In 1988, some of the most memorable and timeless songs in popular music history were released – Top 100 songs of 1988. From Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror” to Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child o’ Mine,” this year produced remarkable singles that still resonate with audiences today. In this post, we’ll look back at the 100 greatest songs of 1988, delving into the tales behind these musical masterpieces and the impact they had on the music industry and culture as whole.
These songs represent a diverse spectrum of genres and styles, including hip hop, R&B, rock, and pop. They reflect the social and political context of the day, tackling problems like poverty, injustice, and the fight for equality. They also convey the era’s pleasure and optimism through peppy, catchy songs that have become treasured classics. Whether you were alive in 1988 or are hearing these songs for the first time, this selection will transport you back to a period when music reigned supreme and the world was full of possibilities.
1. NEED YOU TONIGHT by INXS
2. SEASONS CHANGE by Exposé
3. COULD’VE BEEN by Tiffany
4. NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP by Rick Astley
5. SWEET CHILD O’ MINE by Guns N’ Roses
6. GET OUTTA MY DREAMS, GET INTO MY CAR by Billy Ocean
7. HANDS TO HEAVEN by Breathe
8. ROLL WITH IT by Steve Winwood
9. ONE MORE TRY by George Michael
10. WISHING WELL by Terence Trent D’Arby
11. ANYTHING FOR YOU by Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine
12. GOT MY MIND SET ON YOU by George Harrison
13. THE FLAME by Cheap Trick
14. MAN IN THE MIRROR by Michael Jackson
15. POUR SOME SUGAR ON ME by Def Leppard
16. I’LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU by Taylor Dayne
17. HUNGRY EYES by Eric Carmen
18. SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE by Robert Palmer
19. HOLD ON TO THE NIGHTS by Richard Marx
20. A HAZY SHADE OF WINTER by The Bangles
21. WHERE DO BROKEN HEARTS GO by Whitney Houston
22. ENDLESS SUMMER NIGHTS by Richard Marx
23. SHATTERED DREAMS by Johnny Hates Jazz
24. NAUGHTY GIRLS (NEED LOVE TOO) by Samantha Fox
25. LOVE BITES by Def Leppard
26. FOOLISH BEAT by Debbie Gibson
27. FATHER FIGURE by George Michael
28. ANGEL by Aerosmith
29. MAKE ME LOSE CONTROL by Eric Carmen
30. THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL by Michael Jackson
31. I DON’T WANNA GO ON WITH YOU LIKE THAT by Elton John
32. SHE’S LIKE THE WIND by Patrick Swayze featuring Wendy Fraser
33. SO EMOTIONAL by Whitney Houston
34. A GROOVY KIND OF LOVE by Phil Collins
35. DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY by Bobby McFerrin
36. RED RED WINE by UB40
37. TOGETHER FOREVER by Rick Astley
38. DEVIL INSIDE by INXS
39. MONKEY by George Michael
40. OUT OF THE BLUE by Debbie Gibson
41. MAKE IT REAL by The Jets
42. I DON’T WANNA LIVE WITHOUT YOUR LOVE by Chicago
43. FAITH by George Michael
44. WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND (PURE ENERGY) by Information Society
45. WILD, WILD WEST by The Escape Club
46. GIRLFRIEND by Pebbles
47. WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS? by Pet Shop Boys with Dusty Springfield
48. I GET WEAK by Belinda Carlisle
49. IF IT ISN’T LOVE by New Edition
50. TELL IT TO MY HEART by Taylor Dayne
51. I WANT TO BE YOUR MAN by Roger Troutman
52. 1-2-3 by Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine
53. SIGN YOUR NAME by Terence Trent D’Arby
54. DIRTY DIANA by Michael Jackson
55. PERFECT WORLD by Huey Lewis and the News
56. IS THIS LOVE by Whitesnake
57. MERCEDES BOY by Pebbles
58. ONE GOOD WOMAN by Peter Cetera
59. DON’T BE CRUEL by Cheap Trick
60. NEW SENSATION by INXS
61. ROCKET 2 U by The Jets
62. THE LOCO-MOTION by Kylie Minogue
63. PINK CADILLAC by Natalie Cole
64. THE VALLEY ROAD by Bruce Hornsby and the Range
65. EVERYTHING YOUR HEART DESIRES by Daryl Hall & John Oates
66. I WANT HER by Keith Sweat
67. CANDLE IN THE WIND by Elton John
68. ELECTRIC BLUE by Icehouse
69. SAY YOU WILL by Foreigner
70. KOKOMO by The Beach Boys
71. DON’T BE CRUEL by Bobby Brown
72. FAST CAR by Tracy Chapman
73. SHAKE YOUR LOVE by Debbie Gibson
74. ALWAYS ON MY MIND by Pet Shop Boys
75. NITE AND DAY by Al B. Sure!
76. BAD MEDICINE (#1*) by Bon Jovi
77. DON’T YOU KNOW WHAT THE NIGHT CAN DO? by Steve Winwood
78. WHEN IT’S LOVE by Van Halen
79. I DON’T WANT TO LIVE WITHOUT YOU by Foreigner
80. PIANO IN THE DARK by Brenda Russell featuring Joe Esposito
81. I HATE MYSELF FOR LOVING YOU by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
82. ONE MOMENT IN TIME by Whitney Houston
83. DON’T SHED A TEAR by Paul Carrack
84. NEVER TEAR US APART by INXS
85. PROVE YOUR LOVE by Taylor Dayne
86. NOTHIN’ BUT A GOOD TIME by Poison
87. JUST LIKE PARADISE by David Lee Roth
88. WAIT by White Lion
89. I STILL BELIEVE by Brenda K. Starr
90. DON’T YOU WANT ME by Jody Watley
91. CIRCLE IN THE SAND by Belinda Carlisle
92. NOBODY’S FOOL by Kenny Loggins
93. CAN’T STAY AWAY FROM YOU by Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine
94. CHERRY BOMB by John Cougar Mellencamp
95. CATCH ME (I’M FALLING) by Pretty Poison
96. I COULD NEVER TAKE THE PLACE OF YOUR MAN by Prince
97. TWO OCCASIONS by the Deele
98. RUSH HOUR by Jane Wiedlin
99. I FOUND SOMEONE by Cher
100. PLEASE DON’T GO GIRL by New Kids on the Block
