Rare has a hip hop song made as much of a pop culture impact as this next entry. It is probably the best rap song released in 1992. It’s beat and music are immediately known, as well as the spoken word intro, and it continues to hold its place in hip hop royality all these years later despite an amazing litany of other songs released since this one. Our #2 entry in the top 20 30 year old songs is Baby Got Back by Sir Mix-A-Lot.
As in previous countdowns, some songs have stood the test of time in clubs, sports events, and other avenues. This next track is absolutely one of those songs, having recently been in a viral video featuring 70,000 Ohio State fans jumping around once this song’s beat drops. Despite it being played as much as it has, it hasn’t lost any of its shine. Coming in at #3 is Jump Around by House of Pain.
It’s been hard to find a song that has made as much of a major comeback as this next 1982 entry. After seemingly being forgotten for years, it found its way in amazing musical moments, from acapella choirs to pizza joint duo artists. Were it not for how big a year 1982 was for music, this song might have reached the top, but it is still an amazing song and one of my favorites. Coming in at #3 is Africa by TOTO.
What could surpass a Marvin Gaye comeback classic? Only a song featuring one of the most memorable, and recognizable blues rock riffs. As soon as you hear it, you know something badass is coming, and it still holds the same impact 40 years on as it did back in 1982. Pay homage to one of the most mainstream blues rock songs as it enters my countdown at #4. It’s Bad to the Bone by George Thorogood & The Destroyers.
Our next entry in our countdown of the top thirty year old songs is our second entry for this group. While their earlier entry expressed a powerful statement about free thought, this track became known for female empowerment, and helped catapult this group to superstardom. Our #4 track for this countdown is My Lovin (You’re Never Gonna Get It) by En Vogue.
Now we reach the top 5 songs of 1992, and this year is when hip hop really made its mark. The first of our entries features a group of kids who wore their clothes on backwards, were wickity wack, and had everybody leaping up and down in the club. Our #5 song in the top 20 songs turning thirty years old is Jump by Kris Kross.