Our next song in the top 20 countdown of songs turning 40 years old is a song that would have sounded fresh by in the 1950s, sounded fresh the 1980s, and would still sound fresh today. Were it not for the success of this track, the Brian Seltzer Orchestra might not have been made, and it’s still one of my favorites of this era. Coming in at #13 is Rock This Town by The Stray Cats.
If people didn’t know who Prince was by 1982, they surely would now. Never had a song made people so anticipate a future year like this one did, and for someone like me who discovered Prince at this time and made him one of my favorite artists ever, this track was the starting point of that fandom. Entering the top songs turning 40 years old countdown is 1999 by Prince.
It’s amazing to think that after this year, with two of the biggest songs of the early 80s, Men at Work would be no more. Still, they have left us with indelible tunes that are still played today in many places. This one is no exception, as it’s both a Yacht Rock and 80s tribute staple. Arriving at #15 is Who Can it Be Now by Men at Work.
In the previous entry, I did mention that John Mellencamp’s breakthrough yielded two huge singles. This was the other. While these singles could be considered a tie in that they are both classics that go together, this one song edged itself out slightly by its great chorus and feel-good rock vibe. Our #16 song in the top 20 songs of 1982 countdown is Hurts so Good by John Mellencamp.
One of the most well-known American singer/songwriters today, John Mellencamp made his breakthrough in 1982 with American Fool which spawned two well-known hit singles, one of which is this one. The video of the mickey-mouse glove clapping hands was something I always remembered, but the track itself is still heard today in many places. Coming in at #17 is Jack & Diane by John Mellencamp.
1982 was really a coming out party for Stevie Nicks. The previous year’s duet with Tom Petty was a classic, her solo work spawned some great art as we just have seen, and she also delivered for Fleetwood Mac once again. This song was arguably the group’s biggest single for their Mirage album and it’s the song that introduced me to her when growing up. At #18 it’s Gypsy by Fleetwood Mac.