My 1984 countdown had so many heavy hitters that this group sadly failed to make it with one of their biggest songs.  Fortunately, that will be made up now with this track breaking into the list.  It’s amazing how much this song and its anthemic outro has stood the test of time.  Anthemic intro, A/B song, followed by anthemic outro – a simple premise and such a great song.  At #17 it’s Head Over Heels by Tears For Fears.

Here’s a shocker – I completely forgot this group released some popular tracks in 1995, and as a result knocked two songs out of the list (as you can guess now, this is only their first entry).  This song arguably started the craze of frat boys picking up the acoustic and wanting to serenade pretty ladies, and it has remained one of this band’s biggest songs today. Coming in at #17 is Satellite by The Dave Matthews Band.

Anybody knows me knows I dig dance music, and now we hit our first dance number of the countdowns.  This song is still popular today, and you’ll be surprised to hear how many hooks are in it.  It’s one of those rare dance tracks that manage to produce such a thing and do it well.  At #18 it’s Be My Lover by Le Bouche.

Our next 1985 entrant had the privilege of being at the top of a prior countdown, and they found themselves back here again with another song that is considered an 80s R&B classic.  Listening to similar songs in their catalog, you can tell they had found their winning formula and still managed to deliver another hit record years later.  At #18 it is Cherish by Kool & The Gang.

Two songs in and we already hit big controversy.  This song isn’t one of my favorites but it’s hard not to deny how much notoriety this song has received over the years.  The good being its catchy chorus, the bad being it’s much talked about polished production for a song whose lyrics speak out against corporate music and rock.  And like it or not, it’s still played a lot.  Coming in at #19 is We Built This City by Starship.

In the 90s, bands known for being hard rock/punk that did an acoustic song that became a hit were soundly ridiculed as selling out.  What’s ironic is that this song not only helped establish the success that was to come for this band, this track is still heard to this day across radio platforms.  A good song is a good song, and it is as such at #19 with Name by The Goo Goo Dolls.