One common theme we’re going to hear in this 1984 countdown is how could song A beat out song B, and there will be a myriad of reasons given.  For example, this next entry in this countdown beat the previous track by being one of the most recognizable keyboard rock riffs of all time.  It is not only one of the best tracks to balance keyboards and rock guitars, but it’s also a song that everyone goes to when they mention their name.  Another song I grew up to as a kid, the #14 song in the 40 year old …..more →

Anyone familiar with the year 1984 knows that this list could not ignore this next artist.  In fact, don’t be surprised to see him again in this list.  I mean, how could this album much less this title track not make it here?  It literally made this color become associated with this artist forever, something extremely rare to happen, and the fact that this song only hits this spot just goes to show how deep the bench was for 1984 and we’re only a quarter of the way there.  Until then, sway to this R&B classic turning 40 years old …..more →

This is probably the only track in this 1994 countdown that could make people ask why it belongs here.  While it’s understandable, this track reestablished this 80s band and gave them maybe one of their biggest songs ever.  It’s still used in commercials and other avenues enough for it be considered a top track for this year.  Coming in at #15 is I’ll Stand By You by The Pretenders.

The next hip-hop entry to the top 20 songs turning 30 years old countdown is slightly controversial, in that some would argue this track samples too much of a song that hit a previous countdown.  I would argue the song has enough originality, thanks to Warren G’s hypnotic vocal, to earn a place in this list.  Add to the fact this song gave renewed vigor to Michael McDonald’s track that gets sampled, and you have a strong entry at #16 – It’s Regulate by Warren G featuring Nate Dogg.

This next 1984 track could almost be considered a tie with the previous track.  What makes this track stand out slightly is not just the fact it is catchy, but the tune has a definitive characteristic that sets itself apart and makes it a defining track of the 1980s.  Being a key song in the movie that still gets much fanfare (we’ll get to that later) certainly helps its cause.  Try getting this #16 song out of your head today – it’s Let’s Hear It For The Boy by Deniece Williams.

While many would expect this artist’s title track of his biggest album to be in this 1984 list.  Instead, it was the album’s last track he recorded that ends up being his only song in this list (don’t worry there is next year, hehe).  This was one of maybe 5-10 songs that I associated with my childhood and it was actually my introduction to this man.  This track became his biggest billboard hit ever, introduced us to Courtney Cox, and it remains a classic song to this day.  Coming in at #17 is Dancing In The Dark by Bruce Springsteen.