1984.
You probably remember seeing Gremlins, Ghostbusters, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, The Karate Kid, or The Terminator in the movie theater – and it only cost you $2.50 for the ticket. It was the first time you ever saw the MTV Music Video Awards (they debuted in 1984). You regularly watched The A-Team, Hill Street Blues, Knight Rider, or Magnum P.I. on TV. The Space Shuttle Discovery had its maiden voyage in 1984. The Summer Olympics were held in Los Angeles, California. 1984 was the year of the Subway Vigilante in New York City and the McDonald’s massacre in California. One pound of bacon only cost $1.69!!
It was also the year when the 50 songs listed below hit the airwaves for the very first time. So take a listen, and see how many of these songs send you on a nostalgic journey back to 1984. Songs listed in random order… except for #1.
50. What’s Love Got To Do With It – Tina Turner
49. Say Say Say – Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson
48. Footloose – Kenny Loggins
47. Jump – Van Halen
46. Owner of a Lonely Heart – Yes
45. Ghostbusters – Ray Parker, Jr.
44. Karma Chameleon – Culture Club
43. Let’s Hear it For the Boy – Deniece Williams
42. Born in the USA – Bruce Springsteen
41. Girls Just Want To Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper
40. Jump (For My Love) – Pointer Sisters
39. Say It Ain’t So – Hall & Oates
38. Hold Me Now – Thompson Twins
37. I Just Called To Say I Love You – Stevie Wonder
36. 99 Luftballons – Nena
35. Oh Sherrie – Steve Perry
34. Stuck on You – Lionel Richie
33. I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues – Elton John
32. She Bop – Cyndi Lauper
31. Eyes Without A Face – Billy Idol
30. Sister Christian – Night Ranger
29. Uptown Girl – Billy Joel
28. Drive – The Cars
27. The Heart of Rock & Roll – Huey Lewis and the News
26. Hard Habit to Break – Chicago
25. If Ever You’re In My Arms Again – Peabo Bryson
24. I Want a New Drug – Huey Lewis and the News
23. Love is a Battlefield – Pat Benatar
22. Almost Paradise – Mike Reno and Ann Wilson
21. Legs – ZZ Top
20. Cum on Feel the Noize – Quiet Riot
19. Cruel Summer – Bananarama
18. Dance Hall Days – Wang Chung
17. Give it Up – KC & The Sunshine Band
16. The Reflex – Duran Duran
15. Holiday – Madonna
14. Breakin’… There’s No Stopping Us – Ollie & Jerry
13. Round and Round – Ratt
12. The Longest Time – Billy Joel
11. Major Tom (Coming Home) – Peter Schilling
10. Magic – The Cars
9. When You Close Your Eyes – Night Ranger
8. Rock Me Tonite – Billy Squier
7. Undercover of the Night – Rolling Stones
6. Dancing in the Sheets – Shalamar
5. When Doves Cry – Prince
4. Missing You – John Waite
3. All Night Long (All Night) – Lionel Richie
2. Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now) – Phil Collins
1. Thriller – Michael Jackson
Thriller was actually released at the very end of 1983, but it didn’t make the Billboard charts until 1984.
Here’s the whole playlist for your listening pleasure:
