Welcome back as we continue the countdown! If you missed the previous songs, you can go back and check out songs 40-31. This has been a good countdown so far. So let’s Return to the week ending April 5, 1986, and continue the countdown.

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30. “Overjoyed” by Stevie Wonder

I prefer Stevie Wonder’s music from the ’70s, but this is a pretty song. Love his voice!

 

 

 

29. “American Storm” by Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band

This is one of my favorite Bob Seger songs. This is one of those misunderstood songs. It is not a patriotic song. It is about cocaine abuse. In an interview with the New York Times, Seger said, “I wrote it after reading ‘Wired,’ Bob Woodward’s biography of John Belushi. That was two and a half years ago, when there was a lot of publicity about cocaine abuse in show business. At the time, I thought that it was just a trend that would quickly die out and that the song would be out of date when it came time to record. But the situation has gotten worse. Maybe cocaine isn’t quite as fashionable on the East and West Coasts these days, but the plague has spread into the heartland — into the Middle West and the South. The key line in ‘American Storm’ is ‘You never feel the need.’ You never feel anything when you’re on drugs. You’re numb. You’re afraid to feel for one reason or another, and that’s why you turn to drugs. I want to see people not do that.”

 

28. “No Easy Way Out” by Robert Tepper

A great song from one of my favorite soundtracks – Rocky IV. And you know it’s good because it was featured in a Rocky training montage in the film.

27. “So Far Away” by Dire Straits

I’m not the biggest Dire Straits fan, so I wouldn’t mind if this song moved so far away from me.

 

 

 

26. “How Will I Know” by Whitney Houston

On the other hand, I loved Whitney. She could do no wrong with me in the ’80s. I wish that she did know that crack is indeed wack. One of our great artists gone way too soon.

 

 

 

25. “Kyrie” by Mr. Mister

Mr. Mister’s follow-up to the smash hit, “Broken Wings”, was another #1 smash hit. They did have two other U.S. top 40 hits after this, but nobody remembers those.

 

 

 

24. “I Think It’s Love” by Jermaine Jackson

I don’t remember this song. Not one of my favorite Jermaine tunes, but it’s OK.

 

 

 

23. “Your Love” by The Outfield

The Outfield has other great songs that rarely get played. However, despite the fact that I’ve heard this song a few million times in my life, I still love it.

 

 

 

22. “Sanctify Yourself” by Simple Minds

If only this song was also featured in a John Hughes film like their other hit song.

 

 

 

21. “What Have You Done For Me Lately” by Janet Jackson

I loved Janet Jackson. But, whenever I hear this song, this is the first thing that comes to mind [keep in mind that this is Eddie Murphy. So if you’re listening at work, make sure your headphones don’t pop out]:

 

 

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That wraps up today’s list of songs. I’m really liking this countdown so far! What do you think. Do you have any favorite songs so far. Any surprises you forgot about? Come back tomorrow as we continue the countdown!

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