While many would expect this artist’s title track of his biggest album to be in this 1984 list.  Instead, it was the album’s last track he recorded that ends up being his only song in this list (don’t worry there is next year, hehe).  This was one of maybe 5-10 songs that I associated with my childhood and it was actually my introduction to this man.  This track became his biggest billboard hit ever, introduced us to Courtney Cox, and it remains a classic song to this day.  Coming in at #17 is Dancing In The Dark by Bruce Springsteen.

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 →

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.