The Best Pop Music of 1985

In this blog post, we’ll be taking a look at the best pop music of 1985. This was a great year for pop music, with a lot of iconic songs being released. We’ll be discussing some of the biggest hits of the year, as well as some of the lesser-known gems.

Madonna – “Like a Virgin”

Madonna’s second album, Like a Virgin, was released in 1984. The title track, “Like a Virgin”, was released as the lead single from the album. The song peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States and became Madonna’s first number-one single on the chart. It also peaked at number one in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Bruce Springsteen – “Born in the U.S.A.”

“Born in the U.S.A.” is a song by Bruce Springsteen from his album of the same name. The song was released as a single in 1984 and became one of Springsteen’s best-known songs. It peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, behind only “Like a Virgin” by Madonna, and it helped springboard the album to becoming his most successful release. The song has become an anthem for the working class and has been adopted by the military, political figures, and athletes.

Prince and The Revolution – “Purple Rain”

Prince and The Revolution’s “Purple Rain” is undoubtedly one of the greatest pop songs of all time. It’s a timeless classic that has stood the test of time, and its instantly recognizable opening riff is one of the most iconic in music history. Released in 1984, “Purple Rain” was the lead single from the album of the same name, and spent an incredible 24 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also won an Academy Award for Best Original Song, and has since been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. If you’re looking for a quintessential ’80s pop song, look no further than “Purple Rain.”

Phil Collins – “No Jacket Required”

Phil Collins’ “No Jacket Required” was an instant classic when it was released in 1985. It’s a perfect pop album, full of catchy hooks, tight vocal harmonies, and Collins’ amazing drumming. The album features the hits “Sussudio,” “One More Night,” and “Take Me Home,” as well as the classic ballad “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now).” “No Jacket Required” is a must-have for any pop music fan.

Whitney Houston – “Whitney Houston”

“Whitney Houston” is the self-titled debut album by American recording artist Whitney Houston, released on February 14, 1985 by Arista Records. The album Whitney Houston was a commercial success, becoming the best-selling debut by a woman in history and spawning three number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100—”Saving All My Love for You”, “How Will I Know” and “Greatest Love of All”—as well as a fourth, “All at Once”. Upon its release, Whitney Houston received generally positive reviews from music critics. The album topped the charts in many countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Sweden and the United Kingdom. In the United States, it became the best-selling debut album by a woman and has been certified thirteen times Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Lionel Richie – “Can’t Slow Down”

In 1983, Lionel Richie had the top-selling album of the year with Can’t Slow Down, which also won the Grammy for Album of the Year. The album produced five hit singles, including “All Night Long (All Night),” which went to #1 on the pop charts and won Richie a Grammy for Record of the Year.

Duran Duran – “A View to a Kill”

“A View to a Kill” is a song by British band Duran Duran, released as the theme to the 1985 James Bond film of the same name. The song was written jointly by the band and producer John Barry, and was released as a single on 6 May 1985.

The song reached number one in the United States on 18 July 1985, giving Duran Duran their only US chart-topping single to date. It also reached number two in the United Kingdom, being held off the top spot by Madonna’s “Into the Groove”. In 2001, “A View to a Kill” was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.

A-ha – “Hunting High and Low”

Formed in Norway in 1982, A-ha released their debut album Hunting High and Low in 1985. The album’s lead single “Take On Me” was an instant pop sensation, reaching the top of the charts in several countries. “Take On Me” remains one of the most iconic pop songs of the 1980s, thanks to its innovative music video, which won six MTV Video Music Awards. Other singles from Hunting High and Low include “The Sun Always Shines on TV” and “Hunting High and Low.” The album was a commercial and critical success, selling more than 10 million copies worldwide.

Tears for Fears – “Songs from the Big Chair”

“Songs from the Big Chair” is the second album by British pop rock band Tears for Fears, released on 25 February 1985 by Phonogram Records. It was a commercial and critical success, hitting number one in several countries and selling over three million copies in the US alone. The album featured two US top five singles: “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”, which peaked at number four, and “Head over Heels”, which peaked at number three.

Dire Straits – “Brothers in Arms”

Dire Straits’ “Brothers in Arms” was one of the biggest hits of 1985. The song topped the charts in several countries and won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. “Brothers in Arms” is a song about the futility of war and the brotherhood of soldiers. The song’s popularity was fueled by its use in the Vietnam War documentary “Hamburger Hill.”