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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!

Binge this in 30m•Peaking at 8.8/10

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 to come.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    A Year in Music Season 4 Episode 1 - 1982
    8.8/10(12 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. A Year in Music Season 4 Episode 3 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. A Year in Music Season 4 Episode 10 - 1970
    8.5/10(7 votes)

    #3 - 1970

    S4:E10

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. A Year in Music Season 5 Episode 11 - 1965
    8.3/10(8 votes)

    #4 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. A Year in Music Season 3 Episode 5 - 1986
    8.2/10(13 votes)

    #5 - 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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. A Year in Music Season 4 Episode 12 - 1990
    8.2/10(7 votes)

    #6 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of A Year in Music

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  7. A Year in Music Season 1 Episode 5 - 1983
    8.1/10(17 votes)

    #7 - 1983

    S1:E5

    MTV begins to change the record industry, Michael Jackson's Thriller, the second British invasion, cable TV takes hold, the US economy improves, and the US festival include the topics covered.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. A Year in Music Season 2 Episode 4 - 1979
    8.0/10(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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. A Year in Music Season 3 Episode 8 - 1981
    8.0/10(8 votes)

    #9 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. A Year in Music Season 4 Episode 7 - 1987
    8.0/10(8 votes)

    #10 - 1987

    S4:E7

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. A Year in Music Season 5 Episode 7 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. A Year in Music Season 1 Episode 3 - 1969
    7.9/10(17 votes)

    #12 - 1969

    S1:E3

    Don Felder hosts and narrates a look at the musical landscape of 1969.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. A Year in Music Season 3 Episode 1 - 1989
    7.9/10(13 votes)

    #13 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. A Year in Music Season 1 Episode 6 - 1975
    7.8/10(18 votes)

    #14 - 1975

    S1:E6

    Matt Pinfield hosts a look at the year 1975, when the golden age of rock met the birth of disco. Features Led Zepplin, Pink Floyd, Queen, Elton John, The Doobie Brothers, Fleetwood Mac and KC and the Sunshine Band, among many others.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. A Year in Music Season 1 Episode 9 - 1985
    7.8/10(15 votes)

    #15 - 1985

    S1:E9

    MTV reaches critical mass, the Live Aid benefit concert, the influence of videos in the music industry, Madonna and Bruce Springsteen rule the charts, plus a lot more highlight from 1985 in music.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. A Year in Music Season 2 Episode 6 - 1984
    7.8/10(16 votes)

    #16 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. A Year in Music Season 5 Episode 3 - 1978
    7.8/10(11 votes)

    #17 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. A Year in Music Season 1 Episode 2 - 1966
    7.7/10(18 votes)

    #18 - 1966

    S1:E2

    The debut of concept albums and psychedelic music, the year's best musical movies and TV shows, and the year's biggest breakups, breakthroughs and comebacks highlight this looks at 1966.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. A Year in Music Season 2 Episode 2 - 1968
    7.7/10(15 votes)

    #19 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. A Year in Music Season 1 Episode 1 - 1977
    7.6/10(19 votes)

    #20 - 1977

    S1:E1

    The Eagles and Fleetwood Mac at the top of their games, disco's heyday, and the emergence of punk rock are just a sample of the highlights covered in this first episode of the series.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. A Year in Music Season 1 Episode 4 - 1972
    7.6/10(16 votes)

    #21 - 1972

    S1:E4

    Tommy Chong hosts and narrates a look at the musical landscape of 1972.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. A Year in Music Season 1 Episode 7 - 1973
    7.6/10(14 votes)

    #22 - 1973

    S1:E7

    Legendary ex-Eagles alumni Don Felder hosts this look at 1973. Topics include the birth of punk, disco, and hip hop. Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon breaks boundaries. Helen Reddy, ABBA, Queen, Elton John and others are also featured.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. A Year in Music Season 2 Episode 8 - 1991
    7.6/10(17 votes)

    #23 - 1991

    S2:E8

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. A Year in Music Season 5 Episode 6 - 1988
    7.6/10(8 votes)

    #24 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. A Year in Music Season 1 Episode 8 - 1964
    7.5/10(16 votes)

    #25 - 1964

    S1:E8

    Tommy Chong explores the year 1964, when The Beatles took over, Motown became a driving force, and The Rolling Stones made their debut.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"1982" is the best rated episode of "A Year in Music". It scored 8.8/10 based on 12 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 5/9/2021. This episode scored 0.3 points higher than the second highest rated, "1967".