So I was thinking about this year, and something to post in relation to the ending of it. Music seemed a good and simple route to go. Problem is, I have not turned on my radio this year with the exception of the soft rock station when it turns into a holiday music festival in November. Therefore, I cannot really give you the top songs of 2008. I decided to skip back ten years and try 1998, but that year I lived in a town with no radio stations whatsoever and I lacked MTV (which had probably gone to full time Road Rules marathons at that point anyhow). So, we go twenty years before today and reflect the greatest tunes of 1988. This was the glorious year I was given my first boom-box complete with cassette tape recorder. I do believe that all of these songs were recorded from the radio and made into mixed tapes that I cherished until about 1993 when I carelessly lost them all. Today we have the internet, which means I can listen to them all once again, without deejay’s speaking over the intros.

7. Jane Says-Jane’s Addiction

This song needs to be on the list, but cannot be any higher. There are a few songs that are almost too perfect and this is one of them. This is on every “best of” list out there for this 1988, I think even the country billboard chart has it. I bet if we all sing along world peace will ensue.

6. Punk Rock Girl-The Dead Milkmen

This song makes me laugh…and it carries over to the angry youth of every generation.

5. Always on My Mind- Pet Shop Boys

I am anti-remakes in pop music for the most part. It’s never as good as he original (and the original of this is splendid), and if the original stinks then why bother. I don’t know why this breaks the rule for me, but it does it in a fabulous way.

4.I’ll Be There for You-Bon Jovi

Let me tell you a secret: For a few years, a few years back, I went through a phase where I could not listen to Bon Jovi enough. And I listened to this song more than any other, both then and in 1988.

3. The Promise- When in Rome

I have an addiction to iTunes, I like to listen to the 30 second teases. I like to buy the songs of which I need more than 30 seconds. But when i looked up this song I was disgusted, the only version they have has a Napoleon Dynamite talk over at the end. Makes me so angry. Also makes me angry, the lead singers hair, I wish to cut it. Some people can pull off long hair, and others should stay far away.

2. Hot Hot Hot!- The Cure

Why do I have such a thing for the 80’s version of Robert Smith? I am looked at sideways when I proclaim my love for the man. “Bu-bu-But…he’s all lipstick…and eye make-up…and hair all over the place?!” Though this is true, he is a genius and for one lovely video, he takes off the costume and shows the world what he would look like as a yuppie. And when my son asks why he doesn’t get a little brother, I always tell him that I am unsure if I could love a little boy as much as I love him. When in truth, I am holding out for a thirty year old Robert Smith before I bear any more children. (Now that I have creeped you all out, let’s explore #1!)

1. Kokomo-The Beach Boys

Let’s all tell each other the truth, this song is as good as a box of Chex Mix opened three months ago. But dammit, we all know it by heart. We all loved it. If you are in the vicinity of my age, there was a brief awkward moment where your favorite song was by a band your parents listened to and loved…let’s never talk of this again.