I was born in 1981, and the best year of music between then and now for me was 1992. That year was full of great R&B acts like: SWV, Mary J Blige, Toni toni toni, Jodeci, Snow, Arrested Development, etc. You also had what was the beginning of mainstream grunge, with groups like: Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden among others. Even pop music in 1992 was great with people like: the Spin Doctors, John Secada, Annie Lennox, Celine Dion, Elton John, and on and on and on. 1992 was a very special year for me, and in my opinion, the best year in the last 20 years for music. What year in your lifetime do you consider to be the best in music?

Originally posted by mdntrider7
What year in your lifetime do you consider to be the best in music?

I was born in 1985 so um... none.

I would have to say 1965.

I know this dates me, but I was only 10-12 then. Like a lot of pre-teens then, I wanted to be older and fit in with older friends.
I liked 1961 in Rick Nelson's career best. I liked Buddy Holly and the Everly Brothers too.

In my lifetime, probably around 1992 or 1993. The days of Nirvana and Pearl Jam, before Kurt commited suicide and before Pearl Jam sold out to the lowest common denominator.

But the best days of music were before I was born in 1982.

I was born in '74.. guess I'll go with 1976, though the early to mid 80s had some great music, too.

I was born in 1965, so even though I'm too young to remember it, I'll go for 1968.

I was born in 79, but I think 3 years come to mind (well, 4 since 2 of them connected). 1984, 1987 and the last half of 1991-all of 1992

Hmm... I like all of the 80's. Can't pick just one year. Early 90's were great, too. Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, etc.

In my lifetime, I would pick 1961 (because I like the '50s and early '60s best). My all-time favorite year for music is 1958, with 1959 very close behind.

If it's music I remember, I would pick 1978 because I liked a lot of songs from that year- except disco (maybe because it was my last full year in High School).
A lot of hits from late 1977-1978...
"Hotel California"
"Dust In The Wind"
"Just The Way You Are"
"Hot Blooded"
"Reminiscing"
"Sweet Talking Woman"
"Two Tickets To Paradise"
"Well Never Have To Say Goodbye"
"Baby Come Back"
"I Go Crazy"
"Running On Empty"
"I Just Want To Stop"

i'm 22 so for me i'd have to say 1997 becuase TLC was at the top of their game w/ the "Fanmail" album, Mariah Carey was still clothed and could still belt out amazing # 1 hit after # 1 hit and Whitney wasn't a druggie yet. Also Spice Girls were EVERYWHERE and Teen-Pop rocked...

Also, 1999 because Christina Aguilera came out and stole the thunder from Britney at the Grammies by winning Best New Artist.

I just loved the 60's.....

The Beatles, Supremes, Temptations, The Monkees, 4 tops, Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, The 4 Seasons, Mama and the Papas, Herman Hermits, Dave Clark 5, Turtles, Paul Revere and the Raiders.......... Woooooooooo. "I LOVE THE 60'S"...

1980, 1991, 1993, or 1994.

1976 or 77

1991,1992,1997

Looking over old top 40 lists and such I would say 1980 was the best year for me. 81 was good too and 1974 had a lot of decent stuff.

2000 for me because I was pop-obsessed. *hides*

Early 90's I guess...I was only born in 1989, and the early-mid 90's had some good music. Nothing that great now.

I am in my early 30's; so I will have to say the early 1980's...83-84 time period...

I think 1984 was a great music year, mainly because it was Prince's year (Purple Rain). We had Madonna scoring her first number one that year, Cyndi Lauper shaking things up, Tina Turner making a comeback, Springsteen representing American rock, British acts like Culture Club and Duran Duran doing well, the Jacksons Victory tour. That was a fun time for popular music.

I also liked 1987 because Prince released probably his greatest album "Sign 'O' The Times". Also Janet Jackson was still pulling hits from her Control album, Terence Trent D'arby made his debut (and I became a big fan), U2 was big with Joshua Tree, George Michael came on late in the year with Faith, and solid r&b albums from Alexander O'Neal, Stevie Wonder and yes, Michael Jackson.

