Lots of songs tackle tough subjects, some verbose, others subtly.  This next band to enter the countdown never shied away from tough subject matter.  While some of their songs have been difficult to decipher, this one song issued a simple phrase, and it helped many people get through their tough times and problems, so much so that it’s become one of their classics.  Coming in at #12 is Everybody Hurts by REM.

And now, the controversy begins.  The question I had was should it or shouldn’t it?  I know people are going to hate that this track is here, and yet, how many times is this song still played or heard, not to mention their cameo on a Geiko commercial that my kids loved (Scoop?!)?  And the phrase itself is still popular and used to this day.  Given all that, it deserves a spot, here at #13.  It’s Whoomp! There It Is by Tag Team.

Of course, everyone knows the one huge song that came off this soundtrack. Unfortunately, we do not consider covers in this countdown, so that song (and another that was an almost equal smash) cannot be included in this list. However, this original track is just as good as those other tracks, and it’s another one that transforms my wife whenever she hears it.  This track shows this artist at her very best. Clocking in at #14 is I Have Nothing by Whitney Houston

The King of Pop got one more good song from the Dangerous album out in 1993, and was featured in the hit movie Free Willy.  While it is commonly referred to as the Free Willy song, it remains one of my personal favorites from his 90s period.  Coming in at #15 in the top 20 songs turning 30 years old countdown is Will You Be There by Michael Jackson.

The purpose of these countdowns is to highlight that there are some songs that don’t seem to be big until they remain at the top of charts and radio for a couple of years, and then years later you still hear it in different avenues, be it sports, movies, etc.  Those are the kinds of song that continue to be recognized, and this song is a great example, which also spawned a huge rock career for this band. Landing at #16 in this countdown is Shine by Collective Soul.

This next song holds a special place in my wife’s heart.  It is the kind of song she get seriously behind, knows all the words and changes into a different person when it comes on, haha. Ms. Jackson busted back after Rhythm Nation with a couple major hits, one of which was this very rockin’, empowering song.  Arriving at #17 in the Top 20 1993 songs countdown is If by Janet Jackson.