So, when Tastes Like Music puts out a deep dive for a whole year of albums, they also give a top 20 songs list. I'm doing 25 though. Song lists are challenging, because often a song will chart the year after the album is released. For the purposes of my list, I am only counting songs from albums that were released in 1984.
1. ( Don't Go Back To ) Rockville - R.E.M.
* I love the beginning "Looking at your watch a third time, waiting in the station for the bus."
2. Middle of the Road - The Pretenders
* "Don't harass me / Can't you tell / I'm going home / I'm tired as hell"
3. What Difference Does It Make - The Smiths
* Johnny Marr's guitar riff on this track is the best thing from 1984.
4. Do It Again - The Kinks
* Ray Davies puts on a master class in vocal delivery.
5. Blue Jean - David Bowie
* Tonight was not a good album, but this song is fantastic.
6. Unsatisfied - The Replacements
* Paul Westerberg summing up the plight of the modern man.
7. The Unforgettable Fire - U2
* My favorite U2 song. It's cinematic.
8. Back on the Chain Gang - The Pretenders
* Beautifully crafted pop song. Probably better than Middle of the Road, but I like the rockers.
9. Smooth Operator - Sade
* Not gonna lie. This song is like sex on a stick.
10. Cold Shot - Stevie Ray Vaughn
* Great riff. Great delivery.
11. Fine, Fine Day - Tony Carey
* Great "story" song. Another in the long line of songs about someone coming home from prison.
12. So. Central Rain - R.E.M.
* "The wise man built his words upon the rocks, but I'm not bound to follow suit."
13. Panama - Van Halen
* "Reach down between my legs and...ease the seat back."
14. Tinseltown - Tony Carey
* Another great "story" song and it's a great guitar rocker.
15. Relax - Frankie Goes to Hollywood
* Love the way this song is crafted and performed.
16. Round and Round - RATT
* Also not gonna lie. This was my jam in 1984. That chorus is infectious.
17. Jungle Love - The Time
* No Prince, but The Time made the list. I think he co-wrote it though.This song has a great groove.
18. Boys of Summer - Don Henley
* I can't stand him, but this song can't be denied. "I saw a Deadhead sticker on a Cadillac"
19. Out of Touch - Hall and Oates
* Perfect pop from the 80's hit-makers.
20. Between the Wheels - RUSH
* Easily the most powerful track on Grace Under Pressure. Love it.
21. I Want You Back - Hoodoo Gurus
* Great indie rocker. I don't know how I missed them back in the day.
22. Pride - U2
* Powerful and anthemic track. The Edge is in top form.
23. Are We Ourselves? - The Fixx
* The Fixx are one of my favorite bands from the 80's. Great song.
24. John Coltrane Stereo Blues - The Dream Syndicate
* Tremendous guitar jam. Makes me wonder, again, why I don'r like Lou Reed.
25. I Wanna Rock - Twisted Sister
* This was my theme song in 1984. Peace.
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