Continuing to 1988

Time for a new blog for 1988 - a very eventful year for George Michael. Weekly charts and Number One magazine features continue here:

http://numberone1988.blogspot.com

26 December 1987

       Top 10 UK: 27 December - 02 January 1988

  1. ALWAYS ON MY MIND - PET SHOP BOYS
  2. FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK - THE POGUES FT KIRSTY MACCOLL
  3. ROCKIN' AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE - COMIC RELIEF PRESENTS MEL AND KIM PERFORMED BY KIM WILDE AND MEL SMITH
  4. WHEN I FALL IN LOVE (1987) - NAT KING COLE
  5. HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH - BELINDA CARLISLE
  6. LOVE LETTERS - ALISON MOYET
  7. WHEN I FALL IN LOVE - RICK ASTLEY
  8. THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL - MICHAEL JACKSON
  9. CHINA IN YOUR HAND - T'PAU
  10. ANGEL EYES - WET WET WET

        Top 10 USA: 26 DECEMBER 1987

  1. FAITH - GEORGE MICHAEL
  2. SO EMOTIONAL - WHITNEY HOUSTON
  3. IS THIS LOVE - WHITESNAKE
  4. GOT MY MIND SET ON YOU - GEORGE HARRISON
  5. SHAKE YOUR LOVE - DEBBIE GIBSON
  6. DON'T YOU WANT ME - JODY WATLEY
  7. THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL - MICHAEL JACKSON
  8. CATCH ME (I'M FALLING) - PRETTY POISON
  9. CHERRY BOMB - JOHN MELLENCAMP
  10. NEED YOU TONIGHT - INXS


19 December 1987

       Top 10 UK: 20-26 December 1987

  1. ALWAYS ON MY MIND - PET SHOP BOYS
  2. FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK - THE POGUES FT KIRSTY MACCOLL
  3. ROCKIN' AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE - COMIC RELIEF PRESENTS MEL AND KIM PERFORMED BY KIM WILDE AND MEL SMITH
  4. WHEN I FALL IN LOVE - RICK ASTLEY
  5. LOVE LETTERS - ALISON MOYET
  6. THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL - MICHAEL JACKSON
  7. WHEN I FALL IN LOVE (1987) - NAT KING COLE
  8. HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH - BELINDA CARLISLE
  9. CHINA IN YOUR HAND - T'PAU
  10. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO MAKE THOSE EYES AT ME FOR - SHAKIN' STEVENS

        Top 10 USA: 19 DECEMBER 1987

  1. FAITH - GEORGE MICHAEL
  2. IS THIS LOVE - WHITESNAKE
  3. SO EMOTIONAL - WHITNEY HOUSTON
  4. SHAKE YOUR LOVE - DEBBIE GIBSON
  5. GOT MY MIND SET ON YOU - GEORGE HARRISON
  6. DON'T YOU WANT ME - JODY WATLEY
  7. HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH - BELINDA CARLISLE
  8. CATCH ME (I'M FALLING) - PRETTY POISON
  9. VALERIE - STEVE WINWOOD
  10. WE'LL BE TOGETHER - STING


12 December 1987

       Top 10 UK: 13-19 December 1987

  1. ALWAYS ON MY MIND - PET SHOP BOYS
  2. WHEN I FALL IN LOVE - RICK ASTLEY
  3. THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL - MICHAEL JACKSON
  4. LOVE LETTERS - ALISON MOYET
  5. CHINA IN YOUR HAND - T'PAU
  6. ROCKIN' AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE - COMIC RELIEF PRESENTS MEL AND KIM PERFORMED BY KIM WILDE AND MEL SMITH
  7. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO MAKE THOSE EYES AT ME FOR - SHAKIN' STEVENS
  8. FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK - THE POGUES FT KIRSTY MACCOLL
  9. THE LOOK OF LOVE - MADONNA
  10. WHO FOUND WHO FT ELISA FIORILLO - JELLYBEAN FEATURING ELISA FIORILLO

        Top 10 USA: 12 DECEMBER 1987

  1. FAITH - GEORGE MICHAEL
  2. HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH - BELINDA CARLISLE
  3. SHOULD'VE KNOWN BETTER - RICHARD MARX
  4. (I'VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE - BILL MEDLEY
  5. IS THIS LOVE - WHITESNAKE
  6. SHAKE YOUR LOVE - DEBBIE GIBSON
  7. SO EMOTIONAL - WHITNEY HOUSTON
  8. WE'LL BE TOGETHER - STING
  9. DON'T YOU WANT ME - JODY WATLEY
  10. GOT MY MIND SET ON YOU - GEORGE HARRISON


