Every year, songs shoot to the top of the charts, either for just one week, or for multiple weeks in a row. In a series of posts, we’re going to rank Billboard’s “The Hot 100” number one singles for each year of the 1980s and 1990s. Today, we’re looking at the year 1985.
Note: “Like a Virgin” by Madonna started the year at number one, but it had previously also been number one in 1984, and as is our rule, we will not include it here, since it was already included in our list for 1984.
As always, these lists are subjective, we’re not claiming to be the definitive ranking here. We’re not that important, but you are, so we hope seeing the below songs conjures up a friendly memory or two.
But first, to get you in the mood for the year 1985…
- In April, Coca-Cola tried to update itself with New Coke, changing the formula for their iconic drink. It failed spectacularly, and within three months they were going back to the original formula.
- The comic strip “Calvin and Hobbes” debuted in newspapers in November. It originally was in about 250 newspapers, but eventually expanded to over 2000.
- On September 1, 1985, a joint American-French expedition found the Titanic over two miles below the ocean’s surface by using an unmanned submersible called Argo.
- In May, Michael Jordan was named the NBA Rookie of the Year after his inaugural season with the Chicago Bulls.
- Live Aid concerts were held in July around the world and raised over $125 million for famine relief in Ethiopia, and included such acts as B.B. King, Bob Dylan, Cher, David Bowie, Duran Duran, Elton John, Hall & Oates, Lionel Richie, Madonna, Paul McCartney, Queen, Run-DMC, and U2.
- In April, Coca-Cola tried to update itself with New Coke, changing the formula for their iconic drink. It failed spectacularly, and within three months they were going back to the original formula.
- The comic strip “Calvin and Hobbes” debuted in newspapers in November. It originally was in about 250 newspapers, but eventually expanded to over 2000.
- On September 1, 1985, a joint American-French expedition found the Titanic over two miles below the ocean’s surface by using an unmanned submersible called Argo.
- In May, Michael Jordan was named the NBA Rookie of the Year after his inaugural season with the Chicago Bulls.
- Live Aid concerts were held in July around the world and raised over $125 million for famine relief in Ethiopia, and included such acts as B.B. King, Bob Dylan, Cher, David Bowie, Duran Duran, Elton John, Hall & Oates, Lionel Richie, Madonna, Paul McCartney, Queen, Run-DMC, and U2.
26. Jan Hammer - Miami Vice Theme
Obviously, this is the theme for the TV show Miami Vice. It was also the last instrumental to top the charts until 2013 when Harlem Shake reached number one.
25. Duran Duran - A View to Kill
Written for the James Bond movie of the same name, as of early 2021 it remains the only James Bond theme song to reach number one on the Hot 100 chart.
23. Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin - Separate Lives
Featured on the soundtrack for the film White Nights. It was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song, but lost to another song on this list from the same film (keep reading…).
21. Paul Young - Every Time You Go Away
This single is actually a cover of the Hall & Oates song of the same name, but that version was never released as a single.
20. John Parr - St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)
Written for the film St. Elmo’s Fire, the song was created and edited within 24 hours and members of the bands Toto, REO Speedwagon and Mr. Mister appear on the recording.
17. Lionel Richie - Say You, Say Me
Now this is the Oscar-winning song mentioned above from the film White Nights, though the track is not available on the film’s soundtrack album, as Richie’s label didn’t want his first single after his hit 1983 album to be on another label.
16. Bryan Adams - Heaven
Adams had served as the opening act for Journey for over 100 dates during 1983 and this song was inspired by the band’s song “Faithfully.”
14. Phil Collins - One More Night
Collins wrote the chorus for this song while playing around with his drum machine. The music video was also shot in the same pub as the one used in the video for “Sussudio.”
12. Mr. Mister - Broken Wings
This song features an identical lyric to the 1968 Beatles song “Blackbird:” “Take these broken wings and learn to fly,” which Richard Page has described as coincidence as they were both likely inspired by the The Broken Wings novel by Kahlil Gibran.
9. Huey Lewis and the News - The Power of Love
This song was written and featured in Back to the Future, and Huey Lewis himself had a cameo in the film as one of the judges during Marty’s audition for Battle of the Bands.
6. Madonna - Crazy for You
This song was recorded for the 1985 film Vision Quest, was the lead single from the soundtrack’s album, and was the first ballad released as a single by Madonna.
5. a-ha - Take On Me
The song was assisted by the innovative use of a live-action pencil-sketch sequence in their music video. The video won six awards at the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards.
4. Wham! - Everything She Wants
This single was released as a double A-side with “Last Christmas,” and was written and produced by George Michael, who said it’s the only song that successfully came from a backing track first.
3. Tears for Fears - Everybody Wants to Rule the World
This song was a last-minute addition to the album Songs from the Big Chair, and eventually became one of their signature songs.
2. Simple Minds - Don't You (Forget About Me)
The song was written and composed by producer Keith Forsey and Steve Schiff while scoring The Breakfast Club, and wrote it with Simple Minds in mind (haha). Though the band was reluctant to record it at first, they eventually agreed.
What was your favorite song from 1985? Let us know in the comments!
