WHAT the HELL Happened to Music? This 1984 Top 10 Will MAKE You Wonder! | Professor of Rock

Coming up, we’re headed back to 1984 for our latest episode of the Hit Song Redux. Except this time there’s a twist. See what I mean next. I gotta say I’m excited to get into this one because I believe 1984 was the greatest year in music history. But get this… only 5 records reached #1 that entire year… that’s how competitive it was. It was insane. Records by MJ, Prince, Springsteen, Huey Lewis, as well as Footloose were the only ones to achieve chart supremacy. So which ones made it onto today’s countdown? And who else got close? As always, we are going to re-rank these Top 10 contenders based on the impact they’ve had on the world since. Which one will be #1 40 years later? Well, there’s some real rock legends in this one… Will it be the Mighty Rush… Van Halen, or a one-hit wonder??? Get ready for an epic Top 10 Countdown… NEXT on the Professor of Rock.
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Hey Music Junkies, Professor of Rock Always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest songs of all time. If you remember the Bernstein Bears you’ll dig this channel of deep musical nostalgia …Make sure to subscribe below right now to be a part of our music history daily straight from the artists. And to become an honorary producer on our Patreon, click on the link in the description. Plus you can check out our new merch.
That’s right people, it’s time for the latest edition of our show the Hit Song Redux where we travel back to a specific week in the golden era of rock and roll. Then we re-rank the top 10 records of that same week based on how much the world has listened to them since. but this time we’re trying something new… we’re counting down the Top 10 albums. But as always, we’re including artist interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and in-depth commentary. This is going to be fun.
As we get started I want to pay tribute to my hero the great Casey Kasem. This show was inspired by his American Top 40 countdown we all grew up with and is an unabashed tribute to him. Okay, let’s do a quick pop culture review to set the mood. Think back to this same time 40 years ago.. we were venturing into the greatest summer in the history of the free world You could also argue that it was the greatest year for blockbuster movies as well. I’m talking Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Gremlins, the Karate Kid, and Ghostbusters. Both Temple of Doom and Gremlins came under scrutiny for some of their more violent scenes. In response, Steven Spielberg who was involved with both films suggested that the Motion Picture Association of America amend its rating system… which then led to the new PG-13 rating. How’s that for a bit of trivia.
On television, you might have been watching the Harry Anderson, John Larroquette situation comedy Night Court, or maybe you were into the action-adventure classic The A-Team. Who was your favorite? Hannibal, Face, Murdock, BA? So if you were a kid in the summer of 1984, there was a lot of good shows as well. I mean we’re talking Fraggle Rock, He-Man, Dungeons and Dragons, GI Joe, Reading Rainbow. And Transformers debuting later in the fall. Man, being a kid in the 80s was something special.
Okay, let’s get into it. the album charts of late May 1984…Starting us off at #10, it’s holy trinity of prog-rock the one and only Rush.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Poll: What is your pick for the best part of 1984 whether a movie, a song, an album, a tv show, a band or other?

[@peterd.9978]

The weekend cartoons and Kung Fu Theatre!

[@Sweet--Richard.4981]

Take On Me A-Ha

[@killrmillr]

This Is Spinal Tap

[@TerrickTerran]

Going to go toy and Transformers breaking out into the toy line. Honorable Mention to Night Court and Weird Al in 3-D.

[@WavidDebb]

RATT Professor, do you DJ a KZbin music or Spotify channel?

[@rightleft7050]

Blows me away! 40yrs ago😮 I'm a kid of the 70s, teen of the 80s, young adult of 90s. Not really enjoy 2024. Any time travellers in this comment section. If your going back to the 80s please take me with you 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jo.wilkinson]

I'm still looking for my DeLorean!

[@madelinekimbro2440]

Same!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Same here!

[@coinslotsandjoysticks2572]

Take me to please, any 80,s year is ok. They were all awesome 😎👍

[@ProfessorofRock]

Same!

[@mikebal7777]

We didn't know it at the time, but 1984 was the most amazing time to be a teen. Kids today just don't have the amazing new music and movies we all took for granted.

[@tammyboykin5285]

And even fashion. I mean half the clothing stores are out of business and style just doesn't seem very important anymore to kids

[@victorhunter8900]

Current music and movies suck.

[@AdultThirdCultureKid1971]

RIP, Casey Kasem. You entertained us with your voiceovers in SuperFriends and Scooby Doo and your countdowns. 😊🤗❤

[@l.l.c.]

I was a freshman in high school in ‘84. Purple Rain was everywhere. Thriller, VH 1984, wow.

[@psmith6852]

I turned 21 in 1984 😊

[@TerrickTerran]

So many amazing songs combined with great television, cool cartoons and awesome toys. If you didn't live in the 80s, you missed out.

[@ProfessorofRock]

No question!

[@chubbrock659]

Transformers ruled!

[@danielmarquis5258]

​@@chubbrock659I also loved MASK and Super Powers toys.

[@johnnyjohnson1326]

Absolutely

[@robdyer6088]

1984 still had Born in the USA, Purple Rain, and Private Dancer waiting in the wings. Incredible year.

[@notdan995]

Madonna's Like A Virgin also, probably her biggest album...?

[@edwardkim2511]

@@notdan995 Saw Madonna Virgin tour concert at the Civic Center, Cleveland. Great concert.

[@kevroy1410]

Steve Perry's song Oh Sherrie was hard to beat.

[@ProfessorofRock]

For sure. So great.

[@bobdavis4848]

"Oh Sherrie."

[@bettyparker3317]

Still on my main playlists👍

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Yes it was.

[@lawdogwales5921]

Yep, and a great video as well.

