This week we launch a new chapter: the Gen X 80s Top 20 Countdown UK expands to a Top 25. And what a chart to start with; May 6, 1988 delivered a line-up that captured Britain in transition. Comedy and novelty brushed up against smooth R&B, remixes pulled classics back into the spotlight, and rising stars like George Michael and Fairground Attraction shared space with legends like James Brown and Fleetwood Mac. At number one, S’Express brought the underground acid house scene roaring into the mainstream.

It was a week of contradictions, colour, and energy; the perfect soundtrack to spring 1988, when Britain stood on the edge of change and the charts told the story in 25 unforgettable steps.

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Intro music by Roman Orekhov from Pixabay

Late May of 1988 carried a certain electricity. School was winding down, finals still loomed, and the promise of summer freedom sat just within reach. MTV dictated the trends, cassette singles rattled in glove boxes, and even a slice of pizza with those red plastic cups felt like part of the soundtrack.

This week’s countdown rewinds to May 28, when pop, rock, and R&B collided in equal measure and every hook seemed to match the season. From Friday night escapes to Sunday night reflections, these 25 tracks painted the soundtrack of a moment when everything felt possible.

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Intro music by Roman Orekhov from Pixabay

July 1986 found Britain in the thick of summer. Schools were winding down, arcades and high streets pulsed with colour, and the charts brimmed with energy; from novelty singles and bold pop statements to dancefloor anthems and one of Madonna’s most talked-about hits. This week’s countdown captures the sound and feel of a season that seemed endless, a moment when the UK was awash in music, style, and spectacle.

And don’t miss the big news inside this episode: starting September 17th, the countdown shifts to a new weekly rotation with 25 tracks per show, including the return of this UK edition on September 24th.

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Episode cover based on Doctor and the Medics – Spirit in the Sky

Join us on Instagram, Facebook, Mastodon, and Bluesky to share your favorite memories, and if the music still moves you, support the show at BuyMeACoffee.com.

Intro music by Roman Orekhov from Pixabay