This band had a lot of hits in 1983 and 1984, however only one song from that collection made it to this countdown.  That’s not to say the other ones didn’t deserve to be here, it’s just this one won out.  And being a song about the greatness and eclecticism of rock, with an awesome groove that never loses its energy, it’s earned every accolade to make this list.  Coming in at #18 is The Heart of Rock & Roll by Huey Lewis and The News.

In a year where a LOT of tough competition existed, this track only made its way back into this 1984 countdown due to repeated listenings and study.  The track is most known for the chorus featuring a certain gloved-artist that went unmentioned in the song credits.  Still this song’s groove is often played and heard in different contexts, and I found it hard not to have it deserved its spot at #19 – it is Somebody’s Watching Me by Rockwell.

We now begin the very tough Top 20 songs released in 1984 with the first major controversy of the countdown.  My wife felt that Christmas songs are seasonal and thus should not be considered in these countdowns.  My argument, for this track, is that it is considered one of the best new Christmas songs of the last 40 years, and hit number 1 in the UK 3 years ago, and my kids love it.  So that makes it hard for this track to not make it.  See if you agree that with the placement of this #20 song – Last …..more →

We finally reach the top of the 1983 countdown.  And given the amount of songs by this one artist that made it in, why not throw in one more?  Only it just happens to be what some consider to be his greatest pop R&B song ever.  It has stood the test of time, a performance of it introduced us to one of the greatest dance moves ever, and there is hardly anything you can find wrong with the track.  And so, the #1 song released in 1983 and turning 40 years old this year is…Billie Jean by Michael Jackson.

I reiterate what I said two songs before – what 1983 song could possibly beat the previous entry?  How about one of the most misunderstood, played, and hypnotic songs of all time?  How many times has this song been played, used in commercials, performed in weddings, etc.?  This song made Sting a world-renowned songwriter, and the track is so big no one can deny it deserves to be this high in the countdown, but it only reaches #2.  It is Every Breath You Take by The Police.

After having done R&B and funk for a while, this track finally made this artist earn the title of King of Pop.  Out of nowhere comes this huge rock riff (done by TOTO if you can believe it), followed by what some call the greatest guitar solo of all time by Eddie Van Halen, and it’s a song that Michael Jackson basically wrote with his voice.  One of the greatest rock/pop songs ever lands at #3 in this 1983 countdown – it’s Beat It by Michael Jackson.