Top 1983 Songs – #1 – Billie Jean

We finally reach the top of the 1983 countdown.  And given the amount of songs by this one artist that made it in, why not throw in one more?  Only it just happens to be what some consider to be his greatest pop R&B song ever.  It has stood the test of time, a performance of it introduced us to one of the greatest dance moves ever, and there is hardly anything you can find wrong with the track.  And so, the #1 song released in 1983 and turning 40 years old this year is…Billie Jean by Michael Jackson.

Top 1993 Songs – #1 – Insane In The Brain

We now come to the end of this tough countdown, and this song managed to make its way to the top because of many factors.  It is a heavily recognized hip-hop track.  It makes a more impactful on the culture of popular music than the other songs in this countdown.  This song, interestingly, is seen as one of the first bridges between hip hop and metal, linking both cultures together.  And lastly, it’s such a great track to groove to.  And so, the #1 song released in 1993 and turning 30 years old this year is…Insane In The Brain by …..more →

Top 1993 Songs – #2 – Are You Gonna Go My Way

This was such a tough song to place, but it ultimately resided at this point of the 1993 countdown.  This song made this artist a rock star.  A powerful guitar riff and rockin’ rhythm track, this song is still heavily played in all capacities.  It came real close to snagging the top spot.  I love this track, especially the solo section which has one of my favorite bass runs ever.  Coming in at #2 in this countdown is Are You Gonna Go My Way by Lenny Kravitz.

Top 1983 Songs – #2 – Every Breath You Take

I reiterate what I said two songs before – what 1983 song could possibly beat the previous entry?  How about one of the most misunderstood, played, and hypnotic songs of all time?  How many times has this song been played, used in commercials, performed in weddings, etc.?  This song made Sting a world-renowned songwriter, and the track is so big no one can deny it deserves to be this high in the countdown, but it only reaches #2.  It is Every Breath You Take by The Police.

Top 1983 Songs – #3 – Beat It

After having done R&B and funk for a while, this track finally made this artist earn the title of King of Pop.  Out of nowhere comes this huge rock riff (done by TOTO if you can believe it), followed by what some call the greatest guitar solo of all time by Eddie Van Halen, and it’s a song that Michael Jackson basically wrote with his voice.  One of the greatest rock/pop songs ever lands at #3 in this 1983 countdown – it’s Beat It by Michael Jackson.

Top 1993 Songs – #3 – Mary Jane’s Last Dance

The next 3 songs in this countdown were the toughest for me to place.  At one point, this was my #1, but it ultimately slipped down due to how important/impactful the other two tracks were.  That’s not to say this is not an important track.  It’s one of the most covered songs by rock bands (I played it a lot), it was a new track on a greatest hits LP that helped it sell 10 million copies, and it is considered to be one of this band’s ultimate staples.  Locking in at #3 in the top 1993 songs countdown is …..more →