1984 vs. 1994: Which Year Ruled the Billboard Hot 100?

Totally 80s and 90s Recall

May 26, 2026•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 180

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Episode description

This week, Rob and Dave are stepping into the musical time machine for the ultimate clash of titans. We are pitting the absolute best of the Billboard Hot 100 from 1984 against the heavy hitters of 1994. The guys break down the Year-End Top 5 for each era, look at the cultural shifts that defined music as a whole, and make the impossible final call: Which year actually reigned supreme?

To keep things fair, the guys are looking directly at the official Billboard Year-End charts. The matchups are absolutely wild. Prince vs Ace of Base, Kenny Loggins vs Boyz II Men and the big voices of Phil Collins vs Mariah Carey. Who will come out on top?

Chapters

00:00 - 1984 vs. 1994 & Sunglasses At Night

2:43 - Rob's Yearbook Embarrassment and Battle of the Decades Rules

7:40 - Why 1984 was a Pivotal Year for Pop Culture and Music

15:35 - Phil Collins, Kenny Loggins, and MJ's 1984 Chart Dominance

27:56 - Tina Turner and Prince: The Top Hits of 1984

38:23 - Rob and Dave's Unexpected Music Selections

49:54 - The Vibe Shift to 1994 and Mariah Carey's 'Hero'

53:04 - Celine Dion, Boyz II Men, and Ace of Base Dominance 1994

1:05:05 - Rob and Dave's Eclectic 1994 Music Discoveries

1:16:03 - Who Ruled? 1984 vs. 1994 Final Judgement

1:20:51 - Linda McCartney, Pearl Clutching, and Next Week's Top Gun Episode