The article revisits four pop songs from 1988 which it argues have been unfairly overlooked despite remaining distinctive and enjoyable. It highlights their original chart success and suggests that each captures the musical character of the late 1980s.

– “Perfect World” by Huey Lewis and the News reached number three on the US Billboard Hot 100; it was written by Alex Call, who also wrote Tommy Tutone’s “867-5309/Jenny”.
– Duran Duran’s “I Don’t Want Your Love” peaked at number four in the US and was an international success, supported by a popular music video.
– When in Rome’s new-wave track “The Promise” reached number 11 in the US and gained renewed recognition after featuring in the ending of the 2004 film Napoleon Dynamite.
– Boy Meets Girl’s “Waiting for a Star to Fall” reached number five in the US and number one in Canada after Whitney Houston and Belinda Carlisle declined to record it.