[@tommcfadden5232]

What happened to music? The same thing that happened to movies.

[@user-rz5qb1co4q]

And the USA

[@IExpectedBSJustNotThisMuchBS]

I'm approaching 70 and so lived through what some think are the greatest periods in music history and I loved living through that period, BUT there's some great music being produced today. I'm really enjoying it. Research shows people tend to get stuck in the music of their youth, thinking it was the best and so even generations after me think this way. I don't.. I just enjoy what's good out there and ignore the rest, which is what I did in the 60s, 70s, 80s.

[@PumpkinPatchVintage]

And TV shows! I don’t watch anything on TV/cable anymore, just KZbin.

[@Fruit17-ip4vl]

I finished college in 1984! The 80’s produced some of the greatest songs! I loved Kasey’s voice on the top 40 countdown! I would watch American Bandstand with Dick Clark and Soul Train with Don Cornelius. The albums were released and my Dad would buy them for me. I still play them and enjoy! It was a fun time! 😎❤️

[@conniebauer4128]

The song I most remember from the summer of 84 was Corey Hart's Sunglasses at Night.

[@chrisoakley5830]

That song is still played consistently on one of our local radio stations.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Great one!

[@pattymiller9040]

Great song! I love when occasionally it pops up on the radio!😎

[@jellyrollnorton]

Yes! And Ghostbusters.

[@melindahajdin]

Fun fact: this song was originally about a totalitarian society where everyone wore sunglasses at night. But Corey Hart's record company was afraid it wouldn't sell so they made him change it.

[@MikeHart72]

The 80’s was a special time to be a teenager. We had the beginning of new gadgets and technology but it didn’t take over our lives. We played outside with friends, gathered at the field to play a neighborhood game of baseball, etc. When the rainy days came that would be the only time we might spend locked indoors with our video game console….. I had a Vic 20 lol The only bad thing about the 80’s is that they ended.

[@ArtistCreek]

Atari and arcades. HBO played poltergeist and superman like EVERY DAY. We acted so crazy but there was no cameras in everyone's pocket. Thank God. It was a special time.

[@michaelrasmussen6588]

I graduated in 82 and spent two years trying to figure out what to do with my ;ife. I joined the Air Force in January 1984, and the songs of 84 were the soundtrack of the beginning of my adulthood. I love this stuff

[@billhorstkamp98]

The brew crew of 82😂

[@brianfromtheambar7944]

Our first child arrived. He came in great chaos and, against all that was thrown at him, he cuts a wide swathe daily. He still makes me walk taller than I deserve.

[@Suzette-gb7uj]

What a beautiful tribute to your son❣️

[@Undertaker67203]

1984, I was a a graduating senior in high school, I was a radio disc jockey and I had great friends. Not a better time to be alive. God I miss it.

[@stevenwoodward5923]

For me a better time was 1977, the year I gradulated. I do enjoy "Thiller" since Michael and I was born the same year along with Madonna

[@JeffreyGlover65]

'84 Grad...great time to be young. '77 was a great year for other reasons 😉

[@LuizAlexandre_lalex]

Me too, 85 grad, 86 went to university… Weekends playing football as there was no tomorrow, booze, girls, fun…

[@janetkriegl6720]

@@stevenwoodward5923 "gradulated"? If you were born in 1958, like the two you cited, you'd have been 19 years old in 1977. Did you take a year off in high school?

[@rickymaloy1103]

Was a grad in 84 our generation has the best America had to offer period

[@kathryngutierrez5967]

Saturday our firstborn turns 40. I still would rather listen to 80's music.

[@audreysenghas4138]

My youngest turns 40 in November. The music was great that year

[@savedin87ify]

18 in 84 what a time to grow up

[@trb2021]

I was 19. Great time to be a young adult!

[@shawnuel]

@@trb2021 I was 21. I liked more of the mainstream stuff that year than in other years (Prince, Bruce, Mellencamp, Petty, Cars) but it was underground and college rock that got me excited from '83 on.

[@monicamad1285]

Class of 84 😊

[@AdultThirdCultureKid1971]

I turned 13 in September 1984.

[@eugeniasandoval3864]

I was a freshman in high school that year..... what a time that was

[@talbotdarren]

I love these episodes. It reminds how great it was to be alive during that era.

[@ProfessorofRock]

A blast from the past!

[@purplelove392]

​@@ProfessorofRock good movie too

[@billkeithchannel]

@@ProfessorofRock Sounds like a movie. Oh wait, it is.

[@thebunter]

The year of 1984 was the year I graduated from High School. Living in Minnesota, Purple Rain was "THE" music of the summer. The music of that summer besides Prince was soo good compared to other years. My musical tastes are wide so this was the year my music collection exploded. I would go to the record stores, god I miss them, and always walk out with at least one and usually more new album on a weekly basis. I still have that vinyl along with many, many more and while I don't play the vinyl much I have most of it on CD and still listen to it on a regular basis. It's the fall back music. If I don't feel like playing a certain artist or genre it's either Tangerine Dream or an artist from 1984 that I go back to as I have music going every day and most hours of the day. Such a great time for music. Thanks for the video Professor. Such a number of memories. Fun thing is I have the original vinyl for every album you showcased in this video. Most I also have on CD.

[@SearchIndex]

You get extra points for mentioning Tangerine Dream ❤

[@lynnhettrick7588]

I was 14 in 1984, living in Richfield, MN. It was such a great time. Purple Rain was the first R movie I watched. Saw Prince in concert in ‘85.

