Best of 1987 Mix

 

1987, now we are in full college mode.  Looking at this year I found it to be interesting.  It's an odd mix of stuff and still some things I didn't find until later.  Shout out to two artists who should be on this list but aren't really because these albums don't exist on Spotify:  American Music Club and Watermelon Men.  Wildflowers by The Watermelon Men, which came out in 1987, was my second favorite album of 1987 and still is.   Just a great album.  I create these as playlists on Spotify first and then make youtube playlists to match those.  I really need some way to make sure I don't forget these albums and this music was a part of my life in these years.  It's a shame because so much of the small indie music from the 80's is simply gone in the digital age.  

20. Don't You Want Me by Jody Watley

     I bought this cassette at a bargain bin at some point in part because I really liked this song.  It's a good album, better than I expected.  

19. With or Without You by U2

     OK this was a huge deal in 1987.  Loved this album from the minute I put it on.  Went to go see them in concert on this tour.  But not my album of the year.  

18. I Can't Reach You by Nathalie Archangel

     I love this album.  Not a bad song on it.  One of those discoveries from going to record store and spending all my money every week on music.  

17. The One I Love by R.E.M.

     Saw them on this tour if I recall correctly.  I think this is the best mainstream album R.E.M. ever made and showed what they could be if they wanted to be a mainstream act.  

16. Just Like You Said It Would Be by Sinead O'Connor

     Loved this album when it came out, still listen to it today.  

15. If Only Tonight We Could Sleep by The Cure

     Album of the year no doubt.  Was in 1987 still is today for me.  I can still remember the first listen I had of this album.  

14. Never Let Me Down Again by Depeche Mode

     Great song for a band that put out a series of really solid records.  

13. Like the Weather by 10,000 Maniacs

     Fantastic album.  First I had heard of 10,000 Maniacs was this album.  What a great run they had with Natalie Merchant.  

12. If I Was Your Girlfriend by Prince

     Such a great Prince song.  No one else could pull this song off.  

11. Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me by The Smiths

     I was really into this album when it came out.  Got it on cassette and played it to death, especially working at the farm I worked at in college.  I purposefully left off anything from Louder Than Bombs from this mix.  It came out in 1987 but it was a collection of singles or b sides from across the years.  So many great songs on there, but I feel like this song and this album represent the end of The Smiths.  Gone so fast.  

10. Heartbreak Beat by The Psychedelic Furs

     I owned a lot of Furs albums, but really they were a one or two good songs per album kind of band for me.

9. Valentine by The Replacements

     It would be a few years before I would discover The Replacements.  This song is great and so The Replacements!

8.  Did Ye Get Healed by Van Morrison

     Years after college living in Philadelphia I would discover this album and be reminded of how much I loved this song.  It's a fantastic album, to me, the best album he ever made.  

7. Sign Your Name by Sananda Maitreya

     Absolutely loved this song.  

6. Gentle Sound by The Railway Children

     A great band with a great sound that never really found their footing in the US.  

5. 4th of July by X

     Solid album and a fantastic song. 

4. Skyway by The Replacements

     This song holds a special place for me.  I think Valentine and Skyway pretty much represent all you need to know about The Replacements and why they were so great.  

3. Don't Talk by 10,000 Maniacs

     Probably the best song 10,000 Maniacs ever made and they made some great songs, but this song and their live performances at the time of this song, just magical stuff.  

2. Troy by Sinead O'Connor

     An amazing song.  The live version of her doing this at Pinkpop Festival is just amazing.  

1. How Beautiful You Are by The Cure

     It's the best song The Cure ever did.  Lyrically I think it is the best thing Smith ever wrote and that is why it is their best song.  This song and the message of this song so sums up everything you need to know about Smith and The Cure I believe.