For the first time since I started these lists, the billboard #1 song of the countdown year manages to make it into this countdown.  It was hard to avoid the arrival of Robin Hood Prince of Thieves and this song made it even harder.  It might seem sappy to some and maybe not his best work, but the song is a powerful ballad, enough to make Family Guy cover it.  Coming in at #9 is (Everything I Do) I Do it For You by Bryan Adams.

Entering the top 10 of this countdown is a tune that, maybe to the band’s chagrin, has withstood the test of time.  While the emergence of grunge would effectively halt the careers of bands like them, this group managed to craft an awesome guitar, duo-vocal ballad that is still popular today.  Coming in at #10 is More Than Words by Extreme.

Wrapping up the first half of the countdown is our first rap entry, and this song was everywhere in the early 90s.  While they would have an even bigger song a couple years later, this track still exploded when it first arrived and the call-response chorus is still a classic one today.  Topping the bottom half of the top 20 songs turning 30 years old countdown at #11 is O.P.P. by Naughty by Nature.  

While another more well-known song from the same album would be released the following year, this song was released in 1991 and qualified for the countdown.  It is still considered by many fans of the group to be one of its ultimate anthems and has never lost its luster over the years.  At #12, from the brilliant Ten album, is Alive by Pearl Jam.

Sometimes a song can initially hit and then maintain a slow burn throughout, like this 30 year old track. Featuring the always awesome Bruce Hornsby on piano, this song is just so good and I bet you’ll find yourself unsuspectingly singing along as you listen to it.  This haunting tune is our #13 song in my 1991 countdown – I Can’t Make You Love Me by Bonnie Raitt.  

Before he switched to The Artist, our next entraint was still dishing out great songs while causing controversy.  While many tracks were considered from his great Diamond and Pearls album, including the title track, this one managed to beat them all.  Coming in at #14 is Cream by Prince.