[@joyfulsip3615]

Everybody older told me to enjoy my youth because it passes so fast. I’m so grateful I listened. I appreciated every minute of being young. 🎼❤ 🚙✈️🌊 👯‍♂️

[@TheReneepruitt]

I did as well, but it still went to fast and I still try hard to remember everything but sadly I can’t remember all of it. Seems like I lost a lot of the past.

[@Inmatesixdoublefive321]

I was 14 in ‘84 and it’s my favorite childhood summer. The Cars Heartbeat City is the soundtrack to the best summer ever.

[@Cali_Girl1]

That's so funny you said that! I was just remembering something similar! I was 12, and turned 13 years old that summer, and I spend the summer with my favorite Aunt in Colorado. It was the HAPPIEST Summer of my life! And, the entire year of 1989 was the HAPPIEST year of my life!! Those of us who grew up in the 70's and 80's were the LUCKIEST kids of all generations!! Nothing will ever compare to those two decades!

[@Inmatesixdoublefive321]

@@Cali_Girl1💯👍

[@user-cv3gb6lg5j]

"Let's Go."

[@user-cv3gb6lg5j]

​@Cali_GirlI1. I agree completely. Don't ever forget.

[@mikemaki7192]

Absolutely!

[@dgarve]

As a Rush fan, I'm pleasantly surprised that GuP actually made the Top 10. For me, the best album of 1984 is clearly Van Halen's 1984. The best single of the year (released in late '83 but reached number 1 in early '84) is "Owner of a Lonely Heart". You should do this 1984 redux later in the year to see how "Born in the USA", "Chicago 17", "Purple Rain" and "Like a Virgin" fare. Have a great holiday weekend! - Dave

[@ProfessorofRock]

No kidding. Thanks!

[@Stevie7316]

I’m a Rush fan too. My first Rush concert was Grace Under Pressure 1984 Tacoma Dome. They opened with Spirit of the Radio, thought I died and went to heaven when the lights came on and Geddy screamed CONCERT HALL!!! I was born in 1963 but wasn’t allowed to listen to rock music. (My dad was the preacher) My Dad is the greatest tho, I love him! It’s funny cause I missed out on a lot of great music growing up. But I always destroy any and all my friends on music trivia from the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. Van Halen’s 1984 was certainly one of, if not the best albums that year. Almost 30 years later I got to see my 2 kids play and sing JUMP from that album at Battle of the Bands at their high school. My daughter sang, and my son played lead guitar and nailed the EVH solo. Such a thrill for me to see that my kids also share the same love for the music from my time!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I loved VH1984.

[@spaztekwarrior]

I graduated high school in ‘84. What a wonderful time for music.

[@PrissyHippie]

Me too!

[@dedrathomas9222]

I graduated high school in ‘84 and music was my world. I miss music stores, and miss the simplicity of the 80’s. Thank you for this episode, I love all the bands mentioned.

[@slypperyfox]

Was 24 in ‘84 and the most significant music influence for me (us - wife &I) was my wife got pregnant (yeah, it was mine) leading to the birth of our oldest in ‘85 quickly followed by two siblings over the next 9 years. We raised 3 boys and my wife developed memories - mostly song/music with each of our kids’ respective births. She can name every song or scent (coffee or cinnamon, etc) at the top of the billboards for the whole 9 months of pregnancy. I can barely remember what I ate for breakfast just an hour after eating but she can recall every song that hit #1 for each child’s pregnancy.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for sharing.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

That’s amazing!

[@6StringPassion.]

This is such a great channel. You're memorializing events that might otherwise be lost for future generations.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks!

[@chrisoakley5830]

So true.

[@bettyparker3317]

This 💯💯👍👍 thanks prof!

[@brookskelley]

When I picked up my late brother's MP3 device after he passed away in a car wreck in 2004, I found most of what I expected. The Strawbs, Emerson Lake and Palmer, The Moody Blues, Switched on Bach, and Mike Oldfield. He didn't generally go for top 40 or commercial music. Instead, he enjoyed more eclectic well crafted music that met his high standards. Not surprising since he had perfect pitch and demanded that the music he listened to be of the best musicality. So, you can imagine that my jaw dropped when I found "The Car's Heartbeat City" album on his MP3 playlist too. Clearly, my brother, a broadcast engineer, felt their talent on the album was superior.

[@emmawagner471]

Awww, thanks for sharing this about your brother with us. 👍

[@Suzette-gb7uj]

So sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine losing my brother, and especially the way you lost yours.

[@roberthoffman4713]

One of the best things about watching this channel is hearing awesome music that I forget about untill I hear them again here.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lolamar6064]

Born in 1973 and this list is bringing back so many memories. Loved watching these videos on Friday Night Videos. Had all these albums, take me back!!!!

[@robinray7817]

Graduated HS and started College in 1984. I loved the music then, and am in awe of how this year’s music has endured.

[@williamh4172]

It was 83 for me. Freshman year at Michigan State.

[@billkinneymath]

Sister Christian by Night Ranger was in 1984!

[@chrisoakley5830]

Absolute 80s classic, love that song.❤

[@rvfiasco]

Great tune but played to DEATH! hehe. Have a maximum pleasant day, peeps!

[@davidwebb8033]

Outstanding song!

[@billkeithchannel]

I have playlists on my channel of the songs on the tapes that I recorded songs off of the radio as a teen. That song made it on several of them for 1984. I became a fan of the longer album version since that one was hardly ever played on the radio and the video was also shorter.

[@billkeithchannel]

@@rvfiasco Two words...... Boogie Nights... enough said.

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

Night Court was one of my favorite shows growing up. Dan Reinhold Fielding😂 Bull😂such a great cast!

[@billkeithchannel]

Normal people have a song, either a favorite or annoying stuck in their head that won't go away for a long time. For some reason the name Markie Post was stuck there for almost a year or so. But I was watching many episodes for the first time when it was an early evening syndicated show in my local area in the mid 90's.

[@Justme77400]

Great opening theme song too.

[@petuniasevan]

Ghostbusters. Beverly Hills Cop. Star Trek III. INXS. Duran Duran. The Cure. Psychedelic Furs. Big Bam Boom (Hall and Oates), Thriller (Michael Jackson) Also: the year I turned 21. Yes, I'm old. There'll never be a time like the 80s again.

[@cindyreeves5048]

SAME‼️

[@BeachBoysSummerParty]

I once made a delivery to the set of Fraggle Rock. It was cool to stand behind the set. (Further, Attic Records was one of our clients and I made deliveries to Geddy Lee and Neil Peart - what great job that was)

[@AnnaM32474]

Omg! I was 10 in 84 and loved Fraggle Rock!

[@BeachBoysSummerParty]

@@AnnaM32474 I was in my early twenties, and did not miss an episode.

[@SearchIndex]

Wow! Awesome! 🤩

[@TheSlowoldman]

Love the Redux videos.....84 was a magical year for music. Looking forward to this one.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@BaddogSports]

1984 is one of the greatest years in Rock N Roll history! The amount of talent that hit the chart, in that year, in unrivaled! Glad I got to experience it!

[@JimmyRamone-jc2ou]

One company owns every radio station now. A monopoly happened to music. Independent DJ'S used to filter out all the BS . We need to break up the monopoly in order to save music.

[@purplelove392]

And big tech!

[@rebeccamcdaniel1033]

Absolutely

[@kallsop2]

If you haven't seen it, there's a good documentary called Corporate FM about the demise of radio stations.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Right? It’s so sad.

[@jeffreyleonard7210]

Yup. Ever since 1996.

[@KiethAnderson]

1984 was a very good year with exceptional music. It was also the year I got married. June will be 40 years with my love.

[@purplelove392]

Congrats! And enjoy your Golden Anniversary!💟💒🛐☝🏼✝️ Oops! You even said 40th, so I'm 10 years early!😉

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Happy milestone anniversary!

[@edsdomane]

Yes!! Someone who also feels 1984 was the best year in music, ever....actually, Best in entertainment, period! There are too many films, albums, singles and newsworthy events to mention. My head explodes trying to think of all that happened that year. I was a local Denver music columnist that year and for a monthly magazine. Believe me, each month it was so difficult writing about everything I was hearing. There were so many new wave, new romanticism and the UK's second invasion of hits and acts I could barely contain my enthusiasm. The club scene was absolutely off the chain and dance hits blew everyone away. 1984 is still my favorite year. I was 25 years old and it brings me to tears to think of all of the good times I had and the soundtrack of my life. Thank you for your work. I love the nostalgia and music history you bring back to life. ❤❤❤❤

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It was an overflow of everything in 1984!

[@user-rz5qb1co4q]

And Ronald Reagan was President 😊

[@markgettemeyer1145]

First of all, I just love that you’re a Rush fan. Second, I love that while everyone else is conveniently not including them on any sort of lists like this, there you are recognizing them for the artists they are. Solid ✌🏻

[@RobertDouglasLW]

I turned 6 in 1984. I always told people that was the year my ears turned on and now I think I understand why. So many of the first songs I remember hearing, that I remember being a pop-culture phenomenon were singles off of She’s So Unusual, 1984, Sports & Thriller. Awesome stuff, please keep the videos coming.

[@davidlaw689]

1984 is close on the heels of 1979 for being the greatest year for Top 40 hits ! And for the most part all of those songs have weathered well and still sound fresh !

[@chrisoakley5830]

I agree, 1979 is my favorite year for music also.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Or 1966!

[@MichaelSmith-xb5cp]

I SECOND 1966

[@thrusta100]

Don’t bring me down! 87 is up there...

[@billhorstkamp98]

My favorite decade for music is the 70s. Followed by the 60s

[@chris.fitzgerald]

Don't forget the 84 Olympics in LA, with Lionel Ritchie performing at the closing ceremonies.

[@PhaQ2]

Music peaked in the 80's. Now you really need to dig deep, to find sonic gems.

[@CatholicTraditional]

It was the best ever recorded.

[@rproctor721]

I was 11 in '84 and it was quite a year to be fully awoken to great music

[@ProfessorofRock]

So cool Sound like we were about the same age!

[@ProfessorofRock]

@@mysticwolf75 Very cool!

[@mysticwolf75]

I had to delete my post, as I was thinking backwards LOL. I turned 9 in 1984, not 11 (I was thinking of 1986).

[@JeighNeither]

Same. I've been a professional musician all my life thanks to the music of that year. I was 9/10 yrs old, but the films & music made me believe I could do anything, & I did. I also have a crazy story about being bosom buddies w/Harrison Ford during 9/11, but that's for another time/place.

[@JeighNeither]

You did an great job w/the rankings here, fits my recollection near perfectly. Including the fact The Cars had multiple huge hits & have not gotten the recognition they deserve. All these artist really pushed creativity forward w/these records. 1984, both the year & the album was/is a musical pinnacle.

[@chrisoakley5830]

84 wasnt my favorite year in music, but its still so very special to me. I graduated High School that year, started cruisin" around listening to my favorite music. The mid 80s were such a great time to be a teen in America!

[@txa1265]

Same - HS grad in 84 as well! Love this Top 10. Amazing stuff!

[@gregorykiernan7849]

Ditto!

[@bryanrhenderson6510]

Same here

[@MarkMaciag-dz9gb]

The ‘80’s were very cool but you should have seen the ‘70’s. Class of ‘76 here. Cheers!

[@chrisoakley5830]

@@MarkMaciag-dz9gb I saw my share of the 70s, I was born in 1966, so my childhood was the 70s and you're right, I think that decade was America's best, in fact, my favorite year in music was 1979. 1984 was very special, however, for the reasons I mentioned.

[@DBYouTube_dave_ben]

Man Huey Lewis and the News coming in that low….. hurt my heart. Lol😂

[@ProfessorofRock]

Same!

[@JamesDavis-sh9gh]

Look on the bright side. Huey's music is now being honored on Broadway. 😀

[@flavellinator]

Turned 21 in mid-1984... Perfect year to hit that age... Thriller was a beast in all places! Love the reduxes, Professor!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Wow. How cool!

[@Stevie7316]

I turned 21 also that year, in mid May. Grew up with the greatest music!

[@markwilhelm168]

I turned 21 in July of 84. It was a good time.

[@Tahsuda540]

I was 32 in 1984.

[@MyName-pl7zn]

What a Year!!! The summer of 84 you could make a case for every one of these top ten albums to be number #1 with so much variety from rock to pop to heavy, fantastic year at a fantastic time in my life. 1984 I miss you. Great episode professor!

[@AnnaTrail-xp8pr]

I miss 84 too but I will drive my highschool car today and crank the stereo. About as close as I can get so I will take it!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It’s so hard because they’re all so good! Only 52 weeks in the year and over 300 amazing songs.

[@YoshiCh1ef-je6me]

I'm so glad we're returning to this series! 1984 hands-down has one of the best charts in music!

[@ProfessorofRock]

FOr sure!

[@JonathanKine]

My boombox was on overload in 84

[@randytessman6750]

had a Clairtone with carry strap and 16 D-cells that lasted little more then an hour....lol

[@ProfessorofRock]

Mine too!

[@bobdavis4848]

I have a great sounding huge boombox in the kitchen from that era I still play daily. Actually boomboxes were commonly called g.b. back then, even in a song by a Black group, but these days some people would be offended at that term.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

As it should have been.

[@billhorstkamp98]

@@randytessman6750 I always thought the makers of those boomboxes were the same people making the batteries

[@endcensorship874]

My junior year of HS ... yes, kids, the 80's had some seriously awesome music and I wish I could have told myself back then: "These are the golden days!" I was in such a hurry to get out of school and get onto the next thing. I didn't stop to really enjoy the moment.

[@ProfessorofRock]

No kidding. Wish we had a time machine!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Because you never knew how good you had it back then.

[@lisadarani263]

Don't we all

[@RicksCafeAmericana]

Actually I could feel the magic and sensed something fleeting and special was happening. The succeeding years somehow paled in comparison. Not that I live in the past but not every era is the same. Just the way it is.

[@aprilvannewkirk8761]

My freshman year of high school. Rush was one of my favorites.

[@MSheen-ef3ly]

They're still one of mine!!

[@billhorstkamp98]

@@MSheen-ef3ly me too

[@MagnusPaul1976]

Beverly Hills Cop with Eddie Murphy was also released in 1984, as well as a brilliant soundtrack to go with this top Box Office movie. 😊

[@ProfessorofRock]

Amen to that! Sequel forthcoming.

[@MagnusPaul1976]

@@ProfessorofRock Thank you very much, Sir ! 👍👌☺️

[@marktait2371]

good soundtrack i hsve one

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

A great movie.

[@donovanlong648]

Footloose, Fast Times at Ridgmont High, Dazed and Confused, greatest soundtracks for movies ever!!! Keep Rocking.😊

[@rockandroll0123]

I remember getting all these albums. Either as gifts or with allowance. There will never be a year like 1984 again. This is the year i fell in love with music.

[@brentcox7772]

Love your Top 10 Professor! That was a great year!! Can’t wait until tomorrow!🤘🔥

[@paulkarp958]

Congratulations on 1 million subscribers Professor!!! 1984 is where its at, the year i started listening to rock and metal. At 51 now i i truly enjoy watching your content and going back in time. 😊

[@BigRonRN18]

The summer of 1984 was an absolutely life-changing time for me. Prior to June 1984, I grew up on the beach of Monterey Bay (Santa Cruz County, California) in a very sheltered environment. In June, we moved to Riverside, CA. We went from only getting two television channels to countless channels, including MTV. This was also the summer of the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics Games. I loved ALL the music that was all new to me. This was the summer between 6th grade and 7th grade, going from a school with 12 students in my class to a homeroom with about 25-30 or so with other 7th graders in other homerooms.

[@glynmillward8610]

Another brilliant show. This channel helps get me through long hard days at work whilst I listen through ear buds on my phone . Thanks for the music.👍❤👏🍻

[@logandunster1674]

I remember the summer of 1984 going to europe. Flying alone, they gave me alcohol, i could smoke on the plane, and i felt like a superstar. I was taller than normal kids my age, so i guess i passed. Plus, in Germany, you could drink at 14. What a time to be alive as a teenager. I'll never forget it. So, so, so damn awesome💯👍🙂

[@TurnpikeTim2]

This was the summer before my senior year in high school. The wild thing is just around the corner from the week you picked is Springsteen’s Born in the USA and Purple Rain by Prince. MJ and The Boss launched huge tours and Prince released a movie. Fantastic musical summer!!

[@patrashdigger]

The Cars with lead vocals by Ben Orr and Ric were great

[@Weareconnected167]

Van Halen - 1984 ruled my ‘84. The album was played over and over again

[@ProfessorofRock]

Amen!

[@davidwebb8033]

Same here. Nothing on this list comes close.

