Pearl Jam: Yellow Ledbetter (1992)

The title comes from an old friend of Eddie Vedder's. Other than that, if there is a song with lyrics more indecipherable, I have not heard it. This is one of those songs that takes me to a time and place. I remember some people thinking it was an old Hendrix song, but Pearl Jam wrote it before releasing Ten. It did not make their debut album, but emerged as a b-side.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs8y3kneqrs

Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars: Uptown Funk (2015)

"Uptown Funk" harkens back to the 70s and 80s. It sounds very much like mid-80s Prince or even Funkadelic with a little James Brown thrown in. This might be the song of the year for 2015.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPf0YbXqDm0

X Ambassadors: Renegades (2015)

The song has been used in Jeep Renegade commercials. Apparently, it was written to be used in the ad campaign. It celebrates American originals and rogues that don't follow the rules.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u-niluB8HI

Muse: Mercy (2015)

Muse released the concept album Drones. The song "Mercy" is about dark forces overcoming the protagonist.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj8Xpdx60Ws

Smashing Pumpkins: Cherub Rock (1993)

Although the so-called Alt-revolution had entered its third year, "Cherub Rock" seemed to announce the death knell of the 80s. This really takes me to a time and place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-KE9lvU810

Weezer: Pork and Beans (2008)

Weezer celebrates both uniqueness and Youtube stars. The song's genesis evolved out of a meeting Rivers Cuomo had with record execs. They wanted hits, so he wrote about it. Basically, he tells the execs and the world to piss off because he is his own person.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQHPYelqr0E

Johnny Cash: I Hung My Head (2002)

Sting wrote and recorded "I Hung My Head." A young boy kills a man by accident and ends up at the gallows. Cash's version added an amazing emotional resonance to the song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42D6bUta1gs

Sting:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgPTVIrR9NA

Top 40 songs of 1992 (#1-10)

1. Man on the Moon- REM
2. One- U2
3. State of Love and Trust- Pearl Jam
4. Until the End of the World- U2
5. Drive- REM
6. Hunger Strike- Temple of the Dog
7. Human Touch- Bruce Springsteen
8. Jesus He Knows Me- Genesis
9. Shuffle It All- Izzy Stradlin and the JuJu Hounds
10. Wicked As It Seems- Keith Richards

The Top 40 Songs of 1992 (#11-20)

My favorites...

11. Tear It Down- Def Leppard
12. Would? -Alice in Chains
13. Jeremy- Pearl Jam
14. Sex Type Thing- STP
15. Bad Luck- Social Distortion
16. Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses- U2
17. Lucky Town- Bruce Springsteen
18. Symphony of Destruction- Megadeth
19. Digging in the Dirt- Peter Gabriel
20. Lithium- Nirvana

Top 40 songs of 1992 (#21-30)

My favorites...

21. Rusty Cage- Soundgarden
22. Help Me Up- Eric Clapton
23. Let's Get Rocked- Def Leppard
24. Keep The Faith- Bon Jovi
25. Outshined- Soundgarden
26. Drown- Smashing Pumpkins
27. Try Not To Breathe- REM
28. Sliver- Nirvana
29. I Can't Dance- Genesis
30. Come As You Are- Nirvana

Top 40 songs of 1992 (#31-40)

My favorites.

31. Even Flow- Pearl Jam
32. Closer- NIN
33. Even Better Than The Real Thing- U2
34. Bohemian Rhapsody- Queen
35. November Rain- Guns n Roses
36. Got Me Wrong- Alice in Chains
37. Angry Chair- Alice in Chains
38. Sword of Damocles- Lou Reed
39. It's Probably Me- Sting and Eric Clapton
40. Remedy- The Black Crowes

Weezer: Beverly Hills (2005)

Rivers thought it would be nice to live in Beverly Hills and wrote a song about it. However, when Weezer recorded it, "Beverly Hills" came off as a bit sarcastic or even nihilistic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL_WvOly7mY