Scenes 'n' Soundwaves Top 100 of 1986

These were among my favorite songs of 1986, counted down from 100 to 1.

The 80's vibe continued into 1986. There was pretty much a cross-section of musical styles. Veteran acts from the decade before continued to mesh in with songs and artists that defined the decade. MTV continued to be the main source for new music. Synth-pop and freestyle dance continued to hold sway, and glam-metal continued to make inroads on the charts, although that wouldn't dominate until the next few years. The beginnings of another dance sub-genre, "Hi-NRG" started to emerge as well.


As far as what I was listening to, it was less Z-100 (New York's premiere Top 40 station), and more towards WPST out of Trenton NJ. WPST played the usual top 40, but had a rock-leaning playlist...some songs on this list were by local artists to the Trenton-Philadelphia area, as well as some songs that only charted internationally. Q-100 in Easton, PA also was listened to. I also started listening more to rock stations. WDHA in Dover NJ played the album rock of the day, and I discovered WKGL, (now alternative WRRV) in Middletown NY, which played more obscure rock tracks, and leaned modern rock, a subgenre that I would be increasingly listened to.


You will notice that, although some of the hits are here, much of the songs here are mid-charters at best, and some didn't even chart on the Billboard Hot 100, but I had heard them on the above various radio stations, and they made an impact on me. Some "local" bands made the list as well.

This is not the "official" Top 100 of 1986, far from it. If you want the actual list, click here:    • 1986 Billboard Year ✦ End Hot 100 Singles ...  . However, while some of the big hits are included in my video, there are songs that might vaguely remember, oh so briefly, and maybe some that you will discover.

The song's "Hot 100" peak is listed here. If a song didn't chart there, the peak position is from the following, in this order: Mainstream Rock, Dance Club Play, U.K. Singles. If a song made either Billboard's or Z-100's Top 20 of the year, it is noted as well.


This video is for entertainment purposes only; I do not own any rights to the music, the copyright owner has the right to pull any songs at their discretion, and no monetization is expected from this video.

Feel free to check out my music blog at https://sheldonsoundwaves.blogspot.com/