Music in 1986

By Patrick Mondout

Paul Simon impressed the critics with the world-music influenced Graceland and record buyers with his video for You Can Call Me Al featuring Chevy Chase. Fellow (world music) traveler Peter Gabriel went more mainstream with his album So, which was aided by what was certainly the video of the Awesome80s (for Sledgehammer). Michael's little sister Janet Jackson teamed up with ex-The Time members Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis to create a bestselling album aided by a string of excellent videos (some choreographed by a then-unknown Paula Abdul). Bruce Springsteen released a long awaited live set - a magnificent four lp set that flew off the shelves. The Beastie Boys busted onto the scene late in the year taking their Run-D.M.C.-like mix of rap 'n rock to the top ten.

Pop superstars Prince and Madonna competed with one another for the coveted Golden Raspberry awards, which are given each year for the worst movies, directors, and alleged actors & actresses. Prince's Under the Cherry Moon, which was shown in black and white and set in the French Riveria, might as well have been called "Under the Cherry Bomb." Madonna's film with new hubby Sean Penn Shanghai Surprise was no surprise to anyone expecting her movie debut to suck. One critic called it "Flop Suey." Whatever their problems on the big screen, both were big on the radio. Prince's soundtrack produced the remarkable Kiss, which was at number one the same week Manic Monday, a song he gave The Bangles, was at number two. Madonna's True Blue contained five top five hits including Papa Don't Preach and Open Your Heart.

Here are some of the albums you may have been listening to in 1986:

Alexander O'Neal - Hearsay

Anita Baker - Rapture

Bad Brains - I Against I

Bangles - Different Light

Beastie Boys - Licensed to Ill

Bruce Hornsby & the Range - The Way it is

Bruce Springsteen - Live: 1975-1985

Chicago - 18

Crowded House

Cure - Staring At The Sea, The Singles

Dwight Yoakam - Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.

Elvis Costello - King of America

Janet Jackson - Control

Jesus and Mary Chain - Psycho Candy

Kenny Rogers - They Don't Make Them Like The Used To

Lyle Lovett

Madonna - True Blue

Mazarati

Metallica - Master Of Puppets

Paul Simon - Graceland

Peter Gabriel - So

Prince - Parade

Randy Travis - Storms of Life

Ready For The World - Long Time Coming

Robert Cray - Strong Persuader

Sheila E

Smiths - The Queen is Dead

Steve Winwood - Back in the High Life

Steve Earle - Guitar Town

Violent Femmes - Blind Leading The Naked

XTC - Skylarking