5 December 1987

       Top 10 UK: 06-12 December 1987

  1. CHINA IN YOUR HAND - T'PAU
  2. WHEN I FALL IN LOVE - RICK ASTLEY
  3. THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL - MICHAEL JACKSON
  4. ALWAYS ON MY MIND - PET SHOP BOYS
  5. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO MAKE THOSE EYES AT ME FOR - SHAKIN' STEVENS
  6. LETTER FROM AMERICA - THE PROCLAIMERS
  7. GOT MY MIND SET ON YOU - GEORGE HARRISON
  8. CRITICIZE - ALEXANDER O'NEAL
  9. LOVE LETTERS - ALISON MOYET
  10. ONCE UPON A LONG AGO - PAUL MCCARTNEY

        Top 10 USA: 5 DECEMBER 1987

  1. HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH - BELINDA CARLISLE
  2. (I'VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE - BILL MEDLEY
  3. FAITH - GEORGE MICHAEL
  4. SHOULD'VE KNOWN BETTER - RICHARD MARX
  5. IS THIS LOVE - WHITESNAKE
  6. SHAKE YOUR LOVE - DEBBIE GIBSON
  7. WE'LL BE TOGETHER - STING
  8. SO EMOTIONAL - WHITNEY HOUSTON
  9. THE ONE I LOVE - R.E.M.
  10. DON'T YOU WANT ME - JODY WATLEY

28 November 1987

       Top 10 UK: 29 November - 05 December 1987

  1. CHINA IN YOUR HAND - T'PAU
  2. GOT MY MIND SET ON YOU - GEORGE HARRISON
  3. LETTER FROM AMERICA - THE PROCLAIMERS
  4. CRITICIZE - ALEXANDER O'NEAL
  5. NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE - THE COMMUNARDS
  6. SO EMOTIONAL - WHITNEY HOUSTON
  7. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO MAKE THOSE EYES AT ME FOR - SHAKIN' STEVENS
  8. WHENEVER YOU NEED SOMEBODY - RICK ASTLEY
  9. (I'VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE - BILL MEDLEY AND JENNIFER WARNES
  10. HERE I GO AGAIN (1987) - WHITESNAKE

        Top 10 USA: 28 NOVEMBER 1987

  1. (I'VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE - BILL MEDLEY
  2. HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH - BELINDA CARLISLE
  3. MONY MONY - BILLY IDOL
  4. SHOULD'VE KNOWN BETTER - RICHARD MARX
  5. FAITH - GEORGE MICHAEL
  6. BRILLIANT DISGUISE - BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
  7. I THINK WE'RE ALONG NOW - TIFFANY
  8. WE'LL BE TOGETHER - STING
  9. I'VE BEEN IN LOVE BEFORE - CUTTING CREW
  10. SHAKE YOUR LOVE - DEBBIE GIBSON

Both of these items are obviously tongue-in-cheek. But as a Stevie Nicks fan, I am interested to see a
possible reference to her. Having been through a recent 'heartbreak' himself, perhaps there was
something in this song that he was able to especially identify with when he heard it. It was also of
course the subject of many of his own best known works. Maybe there is even some resemblance to 'Waiting For That Day'.

In the US George was heading quickly to number one with his first single from the Faith LP - and this
would mark the beginning of his huge domination of that market over the following year. In the UK 'Father Figure' was soon to be released.




21 November 1987

       Top 10 UK: 22-28 November 1987

  1. CHINA IN YOUR HAND - T'PAU
  2. GOT MY MIND SET ON YOU - GEORGE HARRISON
  3. WHENEVER YOU NEED SOMEBODY - RICK ASTLEY
  4. NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE - THE COMMUNARDS
  5. SO EMOTIONAL - WHITNEY HOUSTON
  6. (I'VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE - BILL MEDLEY AND JENNIFER WARNES
  7. MY BABY JUST CARES FOR ME - NINA SIMONE
  8. CRITICIZE - ALEXANDER O'NEAL
  9. HERE I GO AGAIN (1987) - WHITESNAKE
  10. LETTER FROM AMERICA - THE PROCLAIMERS

        Top 10 USA: 21 NOVEMBER 1987

  1. MONY MONY - BILLY IDOL
  2. (I'VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE - BILL MEDLEY
  3. HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH - BELINDA CARLISLE
  4. I THINK WE'RE ALONE NOW - TIFFANY
  5. BRILLIANT DISGUISE - BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
  6. BREAKOUT - SWING OUT SISTER
  7. SHOULD'VE KNOWN BETTER - RICHARD MARX
  8. LITTLE LIES - FLEETWOOD MAC
  9. I'VE BEEN IN LOVE BEFORE - CUTTING CREW
  10. FAITH - GEORGE MICHAEL




