The Simply Irresistible Hits of 1988

Dave and Milt fire up the time machine to revisit Billboard’s Top 10 for the week ending September 10, 1988, amid banter about insomnia, last week’s “Freedom Rock” episode (and Finley the wonderdog), and some period trivia (Hurricane Gilbert, Jerry Lewis’s telethon, Kevin Bacon marrying Kyra Sedgwick, and Elm Street 4 topping the box office). They debate Kenny Loggins’ Caddyshack II soundtrack hit, declare fatigue with “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” praise New Edition’s Jimmy Jam/Terry Lewis upgrade, and note Taylor Dayne’s ballad getting blocked at #3. “Fast Car” is lauded as the week’s enduring masterpiece, while Van Halen’s Sammy-era “When It’s Love” gets torched. George Michael’s “Monkey” sparks a primate-song quiz, Huey’s “Perfect World” gets a reappraisal, Robert Palmer’s “Simply Irresistible” earns affectionate mockery, and Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine” closes the countdown. Winners/substitutions: Dave picks “Monkey,” Milt picks “Fast Car,” they boot “When It’s Love” for Rod Stewart’s “Forever Young,” and swap out “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” for “Parents Just Don’t Understand.”

Topics

01:19 Insomnia and Sleep Hacks

03:18 Freedom Rock Recap

05:26 Back to Regular Pod

05:57 Time Travel to 1988

07:14 This Week in History

10:31 Movies and TV Talk

14:48 Countdown Begins Number 10

15:30 Kenny Loggins Caddyshack II

22:10 Bobby McFerrin Overplayed

30:39 New Edition Jam and Lewis

37:05 Touchdown Dance Story

38:13 New Edition Hall Debate

40:21 Taylor Dayne Deep Dive

43:51 Tig Notaro Taylor Tale

49:01 Fast Car Breakdown

55:06 Tufts Alumni Trivia

57:47 Van Halen Love Ballad

01:05:08 George Michael Monkey

01:11:33 Primate Songs Quiz

01:16:57 Perfect World Deep Dive

01:20:49 Huey Memories and No Apologies

01:23:26 Perfect World Movie Detour

01:24:36 Simply Irresistible Breakdown

01:27:52 Prince Song and Estate Talk

01:31:46 Sweet Child O Mine Analysis

01:37:44 Ticket Tales and Live Shows

01:41:20 Recap and Winner Debate

01:45:39 Substitutions Forever Young

01:49:13 Fresh Prince Surprise Pick