We now arrive at the top 5 songs of 1982, and boy was it tough to place them! Each one of these songs deserves its spot in the best of 1982, and this one is an absolute classic. Like a lot of songs on this countdown, this track sounds fresh even today, and has managed to hold on its place in popular culture and lingo. It also marked as a huge comeback for this artist, one of the greatest. At #5 it is Sexual Healing by Marvin Gaye.
I might have misspoken about a previous song being the saddest song on this countdown of songs turning 30 years old. This song might actually be the saddest, if not one of the saddest songs of the 90s. It grabs your heart and doesn’t let go, and remains one of this artist’s best songs. Stopping shy of the top 5 at #6 is Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton.
This next band got a lot of grief over the years, but in 1982, they got their rightful due. Featuring a drum beat that immediately makes people know the song, this track won Record and Song of the Year and has managed to find brand new life in the Yacht Rock scene over recent years. Making it’s stamp at #6 in this 1982 countdown is Rosanna by TOTO.
We now come to the 40 years old songs countdown with probably the slowest song on this countdown. One of the original power rock ballads, this track has managed to stand the test of time and has become a huge favorite for first dances among other things. Coming in at #7 is Open Arms by Journey.
It’s amazing for a guy like me to realize that the arrival of Gangsta Rap into the mainstream consciousness happened 30 years ago! And we have this track to thank for being our introduction to it. Those that listened to NWA can say otherwise, but this track made Gangsta Rap an international phenomenon, and deserves a place in this countdown. At #7 it’s Nuthin’ But a G Thing by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg.
Making their presence felt in 1992 was a female power vocal group named En Vogue, and released a couple tracks that had a huge influence on so many future woman groups. This is one of those tracks, and it doesn’t hurt that it has a powerful message as well. Our #8 track is Free Your Mind by En Vogue.