Just like last year, we have our annual countdown coming up for My Top 20 songs that turn 40 years old this year, 2022.  If you want to know about my criteria for this countdown, view this post.  This proved to be a very tough year and as we wait for April 1st, here are the list of songs that were considered, but did not make the countdown, including six (marked by *) that almost made it: AC/DC – For Those About to Rock Alan Parson Project – Sirius/Eye In The Sky Asia – Heat Of The Moment Billy Idol – White Wedding Billy Joel – Allentown* …..more →

Once again, we are back for another countdown of songs turning 30 years old, this time for 2022.  Starting on April 1 I will begin to countdown a song each day until my birthday on April 20 when I announce the #1 30-year old song.  See my previous post to determine the criteria of this list. So, as we wait for April 1st, here are the list of songs that were considered, but did not make the countdown, including five (marked by *) that almost made it: Ace of Base – All That She Wants Alice in Chains – Would Annie Lennox …..more →

We now come to #1 and for all songs released in 1981, there could only be one top song.  It has never lost its popularity over the years, the meaning of its lyrics are still debated to this day, and it contains one of if not the most famous drum riffs in all of pop/rock music – the kind that will make you stop whatever you’re doing when it comes up and air drum it.  The #1 song that turns 40 years old this year is In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins.

We now come to the #1 song of this countdown, and the reasons why are various.  It’s still being played today (both by radio and the band who wrote it), has influenced so many rock musicians, impacted pop culture from movies to wrestling, is considered one of the best heavy metal and hard rock songs of all time, and helped establish this band as one of the premier stadium rock acts if not the kings of American heavy metal.  The #1 song turning 30 years old this year is Enter Sandman by Metallica.

In the battle for 1991 supremacy, our runner-up came close to winning it all.  This song was HUGE back in the day, made us cry when we sang it during end-of-the-school-year concerts and remembrances, and is still just as powerful today as then.  This group’s performance of it would cement them as a force to be reckoned with going forward.  The #2 song in this 1991 countdown is It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye (to Yesterday) by Boyz to Men.

We’re almost to the end and the last song before the top has managed an unbelievable longevity.  While initially popular, the song faded away but regained notoriety in a few noted movie scenes and then became hugely popular again thanks to The Sopranos.  Since then, it can be heard at sporting events and has since become the band’s biggest song.  Coming in at #2 is Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey.