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