One common theme we’re going to hear in this 1984 countdown is how could song A beat out song B, and there will be a myriad of reasons given.  For example, this next entry in this countdown beat the previous track by being one of the most recognizable keyboard rock riffs of all time.  It is not only one of the best tracks to balance keyboards and rock guitars, but it’s also a song that everyone goes to when they mention their name.  Another song I grew up to as a kid, the #14 song in the 40 year old …..more →

Anyone familiar with the year 1984 knows that this list could not ignore this next artist.  In fact, don’t be surprised to see him again in this list.  I mean, how could this album much less this title track not make it here?  It literally made this color become associated with this artist forever, something extremely rare to happen, and the fact that this song only hits this spot just goes to show how deep the bench was for 1984 and we’re only a quarter of the way there.  Until then, sway to this R&B classic turning 40 years old …..more →

This next 1984 track could almost be considered a tie with the previous track.  What makes this track stand out slightly is not just the fact it is catchy, but the tune has a definitive characteristic that sets itself apart and makes it a defining track of the 1980s.  Being a key song in the movie that still gets much fanfare (we’ll get to that later) certainly helps its cause.  Try getting this #16 song out of your head today – it’s Let’s Hear It For The Boy by Deniece Williams.

While many would expect this artist’s title track of his biggest album to be in this 1984 list.  Instead, it was the album’s last track he recorded that ends up being his only song in this list (don’t worry there is next year, hehe).  This was one of maybe 5-10 songs that I associated with my childhood and it was actually my introduction to this man.  This track became his biggest billboard hit ever, introduced us to Courtney Cox, and it remains a classic song to this day.  Coming in at #17 is Dancing In The Dark by Bruce Springsteen.

This band had a lot of hits in 1983 and 1984, however only one song from that collection made it to this countdown.  That’s not to say the other ones didn’t deserve to be here, it’s just this one won out.  And being a song about the greatness and eclecticism of rock, with an awesome groove that never loses its energy, it’s earned every accolade to make this list.  Coming in at #18 is The Heart of Rock & Roll by Huey Lewis and The News.

In a year where a LOT of tough competition existed, this track only made its way back into this 1984 countdown due to repeated listenings and study.  The track is most known for the chorus featuring a certain gloved-artist that went unmentioned in the song credits.  Still this song’s groove is often played and heard in different contexts, and I found it hard not to have it deserved its spot at #19 – it is Somebody’s Watching Me by Rockwell.