1988: Big hair, bold hits and chart-topping nostalgia
1988: Big hair, bold hits and chart-topping nostalgia
Ahmed Kajee
1992: Big hair, bold hits and chart-topping nostalgia
There’s something unmistakably electric about 1988 — a year where pop didn’t just sparkle, it roared through cassette decks, mall speakers, and roller rinks across the globe. From fluorescent fashion to unforgettable first loves, the soundtrack of ’88 was pure feel-good gold.
It’s the featured year on this week’s HOT Classic Countdown with Steve Bishop, taking place every Sunday from 12 to 3pm on HOT 102.7FM.
If you turned on the radio that year, chances are you were singing along to Yazz’s “The Only Way Is Up” — a track that captured the era’s high-energy optimism. Over in the States, Billy Ocean was cruising into hearts with “Get Out of My Dreams, Get Into My Car,” while Phil Collins tugged at tear ducts with “A Groovy Kind of Love.” These weren’t just hits — they were moments that defined a generation.
Pop royalty dominated the charts. Kylie Minogue burst onto the global stage with “I Should Be So Lucky,” George Michael’s sultry ballad “Kissing a Fool” reminded us he wasn’t just about faith, and Whitney Houston’s Olympic anthem “One Moment in Time” gave everyone goosebumps. The dance floors? On fire — thanks to acid house pioneers like S’Express, whose “Theme From S’Express” marked the rise of rave culture.
Over on the big screen, 1988 was a blockbuster year. Tom Hanks danced on giant piano keys in “Big”, Bruce Willis dropped one-liners in “Die Hard,” and animation history was made with “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.”
Did You Know?
George Harrison’s “Got My Mind Set on You” was a cover of a 1962 track — and became his last U.S. No.1 hit, thanks to a quirky music video featuring dancing furniture. Only in ’88!
And who could forget mall tours? Tiffany’s chart success made food courts the new concert halls, while Bananarama and Bros fuelled fierce fan frenzy — so intense, some UK schools brought in psychologists to help students cope.
Whether you were in leg warmers, shoulder pads, or just discovering your first mixtape, 1988 was pure pop magic. Ready to go back? Tune in to this week’s Classic Countdown — and relive it all.
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