Maple Deep Cuts 1988
Some old campaigners return, some new faces emerge
The top of the 1988 RPM Singles chart was all about Billy Ocean, Rick Astley, and U2 - these artists all spent four weeks at the pinnacle.
Other big number one tunes [ there were 24 in total! ] came from George Michael, Terence Trent D’Arby and Pet Shop Boys.
Our CanCon hitmakers did break the top 30 - notably Glass Tiger with their three Top Tens!
But this series is about the back half of the countdown. The tunes that are buried a little deeper in your mind, or maybe they missed you entirely.
Let’s go!
54・40 - One Day In Your Life, peaked #90
Vancouver’s 54・40 took a little while to find the pop charts, but their small steps in the 80s brought them to a much wider audience as the 90s approached.
Their first big single is from their record ‘Show Me’, and delivers the unmistakeable voice of Neil Osborne, reminding us that a little perspective can help us navigate our challenges.
The band is still active, with their latest release ‘Porto’ coming in 2025.
JATO - Lake of Fire, peaked #90
From Stettler, in Central Alberta we have JATO. This tune was one of two singles the band managed to chart from their self-titled and only LP.
Check out the blazing Chapman Stick work and the mix by Bob Rock. No new music was to follow from the former reggae band, but their alter-ego band Tacoy Ride had releases in 2003 and 2018.
Neil Young & The Bluenotes - This Note’s For You, peaked #80
Sadly, I can’t share the once-banned [and still hilarious] video with you because of that label that doesn’t let you post stuff. As Alanis would say, “isn’t it ironic” that an anti-corporate greed anthem is blocked..?
Anyway, you know Neil Young and I’m so glad that we got him back on the charts in the late 80s after a decade-long absence.
The Razorbacks - It’s Saturday Night, peaked #68
From the streets of Toronto come rockabilly outfit, The Razorbacks.
Their self-titled debut LP [and the follow-up] was produced by none other than legendary session man Chris Spedding.
Their main claim to fame in Canada may still be beating a little band called The Tragically Hip for the ‘Most Promising Group’ CASBY award in 1988. Oops.
After All - Bullets, peaked #63
Before a change of musical direction and a rebrand to Pure, Surrey B.C. gave us one record from After All.
This scene was hot at the time, and the partnership of Jordy Birch and Todd Simko were at the epicentre.
Birch still actively releases new music, but sadly Simko was lost to suicide in 2012. If you are in need of mental health support in Canada, please dial 988.
Myles Goodwyn w/Lee Aaron - Do You Know What I Mean?, peaked #47
What do you get when you combine April Wine legend Myles Goodwyn with Lee Aaron?
A Lee Michaels cover, of course..?
You know I try to stay positive here, but this is… not great.
Joni Mitchell - My Secret Place, peaked #41
Another CanCon giant making a return after more than ten years away is Joni Mitchell.
She brought along a friend, in the form of Peter Gabriel and a stunning video which is the work of the immediately recognizable Anton Corbijn.
I love the mood of this one, put your headphones on if you can.
As always, I hope you got a tinge of nostalgia or found a new fave. Or both!
Drop a comment and tell me what you enjoyed.
Dug that Neil & the Bluenotes record.
54-40’s One Day in Your Life is soooooo great!! That’s one of the vinyls I kept when I sold off a lot in college!