It’s one of the most iconic 8-note piano riffs in rock and roll history, and when you hear it, you know exactly what it is. The song made a comeback thanks to the movie Risky Business, but it was originally released in 1979, and therefore makes it onto this list. The song still gets airplay today proving that people still love that Old Time Rock & Roll by Bob Segar, the #2 track on this list.

The last Tom Petty entry to this countdown is my favorite song off of Full Moon Fever and is a song I love to play to this day. It’s such a simple song with a simple message that it resonates with everyone. That was Petty’s gift as a songwriter, and not many have that kind of natural skill to make such simple lyrical songs so meaningful. I wish it was higher but as you will later understand, it could only go here, at #3 – I Won’t Back Down by Tom Petty.

Again, another song that touched me when I was a kid, and has still aged well to this day. Amazing to think that Freddie Mercury wrote this song while in the bath, but sometimes the best work comes in the most unexpected of times. It’s a well-crafted pop song and Queen’s first #1 single in America. Coming in at #3, Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen.

I’ve always been a fan of Phil Collins, and he reached the pinnacle of critical success with his But Seriously album. The first single turned out to be its biggest hit and it had a great video showcasing the problems with homelessness (something that sadly has gotten worse over time). My favorite song was Find a Way To My Heart that was never released as a single, but this song made a huge impact when it came out and won Record of the Year, and it’s still a good track today. At #4 it’s Another Day In Paradise by Phil …..more →

Back in the early days of MTV, this song was played a lot, and deservedly so. It’s a synth-heavy, tense pop song that I enjoyed back then and more so since having played it with Electric Avenue. The song only has two singing verses and the rest of the song is instrumental, weird for a hit pop track, but it works. At #4 is Cars by Gary Numan.

The brass at the beginning of this song really makes it a great track. That in addition to the awesome groove and funky vibe makes it a great base to the top 5 of this 40-year-old countdown. I have a great memory from a pig roast with this song that led to it being one of the better parties I had been to. Coming in at #5 is Ladies Night by Kool and the Gang.