Ever since the dawn of this blog three and a half years ago, I’ve long considered doing a top 100 Prince songs. For those who don’t know me, let me profess that Prince has been my singular favorite musical artist since I’ve been a young kid. I was fortunate enough to see him in concert 14 times. I know the ins and outs of his 39 albums and many B sides very well.
I mainly never did it for one reason: it’s really difficult to find videos of his work online as Prince was fiercely protective of his catalogue. That means good luck finding his stuff on YouTube or iTunes, etc… Tidal, by the way, has many on his albums on display.
Now – with the shocking and frankly devastating news from Thursday, I’m compiling my personal top 100 songs from his storied career that spanned nearly 40 years. These will be in ten installments and we begin with 100-91:
If you wish to educate yourself on some of the finest work from this genius, I encourage you to seek these out and I’ll have numbers 90-81 up tomorrow!
And now for something completely new on this here blog!
For the last three summers, I’ve pontificated on the Top Ten Summer Hits of seasons that came 20 and 10 years before. I just posted my retrospective of 1995 films yesterday on the site and I’ll have my post regarding 2005 up on Friday or over the weekend.
This got me thinking. About this midpoint of summer, many of us wonder what the true song of the summer is. Good thing Billboard keeps track of such items of curiosity and it allows us to delve back 30 years and then 20 years and then 10 years.
Therefore, today’s post will travel back in time to 1985 to give you the Top Ten Summer Music Hits of 1985, along with my quick takes on them and the all important question: is it on my iTunes?
I’ll follow up tomorrow with the top summer jams and ballads of 1995 and on Thursday with 2005. For now, it’s time for some 80s nostalgia and I’ll rate each track (my personal opinion of course) on a scale of 1 (awful) to 10 (summer hit masterpiece).
10. “Never Surrender” by Corey Hart
The first single of Mr. Hart’s second album is one of those cheesy 80s ballads with an even more gloriously cheesy video to accompany it. I had actually forgotten about this song and it frankly didn’t leave much of an impression. Truth be told, when I think of Corey, I think of his first hit single the year prior… in which he wore his sunglasses. At night.
My Rating: 4
Is It On My iTunes? No
9. “Heaven” by Bryan Adams
Our second Canadian solo singer on this list after Mr. Hart is Mr. Bryan Adams and one of his signature tunes. The raspy voiced crooner fares much better here than Mr. Hart. The track would be covered with success sixteen years later by DJ Sammy in a sped up dance hall version.
My Rating: 7 and a half
Is It On My iTunes? No
8. “St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion” by John Parr
OK, now we’re talking. The title track for Joel Schumacher’s Brat Pack hit is a guilty pleasure if there ever was one and I’m not ashamed to admit I quite dig it. Mr. Parr is English by the way, so our streak of American artists so far is 0-3.
My Rating: 9
Is It On My iTunes? Yes
7. “Raspeberry Beret” by Prince and the Revolution
America in the form of Minneapolis and its funky little genius finally appears with the first single off Prince’s Around the World in a Day album, which followed his massive Purple Rain juggernaut. This tune sounds more 60s influenced than anything that had come before on the Purple One’s resume and it’s an infectious groove that still holds up today, like pretty much everything he’s done. It misses a 10 only in comparison to some of his other masterworks.
My Rating: 9 and a half
Is It On My iTunes? Yes
**NO VIDEO as Prince doesn’t allow his material on YouTube
6. “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free” by Sting
This jazzy and reggae tinged jam marks the first solo release of Sting’s career after the breakup of The Police. It’s a rock solid beginning to one heckuva output over the next three decades.
My Rating: 8
Is It On My iTunes? Yes
5. “Sussudio” by Phil Collins
The first single of his No Jacket Required album, I’m still not sure what this song is about but there are some catchy horns. This has never been one of my favorite tracks from an artist I like tremendously, but it’s still fairly decent.
My Rating: 6 and a half
Is It On My iTunes: Yes (mostly because I own his greatest hits)
4. “A View to a Kill” by Duran Duran
The English boy band gave us this theme song to the final Roger Moore 007 picture and it’s a beauty, unlike the movie. One of the all time best Bond themes and my favorite track on this list.
My Rating: 10
Is It On My iTunes? Yes
3. “The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis and the News
Another movie connection here as Huey Lewis (and his news friends) had their first #1 hit with this track from the Back to the Future soundtrack. It’s a supremely pleasant power ballad that’ll leave you smiling, as so much of Huey’s music did.
My Rating: 8
Is It On My iTunes? No
2. “Everytime You Go Away” by Paul Young
If this sounds like a Hall and Oates song, it’s because Daryl Hall wrote it and gave it to Mr. Young, who turned it into a #1 single. It would be used two years later in the closing scene of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. It’s solid, though I don’t love it.
My Rating: 7
Is It On My iTunes? No
1. “Shout” by Tears for Fears
The band’s signature tune ranks highest on the list of 1985 summer anthems. And it is indeed truly an anthem – a big sounding song that gave the group its largest hit. And it’s easy to sing along to in the chorus when you let it all out…
My Rating: 9
Is It On My iTunes: No
And there you have it my friends! I’ll have 1995 up tomorrow…
We are a week into my Top 90 R&B Songs of the 1990s and that means part seven and numbers 30-21!
Please click the Music category of the blog to review previous entries. Let’s get to it:
30. “Doo Wop” (That Thing) by Lauryn Hill (1998)
Hill left the Fugees to start a solo career and hit it big with her first album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and this great first single that marks her only #1 solo hit.
29. “You Make Me Wanna…” by Usher (1997)
The lead single from Usher’s My Way album is among his finest tracks with production from Jermaine Dupri.
28. “I’m So Into You” by SWV (1992)
The female trio had their first top ten hit with this terrific uptempo groove.
27. “Don’t Walk Away” by Jade (1993)
The New Jack swing club anthem gave this girl group their signature hit.
26. “Cream” by Prince (1991)
The Purple One has joked that he wrote this song in the mirror. At least I think he was joking.
**Blogger’s Note: Prince doesn’t allow his videos on YouTube
25. “Not Gon Cry” by Mary J. Blige (1996)
Ms. Mary’s ballad from the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack is among her top career highlights.
24. “Rub You the Right Way” by Johnny Gill (1990)
The New Edition singer had the biggest hit of his solo career with this banger from producers Jam and Lewis.
23. “Too Close” by Next (1997)
The male trio had a monster hit on their hands with its infectious beat and highly suggestive lyrical content.
22. “I Wanna Sex You Up” by Color Me Badd (1991)
The group’s biggest hit came from the New Jack City soundtrack and has certainly stood the test of time.
21. “Fantasy” by Mariah Carey (1995)
Carey’s lead single from her Daydream album is a classic among her staple of #1 hits. It also has an awesome Puff Daddy remix featuring Ol’ Dirty Bastard.
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