[@Bill_N_ATX]

In 1983, while others bought new cars and such, I went into debt for a new Hafler DH-500 amp that played out music at a solid 250 watts at 8ohms and no distortion, but wouldn’t clip till over 400. Or you could weld with it. Your choice. Anyway, that amp and a big set of Altec Lansings and we had a party. I was regularly invited to bring the jams. I was a sophomore in college in Florida and had given up my quest for engineering degree and switched to computer science. Study time went down by 75% and party went up at least 100%. The summer of 1983 was Synchronicity, Pyromania, ZZ Top, and U2. But the summer of 1984 will forever be cemented in my mind as owned by Van Halen. 1984 was that good an album and Eddie was a genius and Dave was the consummate showman. In 1985, I payed a fortune for a CD player and fell in love with still one of my favorite albums ever, Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits. Not only was it one of the first all digital albums ever with sonics and dynamics that were to die for, the songs were too. From the big hit, Money for Nothing to the title track, it was an amazing album. Then I graduated and went to work. The fun was just beginning.

[@chubbrock659]

I think people overlook how absolutely awesome Van Halen was

[@kathycuster1714]

Was pregnant with my son in '84. Van Halen Jump was.the song that year.

[@martinboyle9163]

Best days of my life, even if I didn't know it back then... Thanks for the trip down memory lane! I remember taking Driver's Ed during Summer School at South High after my freshman year in junior high and before my sophomore year at West High, reuniting with my best friend Luke who I knew from when I attended parochial school and who I hadn't seen since fourth grade back in 1978, before I went into public school. It's no secret that I burn badly in the sun and the Summer of 1984 was no exception, and the local thugs and thugettes I knew in the hood all called me "Lobster." I'll give you one guess why... Luke and I hung out all Summer and listened to Blue Angel (Cyndi Lauper), Scorpions, Motley Crue's Too Fast For Love and when we weren't at the arcade or seeing RHPS at the midnite movie, we would walk around with all the neighborhood kids trying to find the next cool thing. I also hung out with my best friend Jeanie who was like a sister to me. In 1984, I remember we totally rocked out to Duran Duran's Seven And The Ragged Tiger and Huey Lewis and the News' Sports. Sure, I was kind of a sidewalk biker, driving a Suzuki moped while I waited for Driver's Ed to end so I could have a full license. I drank, smoked pot, smoked cigarettes, attended bonfires at the trestle by the river and was truly a juvenile delinquent without realizing it. Sure, I never did graffiti or vandalism or stole anything, but I was still a white-trash river rat like the rest of them... I mean, sneaking out of the house or swimming in the river was about as bad as it got back then. Nothing like what teens deal with today with social media and all that... I also remember babysitting a four-year-old kid named Billy that year and watching He-Man cartoons on my off time so I knew the names of all his toys and whether they were good or evil or what. I was also working concessions at the ball park and working part time at Dairy Queen for $2.35 an hour. Back then, a 15-year-old kid would take work wherever he could get it and it was amazing how much of his money went into arcade games, posters, cassette tapes, parachute pants, Polo cologne, Goody combs, hair mousse and the many, many D-size batteries for the monster boom box that a teen would carry around like it was a Walkman. Both Jeanie and Luke are long gone from this world, but cruising Douglas, going to midnite movies, playing games at the arcades and hanging at the epicenter of teen social interaction -- the mall -- was all a decent guy really had to worry about back then. Understand that I wouldn't sell my soul to go back in time, but if I had to relive a year over and over, it would surely be 1984. Movies, music fashion and the all-around cool culture made it one of the best years of my life! Best to you, Professor! 😊

[@internettroll7604]

Jump from Van Halen’s 1984 was always a memorable song for me. I was on an 8th grade track team and we would play the song over and over while practicing the high jump. Great memories from that year and an incredible year for music.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Such classic!

[@mysticwolf75]

Another thing I distinctly remember was that there was a contest to win a VCR (I think it was through a cereal company) and the commercial showed a couple sitting on the couch watching Van Halen's "Jump" on the TV! I remember thinking how cool it would be to have that VCR (owning a VCR was such a big deal back then!) My Dad finally bought one in 1985 (Beta, no less!)

[@TripleBerg]

Just saw Huey Lewis on CBS News. Glad there’s a new Broadway comedy, based on him and his band, called ‘The Heart of Rock and Roll’. He’s struggled with a hearing disorder for years, so he deserves the win on this.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It’s a liberating song and when you jump you feel free!

[@billhorstkamp98]

@@mysticwolf75omg , your dad bought a Betamax? Oops L O L.

[@Cafeman_2D]

I was 15 summer of 84, I remember how awesome it all was, hearing these songs on a boom box at the local pools! This episode really made me happy to reminisce.

[@TheMoonEcat]

Drive is one song on every 80s song compilation that i seem to cross.

