List of Billboard Hot 100 number ones of 1987 explained
These are the Billboard Hot 100 number-one hits of 1987. The longest running number-one singles of 1987 are "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi and "Faith" by George Michael which each logged four weeks at number one. "Walk Like an Egyptian" was number one for the last two weeks of 1986 and the first two of 1987, and "Faith" attained three weeks at number one in 1987 and one week in 1988, giving both songs four weeks at the top.
That year, 16 acts earned their first number one song, such as Gregory Abbott, Billy Vera and the Beaters, Club Nouveau, Cutting Crew, U2, Kim Wilde, Atlantic Starr, Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, Bob Seger, Los Lobos, Siedah Garrett, Whitesnake, Tiffany, Billy Idol, Bill Medley (his first as a solo artist after recording with The Righteous Brothers), and Belinda Carlisle. Madonna, George Michael, U2, Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, Whitney Houston, and Michael Jackson were the only acts to hit number one more than once, with each of them hitting twice.
Chart history
style="background-color:#FFFF99" | Indicates best-performing single of 1987 | |
An asterisk (*) by a date indicates an unpublished, "frozen" week, due to the special double issues that
Billboard published in print at the end of the year for their year-end charts.
Number-one artists
See also
Additional sources
- Fred Bronson's Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits, 5th Edition
- Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-2008, 12 Edition
- Joel Whitburn Presents the Billboard Hot 100 Charts: The Eighties
- Additional information obtained can be verified within Billboard's online archive services and print editions of the magazine.
Notes and References
- Web site: January 3, 1987. .
- Web site: January 10, 1987. .
- News: Bangles Walk Out of '86 on Top and Step Into '87 Lead. 1987-01-09. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: January 17, 1987. .
- News: Springsteen Loses His Grip on the Top as 'Slippery When Wet' Returns. https://archive.today/20130104141907/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24623407.html?dids=24623407:24623407&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+16,+1987&author=Jan+DeKnock&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=SPRINGSTEEN+LOSES+HIS+GRIP+ON+THE+TOP+AS+'SLIPPERY+WHEN+WET'+RETURNS&pqatl=google. dead. January 4, 2013. 1987-01-16. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: January 24, 1987. .
- News: Billy Vera's Second Chance Rides TV Coattails to No. 1. 1987-01-23. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: January 31, 1987. .
- News: For Billy Vera & The Beaters, Another Winning 'Moment'. 1987-01-30. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: February 7, 1987. .
- News: 'Open Your Heart' Puts Madonna Back on Top, For Now. 1987-02-06. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: February 14, 1987. .
- News: Hit Trick--Bon Jovi Scores Twice in Heavy Metal Coup. 1987-02-13. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: February 21, 1987. .
- News: Top Single and Album Give Bon Jovi a 2D Straight Hit Trick. 1987-02-20. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: February 28, 1987. .
- News: Bon Jovi Still 'Livin' it Up With a Double Run at No. 1. 1987-02-27. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: March 7, 1987. .
- News: Beastie Boys Shove Past Bon Jovi for No. 1 Album. https://web.archive.org/web/20121105102211/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24877312.html?dids=24877312:24877312&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Mar+06,+1987&author=Jan+DeKnock&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=BEASTIE+BOYS+SHOVE+PAST+BON+JOVI+FOR+NO.+1+ALBUM&pqatl=google. dead. November 5, 2012. 1987-03-06. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: March 14, 1987. .
- News: Huey Lewis & News Climb 'Jacob's Ladder' to the Top. 1987-03-13. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: March 21, 1987. .
- News: Club Nouveau's Remake Puts Bill Withers' 'Lean on Me' Back on Top. https://archive.today/20130104093437/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24881411.html?dids=24881411:24881411&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+20,+1987&author=Jan+DeKnock&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=CLUB+NOUVEAU'S+REMAKE+PUTS+BILL+WITHERS'+'LEAN+ON+ME'+BACK+ON+TOP&pqatl=google. dead. January 4, 2013. 1987-03-20. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: March 28, 1987. .
- News: Club Nouveau Holds on to No. 1 Despite Starship's Rise. https://archive.today/20130104172355/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24883235.html?dids=24883235:24883235&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+27,+1987&author=Jan+DeKnock&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=CLUB+NOUVEAU+HOLDS+ON+TO+NO.+1+DESPITE+STARSHIP'S+RISE&pqatl=google. dead. January 4, 2013. 1987-03-27. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: April 4, 1987. .
- News: Starship's Right--Nothing Could Stop 'Em. 1987-04-03. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: April 11, 1987. .
