📻 POP
The songs I turn up before the first chorus.
For a 3rd grade project, I created a New Kids on the Block cereal that was a big hit in the classroom. We made mixtapes from the radio of our favorite hits. I think I grew up in the greatest era for pop music… 80s pop just hits differently than anything before or after. Tune the radio and I’d hear Madonna, George Michael, Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, Paula Abdul… one banger after another. One hit wonders like Tiffany’s I Think We’re Alone Now… Belinda Carlisle telling us how Heaven Is A Place On Earth… and c’mon, we all loved Blame It On The Rain despite the Milli Vanilli controversy. Madonna was on the silver screen in Desperately Seeking Susan & Who’s That Girl, Cyndi Lauper sang for The Goonies, Michael Jackson’s music videos were mini movies, Paula Abdul’s run of #1 hits in 1989 was insane… it was the golden era for pop music.
Featured Artists – click to see more
Madonna
George Michael
Phil Collins
Paula Abdul
New Kids on the Block
Michael Jackson
Also in my Collection
Annie Lennox
The Bangles – The side look lead-singer Susanna Hoffs gives during Walk Like An Egyptian is just as iconic now, all these years later.
Belinda Carlisle – Heaven Is A Place on Earth is a defining pop anthem of the 80s… I Get Weak is pretty great too.
Billy Ocean – hot take: I like him more than Lionel Richie
Britney Spears
Christina Aguilera
Cyndi Lauper – …girls just wanna have fun 🎶
Debbie Gibson
Fine Young Cannibals – …she drives me crazy 🎶
Glass Tiger – …doooon’t forget me when I’m gone 🎶
Hanson
Justin Timberlake
Kelly Clarkson
Mariah Carey – Music Box was an essential album for me in the early 90s… and following that up with Always Be My Baby (plus like 25 other #1 hits) cemented Mariah as a pop legend
Martika – Toy Soldiers!
Milli Vanilli – No shame here – I love Milli Vanilli. Blame It On The Rain is an all-time banger. Girl I’m Gonna Miss You, Girl You Know It’s True, Baby Don’t Forget My Number… all fkn great songs.
MonaLisa Twins
Nikka Costa
Norah Jones – not the most powerful vocals or widest range, but still one of my favorite voices of all-time. Undeniably soothing, pacifying, and mood-setting music. Norah Jones is fantastic.
N’SYNC
OneRepublic
Taylor Dayne – The original Taylor pop queen
Taylor Swift
Tiffany – I Think We’re Alone Now brings me right back to being in a mall in the late 80s, denim jackets, headphones, and just having a blast as a kid during a great fkn era to grow up during.
Timmy T – Go listen to One More Try right now.
Wham!
Wilson Phillips – The ultimate guilty pleasure – just try not to sing along to Hold On.