My “songs of the year” from 1983 to 2013. Not necessarily ‘the best’ song or my ‘favorites’ now, but the ones that at the time I liked the most or the ones I remember the most from that year, the ones that stood out to represent that year. The “this is my jam” songs. Starting with the 1980’s…
(Click song title for YouTube video).
1983:
“Beat It” – Michael Jackson
At some point in time before I could really remember anything, I know I loved Michael Jackson. True story.
“Live On The Sunset Strip” – Richard Pryor
So it’s an album not a song, but I know my dad had a tape, and it would play in the car or truck – often, because I knew many of the bits before I was 10. Inappropriate but awesome.
1984:
“Girls Just Want To Have Fun” – Cyndi Lauper
The greatest pop song of all time.
“Ghostbusters” – Ray Parker, Jr.
I must have air-guitared 1,000 times to this song before 1993.
1985:
“Real American” – Rick Derringer, featuring Cyndi Lauper.
Hulk Hogan’s WWF theme song. I heard this at least 1,000 times before 1993.
“Love Is Alive” – The Judds
I remember the sound of this playing from my mom’s kitchen radio, probably after 1985, but I have clear memories of that sound from that transistor radio.
1986:
“Take Me Home Tonight” – Eddie Money
For whatever reason, I couldn’t get this song out of my head. For years. Still can’t.
“Living In America” – James Brown
Rocky IV. Over and over again.
1987:
“All My Ex’s Live in Texas” – George Strait
Still one of my all-time favorites. I remember hearing this so often on my grandmother’s kitchen radio. 99 WJVL Janesville. This would be really fun to do for country western Karaoke, I have a feeling.
“Ocean Front Property” – George Straight
Same as above. I didn’t get the joke in 1987 and was surprised to later find that there isn’t any ocean front property in Arizona.
1988:
“Heaven Is A Place On Earth” – Belinda Carlisle
This song is the 1980’s.
“Don’t Worry, Be Happy” – Bobby McFerrin
I’m not sure if I even like the song, or even liked it back then. But you couldn’t get away from it, ever, in 1988.
1989:
“Once Bitten Twice Shy” – Great White
I knew the song, didn’t know or understand the lyrics. That’s a good thing. Because I was 6. And it’s naughty.
“We Didn’t Start The Fire” – Billy Joel
Billy Joel didn’t start it. But this song didn’t go away, either.
Up next, the 90’s…
