The year 1988 was a landmark year in rock and alternative music, showcasing a vibrant mix of established acts and rising stars who left an indelible mark on the musical landscape.
Bon Jovi continued their ascent with hits like “Bad Medicine” and “Born to Be My Baby,” both emblematic of their signature blend of hard rock and pop sensibility. These songs dominated rock radio and showcased the band’s knack for anthemic choruses and energetic performances, helping to cement their status as one of the decade’s defining rock acts.
Cheap Trick made a significant impact with their power ballad “The Flame,” which reached high on the charts and became one of their most enduring hits. Their ability to combine catchy melodies with rock energy kept them relevant in the competitive 1988 rock scene.
U2 released Rattle and Hum in 1988, an album and film project that captured their exploration of American roots music alongside their trademark anthemic rock. Songs like “Desire,” “Angel of Harlem,” and “When Love Comes to Town” reflected their evolving sound and deepening social consciousness, further solidifying their global stature.
Van Halen released OU812, featuring hits such as “When It’s Love” and “Finish What Ya Started.” These tracks highlighted the band’s versatility, blending hard rock riffs with melodic hooks and showcasing David Lee Roth’s charismatic vocals, contributing to their continued commercial success.
Tracey Chapman emerged as a powerful new voice in 1988 with her self-titled debut album, featuring the hit “Fast Car.” Her blend of folk, rock, and socially conscious lyrics offered a poignant contrast to the glam and hard rock dominating the charts, earning critical acclaim and broadening the musical conversation of the year.
The Cowboy Junkies also gained attention for their atmospheric, introspective sound, particularly with their album The Trinity Session. Their blend of alternative country and folk rock added a unique texture to the late 1980s music scene, appealing to listeners seeking depth and mood over bombast.
Cinderella, part of the glam metal wave, scored hits with songs like “Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)” and “Gypsy Road.” Their blues-infused hard rock style distinguished them within the crowded hair metal scene, and their ballads became staples of 1988 rock radio.
Guns N’ Roses exploded onto the scene a year ago with their debut album Appetite for Destruction, featuring iconic tracks such as “Welcome to the Jungle” and “Sweet Child o’ Mine.” This year they released Gun N’ Roses Lies featuring the songs Patience and Uses to Love Her. Their raw energy, gritty lyrics, and fusion of punk attitude with hard rock musicianship revitalized the genre and made them one of the most influential bands of the late 1980s.
Together, these artists illustrate the rich tapestry of 1988’s music scene—from the polished arena rock of Bon Jovi and Van Halen, the anthemic and socially aware U2, to the raw, rebellious spirit of Guns N’ Roses and the introspective folk of Tracy Chapman and the Cowboy Junkies. This diversity helped define 1988 as a year of both commercial success and artistic innovation in popular music.
The following is a list of my favorite songs from 1988. I will only list my favorite song from each album, despite liking several. (The list contains affiliate links that if you click, I may earn a commission if purchased within a limited time.)
- The Flame – Cheap Trick. This song is from their Lap of Luxury album released in April of 1988. Other songs on this album include All Round Up and Don’t Be Cruel. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Angel of Harlem – U2. This song is from their Rattle and Hum album released in October of 1988. Other songs on this album include Desire, All Along the Watchtower, God Part II, and When Love Comes to Town. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Tall Cool One – Robert Plant. This song is from his Now & Zen album released in February of 1988. Other songs on this album include Ship of Fools and Heaven Knows. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Every Rose Has It’s Thorn – Poison. This song is from their Open Up and Say Ahh! Album released in April of 1988. Other songs on this album include Nothin’ but a Good Time. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Bad Medicine – Bon Jovi. This song is from their New Jersey album released in September of 1988. Other songs on this album include Born to Be My Baby, I’ll Be There for You, and Lay Your Hands on Me. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Finish What You Started – Van Halen. This song is from their OU812 album released in May of 1988. Other songs on this album include Black & Blue and When it’s Love. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Kiss Me Deadly – Lita Ford. This song is from her Lita album released in February of 1988. Close My Eyes Forever is also on this album. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Fast Car – Tracy Chapman. This song is from her Tracy Chapman album released in April of 1988. Talkin’ Bout a Revolution is also on this album. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Misguided Angel – The Cowboy Junkies. This song is from their The Trinity Sessions album released in November of 1988. Other songs on this album include I’m so Lonesome I Could Cry, Sweet Jane, and Walking After Midnight. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Straight Up – Paula Abdul. This song is from her Forever Your Girl album released in June of 1988. Other songs on this album include Knocked Out, Forever Your Girl, and Cold Hearted. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Mercedes Boy – Pebbles. This song is from her Pebbles album released in November of 1988. Girlfriend is also on this album. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Electric Blue – Icehouse. This song is from their Man of Colours album released in September of 1988. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- What I Am – Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians. This song is from their Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars album released in August of 1988. Keep Coming Back is also on this album. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Eternal Flame – The Bangles. This song is from their Everything album released in October of 1988. Other songs on this album are In Your Room and Be With You. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Listen to Your Heart – Roxette. This song is from their Look Sharp album released in October of 1988. The Look is also on this album. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Coming Home – Cinderella. This song is on their Long Cold Winter album released in July of 1988. Other songs on this album include Gypsy Road and You Don’t Know What You Got. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- All Fired Up – Pat Benatar. This song is from her Wide Awake in Dreamland album released in July of 1988. Other songs on this album include Don’t Walk Away and One Love. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Patience – Guns N’ Roses. This song is from their G N’ R Lies album released in November of 1988. Other songs on this album include Used to Love Her and One in a Million. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Simply Irresistible – Robert Palmer. This is from his Heavy Nova album released in June of 1988. Other songs on this album include It Could Happen to You and She Makes My Day. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Under the Milky Way – The Church. This song is from their Starfish album released in February of 1988. This album is excellent and one of my favorites. Other songs on this album include Destination, Antenna, and Blood Money. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
I created a playlist on my Youtube Channnel – Musical Pier entitled “Favorite Songs of 1988” so you can listen to these songs performed by the artists listed. Check it out! Thanks for reading!