1983 was a rare year where many of the finest singles actually ended up at #1 -- tuneful, innovative productions that still sound fresher than most of 2013's pop playlists. Here are 20 noteworthy acts (in no order) that made their first stateside mark in 1983...

I cannot get the song "Somebody That I Used to Know" by Gotye out of my head. It has a different sound -- especially the xylophone -- and strong lyrics that are clear and relatable.

Whitney was a free spirit. She was kind, authentic, fun and funny. She never took herself too seriously. She always remembered where she came from.

The music. The movies. The hair. The...lack of fashion. Anyone who came of age in the 1980s likely regrets taking part in certain fads but deep down wishes they could go back

Dolby and I spoke about life beyond the '80s, Bowie and Prince jumping the shark, finding time to unplug, and how the best songs are a palette cleanser played alone on a piano.