NOW Music proudly presents 59 more essential singles from the iconic year of Pop that was 1987.
CD1 kicks off with “I Want Your Sex”, the first hit from a stellar year for George Michael, and the lead release from the album ‘Faith’. Established chart regulars Eurythmics, Duran Duran, New Order, and a-ha continued to enjoy more hits, alongside Alison Moyet, UB40 and Bananarama. 1987 saw the chart debut for T’Pau, with “Heart And Soul”, and it features with other artists celebrating first hits in 1987 including Pepsi & Shirlie, LL Cool J, Sananda Maitreya and Rick Astley with “Whenever You Need Somebody”, the second hit and title track from his debut album. The Communards, Mel & Kim, Samantha Fox, and Suzanne Vega achieved successful follow-ups to their prior years’ achievements – and closing the disc, two of the year’s unique singer-songwriters, with sublime tracks: Black with “Sweetest Smile”, and David Sylvian with “Let The Happiness In”.
CD2 opens with a floor-filling run including a fabulous mix of amazing vocals and infectious beats and hooks from Whitney Houston, Alexander O’Neal, and Barry White… ahead of the hugely influential Sly & Robbie & Shinehead on “Boops (Here To Go)”. Five Star continued to add to their hits total, and Vesta Williams, Pseudo Echo and Robbie Nevil kicked off their chart careers. Bruce Willis, already an established actor scored a big hit with his cover of “Under The Boardwalk”, and U.S. hip-hop trio the Fat Boys collaborated with legends The Beach Boys on “Wipeout”. Another musical partnership saw The Pogues and The Dubliners together on “The Irish Rover”, whilst The Proclaimers enjoyed a Top 3 hit with “Letter From America”, and Johnny Logan became the first artist to win the Eurovision Song Contest twice. The final word on the disc is from Tom Jones who reached #2 with “A Boy From Nowhere” taken from the forthcoming musical ‘Matador’.
The final disc includes massive artists including Bruce Springsteen who opens with “Tunnel Of Love” the title track of his 1987 album. Marillion, Billy Idol, Chris Rea, Cliff Richard and the Pretenders all follow. New pop acts who saw their breakthrough in 1987 includes Wet Wet Wet, Johnny Hates Jazz, Wax, Curiosity Killed The Cat and Then Jerico who hit the Top 40 for the first time with “The Motive”. Glenn & Chris took their success from the pitch to the charts, and a stellar run of pop legends takes the disc toward it’s close: Simply Red, ABC, Spandau Ballet, Level 42 and Boy George with the beautiful “To Be Reborn”, before the sign-off, the Top 3 “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” 1987’s ‘Comic Relief’ single from comedian Mel Smith duetting with Kim Wilde.
An essential collection for any music lover, capturing the spirit and diversity of an unforgettable time in music.
NOW – Yearbook Extra 1987 - a further celebration of the diversity and magic of the year in Pop.
