Despite these crazy times, we are approach our annual countdown for MY Top 20 songs that turn 40 years old this year. Just like last year, starting on April 1 I will begin to countdown a song each day until my birthday on April 20 when I will announce what I believe to be the #1 40-year old song. Now this is the criteria of how I determine my list:
- No covers or re-releases of tunes. The song had to be released originally, and in the US, during this countdown year. So, that means even though Theme of New York by Frank Sinatra is one of the biggest songs ever and might have been #1 in this countdown, it was originally released by Liza Minnelli in 1977.
- A song appearing in an album released the year before but released as a single in the countdown year qualifies. However, for a deep cut (non-single release) to make it, the album would have to be released in the countdown year.
- The song's long term cultural and musical, as well as personal impact determines placement on this countdown, not just because it may have been the top billboard song of the year. Also some songs on this countdown my wife hates, but they made a big enough overall impact in my opinion and I liked them enough still to place them.
- Each song was listened to again prior to this countdown to verify its placement or none.
So, with that said, as we wait for April 1st, here are the list of songs that were considered, but did not make the countdown, including five (marked by *) that almost made it:
Rockin Into the Night - 38 Special
Hell's Bells - AC/DC
All Out of Love - Air Supply
Biggest Part of Me - Ambrosia
Give Me the Night - George Benson
*Call Me - Blondie
Fashion - David Bowie
*Ride Like the Wind - Christopher Cross
Sailing - Christopher Cross
Steal Away - Rob Dupree
The Body Electric - Fame Soundtrack
Biko - Peter Gabriel
Games Without Frontiers - Peter Gabriel
*Dancing With Myself - Generation X
Love Stinks - J Geils Band
Off the Wall - Michael Jackson
Dukes of Hazzard Theme - Waylon Jennings
It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me - Billy Joel
You May be Right - Billy Joel
Little Jeannie - Elton John
Magic - Olivia Newton John
Any Way You Want It - Journey
Breakin the Law - Judas Priest
*Too Hot - Kool and the Gang
Turn Me Loose - Loverboy
Could You Be Loved - Bob Marley
Redemption Song - Bob Marley
Never Knew Love Like This Before - Stephanie Mills
Ace of Spades - Motörhead
Love TKO - Teddy Pendergrass
Even the Losers - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Here Comes My Girl - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Refugee - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
He So Shy - The Pointer Sisters
Don’t Stand So Close to Me - The Police
Driven to Tears - The Police
When The World is Running Down You Make the Best of What's Still Around - The Police
Let Me Love You Tonight - Pure Prairie League
Lady - Kenny Rogers
She’s So Cold - Rolling Stones
*I’m Coming Out - Diana Ross
Upside down - Diana Ross
Free Will - Rush
Late in the evening - Paul Simon
Hungry heart - Bruce Springsteen
Out in the Streets - Bruce Springsteen
Take Your Time - SOS Band
Hey Nineteen - Steely Dan
Let My Love Open the Door - Pete Townshend
Everybody Wants Some - Van Halen
Master Blaster Jammin - Stevie Wonder