Originally posted by vashti1999
I think 1984 was a great music . . . We had Madonna scoring her first number one that year. . . . That was a fun time for popular music.


Madonna scoring her first (and, unfortunately, not only) number one that year marked the beginning of the end for popular music. After that happened, you no longer needed to have musical talent - you only had to make shocking videos. The music was no longer important! :mad: Madonna is the Evil Stepmother of pop, with Britney Spears her dastardly stepdaughter. :mad:

Originally posted by Steve M.
Madonna scoring her first (and, unfortunately, not only) number one that year marked the beginning of the end for popular music. After that happened, you no longer needed to have musical - you only had to make shocking videos. The music was no longer important!

Rick Dees had a number one single before Madonna. Having musical talent being a prerequisite to having a number one single went out the window long before Madonna. Madonna is a lot more than just shocking videos. There's been a few things she's done that I haven't been a fan of. I'm not the world's biggest Madonna lover but I can appreciate her contributions to music, of which the majority have been positive, in my opinion.

No comment!

Music from 1996-1998. The days of Savage Garden, Paula Cole, The Verve Pipe, Chumbawumba, Spice Girls (although I didn't like them too much), and other big artists at that time. There was one artist that sang "Bitch", I think her name was Meredith but I don't remember her last name.

Originally posted by Brian
There was one artist that sang "Bitch", I think her name was Meredith but I don't remember her last name.

Bitch by Meredith Brooks. I always hated that song, thought she was posing.

Originally posted by vashti1999
Rick Dees had a number one single before Madonna. Having musical talent being a prerequisite to having a number one single went out the window long before Madonna. Madonna is a lot more than just shocking videos. There's been a few things she's done that I haven't been a fan of. I'm not the world's biggest Madonna lover but I can appreciate her contributions to music, of which the majority have been positive, in my opinion.

I agree. Madonna was far from the first artist to hit #1 that people disliked. Hello, Starland Vocal Band?

I think every Madonna hater has failed to listen to any of her music post-1990. Even most of the critics who hated her in the 80's eventually came around with albums like Ray Of Light, Erotica and Bedtime Stories. She more than made up for the "Minnie Mouse on Helium" days with those albums, and then some. She really annoys me with all her Kaballah stuff these days.. but the main reason that Madonna's career has lasted so long was because her music is strong enough to live up to the image.

I agree with you, 1984 was a GREAT year for pop music. Madonna, Prince, Cyndi Lauper, Culture Club, The Cars, Duran Duran, Van Halen, Motley Crue, the emergence of Wham, etc....

The mid 70s for me- Borrowing my older brother's 8 track player, hanging out with the rest of the neighborhood kidsat our "fort" and listening to BTO, smoking cigarettes ect. ect:D

Originally posted by BuffySlayer79
I agree. Madonna was far from the first artist to hit #1 that people disliked. Hello, Starland Vocal Band?

Hey, I like Afternoon Delight.

I think every Madonna hater has failed to listen to any of her music post-1990. Even most of the critics who hated her in the 80's eventually came around with albums like Ray Of Light, Erotica and Bedtime Stories. but the main reason that Madonna's career has lasted so long was because her music is strong enough to live up to the image.

Even with '89s Like A Prayer album Madonna showed growth as an artist. That album and Ray of Light in particular for me can stand artistically against just about any album someone else wants to mention. Anyone who thinks Madonna is just all about making shocking videos hasn't been paying attention.

I agree with you, 1984 was a GREAT year for pop music. the emergence of Wham, etc....

Yes, how could I forget Wham, 1984 was the year they hit big in the States. Another act that made it a good year that year.

I can't give an exact year, but the mid-70s were great. I was in high school, and Aerosmith, David Bowie, Elton John, Boston, Pink Floyd, Supertramp, Bob Segar, J. Geils, Peter Frampton and others were at the peak of their careers. I was always going to concerts.

