Here is an example of an artist my wife doesn’t really care for but whose songs I really like, and this is one of my favorites from him. It’s a great driving-through-the-country-at-45-mph song, and the last 90 seconds features an iconic refrain that I dare you not to find yourself singing it slightly by the end. At #11 in the Top 40 year old songs countdown is Against the Wind by Bob Seger.
These 40 year old countdowns are going to start highlighting key songs of my childhood and this is one of those songs. I used to listen to this song many times when I was just a toddler, and like two other artists on this countdown, this tune is also the first of two to enter the list. Coming in at #12 is Kiss On My List by Daryl Hall & John Oates.
The slowest song on this countdown is one of Bette Midler’s best songs. The movie of the same name is a tragic story of a rock star’s self-destructive descent into loneliness and alcoholism. The song plays during the 1979 movie’s closing credits but it wasn’t officially released until 1980, thus making it to this countdown. When Family Guy covers your tune, you know it’s a classic. The #13 song on this countdown is The Rose by Bette Midler.
It’s hard not to understate the cultural impact of Caddyshack, from phrases like Cinderella Boy and It’s In The Hole, to Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield and of course Ted Baxter. But the track behind it all is just another great song in a litany amazing songs by Kenny Loggins. And of course, the dancing gopher, haha. Coming in at #14 is I’m Alright by Kenny Loggins.
When Bon Scott died, people thought that was the end of AC/DC. Who could top that vocal style that seemed to be as indelible to the band’s sound as the guitar riffs? The funny thing is, I only knew the Brian Johnson AC/DC, that’s how good he was, and the band’s answer to their future is the first of two tracks appearing on this countdown. This rock anthem is one of the band’s best songs and it showed they were not done yet. Coming in at #15 is You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC.
My wife loves her some Pat Benatar and 1980 served as her coming out party. The first of two songs on this countdown, this tune has a great bluesy riff followed by a chorus that when it hits, you want to scream it out like she does. She exuded female empowerment in her tracks, and this song is no different. Coming in at #16 of the Top 20 Songs Turning 40 years old is You Better Run by Pat Benatar.