February 1989 -- a good start to a tough year

1989 is far from my favorite year for music in the 80's, but this was not a bad countdown today.  Starting at the top, we had back to back 5-star #1s!  Very rare this late in the decade. Sheriff's song was another of the random re-releases that did well in the late 80s, but bedeviled record companies, especially if the band had already broken up -- yes, they sold records, but no albums or concerts.  I have a vague memory of hearing it in 1983, and as a pop-rock ballad goes, it's as good as it gets.  

This year would be marked by many albums with many hits each -- it became normal to have 4 top 10's from an album, which was unheard of in 1978 when Rumours by Fleetwood Mac did just that.  This feat would be repeated in 1989 by Bobby Brown, NKOTB, Paula Abdul, Milli Vanilli (if only Casey knew), Bon Jovi, and Def Leppard, plus others not on this week's chart -- and the first four were all with their debut releases!

Producers ruled -- Stock Aitken Waterman hit big with "Venus" in 1986, then followed with all of Rick Astleys hits, plus Donna Summer in 1989.  LA Reid owned this chart, producing -- Sheena Easton (her last hit), Bobby Brown, Karyn White, and the Boys.  

And check out the veterans in the first 10 -- all had a hit record in 1970:  Rod Stewart, Al Green, Michael Jackson, Chicago.

Preview the misery that was to become 1989:  NKOTB, Debbie Gibson, and Mike + the Mechanics.  But for now, barring White Lion, this was a respectable top 10 -- led by my favorite:  Sheriff, with also rans Phil Collins, Anita Baker, and Erasure.

1 2 WHEN I’M WITH YOU –•– Sheriff – 18 (1)
2 6 STRAIGHT UP –•– Paula Abdul – 10 (2)
3 5 WHEN THE CHILDREN CRY –•– White Lion – 14 (3)
4 7 BORN TO BE MY BABY –•– Bon Jovi – 11 (4)
5 9 WILD THING –•– Tone Loc – 10 (5)
6 3 ARMAGEDDON IT –•– Def Leppard – 12 (3)
7 8 THE WAY YOU LOVE ME –•– Karyn White – 17 (7)
8 4 DON’T RUSH ME –•– Taylor Dayne – 14 (2)
9 10 ALL THIS TIME –•– Tiffany – 14 (9)
10 1 TWO HEARTS –•– Phil Collins – 12 (1)

11 13 I WANNA HAVE SOME FUN –•– Samantha Fox – 13 (11)
12 14 THE LOVER IN ME –•– Sheena Easton – 14 (12)
13 11 HOLDING ON –•– Steve Winwood – 11 (11)
14 18 SHE WANTS TO DANCE WITH ME –•– Rick Astley – 8 (14)
15 19 WALKING AWAY –•– Information Society – 11 (15)
16 20 WHAT I AM –•– Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians – 11 (16)
17 23 ANGEL OF HARLEM –•– U2 – 8 (17)
18 25 YOU GOT IT (THE RIGHT STUFF) –•– New Kids On The Block – 12 (18)
19 24 DIAL MY HEART –•– The Boys – 9 (19)
20 26 SURRENDER TO ME –•– Ann Wilson & Robin Zander – 7 (20)

21 30 LOST IN YOUR EYES –•– Debbie Gibson – 3 (21)
22 12 MY PREROGATIVE –•– Bobby Brown – 16 (1)
23 27 A LITTLE RESPECT –•– Erasure – 9 (23)
24 16 EVERY ROSE HAS ITS THORN –•– Poison – 15 (1)
25 29 THE LIVING YEARS –•– Mike & The Mechanics – 5 (25)
26 32 ALL SHE WANTS IS –•– Duran Duran – 7 (26)
27 37 RONI –•– Bobby Brown – 5 (27)
28 28 SHAKE FOR THE SHEIK –•– Escape Club – 9 (28)
29 36 PARADISE CITY –•– Guns N’ Roses – 4 (29)
30 21 LITTLE LIAR –•– Joan Jett & The Blackhearts – 15 (19)

31 15 SMOOTH CRIMINAL –•– Michael Jackson – 13 (7)
32 33 MY HEART CAN’T TELL YOU NO –•– Rod Stewart – 9 (32)
33 17 PUT A LITTLE LOVE IN YOUR HEART –•– Annie Lennox & Al Green – 14 (9)
34 40 DON’T TELL ME LIES –•– Breathe – 4 (34)
35 22 I REMEMBER HOLDING YOU –•– Boys Club – 16 (8)
36 46 GIRL YOU KNOW IT’S TRUE –•– Milli Vanilli – 5 (36)
37 44 I BEG YOUR PARDON –•– Kon Kan – 7 (37)
38 41 IT’S NO SECRET –•– Kylie Minoque – 9 (38)
39 47 YOU’RE NOT ALONE –•– Chicago – 3 (39)
40 49 JUST BECAUSE –•– Anita Baker – 3 (40)