I also, and I offer no apologies here, loved disco. Not all of it, but the classic stuff. I still love it today. Donna Summer, the Boston gal...love her music. 'Love To Love You Baby' is one of the sexiest songs ever, the extended version especially.

I have to mention 1979 as a great music year. Another unapologetic disco lover here. Hits in 1979 from Donna Summer, Sister Sledge, Chic, Village People, McFadden & Whitehead, Gloria Gaynor, Bee Gees, Cher (Take Me Home), GQ (Disco Nights), Anita Ward (Ring My Bell), Boogie Wonderland, Don't Stop Til You Get Enough, Do Ya Think I'm Sexy, etc. 1979 was to disco lovers what 1964 was to Beatles lovers.

Originally posted by vashti1999
I have to mention 1979 as a great music year. Another unapologetic disco lover here. Hits on 1979 from Donna Summer, Sister Sledge, Chic, Village People, McFadden & Whitehead, Gloria Gaynor, Bee Gees, Cher (Take Me Home), GQ (Disco Nights), Anita Ward (Ring My Bell), Boogie Wonderland, Don't Stop Til You Get Enough, Do Ya Think I'm Sexy, etc. 1979 was to disco lovers what 1964 was to Beatles lovers.

I was born in 79 and love most of the music from 79 too!!!!!

Originally posted by vashti1999
I have to mention 1979 as a great music year. Another unapologetic disco lover here. Hits in 1979 from Donna Summer, Sister Sledge, Chic, Village People, McFadden & Whitehead, Gloria Gaynor, Bee Gees, Cher (Take Me Home), GQ (Disco Nights), Anita Ward (Ring My Bell), Boogie Wonderland, Don't Stop Til You Get Enough, Do Ya Think I'm Sexy, etc. 1979 was to disco lovers what 1964 was to Beatles lovers.
You know your disco, lol. I remember Vicki Sue Robinson kicked off the disco craze in the mid-70s with 'Turn The Beat Around'. I heard she died from cancer a few years ago. There was Tavares....now they were a hit machine. I loved The Trammps and their 'Disco Inferno'. That song has a relentless pulsating beat. Thelma Houston's, 'Don't Leave Me This Way'....boy these songs take me back. Loved the song, 'Born To Be Alive', and of course Evelyn Champagne King's, 'Shame'.
I love the soundtrack from Saturday Night Fever. I had the album then, and the cd now.
Yeah, me and disco go way back. :)

Well I generally dislike most music out today. However in the summer in 2002, I was into several current artists. Back then, I really enjoyed Michelle Branch, Vanessa Carlton, Avril Lavigne, and John Mayer. Nowadays I'm much more into older music. Just a few days ago I picked up Donna Summer's greatest hits cd.

Originally posted by vashti1999
Even with '89s Like A Prayer album Madonna showed growth as an artist. That album and Ray of Light in particular for me can stand artistically against just about any album someone else wants to mention. Anyone who thinks Madonna is just all about making shocking videos hasn't been paying attention.

I think it does irk some people the fact that for a female artist... Madonna is the equivalent for a solo female artist to The Beatles for a band, or Elvis or Sinatra is for a solo male artist. Like it or not, she is. Other may be more talented, but I don't think you can name another female artist who has been quite the star Madonna is. The frenzy she gets her fans into, as well as her longevity, places her in the rank. Plus, like it or not, she's grown as an artist.

If your "era" is Beatles and Stones... then you really don't have more of an opinion onto Madonna than a Sinatra fan has when it comes to the 60's Invasion bands, as many fans of 40's music hated what came out in the 60's. Plus, if you don't like "female pop", why would you like Madonna? Madonna is probably the most important POP artist of the past 20 years.

while I'm at it. I will say that Madonna does annoy me with her Kaballah cult crap. And I don't think she's capable of making a decent movie that she somehow doesn't have a song in.

But still.. she is THE icon of my generation, take her or leave her.

