If the internet fully existed during this time, this #10 song would have broken it. For years people wondered if these two pop/rock icons would ever get together for a song, and they did. This song still gets major airplay and it’s iconic simply for the personnel that ended up being involved. In the countdown of the top songs turning 30 years old, at #10 it’s Scream by Michael Jackson & Janet Jackson.
We kick off the second half of the top 20 songs turning 40 years old with another time-capsuled 80s hit that still gets tons of airplay to this day. Again, the issue of whether “soundtrack songs” should be considered rears its ugly head again with this song, as it’s tied into the movie The Breakfast Club. Still, it’s a huge song that is still heard today, and it’s tough for it to not make it at least to #10 in this countdown – it’s Don’t You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds.
Finishing up the first half of the 1985 countdown we again hit another artist who will end up with 2 songs in this list. But sometimes, as was the case in this year, a band or artist was so good that one was simply not enough. Case in point, while the previous year helped define who this artist was, this track helped solidify that more, of which she became known as this name, like Prince was labeled The Purple One. At #11 in the 1985 countdown it’s Material Girl by Madonna.
We wrap up the first half of this 1995 countdown with a song that helped bring into the mainstream what would normally be considered niche – harmonica-driven music. This band’s biggest hit helped propel both them and the instrument (for better or worse) into the pop-culture consciousness. It’s still heard a lot today and you know who it is from the harmonica too. At #11 it’s Run-Around by Blues Traveler.
Our sports-themed song talk continues with the second entry of this band. I mentioned before their prior entry may be their biggest song, but this one was also a huge hit and one of my absolute favorites. It’s hard not to smile at this song when you hear that keyboard riff, and the energy of this song is undeniable. Sliding in at #12 is Walk Of Life by Dire Straits.
Just like other songs in the past, you hear that sound and you know what song that is. Case in point – this snare on the 2 and 4 beat. Rare can a simple double hit like this make you know what song is coming up, but this does and it would become the song that would help send this band into the stratosphere for the next 3 decades. The second entry for this band, at #12 it’s Ants Marching by The Dave Matthews Band.