I remember at different times in my life when this #17 song kept creeping up in my playlist of radio stations and song lists. It’s still a great tune, written in a quasi-blues fashion, and it’s by an incredible band, ELO. I love the harmonies too. Coming in at #17 is Don’t Bring Me Down by Electric Light Orchestra.
My wife along with other people will probably think of this as “meh”, but nevertheless, it’s an iconic song that is still being played today in tons of parties and clubs. Add the fact that the bass-line is the crux of one of the most legendary hip-hop songs and that classic Nile Rodgers guitar line, and…trust me, you play this song, you won’t get those riffs out of your head for the rest of the day. Coming in at #18 is Good Times by Chic.
#18 was tricky. I originally had Cherish from Like A Prayer here which had one of the best verse/chorus chord progressions of this list of songs. However, as time went by, I found myself singing more the title track. And yeah, it’s got a choir, which always tugs on my emotional strings. Everything from the controversial video to the gospel bridge section is great and it honestly deserves to be here. Coming in at #18 is Like a Prayer by Madonna.
Continuing our 30-year-old countdown is a song that wasn’t the best song on her Rhythm Nation album, but it was one of two songs released in 1989, and this one won out. It’s a fun upbeat tune that set the tone for what would come for this album in that year and it was a big one for Ms. Jackson. I also used to do the full dance routine to the video of this song. Coming in at #19 is Miss You Much by Janet Jackson.
Continuing our 40-year-old countdown is a song that recently became a favorite of mine. During my time with Yacht Rock Schooner, this tune’s intro became one of my favorite sound-check tunes to use when getting my keys into the mix. It always lightens the mood especially when I go into Michael-McDonald-voice. Coming in at #19 is Minute By Minute by The Doobie Brothers.
We are beginning my personal list of Top 20 songs that turn 40 years old today today with a song that I still like today, even if my wife didn’t really care for it (and yes, that is going to be another common theme throughout my countdowns, especially for a couple of songs to come). Still, it is a catchy tune that still is being played today, and has a nice little time signature change I always liked. I came to find out that 1979 was a tough year to find songs (1989 was a barn-burner collection of songs), especially …..more →