Originally posted by BuffySlayer79
Other may be more talented, but I don't think you can name another female artist who has been quite the star Madonna is.

okay, I guess you can say Barbra Streisand, but even then, it took Barbra 4 decades to acculumate what Madonna did in 2.

Originally posted by Steve M.
Madonna scoring her first (and, unfortunately, not only) number one that year marked the beginning of the end for popular music. After that happened, you no longer needed to have musical talent - you only had to make shocking videos. The music was no longer important! :mad: Madonna is the Evil Stepmother of pop, with Britney Spears her dastardly stepdaughter. :mad:

Well, the joke is on you. This type of reaction is exactly what Madonna wanted in the first place. Also if Madonna ushered in the end of popular music why not Michael Jackson? He was the very first real video star you know.

Originally posted by USTVFanFromUK
Well, the joke is on you. This type of reaction is exactly what Madonna wanted in the first place. Also if Madonna ushered in the end of popular music why not Michael Jackson? He was the very first real video star you know.

I agree. Unlike Michael, Madonna was able to survive the 80's unscratched. Michael's last listenable album was Bad, Madonna's released at least 5 albums since then that were better. Michael was really the first one to bring "image over substance" to music, and he's singlehandedly responsible for all of the choreography that taints music now

1965!:nod:

Originally posted by vashti1999
I have to mention 1979 as a great music year. Another unapologetic disco lover here. Hits in 1979 from Donna Summer, Sister Sledge, Chic, Village People, McFadden & Whitehead, Gloria Gaynor, Bee Gees, Cher (Take Me Home), GQ (Disco Nights), Anita Ward (Ring My Bell), Boogie Wonderland, Don't Stop Til You Get Enough, Do Ya Think I'm Sexy, etc. 1979 was to disco lovers what 1964 was to Beatles lovers.

"Ring My Bell" and "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" both hit number one in 1979. So did "My Sharona" by the Knack. So did "No More Tears, the ill-advised disco/schamltz duet between Barbra Striesand and Donna Summer, "Styx's "Babe", and Rupert Holmes's "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)" - all in December! What a way to end the seventies! These songs rank among the worst songs of all time. 1979 was just as dismal for music as for everything else - Three Mile Island, another oil crunch, the seizure of the U.S. embassy in Iran, Jimmy Carter being frightened by a giant rabbit or however that story went (you don't wnat to see your President bested by a giant hare!), Margaret Thatcher getting elected Prime Minister of Britain. . . .ARGGGGHHH!! This was a very bad year for me to be thirteen.

Okay, some good music came out in 1979:

The Clash released London Calling;

Michael Jackson released Off the Wall, which I consider funk, not disco (seventies dance music I dislike is disco, seventies dance music I like is funk)

Roger Chapman released his first solo album;

Pink Floyd released Off the Wall;

Nick Lowe issued his single "Cruel To Be Kind."

Except for the fact the disco disappeared, 1980 was an even worse year for Western civilization. :p

Originally posted by BuffySlayer79
I think it does irk some people the fact that for a female artist... Madonna is the equivalent for a solo female artist to The Beatles for a band, or Elvis or Sinatra is for a solo male artist. Like it or not, she is. Others may be more talented, but I don't think you can name another female artist who has been quite the star Madonna is. The frenzy she gets her fans into, as well as her longevity, places her in the rank. Plus, like it or not, she's grown as an artist.

It does irk me that Madonna - and not Aretha Franklin, Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Tracy Chapman, or even Mariah Carey (who has more number one hits for a female solo artist than Madge, by the way) is considered the female equivalent of the srtiests you mentioned. I have heard several of her nineties singles (I have been paying attention!) - usually when I'm in a discount mart, a chain restaurant, or some other place where I can't turn it off or leave without paying the bill - and the nicest thing I can say about them is that they don't suck as much as her eighties singles. But they still suck. Some growth! :mad:

But you know what really irks me? Her frenzied fans never seem to want to let me have my opinion about their idol. All I have to do is say "I hate Madonna" on a message board, and they attack me like a swarm of hornets! I have heard Harry Connick, Jr. call the Beatles "music for second-graders" and I kept silent. I I have heard Dave Marsh call the Grateful Dead "worthless" and I held my tongue. But let me criticize Madonna and her fans come after me like a pack of hounds!

