NEW YORK, February 28, 1988 – Four songs that peaked in teh Top 10 of the Billboard charts in 1988 might not be on your everyday playlist, but they deserve a second listen. These tracks showcase the diverse sounds that were gaining traction on mainstream radio during a creatively vibrant era.
forgotten Hits of ’88: Four Tracks That Still Shine
Table of Contents
Rediscover four songs that climbed into the Top 10 in 1988.
- Paul Carrack’s “Don’t Shed A Tear” became his biggest U.S.solo hit.
- Steve Winwood leveraged a beer commercial to boost “don’t You Know What The Night Can Do?”.
- Jane Wiedlin found solo success with the Go-Go’s-esque “Rush Hour.”
- Icehouse’s “Electric Blue” was inspired by a chance encounter in Australia.
“Don’t Shed A Tear” by Paul Carrack
Paul Carrack had already established himself as a talented vocalist with hits alongside Ace and Mike + The Mechanics. His soulful rendition of “Tempted” with Squeeze was also a well-regarded track. Capitalizing on his recent success, carrack released his third solo album, wich included “Don’t Shed A Tear.” The song reached No. 9 in the U.S., marking his highest-charting solo single. known for his bluesy voice and often melancholic songs, Carrack delivered a defiant and groove-laden performance on this track.
“don’t You Know What The Night Can Do?” by Steve Winwood
Steve Winwood’s 1987 album, Back In The High Life, marked a turning point in his career as a frontman. He quickly followed it up less than a year later with Roll With It, which featured the chart-topping title track. The subsequent single, “Don’t You Know What The Night Can Do?”, gained exposure through its inclusion in a beer commercial. Despite some criticism, the song-completed before the commercial deal-is a slow-building track that showcases winwood’s powerful vocals.
“Rush Hour” by Jane Wiedlin
Jane Wiedlin was a key songwriter for The Go-Go’s during their early 1980s success,but her desire to sing more of her own material contributed to the band’s breakup.Her first solo album in 1985 didn’t achieve notable recognition. She returned in 1988 with Fur, around the same time her former bandmate Belinda Carlisle was enjoying solo success. While Wiedlin’s solo work frequently enough leaned toward the quirky, “Rush Hour” captured the light, upbeat pop sensibility of The Go-Go’s, propelling it to No. 9 on the charts.
“Electric Blue” by Icehouse
The Australian band Icehouse had already achieved considerable success in their home country over a decade by 1988. While working on their 1987 album, Man Of colours, lead singer Russell Davies met John Oates in New York. Davies invited Oates to Australia for a vacation and potential songwriting collaboration. During a break at the beach, the pair encountered a woman with striking blue eyes, inspiring the creation of “Electric Blue.” The breezy hit broke Icehouse in America, reaching No. 7 on the U.S.charts.
