Donna Summer – The Hostage
It's 1974 and Donna Summer, prior to becoming the first lady of everything, speaks out on terrorism and police incompetence. Wait, come back!
Dubstar – Cathedral Park
From the file marked "Bands we never quite got round to buying even though they were dead good" - it's the amazing Dubstar.
Susanna Hoffs – Wishing on Telstar
Ah, the long-distance love song. Where would pop be without telephone operators who can't do their job properly?
Jane Wiedlin – Inside a Dream
1988 is a long time ago now, but I'm still driving in the rush hour.
Colors – Never Mind
This time last week I'd never heard of Colors. Now "Never Mind" is one of my favourite records and I'm busy inserting it into all my memories of 1985.
Bucks Fizz – Heart of Stone
The final (proper) single from Bucks Fizz, and if you ask me they saved the best for last.
Leigh Jaeger – Johnny & Mary
A straight to the bargain bin bomb from the end of an era. Shouldn't be fabulous but is.
Cyndi Lauper – Shine
The gist: in 2001 Cyndi Lauper made the album of her career but unless you lived in Japan or were willing to spend an insane amount of money on the import, you didn't get to hear it. This was a COLOSSAL SHAME.
London Boys – My Love
They sold more albums than Kate Bush or Tears for Fears in 1989, but will anybody these days admit to buying a London Boys record? I will, obviously.
Mono – Life in Mono
I had great expectations for this song, but not even Great Expectations could make it a hit. More Music for Spies, this time from the really very good Mono.
Thomas Leer – No 1
Two years prior to "Snobbery & Decay", Thomas Leer was out-blowing the Blow Monkeys with the string and saxophone drenched "No 1".
Tears for Fears – Famous Last Words
Everybody loves a happy ending, but for the longest time it looked like Tears for Fears weren't going to get one.
Tyka Nelson – Marc Anthony’s Tune
It's hard being the sibling of a superstar. And it's even harder when that superstar is Prince. But that didn't stop Tyka Nelson having a go in 1988.
Swing Out Sister – Notgonnachange
Welcome to the club, Swing Out Sister.
The Human League – Love is All That Matters
When we last bumped into the Human League, they were on the verge of great things. We now rejoin them on the brink of disaster. Hooray!
Peach – On My Own
Hooked on classics: charting pop music's use of Symphony No.5 by Jean Sibelius. Wait, come back!
The Blue Nile – Headlights on the Parade
Niall on the 'Nile. It had to happen eventually.
Liza Minnelli – So Sorry, I Said
It's 1989 and Liza Minnelli issues an apology.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Don’t Come Around Here No More
Pop stars: leading more interesting lives than you and I since, well, forever.
Five Star – There’s a Brand New World
1988, and Five Star become a Leather Proposition.
Into the Popvoid 