In 1985, computers were just beginning to take hold, but not the Internet yet. Live Aid held concerts in Philadelphia and London, UK. Ronald Reagan earned his second term as President in the United States. St. Elmo’s Fire was released and the Brat Pat named.
Personally, I was working. I dropped out of art school because I did not want my parents to pay for an art education when I was undecided in the direction I wanted to take an art major. My dad was retired and my mom worked in retail. I felt bad making them support me for a major that is not guaranteed a job. I decided to go back to college later.
The following is a list of my favorite songs from 1985. I will only list my favorite song from each album, despite liking several. (The list contains affiliate links that if you click, I may earn a commission if purchased within a limited time.)
- These Dreams – Heart. This song is on their album entitled, Heart, released in June of 1985. Other songs on the album includes Never, Nothin’ at All and What About Love? Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Running Up That Hill – Kate Bush. This song is from her Hounds of Love album released in September of 1985. Other songs on this album include Hounds of Love and Cloudbusting. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Shine Like it Does – INXS. This song is from their Listen Like Thieves album released in August of 1985. This album has many hits including Listen Like Thieves, This Time, and What You Need. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Alive and Kicking – Simple Minds. This song is from their Once Upon a Time album released in October of 1985. Sanctify Yourself and All the Things She Said are also on this album. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Everybody Wants to Rule the World – Tears for Fears. This song is from their Songs From the Big Chair album released in February of 1985. Other hits on this album include Shout and Head Over Heels. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Invincible – Pat Benatar. This song is from her Seven the Hard Way album released in October of 1985. Other hits on this album include Sex as a Weapon. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- I Can’t Wait – Stevie Nicks. This song is from her Rock a Little album released in December of 1985. Other songs on this album include The Nightmare, I Sings for the Things, and Rock a Little. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Ways to be Wicked – Lone Justice. This song is from their Lone Justice album released in April of 1985. Other songs on this album include East of Eden and Don’t Toss Us Away. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Slave to Love – Bryan Ferry. This song is from his Boys and Girls album released in June of 1985. It is also on the 9 ½ Weeks soundtrack released in 1986. Other songs on Boys and Girls are Don’t Stop the Dance and Windswept. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Take on Me – AHa. This song is from their Hunting High and Low album released in June of 1985. Other songs on this album are The Sun Always Shines on T.V. and Love’s Glance. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Lonely Ole Night – John Mellencamp. This song is from his Scarecrow album released in August of 1985. Other hits on this album include Rain on the Scarecrow, Small Town, and Rock in the U.S.A. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Addicted to Love – Robert Palmer. This song is from his Riptide album released in November of 1985. Other hits on the album include I Didn’t Mean to Turn You On and Hyperactive. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- She Sells Sanctuary – The Cult. This song is from their Love album released in October of 1985. Other songs on the album are Nirvana and Revolution. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Lovin’ Every Minute of It – Loverboy. This song is from their Lovin’ Every Minute of It album released in August of 1985. Other hits on this album include This Could Be the Night and Dangerous. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Life in a Northern Town – The Dream Academy. This song is from their Dream Academy album released in November of 1985. Other songs on the album include The Edge of Forever and In Places on the Run. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Sara – Starship. This song is from their Knee Deep in Hoopla album released in September of 1985. We Built This City is also on this album. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- One More Night – Phil Collins. This song is from his No Jacket Required album released in February of 1085. Other songs on this album include Take Me Home and Don’t Lose My Number. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- Crazy for You – Madonna. This song is from the Vision Quest soundtrack released in March of 1985 but can be found on her Immaculate Collection album. Other songs on the Vision Quest album include Gambler by Madonna and Only the Young by Journey. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
- You Belong to the City – Glenm Fry. This song is on the Miami Vice soundtrack released in September of 1985. Other songs on the album include The Smuggler Blues by Glenn Fry, In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins, and You Better Be Good to Me by Tina Turner. Other available versions include vinyl.
- St. Elmo’s Fire – John Parr. This song is from the St. Elmo’s Fire soundtrack released in June of 1985. Other songs on this album include Shake Down by Billy Squier and This Time it was Real by Jon Anderson. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of this album.
I created a playlist on my Youtube Channnel – Musical Pier entitled “Favorite Songs of 1985” so you can listen to these songs performed by the artists listed. Check it out! Thanks for reading!