The year 1987 was a monumental era for pop culture, defined by neon fashion, MTV’s peak influence, and an incredible explosion of musical creativity. From arena rock anthems to groundbreaking synth-pop and soulful ballads, 1987 produced tracks that dominated radio airwaves and redefined modern music production. Decades later, these tracks continue to garner millions of streams, feature in film soundtracks, and captivate new generations of listeners.
Here is a definitive ranking of the top 10 music hits from 1987, evaluated on their cultural impact, production quality, and timeless replay value.
At a Glance: Top 1987 Hits Ranked
| Rank | Song Title | Artist | Primary Genre | Key Highlight |
| 1 | With or Without You | U2 | Alternative Rock | Ambient delay guitar & emotional depth |
| 2 | I Wanna Dance with Somebody | Whitney Houston | Dance-Pop | Unmatched vocal power & infectious synth groove |
| 3 | Bad | Michael Jackson | Pop / Funk Rock | Quincy Jones production & iconic baseline |
| 4 | Sweet Child O’ Mine | Guns N’ Roses | Hard Rock | Legendary intro riff & soaring guitar solos |
| 5 | Faith | George Michael | Rockabilly Pop | Acoustic rhythm & iconic leather-jacket video |
| 6 | Here I Go Again (’87 Version) | Whitesnake | Glam Metal / Hard Rock | Big-hair anthem with explosive power chorus |
| 7 | Sign “O” the Times | Prince | Minimalist Funk / R&B | Socially conscious lyrics & Fairlight CMI synth |
| 8 | Livin’ on a Prayer | Bon Jovi | Arena Rock | Talk-box intro & legendary key change |
| 9 | La Bamba | Los Lobos | Chicano Rock / Pop | First Spanish-language song to top the US charts |
| 10 | Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now | Starship | Power Pop | Soaring duet harmonies & classic movie soundtrack |
Detailed Breakdown: The Top 10 Ranked
10. Starship – “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now”
- Album: No Protection
- Billboard Peak: #1
- Why It Holds Up: Written by songwriting powerhouses Diane Warren and Albert Hammond, this track served as the theme for the movie Mannequin. Fueled by soaring dual vocals from Grace Slick and Mickey Thomas, the song delivers an unmistakable blast of late-80s optimism. Its pristine digital production and polished hook make it an enduring guilty pleasure and a staple of pop radio playlists worldwide.
9. Los Lobos – “La Bamba”
- Album: La Bamba Soundtrack
- Billboard Peak: #1
- Why It Holds Up: Los Lobos adapted Ritchie Valens’ 1958 classic for the biographical film La Bamba, creating a cultural milestone. It became the first Spanish-language song to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The track’s vibrant guitar work, energetic percussion, and roots-rock spirit give it an organic warmth that feels fresh regardless of current music trends.
8. Bon Jovi – “Livin’ on a Prayer”
- Album: Slippery When Wet
- Billboard Peak: #1
- Why It Holds Up: Few songs capture the spirit of working-class hope quite like “Livin’ on a Prayer.” Featuring Richie Sambora’s iconic talk-box guitar riff and Jon Bon Jovi’s passionate delivery, the song peaks with one of the most famous key changes in rock history. It remains a stadium anthem across the globe and a staple for karaoke enthusiasts.
7. Prince – “Sign “O” the Times”
- Album: Sign “O” the Times
- Billboard Peak: #3
- Why It Holds Up: Stripping away the grandiose arrangements of his earlier work, Prince created a minimalist masterwork built around a stark Fairlight CMI synthesizer pattern and a bluesy guitar line. Addressing socio-economic hardships, the AIDS epidemic, and drug abuse, “Sign “O” the Times” proved pop music could be deeply political, intellectually sharp, and irresistibly funky all at once.
6. Whitesnake – “Here I Go Again (’87 Remix)”
- Album: Whitesnake
- Billboard Peak: #1
- Why It Holds Up: Originally recorded in 1982, Whitesnake revamped the track in 1987 with radio-ready synth chords and heavier guitar riffs. Coupled with David Coverdale’s bluesy lead vocals and an MTV video featuring Tawny Kitaen, the song defined the 1980s hair metal wave. The build-up from quiet verse to explosive arena chorus remains a masterclass in dynamic songwriting.
