We’ve crossed another generational line in Hall of Songs. This time we’re past Generation X’s time in the pop spotlight, and we’ve moved on with millennials influencing the charts. That means a sunny optimism (or poptimism?) is rising among our nominees.
And these are, in fact, our 12 nominees from 1998 — our picks for the best songs of the year!
After listening to Tim and Chris, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1998, plus tunes from 1997, ’96, ’91 and ’90 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! VOTE BELOW and come back on March 10, 2023, to find out which song or songs get in!
We knew going into the 34th election that we could see some fireworks.
The latest ballot was the smallest in Hall of Songs history: 18 songs, all of which released between 1984 and ’88. With records by the likes of Prince, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, N.W.A., Metallica and more on the list, we were pretty excited heading into this show.
Listen to find out if any songs … or how many songs … got enough voter support to be inducted into the Hall of Songs.
Hall of Songs listeners: This was an historic election. Tim and Chris break down your votes judging the greatness of songs released between 1981 and ’87. Along the way, we play a little One Away.
We’ll tell you for sure that one song got into the Hall of Songs from our recent election, the 32nd overall. But two? In the 1980s? Is it possible?
Listen to get the full results of the latest vote. You’ll hear what happens to songs like current smash hit “Running Up That Hill” and former smash hit “Bette Davis Eyes” … and everything in between.
Will any songs join the 65 current members of the Hall of Songs, our prestigious academy of the greatest songs of all-time?
Join Tim and Chris as they go over a huge ballot of 29 songs from between 1981 and ’85. You’ve got records by Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Tears For Fears, Eurythmics, Phil Collins and many more big names. Will anything get through?
We have been dreaming of this moment since starting Hall of Songs. It’s time to enter 1985, when the biggest names in pop music converge for charity spectacles like “We Are the World” and Live Aid, and when some of the most enduring songs of a generation hit pretty darn hard.
Come along for the ride as we select our top-12 songs from 1985. After listening, head to hallofsongs.com to vote for the songs you think deserve to be in our hall of fame for songs called the Hall of Songs.
After listening to Tim and Chris, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1985, plus tunes from 1984, ’83, ’82 and ’81 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now at hallofsongs.com and come back on July 29, 2022, to find out which song or songs get in!
Our 1985 nominees:
“King of Rock” as performed by Run DMC
Written by Darryl McDaniels, Jason Mizel, Joseph Simmons, Larry Smith and Russell Simmons; recorded mid-1984; released January 1985
“How Will I Know” as performed by Whitney Houston
Written by Geroge Merrill, Shannon Rubicam and Narada Michael Walden; recorded fall 1984; released February 1985
“Everybody Wants to Rule the World” as performed by Tears For Fears
Written by Roland Orzabal, Ian Stanley and Chris Hughes; recorded November 1984; released February 1985
“Voices Carry” as performed by ‘Til Tuesday
Written by Robert Holmes, Aimee Mann, Michael Hausman and Joey Pesce; recorded January 1985; released March 1985
“Raspberry Beret” as performed by Prince and the Revolution
Written by Prince; recorded September 1984; released April 1985
“Money For Nothing” as performed by Dire Straits
Written by Mark Knopfler and Sting; recorded December 1984; released May 1985
“Running Up That Hill” as performed by Kate Bush
Written by Kate Bush; recorded early 1985; released August 1985
“Conga” as performed by Miami Sound Machine
Written by Enrique E. Garcia; recorded early 1985; released August 1985
“Take on Me” as performed by A-Ha
Written by Magne Furuholmen, Morten Harket and Pal Waaktaar; recorded late 1984; released September 1985
“Bastards of Young” as performed by The Replacements
Written by Paul Westerberg; recorded June 1985; released September 1985
“I Can’t Live Without My Radio” as performed by LL Cool J
Written by James Todd Smith and Rick Rubin; recorded early 1985; released October 1985
“Crush on You” as performed by The Jets
Written by Jerry Knight and Aaron Zigman; recorded summer 1985; released October 1985
Listen to the full episode for more, and then vote for the songs that you think are the greatest of all-time. Scroll down to vote. Then, come back on July 29, 2022 to find out the voting results, and July 31, 2022 for our discussion on 1986.
OK, maybe we’re guilty of using a little hyperbole. 1984 is, however, a year of huge stars, big sounds, and even bigger songs.
In this episode of Hall of Songs, Tim and Chris select their top-12 from this year, and you’ll get huge names like Bruce, the highest of NRG, and one dominant force whose fingerprints are all over this year.
After listening to Tim and Chris, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1984, plus tunes from 1983, ’82 and ’81 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now at hallofsongs.com and come back on July 8, 2022, to find out which song or songs get in!
Our 1984 nominees (spoilers below; highlight to reveal):
“What’s Love Got to Do With It” as performed by Tina Turner
Written by Terry Britten and Graham Lyle; recorded fall 1983; released May 1984
“The Glamorous Life” as performed by Sheila E.
Written by Prince; recorded early 1984; released May 1984
“Dancing in the Dark” as performed by Bruce Springsteen
Written by Bruce Springsteen; recorded February 1984; released May 1984
“Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” as performed by Wham!
Written by George Michael; recorded February 1984; released May 1984
“When Doves Cry” as performed by Prince
Written by Prince; recorded March 1984; released May 1984
“Purple Rain” as performed by Prince
Written by Prince; recorded August 1983; released June 1984
“Smooth Operator” as performed by Sade
Written by Sade Adu and Ray St. John; recorded ;ate 1983; released July 1984
“Fade to Black” as performed by Metallica
Written by Cliff Burton, James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich and Kirk Hammett; recorded February 1984; released July 1984
“I Feel For You” as performed by Chaka Khan
Written by Prince; recorded early 1984; released October 1984
“Unsatisfied” as performed by The Replacements
Written by Paul Westerberg; recorded late 1983; released October 1984
“You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)” as performed by Dead or Alive
Written by Pete Burns, Steve Coy, Wayne Hussey, Tim Lever and Mike Percy; recorded July 1984; released November 1984
“How Soon is Now?” as performed by The Smiths
Written by Johnny Marr and Morrissey; recorded July 1984; released November 1984
Listen to the full episode for more, and then vote for the songs that you think are the greatest of all-time. Scroll down to vote. Then, come back on July 8, 2022 to find out the voting results, and July 10, 2022 for our discussion on 1984.
Let’s not waste time: Chris is back and joins Tim to induct the 65th song into our prestigious Hall of Songs. Which record will join the latest two, Prince’s “Little Red Corvette” and Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”? Take the time to find out.
Also, we discuss songs that are now eliminated from our Hall of Songs ballot … and the thing that all the remaining songs have in common.
It’s time once again to add a few more songs for Hall of Songs induction. Time for a Veterans Committee episode.
In this one, we say more great things about Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” album, then we finally put some dang outlaw country on the ballot. We’ll also chat about some other songs and artists we appreciate from the era between ’75 and ’78, including a certain piano man.
Listen, then vote in our latest Hall of Songs ballot at hallofsongs.com. Also follow us on social media at @hallofsongs.