Oh yeah, if longevity determined greatness, how does that explain Arnold Schwarzenegger? :p

Originally posted by Steve M.
But you know what really irks me? Her frenzied fans never seem to want to let me have my opinion about their idol. All I have to do is say "I hate Madonna" on a message board, and they attack me like a swarm of hornets! But let me criticize Madonna and her fans come after me like a pack of hounds!




If you're speaking of me, BuffySlayer79 or USTVFanFromUK (the three in this thread who said positive things about Madonna), I don't think any of us "attacked you like a swarm of hornets", I think we all just expressed our opinions, as you expressed yours. I respect the fact that you may feel differently and didn't say anything against your opinion of Madonna other than I figured someone who admittedly isn't into Madonna wouldn't be one to appreciate what she does. I mean, why even pay attention if you're not interested in her, that's completely understandable. It is interesting though that you can use terms like "the Evil Stepmother of Pop" to describe Madonna and "a pack of hounds" to describe her fans but only feel you're being "attacked" because we don't share your opinion. No one here used terminology like that towards you.

1997. that was a great year for music IMO. Lots of good songs on the radio. I was 13. That was actually the first year I really got into music a lot.

Originally posted by vashti1999
If you're speaking of me, BuffySlayer79 or USTVFanFromUK (the three in this thread who said positive things about Madonna), I don't think any of us "attacked you like a swarm of hornets", I think we all just expressed our opinions, as you expressed yours. I respect the fact that you may feel differently and didn't say anything against your opinion of Madonna other than I figured someone who admittedly isn't into Madonna wouldn't be one to appreciate what she does. I mean, why even pay attention if you're not interested in her, that's completely understandable. It is interesting though that you can use terms like "the Evil Stepmother of Pop" to describe Madonna and "a pack of hounds" to describe her fans but only feel you're being "attacked" because we don't share your opinion. No one here used terminology like that towards you.

I agree. It's okay to go on and on about why Madonna sucks, but if someone dared insult the likes of The Beatles (who are for one generation what Madonna was to another), they'd never hear the end of it.

I know a lot of people out there who DON'T like The Beatles. I think they're okay, but I'll admittedly state that I preferred Lennon or McCartney's solo material to anything pre-1966 of theirs. But everyone who dislikes them KNOWS they are important and defined a generation.... SO HAS MADONNA. Madonna is to an entire generation, what Led Zeppelin was to a generation before her, what The Beatles and Rolling Stones are to a generation before them, what Elvis was to a generation before them, what Frank Sinatra was to a generation before Elvis, etc...

If you don't like "chick pop", you're NOT going to like Madonna, plus if you were from a generation that was all grown up by the time Madonna became hot, you're NOT going to like her (even tho I do know a lot of 40-somethings who appreciate her).

I can see you praising Joni, Carole and Tracy as female artists... but Mariah?!?! you think Madonna is a hack and SHE'S NOT? She can sing but her style of music et al is hardly "more sophisticated" than Madonna is. If anything, Mariah has yet to come close to an album like Ray Of Light. Songs like Loverboy are more embarassing than anything Madonna's done post-1986. Once Madonna hit the age of 30, she "grew up". Mariah is still trying to cater to the Britney market. People who listen to artists like Bjork and the sort and hate ALL POP MUSIC are still down with Madonna.

If you will accept the fact that Madonna is a legend and that she has a legion of fans and that she defines a generation and era, but you still don't like her... then people would respect your opinion, but the way you bash Madonna, is as if you fell into a coma in 1985 and just woke up today. If you wanna bash Madonna, bash her movies, bash her annoying obsession with The Kaballah, bash her associating with someone like Britney Spears.