Lists of the number one and top·ranked Alternative Rock Songs of 1988
| Title | Artist | Weeks at #1 | Starting Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peek·A·Boo | Siouxie And The Banshees | 2 weeks | 1988-09-10 |
| Just Play Music! | Big Audio Dynamite | 1 week | 1988-09-17 |
| All That Money Wants | The Psychedelic Furs | 3 weeks | 1988-10-01 |
| Desire | U2 | 5 weeks | 1988-10-22 |
| Orange Crush | R.E.M. | 8 week(s) (6 week(s) in 1988) | 1988-11-26 |
| 5 total | |||
The countdown below comes straight from Billboard Magazine's year·end edition of the top 10 Modern Rock Tracks of 1988.
Bear in mind, Billboard takes their ranking from November of the previous year, to November of the current year, so this method won't be accurate for any calendar year.
| Rank | Title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Peak·A·Boo | Siouxsie & The Banshees |
| 2. | What I Am | Edie Brickell & New Bohemians |
| 3. | Desire | U2 |
| 4. | All That Money Wants | Psychedelic Furs |
| 5. | Put This Love To The Test | Jon Astley |
| 6. | Back On The Breadline | Hunters & Collectors |
| 7. | Carolyn's Fingers | Cocteau Twins |
| 8. | I've Got A Feeling | The Screaming Tribesmen |
| 9. | The Killing Jar | Siouxsie & The Banshees |
| 10. | Just Play Music! | Big Audio Dynamite |
*-Peak position listed is its peak during the 1988 survey year, NOT its overall peak, which may be different if the chart run of the track started in 1987, or finished in 1989.
source: Billboard Magazine back issue from December 24, 1988
KROQ gets credit as the very first Modern Rock radio station ever! At year's end starting in 1980, KROQ ranked the top "106.7" songs of each year, based on votes by their listeners. The 106.7 comes from their place on the FM dial.
Instead of listing the chart, just follow the link below to go directly to the website providing the chart.
Bear in mind, the ranking has a year·end bias, as the top·ranked songs tended to be the ones most heavily played toward the end of the year.
<< Previous Year For KROQ | KROQ's Top 106.7 songs of 1988 | Next Year For KROQ >>
91X, another early Modern Rock station from San Diego, also made a listener·based year·end countdown. 91X ranked their top 91 songs each year, beginning in 1983.
Follow the link below to go directly to the website providing the chart.
<< Previous Year For 91X | 91X Top 91 songs of 1988 | Next Year For 91X >>
<< Previous Year's Top Songs | Alternative Rock main page 1988 | Next Year's Top songs >>