14 November 1987

       Top 10 UK: 15-21 November 1987

  1. CHINA IN YOUR HAND - T'PAU
  2. GOT MY MIND SET ON YOU - GEORGE HARRISON
  3. WHENEVER YOU NEED SOMEBODY - RICK ASTLEY
  4. NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE - THE COMMUNARDS
  5. MY BABY JUST CARES FOR ME - NINA SIMONE
  6. (I'VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE - BILL MEDLEY AND JENNIFER WARNES
  7. YOU WIN AGAIN - THE BEE GEES
  8. JACK MIX IV - MIRAGE
  9. SO EMOTIONAL - WHITNEY HOUSTON
  10. BARCELONA - FREDDIE MERCURY AND MONTSERRAT CABALLE

        Top 10 USA: 14 NOVEMBER 1987

  1. I THINK WE'RE ALONE NOW - TIFFANY
  2. MONY MONY - BILLY IDOL
  3. (I'VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE - BILL MEDLEY
  4. LITTLE LIES - FLEETWOOD MAC
  5. HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH - BELINDA CARLISLE
  6. BREAKOUT - SWING OUT SISTER
  7. BRILLIANT DISGUISE - BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
  8. CAUSING A COMMOTION - MADONNA
  9. IT'S A SIN - PET SHOP BOYS
  10. SHOULD'VE KNOWN BETTER - RICHARD MARX








7 November 1987

       Top 10 UK: 8-14 November 1987

  1. CHINA IN YOUR HAND - T'PAU
  2. GOT MY MIND SET ON YOU - GEORGE HARRISON
  3. YOU WIN AGAIN - THE BEE GEES
  4. WHENEVER YOU NEED SOMEBODY - RICK ASTLEY
  5. FAITH - GEORGE MICHAEL
  6. NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE - THE COMMUNARDS
  7. LOVE IN THE FIRST DEGREE - BANANARAMA
  8. BARCELONA - FREDDIE MERCURY AND MONTSERRAT CABALLE
  9. LITTLE LIES - FLEETWOOD MAC
  10. (I'VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE - BILL MEDLEY AND JENNIFER WARNES

        Top 10 USA: 7 NOVEMBER 1987

  1. I THINK WE'RE ALONE NOW - TIFFANY
  2. CAUSING A COMMOTION - MADONNA
  3. MONY MONY - BILLY IDOL
  4. LITTLE LIES - FLEETWOOD MAC
  5. BAD - MICHAEL JACKSON
  6. (I'VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE - BILL MEDLEY
  7. BREAKOUT - SWING OUT SISTER
  8. BRILLIANT DISGUISE - BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
  9. LET ME BE THE ONE - EXPOSE
  10. IT'S A SIN - PET SHOP BOYS










31 October 1987


  1. YOU WIN AGAIN - THE BEE GEES
  2. FAITH - GEORGE MICHAEL
  3. WHENEVER YOU NEED SOMEBODY - RICK ASTLEY
  4. LOVE IN THE FIRST DEGREE - BANANARAMA
  5. CHINA IN YOUR HAND - T'PAU
  6. LITTLE LIES - FLEETWOOD MAC
  7. GOT MY MIND SET ON YOU - GEORGE HARRISON
  8. MONY MONY - BILLY IDOL
  9. CROCKETT'S THEME - JAN HAMMER
  10. WALK THE DINOSAUR - WAS (NOT WAS)


  1. BAD - MICHAEL JACKSON
  2. CAUSING A COMMOTION - MADONNA
  3. I THINK WE'RE ALONE NOW - TIFFANY
  4. MONY MONY - BILLY IDOL
  5. CASANOVA - LEVERT
  6. LITTLE LIES - FLEETWOOD MAC
  7. LET ME BE THE ONE - EXPOSE
  8. U GOT THE LOOK - PRINCE
  9. BREAKOUT - SWING OUT SISTER
  10. BRILLIANT DISGUISE - BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN


24 October 1987


  1. YOU WIN AGAIN - THE BEE GEES
  2. FAITH - GEORGE MICHAEL
  3. LOVE IN THE FIRST DEGREE - BANANARAMA
  4. CROCKETT'S THEME - JAN HAMMER
  5. LITTLE LIES - FLEETWOOD MAC
  6. THE CIRCUS - ERASURE
  7. MONY MONY - BILLY IDOL
  8. RENT - PET SHOP BOYS
  9. CRAZY CRAZY NIGHTS - KISS
  10. WALK THE DINOSAUR - WAS (NOT WAS)


  1. BAD - MICHAEL JACKSON
  2. CAUSING A COMMOTION - MADONNA
  3. U GOT THE LOOK - PRINCE
  4. LOST IN EMOTION - LISA LISA AND CULT JAM
  5. I THINK WE'RE ALONE NOW - TIFFANY
  6. CASANOVA - LEVERT
  7. MONY MONY - BILLY IDOL
  8. LET ME BE THE ONE - EXPOSE
  9. LITTLE LIES - FLEETWOOD MAC
  10. CARRIE - EUROPE












