Inspired by 'The Official "Music Was So Much Better in the Glorious Days of Yore" Thread', I'd like to start a discussion of top 40 hits released anywhere between 1930 and now that were actually very good. I'm not the biggest fan of mainstream music, but now and again, something really good did attain a high degree of popularity. Except, not everyone in here seems to think so... Which is why I'm interested in making this thread!
EDIT: Due to reasons and such I'm pointing out that I'm really thinking of
the singles charts. Album charts are a whole other breed, especially these days where rather non-mainstream albums can chart well due to that being the sort of listener public that actually still buys albums.
Rules:
Either
A) Post one or more top 40 tracks from whatever year, that you think are legitimately good or great tracks. not just music you can just about endure. Youtube links are more than welcome, but please use spoiler tags if you post a whole bunch, just so the page doesn't become a bitch to scroll through.
B) Compalin about how mainstream music sucks and how it always has.
A link to a pretty good site to get an overview over the hits of various years, although it stops at 1998:
Top 40 Hits - 1930-1998
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A couple random picks of my own. I love all of these songs:
Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight (#19 in 1981)
Carly Simon - You're So Vain (#1 in 1973)
Carole King - I Feel the Earth Move (#1 in 1971)