Despite these crazy times, we are approach our annual countdown for my Top 20 songs that turn 30 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 announce the #1 30-year old song. Now this is the criteria of how I determine my lists:
- 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 Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O'Conner was one of the biggest songs of 1990, it will not make this countdown because the song was originally released by Prince’s side project The Family in 1985.
- 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:
What it Takes - Aerosmith
*Can’t Stop - After 7
Ready or Not - After 7
Do me - Bel Biv Devoe
The Dance - Garth Brooks
Don’t Wanna Fall In Love - Jane Child
Shelter Me - Cinderella
Something Happened On the Way to Heaven - Phil Collins
I’ll Be Your Shelter - Taylor Dane
*I Touch Myself - Divinlys
Hold On - En Vogue
Save Me - Fleetwood Mac
King of Wishful Thinking - Go West
So Close - Hall and Oates
New York Minute - Don Henley
I’m Your Baby Tonight - Whitney Houston
*I Don’t Have the Heart - James Ingram
Suicide Blonde - Inxs
Wicked Game - Chris Issak
Love Will Never Do Without You - Janet Jackson
*Been Caught Stealing - Jane's Addiction
Right Here Right Now - Jesus Jones
I Go to Extremes - Billy Joel
You Gotta Love Someone - Elton John
Forever - Kiss
Children of the Night - Richard Marx
From a Distance - Bette Midler
Can’t Live With Your Love and Affection - Nelson
Something to Believe In - Poison
Unskinny Bop - Poison
Close to You - Maxi Priest
Crazy - Seal
Make you Sweat - Keith Sweat
Feels Good - Tony Toni Tone
Cherry Pie - Warrant
Hold On - Wilson Phillips
*Release Me - Wilson Phillips