This is a summary of 1987 in music in the United Kingdom, including the official charts from that year.
The start of the year saw an important milestone in electronic dance music, when Steve "Silk" Hurley's song "Jack Your Body" became the first house music track to reach number 1 in the UK charts. This was despite Hurley refusing to promote the song, and the 12-inch single technically breaking chart rules as it was longer than the allowed 25-minute play time. House music had been steadily growing in popularity since it started underground in the early 1980s, and another number 1 would follow in September, the huge selling "Pump Up The Volume" by British act M|A|R|R|S which was one of the top ten biggest selling songs of the year.
For most of the 1980s, the main musical format in the charts was the gramophone record, with songs being released on both 7-inch and 12-inch vinyl singles. However, in 1987 two new formats started to appear. The first was the digital CD single, where songs are put on a Compact Disc. These were first made eligible for the UK Singles Chart this year, and the first number 1 to be released as a CD single was Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" released in May. The second was the cassette single where the song is released on an audio tape - the BPI began recording their sales this year, but they would not become eligible until 1989. Both formats would dominate the chart throughout the 1990s.
Synthpop bands Pet Shop Boys and Erasure continued their success from their breakthrough year in 1986, with the Pet Shop Boys achieving their second number 1 single ("It's a Sin") in the summer, and two more top ten singles with "What Have I Done to Deserve This?", a collaboration with Dusty Springfield, which peaked at number 2, and "Rent", which peaked at number 8. Their album "Actually" also sold well and peaked at number 2. Erasure's album The Circus was their first charting album and peaked at number 6, and had two top 10 hits this year with the eponymous title track and "Victim of Love", as well as the number 12 charting "It Doesn't Have to Be" and their big hit from the previous year, "Sometimes". Both bands would continue to have huge success into the early 1990s.
The sound of producers Stock Aitken Waterman continued to grow in popularity, as they moved from their previous Hi-NRG sound to one more pop-based. It gave them big hits with girl group Bananarama, with their song "Love in the First Degree" becoming their biggest hit ever when it peaked at number 3, and American singer Sinitta with "Toy Boy", the successful No.4 followup to the big selling song "So Macho" from 1986. They also achieved two number one's, one being girl duo Mel and Kim's "Respectable", and created a huge star with the baritone-voiced singer Rick Astley. In 1987 he had a number one album with "Whenever You Need Somebody", and several high charting singles including the title track and the biggest selling single of the year, his number 1 breakthrough song "Never Gonna Give You Up".
Madonna continued her long run of Top Ten hits throughout the year, scoring two number one's, "La Isla Bonita" in April and "Who's That Girl" in July; the former was her third number one single from the multi-million selling album True Blue and the latter was taken from the film of the same name in which Madonna herself starred. Although the film was critically panned, the soundtrack album hit a respectable No.4 and generated two more Top 10 hits for Madonna; "Causing a Commotion" (No.4, September) and "The Look of Love" (No.9, December).
Soul singer Ben E. King got a surprise number 1 with a re-release of 1961's "Stand by Me", which was used in an advert for Levi Jeans. Long running band The Bee Gees also got their first number 1 of the decade with "You Win Again", their fifth overall in a 20-year career, and Michael Jackson released the multi-million selling "Bad" one of the highest selling albums in UK chart history. It spawned the number 1 single "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" (a duet with Siedah Garrett), the number 3 title track and the number 3 "The Way You Make Me Feel". The year also saw George Michael launch his solo career post-Wham! with the album "Faith" and its title track, which reached number 2.
The race for the Christmas number one single had many contenders this year. Rick Astley released a cover of "When I Fall In Love", and the 1956 Nat King Cole version was re-released at the same time, while 'Mel & Kim' released a cover of "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" - however, this referred to comedian Mel Smith and singer Kim Wilde rather than the girl group of the same name; proceeds went to the charity Comic Relief. A very popular Christmas song released this year was a collaboration with Irish band The Pogues and singer Kirsty MacColl, with the song "Fairytale of New York". With its bitter tale about the breakup of two lovers, it was very different from other Christmas songs around.
In the end, it was the Pet Shop Boys who had the Christmas number one of 1987, with their cover of Elvis Presley's "Always on My Mind". The Pogues peaked at number 2 and has been re-issued several times since, reaching the top 10 in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
In the world of classical music Nicholas Maw's new work Odyssey made an impact, and veteran composer Malcolm Arnold produced his Salute to Thomas Merritt, Op. 98, whilst Michael Nyman and Judith Weir both brought new operas to the stage. The BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition was won by Italian soprano Valeria Esposito, and the Lieder prize was introduced into the competition for the first time.
