WANTED: The Greatest Songs of the past 25 Years

[Dennis Willis]

Soundwaves is gearing up for it's next season and among the first shows will be a countdown of the greatest songs of the past 25 years.

The list is taking many things into consideration: chart placement, influence and overall staying power. Sure, a song may have hit number one back in the day but does anyone still like it or even remember it? These are the songs that have endured. Perhaps they are even more popular now than during their initial release.

So while our scientists construct the perfect list, we want to hear from you: our devoted core group of Wave'rs. What are your favorite songs of the past quarter century? What makes you smile every time you hear it? What sounds as fresh today as it did when it was released?

There are no wrong answers and you don't have to even say why (but this being a forum, comments are always welcomed). You can list one or a hundred. Go ahead, express yourselves -- and we'll submit your comments to the powers that be!

[Cabernet]

I like Santana's overplayed but much loved "Smooth", what can I say, I love to ChaCha! And "Sex and Candy" or is it, "I Smell Sex and Candy", no reason, just makes the corners of my mouth go upwards:)

[Cherie Napier]

Brown Eyed-Girl is the first one that comes to mind that everyone knows and makes me smile :)

[Kelly Frank]

The greatest songs since 1983...hmmm...

Here is my list in no particular order...

1. Love Shack - The B-52's (1989) Just a fun, feel-good song
2. Get The Party Started - Pink (2001) Another fun, feel-good song
3. Tubthumping - Chumbawamba (1997) Goes with the above two - and besides, does pissing the night away ever really go out of fashion?
4. Jump - Van Halen (1984)
5. Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper (1984) Not necessarily bouncy, but a very good, well written song
6. Because Of You - Kelly Clarkson (2004) Another just very well written song
7. I'll Be There For You - The Rembrandts (1995) Come on - admit it... you clapped your hands when "Friends" opened every week.
8. I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) - The Proclaimers (1988)
9. Stand - R.E.M. (1988)
10. Beautiful Day - U2 (2000) Couldn't have a list like this without including a couple of the biggies
11. Oh, Father - Madonna (1989) Another one of the biggies - one of her few hits that's not so bubblegum
12. Wonderful - Everclear (2000)
13. Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) - Green Day (1996)

I'll probably add more later, but gotta go for now...