17 October 1987

                  Top 10 UK: 18-24 October 1987


  1. YOU WIN AGAIN - THE BEE GEES
  2. CROCKETT'S THEME - JAN HAMMER
  3. FULL METAL JACKET - ABIGAIL MEAD AND NIGEL GOULDING
  4. CRAZY CRAZY NIGHTS - KISS
  5. LOVE IN THE FIRST DEGREE - BANANARAMA
  6. PUMP UP THE VOLUME/ANITINA - M/A/R/R/S
  7. THE CIRCUS - ERASURE
  8. MONY MONY - BILLY IDOL
  9. I FOUND LOVIN' - THE FATBACK BAND
  10. FAITH - GEORGE MICHAEL


  1. LOST IN EMOTION - LISA LISA AND CULT JAM
  2. U GOT THE LOOK - PRINCE
  3. CARRIE - EUROPE
  4. BAD - MICHAEL JACKSON
  5. CAUSING A COMMOTION - MADONNA
  6. HERE I GO AGAIN - WHITESNAKE
  7. WHO WILL YOU RUN TO - HEART
  8. CASANOVA - LEVERT
  9. PAPER IN FIRE - JOHN MELLENCAMP
  10. I HEARD A RUMOUR - BANANARAMA




10 October 1987


                 Top 10 UK: 11-17 October 1987

  1. YOU WIN AGAIN - THE BEE GEES
  2. FULL METAL JACKET - ABIGAIL MEAD AND NIGEL GOULDING
  3. PUMP UP THE VOLUME/ANITINA - M/A/R/R/S
  4. CROCKETT'S THEME - JAN HAMMER
  5. CRAZY CRAZY NIGHTS - KISS
  6. BAD - MICHAEL JACKSON
  7. I FOUND LOVIN' - THE FATBACK BAND
  8. I NEED LOVE - LL COOL J
  9. I FOUND LOVIN' - STEVE WALSH
  10. NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP - RICK ASTLEY

              Top 10 USA: 10-16 October 1987

  1. HERE I GO AGAIN - WHITESNAKE
  2. LOST IN EMOTION - LISA LISA AND CULT JAM
  3. CARRIE - EUROPE
  4. I HEARD A RUMOUR - BANANARAMA
  5. U GOT THE LOOK - PRINCE
  6. DIDN'T WE ALMOST HAVE IT ALL - WHITNEY HOUSTON
  7. WHO WILL YOU RUN TO - HEART
  8. BAD - MICHAEL JACKSON
  9. PAPER IN FIRE - JOHN MELLENCAMP
  10. CASANOVA - LEVERT



26 September 1987

Verdicts on Michael Jackson's new 'Bad' LP - with George being an immediate fan.


5 September 1987

The aftermath of Madonna... George may have got the chance to mingle.


29 August 1987

Much of the news is about Madonna and her visit to the UK, along with her birthday celebrations.

Apologies to fans of Madonna. It's clear that George Michael was a fan of Madonna in the 1980s, but around this time he seemed a little disillusioned with the direction she was going in. I myself didn't feel that this was her best creative period but she lifted her game with subsequent releases.

I am a Madonna fan too but it's interesting to hear some of what George Michael was thinking about his main peers at this time, as he prepared for his first solo LP.


22 August 1987


25 July 1987

Re the gossip here: at least some of what's written here is likely to have been 'embellished' by the author, as was sometimes the style of the column!

'Jive Talking' entered the top ten charts during this week. According to Wikipedia information:

Boogie Box High was a musical project headed by Andros Georgiou in the late 1980s that featured a range of collaborators, including Georgiou's cousin George Michael, guitarist Nick Heyward (of Haircut One Hundred), keyboardist Mick Talbot (of The Style Council), guitarist–songwriter David Austin, bassist Deon Estus, and others. 
Released in 1987 in the United Kingdom, Boogie Box High's first single was "Jive Talkin'". Georgiou's version of the Bee Gees' song was originally recorded as a demo, with a studio band made up of Nick Heyward from Haircut One Hundred (guitar), Mick Talbot from Style Council (keyboards), and members of George Michael's studio band. 
Once the demo was completed, Andros played a copy for his cousin George Michael, who instantly loved the track. George took the master tapes to Denmark's PUK Studios (where he had recorded tracks for his album Faith), and spent three days recording lead and backing vocals. Andros' vocals are still heard in the background mix. Due to contractual obligations to Epic Records, George Michael was never credited on the original release.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boogie_Box_High