I’m willing to bet that when you learned that this song was coming up next, you were like wow, 1984 was a crazy year!  When I learned this song would be entering the discussion of 40 year old songs, I knew we were in for a doozy.  This track has been heard in every avenue imaginable, from commercials to movies, it’s been quoted over and over again, and part of it is because this track and its vocal performance is uncoverable.  A real lightning in a bottle moment. Coming in at #4 in the top 20 songs turning 40 years …..more →

Trying to position the top 5 songs released in 1984 was really hard, especially since this year spawned one of the most iconic soundtrack-based movies of the era.  The king of the soundtrack makes his return again to this countdown with another upbeat classic, and it’s hard to not feel like you want to dance when you hear this song.  This song would still sound fresh it were released today, but it was actually released in 1984 and is #5 in this countdown.  It’s Footloose by Kenny Loggins.

We now hit the top 5 of the songs turning 30 years old, and we arrive at this band’s (arguably) biggest hit ever.  Long after grunge made its impact, this fourth of the founding groups finally gets its due with this incredible rock track, subtly balancing grunge and progressive rock.  The video was considered groundbreaking in its disturbing visual nature, and it’s still a well-loved track today.  Arriving at #5 is Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden.

Controversy has returned once again to the 1994 countdown, and this time the question remains – can a Christmas song be in this countdown, much less this high up the countdown?  I struggled with this, but the fact is this song is the first song on everyone’s tongues when it comes to preparing for the holiday music season.  It’s in so many different memes for better or worse, that it’s hard to not place this song in this countdown, considering it was released in this year.  So apologies ahead of time if you’re sick of it, but coming in at …..more →

Again, as we asked before, what could possibly beat out the Purple one’s ultimate rock epic in this countdown?  How about one of the most recognizable and greatest power rock ballads of the 80s?  How many times have we heard this song quoted in some capacity, whether it’s a tv show, movie, or even the news?  Honestly, it’s a great song and has managed to continue to hold on to its popularity to this day.  Coming in at #6 for the top songs from 1984 countdown, it’s Can’t Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon.

Dearly beloved – we are gathered here today to get through this thing called the top 20 songs turning 40 years old in 2024, and here was my original #1 of this countdown.  However, as I finessed this list, it ended up falling down to this spot.  Still a high mark considering all the other songs that were considered, and it’s one of this artist’s most legendary songs, including an incredible finishing guitar solo.  It’s his second entry to this countdown under his name and it does not disappoint.  At #7 it’s Let’s Go Crazy by Prince.