Just like the previous entry to this countdown, here’s another song that can’t be capsuled into the 80s sound. Already with a couple huge hits under his belt, this artist produced this track of what everybody knows about in this country to some extent, and the problems and joys that come with it. Coming in at #7 is Small Town by John Mellencamp.
For as huge as hip-hop was in the 90s, surprisingly we come to the first such entry in this 1995 countdown, and it’s a scorcher. Highlighted during the infamous East/West Coast rap wars of this period, this song might be among the top 10 most iconic rap songs of all time, and it also helped bring the vocoder into the mainstream (again for better or worse). At #7 it’s California Love by Dr. Dre & Tupac.
My countdowns have produced surprises, and this one is no different. I bet when you see this you’re thinking what song is this, but once you hear it you’ll know why it made it. Longevity is a good trait to have to make it to this list, and this song certainly has had it. At #8 it’s Roll To Me by Del Amitri.
Rare can a song not only help define a pop-music genre, but also be the catalyst for the wave of music that would come years down the road. Enter this next 1985 track. It’s a safe bet that the Latin-music invasion can be traced back to this song, which never gets caught in the 80s time capsule. It still sounds fresh today. This energetic tune will get you singing and dancing, at #8 it’s Conga by Miami Sound Machine.
In the mid-80s, this artist was everywhere, from Miami Vice to Live Aid. He had four songs that were released in 1985 but only this one managed to break into this list. I can’t speak for everyone, but it’s hard for me not to enjoy this song when it comes on the air. That bass riff is iconic, the keyboard riff is jammin’, and the horns are superb. At #9 it’s Sussudio by Phil Collins.
Once again, now in the 90s, another case for soundtrack songs – should they or shouldn’t they appear? This song is synonymous with the TV show Friends, and it would be hard to completely separate it from the sitcom. However, it’s still a classic, and deserves its spot here for the fact that as good of a song it is, it’s associated with one of the biggest tv shows of all time. At #9 it’s I’ll Be There For You by The Rembrandts.