Billboard Number One Hits of 1988 Quiz

Answer: Whitney Houston

"So Emotional" is Whitney's sixth consecutive number one release. It was the final song recorded on the "Whitney" album. Songwriters Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly didn't have her in mind when they composed the song. They conceived the song with the working title "Emotional" and recorded a demo within a couple of days.

When it finally reached Clive Davis' staff as "So Emotional" it was well received and promptly recorded by Whitney. "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" is the fourth single from Whitney Houston's second album and also reached number one in 1988. Natalie Cole charted the number ten "Pink Cadillac" in 1988.

The number ten "I Found Someone" was Cher's contribution to the 1988 Billboard hits. "Could've Been" was taken to number one in February, 1988, by Tiffany.

Answer: Got My Mind Set on You

Former Electric Light Orchestra front man Jeff Lynne was asked by George to co-produce the "Cloud Nine" album with him after a five year break from the billboard charts. George had been involved in the production of the movies "Time Bandits" and "Shanghai Surprise". A former mailman named Rudy Clark wrote "Got My Mind Set On You" in the early sixties. George changed the arrangement considerably but drummer Jim Keltner actually came up with the infectious drum groove that drives the song along. In the spring of 1988 Lynne, George, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Roy Orbison began recording tracks for a project ultimately released as the "Traveling Wilburys". "Cloud Nine", "When We Was Fab" and "Breath Away from Heaven" are all cuts from George's "Cloud Nine" LP.

Answer: Diane and Annita

"A Groovy Kind of Love" was written by Toni Wine and Carole Bayer Sager. It is based on the Rondo movement of Sonatina in G major, op. 36 no. 5 by Muzio Clementi. The song was released first by Diane & Annita in 1965. Diane & Annita were part of the Scepter/Wand group of artists. Later he same year The Mindbenders released it as their first single. Phil Collins covered the song for the movie "Buster".

The Mindbenders' version reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100, but Phil Collins' version went to number one in both the US and UK charts. "Buster" is an account of the Great Train Robbery of 1963.

It details the character of train robber Buster Edwards and his flight from the law. "Two Hearts" is another Collins release from the movie. Peter and Gordon had a major British Invasion hit with "World Without Love" and the Searchers broke out with Sonny Bono and Jack Nitsche's composition "Needles and Pins".

Answer: Need You Tonight

In January, 1988, "Need You Tonight" topped the charts for the Australian band. The song was written by Andrew Farris and Michael Hutchence while they were touring in Hong Kong. It was the first US number one from an Australian band in five years. INXS reportedly derived their name from a roadie's suggestion they call the band "In Excess".

They made their live debut as INXS on September 1, 1979, at the Oceanview Hotel in Toukley. They began touring frequently and released the "Underneath the Colours" album in 1981.

In 1982 their first charted US hit was the number 30 "The One Thing". "What You Need" is a 1985 release and became the band's first US hit, peaking at number five. "Listen Like Thieves" came out the following year and "New Sensation" is from the 1987 "Kick" album.

Answer: Together Forever

"Together Forever" ascended to number one on June 18th, 1988. It was Astley's final US number one. Rick worked in a studio as a tape operator. He was very shy and started coming out of his shell while working with some of the major acts in the studio.

He eventually did a demo recording and producers Mike Stock and Matt Aitken were surprised at the range and power of his voice. Rick began singing in a band in the evenings and refining his studio vocal techniques. Matt and Mike wrote "Never Gonna give You Up" and "Together Forever" with Pete Waterman for Rick. "Don't Shed A Tear" is a 1988 number nine song by Paul Carrack. "Make Me Lose Control" was recorded by Eric Carnen in 1988 and "One Good Woman" is by former Chicago singer Peter Cetera.

Answer: Anything for You

"Anything for You" was written by Gloria Estefan. The song is on their 1987 album, "Let It Loose". "Anything for You" became number one on May 14, 1988, and remained there for two weeks. It is Gloria and Miami Sound Machine's first number one. In 1984 Miami Sound Machine released their first LP, "Eyes Of Innocence".

It contains the dance hit "Dr. Beat" and the ballad "I Need Your Love". "Primitive Love" was released in 1985 containing the three Top 10 hits "Conga", "Words Get In The Way" and "Bad Boy". In 1988 Estefan took top billing and the band's name changed to Gloria Estefan and The Miami Sound Machine.

In 1989 the group's name was dropped altogether with the firing of Miami Sound Machine band members. Estefan continues as a solo artist and Miami Sound Machine continues as her backing band with varying membership.

After the success of "Anything For You" the "Let it Loose" album was repackaged as "Anything For You". "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You" reached number five, "Can't Stay Away From You" reached number six.

Answer: The Escape Club

"Wild, Wild West" is from The Escape Club's debut album, "Wild Wild West". The single hit the charts in late 1988 and reached number one November 12. The Escape Club formed in 1983. The band consisted of Trevor Steel, John Holliday, Johnnie Christo and Milan Zekavica.

In 1986 they signed with EMI and recorded the album "White Fields". In 1987 they signed with Atlantic Records for the "Wild Wild West" album. The album was released in the summer of 1988. The video received a lot of MTV airplay. In 1989 they released two more singles from "Wild Wild West", "Shake For The Sheik" and "Walking Through Walls". "Shattered Dreams" went to number two for Johnny Hates Jazz. "What Have I Done To Deserve This?" was by The Pet Shop Boys and Dusty Springfield.

It also reached number two in the US and Breathe did the 1988 number two "Hands To Heaven".

Answer: Bad Medicine

The hit songs "Bad Medicine", "Lay Your Hands on Me" and "I'll Be There for You", are from the 1988 Bon Jovi album "Bad Medicine". The songs are still in their live concert repertoire. "Bad Medicine" was written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Desmond Child.

There are two videos for the song. One with the band live in concert and the more well known video in which a crowd of young people waiting in line to get into the Bon Jovi live video shoot is asked by Sam Kinison if they can make a better video than the professionals. "Desire" is the lead single from U2's 1988 album, "Rattle and Hum".

It was also their first number one single in the UK. It peaked at number three in the US. "Perfect World" by Huey Lewis & The News hit number three in 1988. "Everything Your Heart Desires" is a number three by Daryl Hall & John Oates.

Answer: Poison

"Every Rose Has Its Thorn" was released in 1988 as the third single from Poison's second album, "Open Up And Say...Ahh!". It is the band's first number one hit on the US Billboard charts. Vocalist Bret Michaels wrote the song in response to a failed love affair with a Los Angeles stripper. Poison was playing at a cowboy bar in Dallas, Texas. Bret heard a man's voice in the background when he called her.

After hanging up he wrote the song while in a laundromat. "Sweet Child o' Mine" is by Guns N' Roses.

It is on their debut album "Appetite for Destruction" and is their first number one single. It spent two weeks at the top spot in September, 1988. "Is This Love?" is a power ballad by Whitesnake, written and sung by David Coverdale. "Pour Some Sugar on Me" is from Def Leppard's 1987 album "Hysteria".

It reached number two in 1988.

Answer: Look Away

"Look Away" was written by Diane Warren. It was recorded by Chicago for their 1988 album "Chicago 19", featuring Bill Champlin doing lead vocals. The song was uncharacteristic of earlier Chicago hits in that it did not feature horns. "I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love" was written by Diane Warren and Albert Hammond for Chicago and is also from "Chicago 19".

It is the first single released from the album and reached number three. "Roll with It" is the fifth solo album by Steve Winwood. It topped the album charts and the single "Roll with It" topped the singles chart in 1988. "Make It Real" is a 1988 number four release by the Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jets.