POPPED CRITICS

Robert Hilburn’s list of the finest 10 pop singles of 1984 (“1984: It Was a Very Good Year,” Dec. 29) invalidated itself by relying on popular chart acceptance as a prerequisite for consideration.

Thus, since art has nothing to do with mass public approval, 1984’s best singles: Husker Du’s “Eight Miles High,” REM’s “Rockville,” and the Style Council’s “Big Boss Groove” (to name a few), were absent.

Instead, Hilburn grants Van Halen a place on his list. Ugh! What’s wrong with a little obscurity, Mr. Hilburn?

JEFF GORDINIER San Marino