Fireball's Fantastic 500 -- Late 1980s, Part II

[Pastor Fireball]

OK, I am back after a long few days. A little change in the song schedule because of my absence to mourn. I will post 15 songs today to make up for not doing a list either last Friday or this Friday. Another list of 15 songs will come on Friday, August 3. That will put us back on track to complete the Top 500 before Christmas.

#80. She Won't Talk to Me, Luther Vandross (1988)

First time on the countdown for one of America's most beloved R&B artists.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHUbnt1DDu4

#79. Get on Your Feet, Gloria Estefan (1989)

And the first time on the countdown for one of America's most beloved Latin artists.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPOSGVUYgVQ

#78. It's Tricky, Run-D.M.C. (1986)

Not only do I love this song, but this is one of my all-time favorite music videos. Oh, yeah... this video also featured a pair of magicians named Penn & Teller. Whatever happened to those two guys, anyway?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-O5IHVhWj0

#77. Bring Down the Moon, Boy Meets Girl (1989)

Married songwriters George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam sang a few of their own songs during the 1980s, with this being one of them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWoLIQZHV70

This was the follow-up single to the song that takes the next position on my list.

#76. Waiting for a Star to Fall, Boy Meets Girl (1988)

The most popular song by the duo of Merrill and Rubicam. They got to record their own song only because Belinda Carlisle hated it and Clive Davis didn't want Whitney Houston to record it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhxF9Qg5mOU

#75. Livin' on a Prayer, Bon Jovi (1987)

This is obviously Bon Jovi's best song, but it's all the way down at #75 because this half of the decade is so loaded with great songs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDK9QqIzhwk

#74. Rock and Roll Girls, John Fogerty (1985)

Not content with putting three CCR songs in my Top 500, John decided to put in a solo effort, as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0iqFwJbofI

#73. Cry, Waterfront (1989)

One of the few Welsh acts to score a Top 10 single in America.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZvi8tmMzIk

#72. Learning to Fly, Pink Floyd (1987)

Sure, Pink Floyd was several years past their creative peak by this time, but this is such a beautifully mesmerizing song to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVhNCTH8pDs

#71. Leave a Light On, Belinda Carlisle (1989)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgY7W_7zs44

#70. Like No Other Night, .38 Special (1985)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6T0ulHCb9VI

#69. Just Because, Anita Baker (1989)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y5UIw4C8AU

#68. You're a Friend of Mine, Clarence Clemons & Jackson Browne (1985)

The only solo hit for one of America's most famous saxophonists. Daryl Hannah sings backup and features prominently in this video, as she was still dating Jackson at the time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=087mi1e46us

#67. Electric Blue, Icehouse (1987)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgfR3AKCAQI

#66. Sowing the Seeds of Love, Tears for Fears (1989)

Tears for Fears channeled the late-1960s Beatles for this trippy #2 smash.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAtGOESO7W8

And that will do it for this first extended edition of the countdown. Again, I will return on August 3 for another extended edition.