When I started playing music professionally, frat/beer acoustic rock was still a big deal and a lot of it was thanks to this next group coming into the top 20 1994 songs countdown.  They had an even bigger hit but that was released the following year.  Yet, this track still managed to make its way in here and it introduced us to a band whose singer would go on to do great success years later.  Our #17 song turning 30 years old this year is Hold my Hand by Hootie and the Blowfish.

Hip-hop reigned supreme in last year’s 30-year old countdown, so it only makes sense for it to start trickling into this one.  The first of a few such songs we’ll see in this list to enter the countdown is a classic by one of the most well-known hip-hop artists of the 1990s.  The title is a phrase we hear often, and the track is still wide-spread played today.  Coming in at #18 for the 1994 countdown is Gin and Juice by Snoop Dogg.

This band had a lot of hits in 1983 and 1984, however only one song from that collection made it to this countdown.  That’s not to say the other ones didn’t deserve to be here, it’s just this one won out.  And being a song about the greatness and eclecticism of rock, with an awesome groove that never loses its energy, it’s earned every accolade to make this list.  Coming in at #18 is The Heart of Rock & Roll by Huey Lewis and The News.

In a year where a LOT of tough competition existed, this track only made its way back into this 1984 countdown due to repeated listenings and study.  The track is most known for the chorus featuring a certain gloved-artist that went unmentioned in the song credits.  Still this song’s groove is often played and heard in different contexts, and I found it hard not to have it deserved its spot at #19 – it is Somebody’s Watching Me by Rockwell.

We continue the 1994 countdown with a song that came in at the last minute. I had forgotten this was actually released in this year, probably because it was a live album it was on, but as soon as I found out, I gave it a listen and, yeah, I realized it had to make this list.  I loved it when it came out and I still love it now.  At #19 it is Love Will Keep Us Alive by The Eagles.

We now begin the very tough Top 20 songs released in 1984 with the first major controversy of the countdown.  My wife felt that Christmas songs are seasonal and thus should not be considered in these countdowns.  My argument, for this track, is that it is considered one of the best new Christmas songs of the last 40 years, and hit number 1 in the UK 3 years ago, and my kids love it.  So that makes it hard for this track to not make it.  See if you agree that with the placement of this #20 song – Last …..more →