This next artist was already a household name back in the 1970s, but like a lot of artists from that time, he found his second coming during the MTV era. All you have to mention is the video with the girls playing instruments and you know what song we’re talking about, and what a great song it is. This track gave this man a new lease on life as a recording artist, and it remains one of his biggest tracks today. Coming in at #4 is Addicted To Love by Robert Palmer.

I graduated high school in 1996 (yeah I’m now old), but this song was everywhere back then and was a key track in our school’s graduation video. That notwithstanding, this song has remained a key staple of this artist and is probably one of her best known and appreciated tracks in her repertoire. This would actually become one of the last big hits of her career before the inevitable downturn. Still, let’s experience the joy of this #4 song turning 30 years old today – it’s Always Be My Baby by Mariah Carey.

In the previous year, 1995, this group had two iconic tracks that made my list. This year, only one made it, but it starts our massive top 5. While their previous acoustic number helped set the stage for acoustic guitar singers to take over the world, it is this track that made this group an international behemoth. You still hear this track everywhere you go, and still sounds fresh today. Coming in at #5 is Crash by The Dave Matthews Band.

We are now down to the top 5 1986 songs, and we start with this band’s second (and biggest) entry to this list. Hands down, this is the song that shot this group to the top and they would remain there for the next few years. A great guitar riff, an anthemic chorus, and wall-of-sound production makes this an undeniable top track. Coming in at #5 is Living On a Prayer by Bon Jovi.

We wrap up the first half of this top ten with a little controversy. While this song might not be as popular or have as longevity as a couple other songs in this list (though still played a lot today), this has remained one of my favorite songs and for its time, I love the production. It is a great song with great lyrics, and I simply shut up and listen to it until its done. At #6 it’s These Dreams by Heart.

Speaking of ska, this was another group that burst on the scene with its heavy rock-ska anthems and tracks. But it was this heartbreaking ballad that catapulted the group and its singer to superstar status. Some love and some hate this song, but not only was it one of the biggest to chart in 1996, it is still played a lot today. Coming at #6 is Don’t Speak by No Doubt.