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The Best Episodes of A Year in Music

Every episode of A Year in Music ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of A Year in Music!

The Best Episodes of A Year in Music

A year-by-year look at our musical landscape, including the biggest artists, songs and albums as well as the new acts we'd be hearing for years...

Seasons5

  1. Background image for 1982
    8.7/10(11 votes)

    #1 - 1982

    S4:E1

    It's the golden age of MTV and music videos and the masses get a British invasion, Michael Jackson's “Thriller” is released, and the name “Jenny” becomes synonymous with a specific phone number.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  2. Background image for 1967
    8.5/10(7 votes)

    #2 - 1967

    S4:E3

    A musician is arrested on stage for the first time, a Beatle becomes a Walrus, and we witness the Summer of Love as the nation marches against the Vietnam War.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  3. Background image for 1970
    8.5/10(7 votes)

    #3 - 1970

    S4:E10

    No description available

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  4. Background image for 1986
    8.4/10(13 votes)

    #4 - 1986

    S3:E5

    Rock and hip-hop cross over like never before, musicians unite to use their voices to inspire, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Simple Minds Bon Jovi and the Rolling Stones top the charts

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  5. Background image for 1981
    8.3/10(7 votes)

    #5 - 1981

    S3:E8

    Halestorm’s Lizzy Hale dives into the start of a new decade, 1981. A year a pop princess gets physical and the second British Invasion hits the radio. Lzzy discusses 1981's start of the new decade come ups and the come-downs as the world watches the first of many royal weddings.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  6. Background image for 1965
    8.3/10(8 votes)

    #6 - 1965

    S5:E11

    Halestorm's Lzzy Hale looks at the music of 1965. The Beatles put on a mega concert, The Rolling Stones get no satisfaction, The Who is all about a new generation, and Motown music brings artists to Detroit.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

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  8. Background image for 1990
    8.2/10(7 votes)

    #7 - 1990

    S4:E12

    Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale explores the dawn of the 1990s, from shiny red stilettos and big hair to Doc Martens, West Philadelphia to Bel Air, and a bunch of Young Guns.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  9. Background image for 1979
    8.1/10(16 votes)

    #8 - 1979

    S2:E4

    The year 1979, where Rock music hits tragedy; Disco continues to rule, Michael Jackson goes solo and Gloria Gaynor releases and unforgettable hit. There's also economic and political upheaval in the US.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  10. Background image for 1989
    8.0/10(13 votes)

    #9 - 1989

    S3:E1

    Lzzy Hale shares highlights of the year. Michael Jackson is crowned King of Pop, Glam rock is replaced by Grunge, the New Kids on the Block debuts, the Berlin Wall comes down, and more.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  11. Background image for 1987
    8.0/10(8 votes)

    #10 - 1987

    S4:E7

    No description available

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  12. Background image for 1976
    8.0/10(9 votes)

    #11 - 1976

    S5:E7

    Halestorm's Lzzy Hale goes back to 1976. “Hotel California” tops the charts, the synth was on the rise for musicians, a Swedish band makes music headlines, and Peter Frampton gets his break through.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  13. Background image for 1984
    7.8/10(15 votes)

    #12 - 1984

    S2:E6

    The year 1984, when the music video gets its very own celebration on television, pop royalty is crowned, and the first compact disc is manufactured in the U.S.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  14. Background image for 1978
    7.8/10(11 votes)

    #13 - 1978

    S5:E3

    Exploring 1978, when music fans dance to disco with the Bee Gees and rock out to metal with Van Halen's debut album; Hollywood brings musicals to the silver screen and festivals keep the party going.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  15. Background image for 1968
    7.6/10(15 votes)

    #14 - 1968

    S2:E2

    The Vietnam War, RFK and MLK's assassinations, and racial unrest continued to influence music. Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles, Johnny Cash, The Doors, and Janis Joplin create some of their greatest work. Led Zeppelin explodes on the scene.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  16. Background image for 1991
    7.6/10(17 votes)

    #15 - 1991

    S2:E8

    Highlights of the year include the death of Freddie Mercury and the popularity of grunge and gangster rap.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  17. Background image for 1988
    7.6/10(8 votes)

    #16 - 1988

    S5:E6

    Jane's Addiction brings the “Funk Punk” and Eazy E sets the Gangsta Rap standard. “Man in the Mirror” is released by Michael Jackson and “Dirty Dancing” gets fans on their feet.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  18. Background image for 1998
    7.5/10(14 votes)

    #17 - 1998

    S3:E3

    1998 is the Year of the Woman in pop music, but boy bands dominate the charts. Elton John is knighted, and Hip Hop becomes more commercial.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  19. Background image for 1980
    7.4/10(16 votes)

    #18 - 1980

    S2:E7

    A new decade begins with Disco's peaks and valleys, hip-hop is on the scene, U2 debuts, John Lennon is assassinated. Also, Regan is elected president, the US hockey team wins Olympic gold and Iran frees the hostages.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  20. Background image for 1993
    7.4/10(13 votes)

    #19 - 1993

    S3:E2

    Lzzy Hale looks at the biggest events in music for 1993: Grunge is at it's peak, Hip Hop dominates, Rap stars feud, Country crosses over, and Janet Jackson comes into her own.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  21. Background image for 1997
    7.4/10(9 votes)

    #20 - 1997

    S5:E9

    Halestorm's Lzzy Hale goes back to 19797 where Latin music's popularity explodes, raves revive the spirit of disco, and more.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  22. Background image for 1992
    7.2/10(7 votes)

    #21 - 1992

    S4:E8

    No description available

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  23. Background image for 1962
    7.2/10(7 votes)

    #22 - 1962

    S5:E5

    Lzzy Hale explores 1962. The year saw a British invasion, the twist shaking up dance floors, “West Side Story” making musical magic, The Beach Boys release “Surfin' Safari,” and R&B meets country.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  24. Background image for 2008
    7.1/10(13 votes)

    #23 - 2008

    S3:E9

    We dive back to 2008, a year of new musical debuts and legacies are remembered. “Change” and “Hope” became the nation's chant and the year Queen B gave us "Single Ladies." Meanwhile a financial downturn impacts the world.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  25. Background image for 2003
    7.0/10(13 votes)

    #24 - 2003

    S3:E11

    Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale dives into 2003. We witness the solo debut of Queen B, Amy Winehouse, and the first American Idol. Meanwhile 2003 marks a new era in the industry as music becomes available for streaming in a new online platform and we say goodbye to the Man in Black.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  26. Background image for 2010
    7.0/10(7 votes)

    #25 - 2010

    S5:E10

    In 2010, Linkin Park tops the charts while Katy Perry turns up the heat with California Gurls. Taylor and Kanye move on from their VMA clash, female artists rule, and Bruno Mars drops his debut album.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

Best Episodes Summary

"1982" is the best rated episode of "A Year in Music". It scored 8.7/10 based on 11 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 5/9/2021. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "1967".