At the tail end of the 1980s in 1989, pop hits across quite a few genres were all over the top of the charts. Sadly, over the years, many of those iconic pop hits from 1989 have been forgotten by modern-day listeners. Letโs change that, shall we? These four tunes deserve just as much love today as they did when they first dropped in 1989.
โI Drove All Nightโ by Cyndi Lauper from โA Night To Rememberโ
This dramatic synth-driven jam from 80s queen Cyndi Lauper still hits so good today. Sadly, though, I canโt remember the last time I heard it on the radio.
Videos by American Songwriter
โI Drove All Nightโ was originally intended for Roy Orbison to record, but his version wasnโt released until the early 1990s. Cyndi Lauperโs version is technically the first to hit the airwaves, and it was a Top 10 hit across the globe.
โWhen I See You Smileโ by Bad English from โBad Englishโ
This pop-rock jam from Bad English had the squeaky-clean production and big sound of a pop hit for the era, and it definitely deserved the love it got from mainstream audiences. โWhen I See You Smileโ by Bad English peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and also topped the pop charts in Canada.
โHeavenโ by Warrant from โDirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Richโ
This jam from Warrant might be glam metal, but it was a definite pop hit on the mainstream charts. But for some reason, even on classic rock radio, I never really heard โHeavenโ anymore. That should change, because this song still slaps. โHeavenโ by Warrant was a radio smash hit, peaking at No. 2 on the Hot 100 in 1989.
โSowing The Seeds Of Loveโ by Tears For Fears from โThe Seeds Of Loveโ
Most people think of โEverybody Wants To Rule The Worldโ when they think of Tears For Fears. However, the band had plenty of other very memorable songs. Itโs a shame that โSowing The Seeds Of Loveโ makes it to our list of forgotten pop hits from 1989, as itโs really an excellent psych-pop-influenced jam with almost modern-sounding production. This baroque-pop-leaning tune peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100 and No. 5 on the UK Singles chart.
Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images