5. George Michael – “Faith”
- Album: Faith
- Billboard Peak: #1
- Why It Holds Up: Launching his solo career after Wham!, George Michael proved his artistic versatility with “Faith.” The song opens with an organ playing Wham!’s “Careless Whisper” before breaking into a driving, rockabilly-inspired acoustic rhythm. Driven by a simple tambourine beat, clean guitar strums, and Michael’s smooth vocals, “Faith” relies on timeless songwriting rather than heavy studio trickery.
4. Guns N’ Roses – “Sweet Child O’ Mine”
- Album: Appetite for Destruction
- Billboard Peak: #1
- Why It Holds Up: Emerging from the Los Angeles rock scene, Guns N’ Roses injected raw grit back into mainstream music. Slash’s opening guitar arpeggio—originally written as a warm-up exercise—is one of the most recognizable riffs in music history. Combined with Axl Rose’s dynamic vocal range and a soaring guitar climax, “Sweet Child O’ Mine” bridges the gap between hard rock aggression and mainstream melodic appeal.
3. Michael Jackson – “Bad”
- Album: Bad
- Billboard Peak: #1
- Why It Holds Up: Following up Thriller was an extraordinary challenge, but Michael Jackson and producer Quincy Jones delivered a bass-heavy, hard-edged pop anthem. Driven by a punchy bass synthesizer and aggressive vocal stabs, “Bad” showcased a tougher side of the King of Pop. The song’s precise production and rhythmic crunch sound just as powerful on modern audio equipment as they did in 1987.
2. Whitney Houston – “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)”
- Album: Whitney
- Billboard Peak: #1
- Why It Holds Up: “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” is a masterpiece of pop execution. Behind the bright, upbeat 80s synths and horn synth patches lies a subtle layer of emotional longing, delivered through Whitney Houston’s unmatched vocal range and control. The key change near the final chorus demonstrates pure vocal mastery, securing its place as an eternal dance-floor favorite.
1. U2 – “With or Without You”
- Album: The Joshua Tree
- Billboard Peak: #1
- Why It Holds Up: Taking the top spot, “With or Without You” is a masterclass in atmospheric tension and subtle arrangement. Anchored by Adam Clayton’s steady bassline and powered by The Edge’s “infinite guitar” textures, the track gradually builds from a quiet whisper to an explosive emotional release. Bono’s vulnerable lyricism on love and surrender elevates the track beyond standard pop-rock, making it a timeless recording that continues to influence modern alternative bands.
Why 1987 Was a Golden Year for Music Production
The music of 1987 represents a unique bridge between analog warmth and digital innovation:
- Digital Synthesizers & Samplers: Instruments like the Yamaha DX7, Roland D-50, and Fairlight CMI became studio standards, creating pristine sounds and rich textures.
- Peak MTV Influence: Music videos were essential visual companions to singles, turning tracks like “Bad”, “Faith”, and “Here I Go Again” into global cultural events.
- Genre Crossovers: Hard rock bands embraced pop melody, pop stars adopted rock and R&B elements, and Spanish-language music broke into mainstream English charts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What was the Billboard #1 song of the year in 1987?
According to the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 of 1987, the top single of the year was “Walk Like an Egyptian” by The Bangles, followed by “Alone” by Heart.
Which album released in 1987 sold the most copies?
U2’s The Joshua Tree and Michael Jackson’s Bad were two of the best-selling albums of 1987, both achieving diamond certifications and producing multiple number-one singles worldwide.
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Why do 1987 songs sound so crisp compared to earlier 80s tracks?
By 1987, recording studios had largely transitioned to digital multi-track recording and advanced digital signal processing (DSP), resulting in cleaner instrument separation and wider dynamic range compared to early 1980s tape recordings.
Penulis: W.S
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