There are not that many songs remembered for their instrumental themes, much less sung. Most are from movie soundtracks. This one is the rare exception. Again when your kids can sing it, you know it’s a popular tune, and this track is a great one. Honestly, and not to say it isn’t a great song, the only reason it didn’t rank higher is because it’s mainly the chorus that’s memorable (so memorable). Other than that, it earns a spot in this countdown at #19. It’s The Final Countdown by Europe .

Our countdown of the top 20 songs released in 1986 begins with once again a tinge of controversy. Not so much the song but which song. This was another banner year for this artist, and while another song (for its subject matter) is considered a classic, this one actually gets more airplay everywhere, and thus beat out the other track. It’s still a good song and proper one to start off our countdown. Coming in at #20 is Open Your Heart by Madonna.

Wrapping up the top 20 songs released in 1985 proved to be really tough.  All the prior tracks had enormous cred to stake their claim to the top spot, but in the end, this one track managed to do it.  It is the defining song of this man’s career, and has managed to elude its encapsulation by the 80s decade sound, being a huge rock anthem and a song dedicated to all those artists who tried to make it big but decided other things in life were more important.  The #1 song turning 40 years old this year is – …..more →

We are almost to the top of my countdowns, and this song almost made it there.  My kids know this song, many others know it and hear it all the time, and it remains one of her biggest hits today.  Not much else can be said except go ahead and listen, at #2 it’s How Will I Know by Whitney Houston.

I must have gone over this song over and over again.  At one time it was my top pick for 1985, but now it resides in this spot.  Who would have that this artist who made one color popular with him would end up doing it again a year later with not only another color but a hat too.  This man had boatloads left to say, and it continued with this #3 track on my countdown – Raspberry Beret by Prince.

Another sports-themed track of 1985, this song was one of 7 different singles that were released over a two year period and helped establish this man firmly as The Boss.  This song still has a lot of legs with its sound, its association with sports, and its catchy chorus.  Rock on to this #4 track – Glory Days by Bruce Springsteen.