- News: Starship Maintains Its Grip on Top with 'Nothing Gonna Stop Us Now'. https://archive.today/20130104163513/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24887176.html?dids=24887176:24887176&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Apr+10,+1987&author=Jan+DeKnock&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=STARSHIP+MAINTAINS+ITS+GRIP+ON+TOP+WITH+'NOTHING'S+GONNA+STOP+US+NOW'&pqatl=google. dead. January 4, 2013. 1987-04-10. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: April 18, 1987. .
- News: Aretha Franklin Hits No. 1 Again After 20-Year Hiatus. 1987-04-17. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: April 25, 1987. .
- Web site: May 2, 1987. .
- News: Britain's Cutting Crew Hits the Top Single's Spot. 1987-05-01. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: May 9, 1987. .
- News: Cutting Crew, U2 Hold Onto Spots at Top of the Charts. https://web.archive.org/web/20121019034306/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24609184.html?dids=24609184:24609184&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=May+08,+1987&author=Jan+DeKnock&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=CUTTING+CREW,+U2+HOLD+ONTO+SPOTS+AT+TOP+OF+THE+CHARTS&pqatl=google. dead. October 19, 2012. 1987-05-08. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: May 16, 1987. .
- News: Single's Surge Gives Irish Supergroup U2 Its First 'Double' on the Chart. https://archive.today/20130104113712/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24612874.html?dids=24612874:24612874&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=May+15,+1987&author=Jan+DeKnock&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=SINGLE'S+SURGE+GIVES+IRISH+SUPERGROUP+U2+ITS+FIRST+'DOUBLE'+ON+THE+CHART&pqatl=google. dead. January 4, 2013. 1987-05-15. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: May 23, 1987. .
- News: U2 Continues Chart Domination--Both Here and Abroad. 1987-05-22. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: May 30, 1987. .
- News: U2 Clings to Top-of-the-Heap Status With Another Double. 1987-05-29. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: June 6, 1987. .
- News: Kim Wilde's 'Hanging On' Remakes Its Way to the Top. https://archive.today/20130104102736/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24621533.html?dids=24621533:24621533&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jun+05,+1987&author=Jan+DeKnock&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=KIM+WILDE'S+'HANGING+ON'+REMAKES+ITS+WAY+TO+THE+TOP&pqatl=google. dead. January 4, 2013. 1987-06-05. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: June 13, 1987. .
- News: Heavy-Metal Motley Crue Charges Charts with 'Girls'. https://archive.today/20130131231347/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24624495.html?dids=24624495:24624495&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jun+12,+1987&author=Jan+DeKnock&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=HEAVY-METAL+MOTLEY+CRUE+CHARGES+CHARTS+WITH+'GIRLS'&pqatl=google. dead. January 31, 2013. 1987-06-12. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-09-21.
- The Hot 100 Chart. .
- Web site: June 20, 1987. .
- News: Hot Hit From Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam Delays Houston's Journey to the Top. 1987-06-19. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- The Hot 100 Chart. .
- Web site: June 27, 1987. .
- News: Summer Heat Doesn't Sizzle Like Whitney Houston's Latest. 1987-06-26. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- The Hot 100 Chart. .
- Web site: July 4, 1987. .
- News: Whitney Houston a Double Winner Once More as 'Dance' Keeps Moving. 1987-07-03. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- The Hot 100 Chart. .
- Web site: July 11, 1987. .
- News: Whitney Houston Fervor Ebbs as Heart Breaks Her Hold on No. 1 Spot. https://web.archive.org/web/20121105102242/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24636600.html?dids=24636600:24636600&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+10,+1987&author=Jan+DeKnock&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=WHITNEY+HOUSTON+FERVOR+EBBS+AS+HEART+BREAKS+HER+HOLD+ON+NO.+1+SPOT&pqatl=google. dead. November 5, 2012. 1987-07-10. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- The Hot 100 Chart. .
- Web site: July 18, 1987. .
- News: Heart Holding Firm Against Seger Push. 1987-07-17. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: July 25, 1987. .
- News: Heart's 'Alone' Still Stands Alone on Top of Singles' Heap. 1987-07-24. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: August 1, 1987. .
- News: 'Shakedown' Takes Seger to Top of Chart for First Time. 1987-07-31. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: August 8, 1987. .
- News: U2 Can Stop Looking as Song Makes No. 1. 1987-08-07. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: August 15, 1987. .
- News: U2 Hangs on to Top Spot But Other Acts Close Behind. 1987-08-14. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: August 22, 1987. .
- News: Madonna Soars to Top of the Charts for the Sixth Time. https://web.archive.org/web/20120619062131/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24660679.html?dids=24660679:24660679&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+21%2C+1987&author=Jan+DeKnock&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=MADONNA+SOARS+TO+TOP+OF+THE+CHARTS+FOR+THE+SIXTH+TIME&pqatl=google. dead. June 19, 2012. 1987-08-22. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: August 29, 1987. .
