We kick off the second half of counting down the top 20 songs released in 1986 with a song that some of this group’s hardcore fanbase hates. But that’s only because they adored their prog rock roots. Ask others and you will find this track to be a beloved song that also cemented their global status as a rock powerhouse. It is also the band’s only #1 song in the US and the album of the same name hit diamond status in sales. At #10 it is Invisible Touch by Genesis.

We arrive at the top 10 of this 1996 countdown with an artist who appeared in the previous year’s countdown. However, her entries didn’t rise up as far as this one, for this song may be one of her biggest and most well-known hits of her career. A killer chorus that is instantly recognizable, some cool lyrical work, and you have a big track earning its spot at #10. It’s Ironic by Alanis Morissette, don’t you think?!

We wrap up the bottom half of the countdown with a song that is literally my jam! I remembered listening to this song over and over again when it came out, and it’s still one of my favorite R&B songs today. It’s hard for me to not groove to this song. Amazingly, it’s still heard everywhere, which makes this track a pivotal point in the list, because if this one only made it this far, the top 10 should be really good. Coming in at #11 is Return of the Mack by Mark Morrison.

Our second appearance by Ms. Jackson is another funky rocker with a great chorus and keyboard melody, like in her previous entry. This is also another track that has withstood the test of time, and in some ways, is more popular and recognizable than her previous entry in this list. It’s fitting she wraps up the first half of this countdown with this generational track, at #11 it’s Nasty by Janet Jackson.

At the time, it was considered one of the greatest comebacks in mainstream pop rock history, and the song that helped pull that off is still a major song that’s heard today. Of all the songs that came around after this track, and some have remained regular radio staples, it’s amazing how much this one has stuck around and has remained one of his most popular songs to date. Arriving at #12 is Higher Love by Steve Winwood.

Another major pop/rock group made their debut in 1996 and would take continue to do so with more hits over their short lifespan. This is one of my wife’s favorite groups from this time, and this song would become a major rock anthem for them for years. Get yourself a chica cherry cola and rock out to this #12 track in the top 20 songs turning 30 years old this year – I Want You by Savage Garden.