Starting out the second half of the countdown for the top 20 songs turning 40 years old is a track that was played by many students in chorus rooms with grand pianos, mainly because the melody is all black keys. This track made this artist a star and it didn’t hurt her for being a fantastic drummer and percussionist. It’s also another Prince entry in that he wrote the tone. Coming in at #10 is The Glamorous Life by Sheila E.
We wrap up the first half of the incredibly difficult and competitive top 20 countdown of songs turning 40 years old this year with the title track of the album that made this woman a massive superstar. If she didn’t rule the world before, this album would make certain of that this and especially the following year. This track established her as one of the most controversial artists of her time and she was only getting started. Coming in at #11 is Like a Virgin by Madonna.
This next track turning 40 years old this year is arguably one of my favorite ballads of all time. Great ballads have a way of triggering emotion when they intend to, and this track is a great example. It may be his best ballad ever too, with one of the best guitar solos written for a ballad. Just everything about this song is awesome, but it only reaches #12 in this countdown. It’s Hello by Lionel Richie.
A track that is synonymous with one of the greatest comebacks in rock and roll history, this song still sounds fresh when it is played today. It has not gotten old, and if anything, it has only gotten better with time, like a fine wine, which is a great characteristic to have for songs in these countdowns. The queen of rock & roll may be gone, but this song will always live on. Coming in at #12 is the 1984 classic What’s Love Got to Do With It by Tina Turner.
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 →