s done better, but so far as the quality of this collection I would expect nothing more than mediocre.
9. Mercedes Boy – Pebbles
Record connoisseur Pebbles was a recording artist before she created girl hip hops group TLC. And among her few hits was the not-so-politically correct urban dance gem Mercedes Boy. The tinny production matched nicely with her not particularly good vocals. Despite having a few really big hits in the late 1980’s she went the way of Jody Watley at the turn of the 1990’s. This song is all that is left of her iffy legacy.
10. Don’t Shed a Tear – Paul Carrack
One of the least memorable acts in this compilation (that is saying something) is former member of Mike + The Mechanics and Squeeze gone solo Paul Carrack. Don’t remember him? I can’t imagine why….NOT! His song, Don’t Shed a Tear sounded very much like something that Genesis puked up after a long night of binge drinking. It was boring, stupid, and cliché. Carrack should have stuck to working with bands rather than changing over to a solo artist. I can’t imagine anybody could possibly forgive him for that mistake.
11. Shattered Dreams - Johnny Hates Jazz
Whether or not you remember their name Johnny Hates Jazz you certainly remember their one and only song that even neared hit territory…Shattered Dreams. Despite sounding a bit like a leftover song from 1983 with synthesizers and lovely New Wave sounds throughout, this track is catchy and uptempo and very easy to remember. I suppose a one-hit-wonder band could have been much worse…
12. The Power of Love – Laura Branigan
Finally, this collection spits up Laura Branigan one of her very few memorable songs The Power of Love. Branigan was both an actress and singer and not particularly good at either. You might remember her version of Gloria…then again, you might now. The Power of Love might be better remembered for it’s lyrics than the singer or the title. It’s the one that goes…’Cause I’m your lady and you are my man…
Once again, I do find myself recommending this album if only for cheap laughs. By no means is this rock, but on songs like Wait, Simply Irresistible and Don’t Worry Be Happy I’m reminded of childhood. Some song sour this vision, but on the whole any child of the 1980’s should be handed back some long-forgotten memories.
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