- News: Movie Propels 'La Bamba' to the Top of the Charts. 1987-08-28. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: September 5, 1987. .
- News: Chart Stars Ready to Bow to Jackson. 1987-09-04. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-02.
- Web site: September 12, 1987. .
- News: 'La Bamba' Blitz Delays Michael Jackson's Run at No. 1. https://archive.today/20130104121406/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24739747.html?dids=24739747:24739747&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+11,+1987&author=Jan+DeKnock&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc='LA+BAMBA'+BLITZ+DELAYS+MICHAEL+JACKSON'S+RUN+AT+NO.+1&pqatl=google. dead. January 4, 2013. 1987-09-11. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: September 19, 1987. .
- News: Short Week Keeps Jackson's 'Bad' off the Album Chart. https://archive.today/20130104093745/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24743770.html?dids=24743770:24743770&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+18,+1987&author=Jan+DeKnock&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=SHORT+WEEK+KEEPS+JACKSON'S+'BAD'+OFF+THE+ALBUM+CHART&pqatl=google. dead. January 4, 2013. 1987-09-18. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: September 26, 1987. .
- News: Good News for 'Bad' Album But Bad for Its First Single. https://archive.today/20130104130907/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24747700.html?dids=24747700:24747700&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+25,+1987&author=Jan+DeKnock&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=GOOD+NEWS+FOR+'BAD'+ALBUM+BUT+BAD+FOR+ITS+FIRST+SINGLE&pqatl=google. dead. January 4, 2013. 1987-09-25. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-01.
- Web site: October 3, 1987. .
- News: 'Bad' is World Sensation: No. 1 in Five Countries. 1987-10-02. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-04-19.
- Web site: October 10, 1987. .
- News: Whitesnake Finally Slips into Top Spot. https://archive.today/20120713145141/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sun_sentinel/access/88022360.html?dids=88022360:88022360&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+09,+1987&author=JAN+DEKNOCK,+Chicago+Tribune&pub=South+Florida+Sun+-+Sentinel&desc=WHITESNAKE+FINALLY+SLIPS+INTO+TOP+SPOT&pqatl=google. dead. July 13, 2012. 1987-10-09. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-09-21.
- Web site: October 17, 1987. .
- News: 'Lost in Emotion' Finds Its Way to No. 1. 1987-10-17. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-02.
- Web site: October 24, 1987. .
- News: Bruce Springsteen's 'Tunnel' Faces Test. 1987-10-23. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-04-19.
- Web site: October 31, 1987. .
- News: Jackson's 'Bad' is Doing Very, Very Well. https://archive.today/20130104151640/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24850527.html?dids=24850527:24850527&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+30,+1987&author=Jan+DeKnock&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=JACKSON'S+'BAD'+IS+DOING+VERY,+VERY+WELL&pqatl=google. dead. January 4, 2013. 1987-10-30. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-02.
- Web site: November 7, 1987. .
- News: 'Tunnel of Love' Bumps 'Bad' From the Top of Album List. 1987-11-06. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-02.
- Web site: November 14, 1987. .
- News: 'Dirty Dancing' Kicks 'Tunnel' off the Top. https://archive.today/20130201035013/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24854649.html?dids=24854649:24854649&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+13,+1987&author=Jan+DeKnock&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc='DIRTY+DANCING'+KICKS+'TUNNEL'+OFF+THE+TOP&pqatl=google. dead. February 1, 2013. 1987-11-13. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-09-21.
- Web site: November 21, 1987. .
- News: Another Shondells Remake Takes Over as the No. 1 Single. 1987-11-21. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-02.
- Web site: November 28, 1987. .
- News: Ex-Righteous Brother Has Time of His Life Back at No. 1. https://web.archive.org/web/20121019063508/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24858789.html?dids=24858789:24858789&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+27,+1987&author=Jan+DeKnock&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=EX-RIGHTEOUS+BROTHER+HAS+TIME+OF+HIS+LIFE+BACK+AT+NO.+1&pqatl=google. dead. October 19, 2012. 1987-11-28. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-02.
- Web site: December 5, 1987. .
- News: Chart Watching. https://archive.today/20130104141119/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24860869.html?dids=24860869:24860869&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+04,+1987&author=Jan+DeKnock&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Chart+watching.&pqatl=google. dead. January 4, 2013. 1987-12-04. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-02.
- Web site: December 12, 1987. .
- News: George Michael's 'Faith' Doubles This Week. 1987-12-12. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-02.
- Web site: December 19, 1987. .
- News: George Michael Keeps the 'Faith' at No. 1. 1987-12-18. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-02.
- Web site: December 26, 1987. .
- News: Michael's 'Faith' Holds on to No. 1 at Chart Year's Finale. 1987-12-23. DeKnock, Jan. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. 2009-02-02.