[@tinaheadrick536]

These videos are always fun. Thanks for another great episode, Adam!❤

[@thedynamicsolo4232]

1984 was the year of my High School graduation. It wasn't pop I was listening to. It was hard rock, heavy metal, classic rock and a few radio hits out those genre's. I was a fanatic for the Scorpions, they just came out with "Love at first Sting". I even saw them live with Bon Jovi opening. It was a great year. Van Halen came out with 1984 and that was full of hits. One hit outside my main categories was "Too late for goodbyes" by Julian Lennon. Later in the year YES came out with 90125 and I bought it more out of curiosity, but that whole album was fantastic. So much good sound even in the pop world. No auto tune, no sampling, no phoney bubble gum. MTV was really good too. Alex WInter had a show called the "Idiot Box" which was a riot. Night Ranger, ZZ Top, all my favorite groups were popping. Huey Lewis and the News was such a fresh sound. Even the harder edge crowd loved it. My favorite was "Bad is bad". Quick story, later in the Summer I had a huge Technique's stereo rack system. I put on "Hot for teacher" and the beginning drum open was played on "10". I went downstairs and my mom and her friend Judy were there. They said "Did you hear that hot rod starting up next door?". Hahaha. I remember "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple, but "Perfect Strangers" came out and that album had some really significant hits. "Knockin at your back door" fired up our young hearts. We had a few tapes that slipped in and Motley Crue, The Red Hot Chili Peppers were bubbling right under the surface and the top 100 was not perfect that year, but helped us grow many good memories. Scorpions at number 9? Come on Reader, that vinyl was AMAZING.........haha. I'm surprised that Night Ranger didn't get up on the charts as far as others, but even though it was commercial in sound, the sounds, riffs and hooks were pretty hot. "You can still rock in America", "Sister Christian" and "Don't tell me you love me" were always wanting us to turn the volume knob up to 10. Later in that year, the Beastie Boys had "License To Ill" out and we made "you gotta fight for your right (to party)". Spring break was in Daytona Beach, Florida and thumped that song before our Toga Party in our hotel room and everybody was in our room at least once that night. Four high school buddies and when we left Florida there were over 400 empty cans of Busch stacked on the kitchen counter in our suite. It was 5 straight days of straight partying. The best part of that year was our wrestling team. In the practice room we were listening to Black Sabbath, AC/DC and other hard rock. It was 3 hours after school for almost four months. We were expected to at least get into 3rd in the state tournament. We CRUSHED the state. Set 12 new state records and had six finalists with two runner up spots and two state Champions. Michigan had NEVER seen such a dominating high school wrestling team. We took first place and when we returned Sunday to our High school for a pep rally, we came out as a team to "We are the champions/We will rock you" by Queen. We were the envy of the state. Two state champions, Four runner up wins (me included) and two fourths, two fifths. Amazing. I was recruited by Michigan, Michigan State, West Virginia, and a slew of Division II schools. I was confused and elated at the same time. Go Mules!!!!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Best year ever!

[@billgreen5490]

1984. Great movies, great music, great TV. The year we moved to the central west coast of Florida right on the intracoastal and across the street from the beach. Miami Vice premiered Sept 16, 1984. While the world watched it on TV, I looked out the front door and watched it for real!

[@kelseymariel2127]

Loved 1984! Graduated from high school started college. Boston in the 80’s, was such a blast 💥

[@mcb9184]

Music scene in Boston must have been amazing. I loved the Del Fuegos! I listened to them in college in Minneapolis. (Which also had a great music scene in the 80's - loved the Suburbs and the Wallets.)

[@kelseymariel2127]

@@mcb9184 the Del Fuegos were awesome. It really was a great time to be young, the music scene (and college radio) couldn’t be beat. Minneapolis did have a great scene of their own - had a few friends migrate East who describe the same thing.

[@kelseymariel2127]

@@mcb9184 And so I have to add, because as an East Coast girl I’ve always had an affinity with Minnesota, that Purple Rain and Prince in 1984 just completely blew me off the planet. Amazing.

[@mcb9184]

Prince was amazing! I saw him perform in the 90s impromptu at a club he owned. He put on a super energetic show and we only paid the cover to dance. When he died I was in Philly for work and I couldn't find anyone to commiserate. Some people said they liked Michael Jackson better! I am like WTF? Why compare the two?

[@scheide17]

Love that you did another one of these videos!!! I love the top 10s.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Very cool!

[@colorfulfamily]

This is a great video- brings me back ! I love your style of presenting, too. One time long ago you did a Casey Casem impression, which was spot on but somehow unsettling. I am glad you never did that again, but I must say you did it well. I don’t know why I felt that way. Anyway, great video!

[@markmcarthy596]

22 in 84. Epic time to step into adulthood-music was original, no social media or cell phones, and STD’s were under control!

[@JimmyRamone-jc2ou]

... But V.D.s were running wild.

[@jvyoung1258]

I was 26 in 84. I get it

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks!

[@purplelove392]

Except for my bad marriage in the 80's, I loved the 80's! 60's & 70's leading into it were pretty awesome too

[@CasualSpud]

No stds? Really? The 80's and Aids kinda went hand in hand. Rosey glow of young ignorance I guess.

[@karynstouffer3562]

40 years ago, I had just turned 16. The world was golden and I was living in it to the fullest I could. Such memories in this installment!

[@dwhitman3092]

Your presentations are always so interesting and pertinent! Thanks for your program!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for watching!

[@Waterboyofsuperman]

I like the album review. Redux review is probably my favorite show you run. Fantastic set of albums! Great songs! Great video!

[@stnwrd]

1984 the best year of my life!!!!!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Amen to that statement!

[@billhorstkamp98]

I’m glad you had a great year and 84. I’m hoping you can make 2024 the best year of your life. Good luck to you.✌🏼

[@stnwrd]

@@billhorstkamp98 Thanks very much but I am not sure any year can top 1984 for me :)

[@80s-el9vc]

80's were so good. You didn't even have very talented musicians to make this list, like, The Police, Janet Jackson, U2, John Mellencamp. Bryan Adams, Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Pat Benatar, Bruce Springsteen, etc. A music show that I really miss listening to is, Metal Shop.🥂

[@debbieomi]

I graduated in '82 and in early '84, had moved into my first place. I was having so much being able to turn my music up as loud as I wanted, at any time of the day or night. I worked as a bartender in a rural, easy going area. I loved that the company that serviced our juke box always listened to me about what new songs to put in and BONUS, they gave me first dibs in buying anything they had traded out of juke boxes on their route that week. At 10 for a buck, I quickly amassed a collection of 45s that today, numbers at about 2500. 99% are older than 1988, the last year I worked at the bar. I still put a stack on especially while cleaning or crafting, singing along at the top of my lungs. Love it!

