Starting out the second half of the countdown for the top 20 songs turning 40 years old is a track that was played by many students in chorus rooms with grand pianos, mainly because the melody is all black keys. This track made this artist a star and it didn’t hurt her for being a fantastic drummer and percussionist. It’s also another Prince entry in that he wrote the tone. Coming in at #10 is The Glamorous Life by Sheila E.
We wrap up the first half of the incredibly difficult and competitive top 20 countdown of songs turning 40 years old this year with the title track of the album that made this woman a massive superstar. If she didn’t rule the world before, this album would make certain of that this and especially the following year. This track established her as one of the most controversial artists of her time and she was only getting started. Coming in at #11 is Like a Virgin by Madonna.
This band had a lot of great hits in 1993 but they couldn’t crack that countdown. As we finish the bottom half of this 1994 countdown, the top song in this half belongs to this group. This song’s video, along with a couple others, helped launch the acting career of Alicia Silverstone, and the song is still heard today in various avenues. Finishing up the first half of the top 20 songs turning 30 years old countdown, it’s Crazy by Aerosmith.
It’s hard to believe that The Lion King is 30 years old, but it is, and at the time it was one of the biggest Disney movies if not its biggest box-office success at that point. A big reason for it was the soundtrack, and while one of my favorites was Circle of Life, this track is the one that makes it into the countdown. It won the Oscar for Best Song and gave yet another new era of life for this singer/songwriter. Coming in at #12 is Can You Feel The Love Tonight by Elton John.
This next track turning 40 years old this year is arguably one of my favorite ballads of all time. Great ballads have a way of triggering emotion when they intend to, and this track is a great example. It may be his best ballad ever too, with one of the best guitar solos written for a ballad. Just everything about this song is awesome, but it only reaches #12 in this countdown. It’s Hello by Lionel Richie.
A track that is synonymous with one of the greatest comebacks in rock and roll history, this song still sounds fresh when it is played today. It has not gotten old, and if anything, it has only gotten better with time, like a fine wine, which is a great characteristic to have for songs in these countdowns. The queen of rock & roll may be gone, but this song will always live on. Coming in at #12 is the 1984 classic What’s Love Got to Do With It by Tina Turner.