1988 in British Music

The Story of 1988

The Second Summer of Love – acid house went mainstream, and British youth culture was transformed. The smiley face was everywhere, and Ecstasy-fueled all-nighters in warehouses and fields became the defining youth movement of the decade. The charts reflected the change: 'The Only Way Is Up' by Yazz, 'A Groovy Kind of Love' by Phil Collins, but also the unmistakable influence of house on the pop charts. KLF released 'What Time Is Love?', the first rumblings of a duo who would reinvent themselves constantly. Stone Roses released 'Elephant Stone' and were playing the legendary gigs that would make them the most important band in Britain. Happy Mondays were recording 'Bummed'. The Madchester scene was brewing. Stock Aitken Waterman were still dominant – Kylie Minogue's 'I Should Be So Lucky' was massive, launching a career that would outlast the hit factory. Bros were the teen idols. The Smiths had split, Morrissey going solo. It was the year the Hacienda became the centre of the universe, and the year British guitar music began its journey toward the baggy revolution. 1988 was the last year of the old pop order before Madchester changed everything.