[@stephenhanft1226]

Wow, this is a nice, new twist to the Top 10 Redux. Instead, of a song countdown, an album countdown. Great idea. Since 1984 is considered one of music's greatest years, this is an excellent starting point to this new feature. All of the albums on this countdown are terrific and I have most of them. Also, 1984 brings back so many other great memories for me. You're right about that Summer's movies. I went to see every movie you mentioned and more. A great time in my life and a great episode that brings back those wonderful memories. Thank you.

[@morrislindroth7910]

My Word!! I was 12yrs old in 84' It does seem so long ago an yet, not so much.. lol 😎 I am Grateful for All of it to be honest!!! Still listen to almost every song on this list, plus so many more.. I wish i could feel this way about newer music.. All 'Genre's' (Really dislike that word btw..) back then had good songs that Everyone liked' whether they'll admit it or not.. 😏 ..but again just Grateful for getting to live through this time, at the age I was. Thank you Sir, for all you put into what you Do!! It is very much Appreciated!!!! an Remember to, 'Cut loose, Footloose!' at least once a Day, even if it'sjust in your heart [or in the aisle while shopping when it come on at the store!] 😅 😎🤙

[@fernandoespinosa8055]

Man, what a year! Thanks alot for this top 10., amazing music

[@michaelcallaghan3070]

Brilliant presentation, my good man! Thoroughly enjoyed every second of this.God bless. 👍😎🇮🇪

[@Cali_Girl1]

"Oh, Sherrie", by Steve Perry is the song and video I remembered being played on MTV all summer long in 1984. LOVED IT!!

[@catherine6653]

You're wearing a Billy Joel Stranger tee shirt. Me too! I am seeing Billy Joel tonight in Seattle.

[@krisrhood2127]

Have a good time!

[@krisrhood2127]

Break a leg!

[@catherine6653]

@@krisrhood2127 Thank you.

[@stephenhanft1226]

The Stranger is my favorite Billy Joel album. Billy always puts on a great show. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Awesome! Make sure to record video or take pics and tell us all about it.

[@terribellettini450]

1984 was a great summer, I just finished my first year of college and moved from The Bay Area to LA. God I had so much fun that summer.

[@wisdomhunter3797]

That was a fun one! Great work And man…the memories.

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

1984 was a hell of a year for "The Kid!"

[@shiroibasketshoes]

"The Kid Is Hot Tonite," but where will he be tomorrow?

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

@@shiroibasketshoesHe'll be the New Kid in Town!

[@shiroibasketshoes]

@@constipatedinsincity4424 So he'll be just another going back to the '70s, not "back to the future"!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Amen! the Purple one!

[@ProfessorofRock]

@@shiroibasketshoes Loverboy!

[@blaws6684]

We came up with an alternative toy series to HeMan. We called it The Man. Featuring Bankor, Realtor, Tax Collector, Lawyor, Employor. You get the idea :)

[@justJelene]

😆😆😆👏👏👏

[@MusicLover-yo5rs]

1984 was an awesome year! I love the content on your channel. Thank you! 😊 MJ definitely deserves the #1 spot, hands down.

[@Meister1551]

Great show and I think you totally nailed it with the re-engineered top ten list.

[@patrickfarfalle975]

Brought back great memories (1984)... All great Songs and Albums. For me back then I listened and loved more Hart Break City and Sports. Thanks for sharing Professor 🙂. Howling Mad Murdock. 👍 I think I recall Boy George on a episode of A-Team, that was cool.

[@darlawrence9295]

POF I will keep my feet on the ground and keep reaching for the star. Thanks for the content 😊

[@ProfessorofRock]

Will do!

[@jbdbackfan]

Really enjoyed this segment! Hope you keep doing this in future for other 80s years. Would be fun to also see a comparison for years between US and UK charts.

[@edryba4867]

Hey Adam! I started on Radio in 1977, when AM was still playing music. By 1984, it still was, but by then FM was taking over, and I was on BOTH! So there were tunes that you’d hear on AM radio that you wouldn’t hear on FM and vice versa. I was playing them ALL! What a time to be on the Radio!

[@terrell9702]

It was a cold rainy day in October of 1984 as I sat in a hard plastic chair in the Seattle MEPS station with my older Brother waiting to get a physical. On the wall was a 19inch color tv playing the Jump video by Van Halen. A month later We were in Bootcamp at Ft. Jackson S.C. Good Times/Good Tunes.

[@randycox5078]

Wow I was at Hollywood in Ft. Jackson in September 83. Was in Frankfort Germany in 84 and saw many of these bands and more in concert in the year and a half I was there. Such great music, and I have too many stories to tell

[@johnnyjohnson1326]

The summer of '84 I was getting ready for the 8th grade. Spent a lot of time going to Pensacola Beach and reading comic books. It's definitely the best year in music in my opinion. The Scorpions are probably my favorite band of the "80s. There are so many memories associated with their music... of course it's about a girl lol. I'm so glad I grew up in the 80s! What a magical decade. JJ -South Alabama

[@daveautzen9089]

I LOVE these Top 10 reviews!

[@WireHedd]

I was 17 the summer of 84 and it was one of the best summers of my life. I was going to either Toronto or Detroit 2-3x a month for concerts to see most of the bands you talked about. Amazing times. Thanks Adam, this was one of your absolute best.