Top 100 Songs of 1985

Below is a list from Billboard magazine’s Top ear-End Hot 100 songs for 1985. Chart © by Billboard, a part of MRC Media and Info, a division of MRC. All Rights Reserved. Learn more about Billboard here.

Top 100 Songs of 1985

1

Careless Whisper – Wham!

2

Out of Touch – Daryl Hall and John Oates

3

Everybody Wants to Rule the World – Tears For Fears

4

The Power of Love – Huey Lewis and The News

5

We Built This City – Starship

6

St. Elmos Fire (Man In Motion) – John Parr

7

The Heat Is On – Glenn Frey

8

We Are the World – U.S.A. For Africa

9

Shout – Tears For Fears

10

Cool It Now – New Edition

11

Everything She Wants – Wham!

12

Saving All My Love for You – Whitney Houston

13

Miami Vice Theme – Jan Hammer

14

You Belong to the City – Glenn Frey

15

Oh Sheila – Ready For The World

16

Rhythm of the Night – Debarge

17

One More Night – Phil Collins

18

Neutron Dance – The Pointer Sisters

19

We Belong – Pat Benatar

20

Nightshift – The Commodores

21

Things Can Only Get Better – Howard Jones

22

All I Need – Jack Wagner

23

Never Surrender – Corey Hart

24

Sussudio – Phil Collins

25

The Search Is Over – Survivor

26

Separate Lives – Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin

More 74 Top Songs of 1985

27. 27. Like a Virgin – Madonna
    28. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go – Wham!
    29. I Want to Know What Love Is – Foreigner
    30. I Feel for You – Chaka Khan
    31. Money for Nothing – Dire Straits
    32. Crazy for You – Madonna
    33. Take On Me – A-Ha
    34. Everytime You Go Away – Paul Young
    35. Easy Lover – Phil Collins and Philip Bailey
    36. Can’t Fight This Feeling – REO Speedwagon
    37. Cherish – Kool and The Gang
    38. Don’t You (Forget About Me) – Simple Minds
    39. Part-Time Lover – Stevie Wonder
    40. Heaven – Bryan Adams
    41. Loverboy – Billy Ocean
    42. Lovergirl – Teena Marie
    43. Sea of Love – The Honeydrippers
    44. A View to a Kill – Duran Duran
    45. The Wild Boys – Duran Duran
    46. You’re the Inspiration – Chicago
    47. Freeway of Love – Aretha Franklin
    48. Strut – Sheena Easton
    49. You Give Good Love – Whitney Houston
    50. Missing You – Diana Ross
    51.  Raspberry Beret – Prince and The Revolution
    52.  Suddenly – Billy Ocean
    53.  The Boys of Summer – Don Henley
    54.  One Night In Bangkok – Murray Head
    55.  If You Love Somebody Set Them Free – Sting
    56.  Obsession – Animotion
    57.  We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome) – Tina Turner
    58.  Material Girl – Madonna
    59.  Better Be Good to Me – Tina Turner
    60.  Head Over Heels – Tears For Fears
    61.  Axel F – Harold Faltermeyer
    62.  Smooth Operator – Sade
    63.  In My House – Mary Jane Girls
    64.  Don’t Lose My Number – Phil Collins
    65.  All Through the Night – Cyndi Lauper
    66.  Run to You – Bryan Adams
    67.  Glory Days – Bruce Springsteen
    68.  Voices Carry – ‘Til Tuesday
    69.  Misled – Kool and The Gang
    70.  Would I Lie to You? – The Eurythmics
    71.  Be Near Me – ABC
    72.  No More Lonely Nights – Paul McCartney
    73.  I Can’t Hold Back – Survivor
    74.  Summer Of ’69 – Bryan Adams
    75.  Walking On Sunshine – Katrina and The Waves
    76.  Freedom – Wham!
    77.  Too Late for Goodbyes – Julian Lennon
    78.  Valotte – Julian Lennon
    79.  Some Like It Hot – The Power Station
    80.  Solid – Ashford and Simpson
    81.  Angel – Madonna
    82.  I’m On Fire – Bruce Springsteen
    83.  Method of Modern Love – Daryl Hall and John Oates
    84.  Lay Your Hands On Me – The Thompson Twins
    85.  Who’s Holding Donna Now? – Debarge
    86.  Lonely Ol’ Night – John Cougar Mellencamp
    87.  What About Love – Heart
    88.  California Girls – David Lee Roth
    89.  Fresh – Kool and The Gang
    90.  Do What You Do – Jermaine Jackson
    91.  Jungle Love – The Time
    92.  Born In the U.S.A. – Bruce Springsteen
    93.  Private Dancer – Tina Turner
    94.  Who’s Zoomin’ Who? – Aretha Franklin
    95.  Fortress Around Your Heart – Sting
    96.  Penny Lover – Lionel Richie
    97.  All She Wants to Do Is Dance – Don Henley
    98.  Dress You Up – Madonna
    99.  Sentimental Street – Night Ranger
    100.  Sugar Walls – Sheena Easton

Looking For More Great Music From the 2000s?

If so, check out our thoughts on the Top Songs from The Lumineers, the Top Smash Mouth Songs, the Best Blue October Songs of All Time, the Best Pop Songs of the 2000s, and the Best Songs of The 2000s for more fantastic song selections.

Top 100 Songs of 1985 – Final Thoughts

The year 1985 was a fantastic year for music, and the Top 100 songs of the year reflect that. From pop to rock to R&B, the year was filled with hit after hit. Michael Jackson’s “We Are the World” was the top song of the year, an anthem that brought together some of the biggest names in music for a good cause.

Other hits included “Careless Whisper” by George Michael, “Like a Virgin” by Madonna, and “Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits. The year also saw the emergence of new acts like Whitney Houston and A-ha. Overall, the Top 100 songs of 1985 continue to be a staple in many people’s playlists and memories.