The third and final entry of the band responsible for Throwing Copper is the band’s biggest hit ever, and rightly so.  It might make the list of the top 10 rock ballads of the 90s.  This was on so many different playlists and the track has maintained resonance and importance in a wide range of avenues, and was also covered a lot due to its simplicity in its chord progression.  We’re getting close to the top and at #3 for the 1994 countdown, it’s Lightning Crashes by Live.

We now approach the only time a “deep-cut” track makes the countdown, and to think of this track as a deep-cut, i.e. a song that was never released as a single, it goes to show how huge of a song this track is, not just for the year but for this band.  Some fans of the group would call it their favorite, and it would probably be the band’s last best-known track for years to come.  Coming in at #4 for the top songs of 1994 is Better Man by Pearl Jam.

We now hit the top 5 of the songs turning 30 years old, and we arrive at this band’s (arguably) biggest hit ever.  Long after grunge made its impact, this fourth of the founding groups finally gets its due with this incredible rock track, subtly balancing grunge and progressive rock.  The video was considered groundbreaking in its disturbing visual nature, and it’s still a well-loved track today.  Arriving at #5 is Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden.

Controversy has returned once again to the 1994 countdown, and this time the question remains – can a Christmas song be in this countdown, much less this high up the countdown?  I struggled with this, but the fact is this song is the first song on everyone’s tongues when it comes to preparing for the holiday music season.  It’s in so many different memes for better or worse, that it’s hard to not place this song in this countdown, considering it was released in this year.  So apologies ahead of time if you’re sick of it, but coming in at …..more →

Batman Forever was all the rage in 1994, and its popularity helped elevate this next entry to this spot in the countdown.  While already a successful solo artist, this track helped make him a superstar.  It certainly didn’t hurt that this song would go on to win the coveted Song and Record of the Year Grammies and continue to be a staple in various radio/corporate/dj playlists.  Coming in at #7 is Kiss From a Rose by Seal.

This next 1994 song required repeated listenings before finally leaping over its fellow track in this countdown.  The boys from Philly are back with another top 10 smash, and it’s a very different vibe from the track that appeared two songs ago.  A great chorus and the fact that you hear this song more than the other one earns its place in this countdown at #8 – it is On Bended Knee by Boyz II Men.