Chart date (week ending) | Song | Artist(s) | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
3 January | "Reet Petite" | 3 | |
10 January | |||
17 January | |||
24 January | "Jack Your Body" | 2 | |
31 January | |||
7 February | "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" | 2 | |
14 February | |||
21 February | "Stand by Me" | 3 | |
28 February | |||
7 March | |||
14 March | "Everything I Own" | 2 | |
21 March | |||
28 March | "Respectable" | 1 | |
4 April | "Let It Be" | 3 | |
11 April | |||
18 April | |||
25 April | "La Isla Bonita" | 2 | |
2 May | |||
9 May | "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" | 4 | |
16 May | |||
23 May | |||
30 May | |||
6 June | "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" | 2 | |
13 June | |||
20 June | "Star Trekkin'" | 2 | |
27 June | |||
4 July | "It's a Sin" | 3 | |
11 July | |||
18 July | |||
25 July | "Who's That Girl" | Madonna | 1 |
1 August | "La Bamba" | 2 | |
8 August | |||
15 August | "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" | 2 | |
22 August | |||
29 August | "Never Gonna Give You Up" | 5 | |
5 September | |||
12 September | |||
19 September | |||
26 September | |||
3 October | "Pump Up the Volume"/"Anitiиa (The First Time I See She Dance)" | 2 | |
10 October | |||
17 October | "You Win Again" | 4 | |
24 October | |||
31 October | |||
7 November | |||
14 November | "China in Your Hand" | 5 | |
21 November | |||
28 November | |||
5 December | |||
12 December | |||
19 December | "Always on My Mind" | Pet Shop Boys | 2 |
26 December |
Chart date (week ending) | Album | Artist(s) | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
3 January | Now 8 | Various Artists | 2 |
10 January | |||
17 January | The Whole Story | 2 | |
24 January | |||
31 January | Graceland | 3 | |
7 February | |||
14 February | |||
21 February | The Phantom of the Opera | Original London Cast | 3 |
28 February | |||
7 March | |||
14 March | The Very Best of Hot Chocolate | 1 | |
21 March | The Joshua Tree | 2 | |
28 March | |||
4 April | Now 9 | Various Artists | 5 |
11 April | |||
18 April | |||
25 April | |||
2 May | |||
9 May | Keep Your Distance | 2 | |
16 May | |||
23 May | It's Better to Travel | 2 | |
30 May | |||
6 June | Live in the City of Light | 1 | |
13 June | Whitney | 6 | |
20 June | |||
27 June | |||
4 July | |||
11 July | |||
18 July | |||
25 July | Introducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D'Arby | 1 | |
1 August | Hits 6 | Various Artists | 4 |
8 August | |||
15 August | |||
22 August | |||
29 August | Hysteria | 1 | |
5 September | Hits 6 | Various Artists | 1 |
12 September | Bad | 5 | |
19 September | |||
26 September | |||
3 October | |||
10 October | |||
17 October | Tunnel of Love | 1 | |
24 October | ...Nothing Like the Sun | 1 | |
31 October | Tango in the Night | 2 | |
7 November | |||
14 November | Faith | 1 | |
21 November | Bridge of Spies | 1 | |
28 November | Whenever You Need Somebody | 1 | |
5 December | Now 10 | Various Artists | 4 |
12 December | |||
19 December | |||
26 December |
scope=col | scope=col | Title | scope=col | Artist | scope=col | Peak position | scope=col | Estimated sales[7] | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 1 | "Never Gonna Give You Up" | 1 | 810,000 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 2 | "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" | Starship | 1 | 740,000 | ||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 3 | "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" | 1 | 640,000 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 4 | "You Win Again" | Bee Gees | 1 | 590,000 | ||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 5 | "China in Your Hand" | T'Pau | 1 | 570,000 | ||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 6 | "Respectable" | Mel and Kim | 1 | 570,000 | ||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 7 | "Stand by Me" | 1 | 530,000 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 8 | "It's a Sin" | Pet Shop Boys | 1 | 475,000 | ||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 9 | "Star Trekkin'" | 1 | 470,000 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 10 | "Pump Up the Volume"/"Anitiиa (The First Time I See She Dance)" | M|A|R|R|S | 1 | 450,000 | ||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 11 | "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" | and Aretha Franklin | 1 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 12 | "Under the Boardwalk" | 2 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 13 | "Let It Be" | Ferry Aid | 1 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 14 | "Always on My Mind" | Pet Shop Boys | 1 | 430,000 | ||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 15 | "Got My Mind Set on You" | 2 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 16 | "Can't Be with You Tonight" | 2 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 17 | "La Isla Bonita" | Madonna | 1 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 18 | "La Bamba" | Los Lobos | 1 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 19 | "Hold Me Now" | 2 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 20 | "Who's That Girl" | Madonna | 1 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 21 | "Everything I Own" | 1 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 22 | "Down to Earth" | Curiosity Killed the Cat | 3 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 23 | "When a Man Loves a Woman" | 2 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 24 | "Heartache" | Pepsi & Shirlie | 2 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 25 | "Always" | Atlantic Starr | 3 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 26 | "Whenever You Need Somebody" | 3 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 27 | "Toy Boy" | Sinitta | 4 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 28 | "I Get the Sweetest Feeling" | 3 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 29 | "Faith" | 2 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 30 | "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" | featuring Siedah Garrett | 1 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 31 | "Live It Up" | Mental As Anything | 3 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 32 | "Love in the First Degree" | Bananarama | 3 