Wrapping up the top 20 songs released in 1985 proved to be really tough.  All the prior tracks had enormous cred to stake their claim to the top spot, but in the end, this one track managed to do it.  It is the defining song of this man’s career, and has managed to elude its encapsulation by the 80s decade sound, being a huge rock anthem and a song dedicated to all those artists who tried to make it big but decided other things in life were more important.  The #1 song turning 40 years old this year is – …..more →

We have finally come to the #1 songs, and what song could possibly supersede the all-time Billboard chart classic?  This one.  Given the subject matter, it’s incredibly hooky chorus, and the fact it has remained a staple of the hip-hop/R&B music scene for decades, it’s hard not to put this song as the top song released in 1995.  The #1 song turning 30 years old this year is – Waterfalls by TLC.

For more than two decades, this song held the record for being the longest reigning number 1 song in Billboard chart history.  The fact it took that long for its record to be displaced speaks volumes.  This band (who has made numerous appearances in prior countdowns) and this artist were collectively, arguably, the biggest R&B stars of the time, and this song is a high marker, but just not #1.  At #2 it’s One Sweet Day by Boyz II Men & Mariah Carey.

We are almost to the top of my countdowns, and this song almost made it there.  My kids know this song, many others know it and hear it all the time, and it remains one of her biggest hits today.  Not much else can be said except go ahead and listen, at #2 it’s How Will I Know by Whitney Houston.

I must have gone over this song over and over again.  At one time it was my top pick for 1985, but now it resides in this spot.  Who would have that this artist who made one color popular with him would end up doing it again a year later with not only another color but a hat too.  This man had boatloads left to say, and it continued with this #3 track on my countdown – Raspberry Beret by Prince.

As soon as the vocals hit, you know what song it is and you’re ready to start dancing.  One of the biggest hip-hop/R&B songs of the 90s, it has never lost its luster and continues to be heard from TV commericials, to sports arenas and backyard parties.  Coming in at #3 is This Is How We Do It by Montell Jordan.