Friday 80s Flashback for May 29, 2015

U2, Kim Wilde, and Chris De Burgh: In the Top Three this Week in 1987

[This Week in 1987] -- It is now a week after Memorial Day weekend, and we are getting ready for another summer. Schools are letting out (at least those schools that no longer have to make up snow days). At this time in 1987, I was on the cusp of my very first summer as a college guy. That is, I had wrapped up my freshman year and moved my gear back home from the Penn State campus. I'm sure it felt a little strange to be back in what had been considered "home" for 18 years, particularly as I had come to regard State College in general, and University Park in specific, as "home." Music, of course, helped with the transition. So, what was hot on the radio 28 years ago this week? If you want to know, read and hear more after the break.

Flashback #1: "The lady in red is dancing with me."

Chris De Burgh was enjoying his first serious chart success since "Don't Pay the Ferryman" in 1982. This time around, "The Lady in Red," was a ballad off his 1987 album, Into the Light. Possibly about his own wife, this song became his best-selling hit. It reached the #1 position in many countries around the world, including Canada and the UK. Here in the states, it peaked at #3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and is, therefore, our first Flashback of this week. 

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Flashback #2: "Set me free why don't cha babe."

"You Keep Me Hangin' On" topped the charts twice before 1987: Originally in 1966 with the Supremes, and then with a hard rocking remake by Vanilla Fudge two years later. 19 years after the first release, British singer Kim Wilde covered "You Keep Me Hangin' On" and the song made a threepeat trip to the top of the charts. This week in 1987, it had jumped two places to secure the #2 slot on the US Billboard Hot 100.   

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Flashback #3: "Through the storm we reach the shore."

And now we've reached the third and final Flashback for the week. And it's one of my favorite songs, at least by U2 that is. "With or Without You" was the third track from U2's fifth studio album, The Joshua Tree (1987), and it was released as the album's lead single on March 21, 1987. It is now one of the band's best known songs. It reached #1 on charts in Canada, Ireland, and the US. In fact, it reached #1 on two US Charts: US Billboard Hot 100 and US Album Rock Tracks. This week in 1987, it was spending a second week in the US Billboard Hot 100's top spot. 

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Once again, I remind you that the rule of three applies when doing Flashbacks. As I've made my three offerings, that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the archives. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.

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I'll see you in seven!