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 33 | "Crockett's Theme | 2 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 34 | "Alone" | Heart | 3 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 35 | "Wipe Out" | and The Beach Boys | 2 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 36 | "Call Me" | Spagna | 2 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 37 | "Let's Wait Awhile" | 3 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 38 | "Jack Your Body" | 1 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 39 | "The Great Pretender" | 4 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 40 | "Male Stripper" | Man 2 Man meets Man Parrish | 4 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 41 | "Lean on Me" | Club Nouveau | 3 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 42 | "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" | Pet Shop Boys with Dusty Springfield | 2 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 43 | "Some People" | 3 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 44 | "A Boy from Nowhere" | 2 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 45 | "With or Without You" | U2 | 4 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 46 | "Wishing Well" | 4 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 47 | "Heart and Soul" | T'Pau | 4 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 48 | "Fairytale of New York" | featuring Kirsty MacColl | 2 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 49 | "Full Metal Jacket (I Wanna Be Your Drill Instructor)" | and Nigel Goulding | 2 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 50 | "When I Fall in Love"/"My Arms Keep Missing You" | 2 |
scope=col | scope=col | Title | scope=col | Artist | scope=col | Peak position | scope=col | Estimated sales | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 1 | Bad | 1 | 1,650,000 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 2 | The Joshua Tree | U2 | 1 | 1,450,000 | ||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 3 | Whitney | 1 | 1,280,000 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 4 | Now 10 | Various Artists | 1 | 1,075,000 | ||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 5 | Hits 6 | Various Artists | 1 | 1,050,000 | ||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 6 | Tango in the Night | Fleetwood Mac | 1 | 920,000 | ||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 7 | Whenever You Need Somebody | 1 | 850,000 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 8 | Bridge of Spies | T'Pau | 1 | 780,000 | ||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 9 | The Phantom of the Opera | Original London Cast | 1 | 735,000 | ||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 10 | Hits 7 | Various Artists | 2 | 695,000 | ||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 11 | Running in the Family | Level 42 | 2 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 12 | Now 9 | Various Artists | 1 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 13 | Raindancing | 2 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 14 | Graceland | 1 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 15 | Actually | Pet Shop Boys | 2 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 16 | Introducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D'Arby | 1 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 17 | All the Best! | 2 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 18 | Invisible Touch | Genesis | 2 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 19 | Men and Women | Simply Red | 2 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 20 | The Best of UB40 – Volume One | UB40 | 3 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 21 | True Blue | Madonna | 2 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 22 | Live in the City of Light | Simple Minds | 1 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 23 | The Singles | 6 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 24 | Keep Your Distance | Curiosity Killed the Cat | 1 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 25 | Faith | 1 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 26 | The Cream of Eric Clapton | 3 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 27 | Solitude Standing | 2 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 28 | Always Guaranteed | 5 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 29 | The Very Best of Hot Chocolate | Hot Chocolate | 1 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 30 | Sixties Mix | Various Artists | 3 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 31 | The Circus | Erasure | 6 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 32 | Give Me the Reason | 9 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 33 | Silk & Steel | Five Star | 5 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 34 | Hysteria | Def Leppard | 1 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 35 | F.L.M. | Mel and Kim | 3 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 36 | Brothers in Arms | Dire Straits | 11 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 37 | Popped In Souled Out | Wet Wet Wet | 2 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 38 | So | 6 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 39 | Whitesnake 1987 | Whitesnake | 8 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 40 | It's Better to Travel | Swing Out Sister | 1 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 41 | Who's That Girl | Original Soundtrack | 4 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 42 | Simply Shadows | 7 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 43 | You Can Dance | Madonna | 5 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 44 | Dancing with Strangers | 2 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 45 | The Return of Bruno | 4 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 46 | Bad Animals | Heart | 7 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 47 | Hearsay | 10 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 48 | Move Closer | Various Artists | 4 | |||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 49 | Tunnel of Love | 1 | ||||||
scope=row style="text-align:center;" | 50 | Licensed to Ill | Beastie Boys | 7 |
Notes:
The 1987 BRIT Awards winners were: