On this day June 25, 1988, Foolish Beat by Debbie Gibson reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Written, produced, and performed entirely by Gibson herself, the song made her the youngest female artist in history to achieve a number one hit with a track she wrote and produced. The emotional ballad showed a more mature side of her talent and connected with listeners around the world.
Foolish Beat stayed at number one in the United States through July 1 and also reached number one in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Ireland, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. It confirmed Gibson’s status as one of the breakout pop stars of the late 1980s.
80s insight: Foolish Beat proved that teen pop in the 80s was not just created by the industry. It could come from young artists with real songwriting and production talent leading the way.
Foolish Beat stayed at number one in the United States through July 1 and also reached number one in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Ireland, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. It confirmed Gibson’s status as one of the breakout pop stars of the late 1980s.
80s insight: Foolish Beat proved that teen pop in the 80s was not just created by the industry. It could come from young artists with real songwriting and production talent leading the way.
