Top 10 Greatest Songs From 1985

Simple Minds
It’s the fist pump heard around the world. Originally written for Billy Idol, who turned it down, “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” became Simple Minds’ biggest hit. Thanks to its iconic use in "The Breakfast Club," the song is an instant time capsule for 1985. Released just weeks before the film, the track hit No. 1 in the U.S. and gave the Scottish band their first and only chart-topping single stateside. Between that unforgettable synth line and the song’s bittersweet lyrics, it perfectly captured the weird magic of being young, misunderstood, and unsure. Even today, one listen and you’re right back in that library detention, trench coats and all.

Robert Palmer
This song had the riffs, the swagger, and an epic music video. “Addicted to Love” turned Robert Palmer into an unlikely MTV icon. His slick look and the stoic backing band of identically dressed models perfectly captured the mid-’80s aesthetic. The look was so instantly recognizable, it’s been parodied endlessly ever since. The track itself was a monster hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 and earning Palmer a Grammy. With its driving guitar line and sharp-edged vocals, it blurred the lines between rock, pop, and glam. In 1985, cool didn’t get much cooler.

Tears for Fears
Timeless is a word that generally doesn't apply to anything from the 1980s. It does, however, describe “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” Eerily relevant as ever, its shimmering guitars and laid-back groove somehow make Cold War anxiety sound cool. Tears for Fears originally didn’t even want to record it. They relented, resulting in their breakout U.S. hit. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 and cemented their place in ‘80s pop history. The lyrics tackle power, control, and the cost of ambition. The heavy subject matter goes down smoothly thanks to a polished production and haunting vocals. It’s existential dread you can dance to, and we’re still spinning it today.

Run-DMC
Rap was still finding its mainstream footing in 1985, but Run-DMC came in like they owned the place. “King of Rock” wasn’t just a song; it was a mission statement. The song featured crunchy guitars, shouted vocals, and swagger turned up to 11. The music video even features a security guard telling the group they “don’t belong in here.” Spoiler: they absolutely did. "King of Rock" shattered the walls between genres, introducing hip-hop to a White audience on MTV. The track sure wasn’t subtle, but it didn’t need to be. It planted a flag, and made sure everyone heard the sound.

USA for Africa
Is it a little condescending? You bet. Is it mind-blowing from a musical perspective? Not remotely. But in terms of cultural impact, this song was a juggernaut. Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and produced by Quincy Jones, “We Are the World” brought together the biggest names in pop for a single mission: raise money for famine relief in Africa. The effort was sparked by the devastating Ethiopian famine starting in 1983. Over one million people died with millions more displaced. This single topped charts in over 20 countries, raising tens of millions in relief. "We Are the World" made celebrity activism a global phenomenon - awkward chorus and all.

Huey Lewis and the News
Just ask Patrick Bateman: Huey Lewis was the unabated king of the mid-‘80s. Written for "Back to the Future," “The Power of Love” wasn’t a mediocre movie tie-in, but was a full-blown hit. The track gave Huey Lewis and the News their first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The "Power of Love" is all slick hooks, soaring vocals, and just enough guitar to make it pop-rock gold. It will be forever linked to Marty McFly, the DeLorean, and one very confused panel of battle-of-the-bands judges. Lewis even has a cameo in the film, rejecting his own song as “too darn loud.”

Dire Straits
That guitar riff? Iconic. That animated video? Straight-up MTV history. “Money for Nothing” was Dire Straits’ biggest hit, powered by Mark Knopfler’s strong guitar work and a satirical take on rock-star excess. Bonus points for Sting, who co-wrote the chorus and lent those famous “I want my MTV” vocals. The song hit No. 1 in the U.S. and helped launch the “Brothers in Arms” album into the stratosphere. “Money for Nothing’s” self-referential, snarky lyrics captured both the glamour and the absurdity of ‘80s pop culture. “Walk of Life,” the album’s other major single, gave the band its most joyful – and most sports-montage-friendly – hit. (xref)

Madonna
By 1985, Madonna wasn’t just on the rise; she was already running the show. “Into the Groove” wasn’t even released as a single in the U.S., but that didn’t stop it from becoming one of her signature hits. Originally recorded for the film "Desperately Seeking Susan," the song’s blend of dance-pop beats and flirtatious swagger made it a club anthem. In the UK, it became her first No. 1 single, and it’s since landed on just about every Madonna greatest-hits collection. If “Like a Virgin” made her a star, “Into the Groove” proved she could make you move.

Whitney Houston
The year 1985 introduced the world to one of the greatest vocalists in the history of modern music. “How Will I Know?” was Whitney Houston’s breakout pop hit. The bubbly, synth-driven track paired with a powerhouse vocal performance made it crystal clear: she was destined for icon status. She’d already shown off her vocal chops on “Saving All My Love for You,” but this track proved she could own the dance floor too. The music video, full of bright colors and big hair, became an MTV staple and helped Houston cross over from R&B to full-on pop superstardom. The song hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and solidified her place in the charts for years to come.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Annie Lennox Soars While Stevie Wonder Adds Harmonica Magic to This Heavenly Hit

Dropped in Late ‘84, This High-Drama Dance Banger Kept Spinning Straight Through Its Parent Album’s 1985 Release

A Heartland Anthem That Made Small-Town Pride Sound like a Stadium-Sized Chorus

Haunting, Urgent, and Running Back to Superstardom Through “Stranger Things” Decades Later

A Nostalgic Blast of Guitars and Glory Days That Made Growing Up Sound like an Anthem

Prince


Only Prince could turn a secondhand store crush into one of the most beloved songs of the ‘80s. “Raspberry Beret” marked a stylistic shift from the synth-heavy sounds of "Purple Rain" to something more psychedelic and playful. He brought something new and interesting, incorporating strings and tambourines with his unmistakable charisma. Released as the lead single from "Around the World in a Day," it became a Top 5 hit and an instant fan favorite. Backed by The Revolution, Prince created a world that felt romantic, rebellious, and totally his own.


What classic songs take you back to 1985? Take us on in the comments.