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100 Greatest Songs From 1985

Criteria: Songs listed are from Rock 'n' Roll and related sub-genres. Rankings are based on initial and lasting popularity and on acclaim received from critics and musicians.
Note: Yearly song lists go by earliest 'release date' (Single, Album, or Country of first release).
Not necessarily the year a song peaked in the U.S. charts.
No.
Song
Artist

Money For Nothing - Dire Straits single cover
Into the Groove - Madonna single cover
Addicted To Love - Robert Palmer single cover
Word Up! - Cameo single cover
How Will I Know? - Whitney Houston single cover
Walk Like An Egyptian - Bangles single cover
The Power of Love - Huey Lewis & The News single cover
Everybody Wants To Rule the World - Tears for Fears single cover
1 Money For Nothing Dire Straits
2 Into The Groove Madonna
3 Addicted To Love Robert Palmer
4 Word Up! Cameo
5 How Will I Know? Whitney Houston
6 Walk Like An Egyptian Bangles
7 The Power Of Love Huey Lewis & The News
8 Everybody Wants To Rule The World Tears for Fears
9 Don't You (Forget About Me) Simple Minds
10 West End Girls (1985 version) Pet Shop Boys
11 We Are The World U.S.A. for Africa
12 Saving All My Love For You Whitney Houston
13 Freeway Of Love Aretha Franklin
14 Walking On Sunshine Katrina & The Waves
15 Everytime You Go Away Paul Young
16 Greatest Love Of All Whitney Houston
17 Raspberry Beret Prince & The Revolution
18 That's What Friends Are For Dionne Warwick & Friends
19 Sussudio Phil Collins
20 Rock Me Amadeus Falco
21 We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome) Tina Turner
22 Part-Time Lover Stevie Wonder
23 Running Up That Hill Kate Bush
24 Miami Vice Theme Jan Hammer
25 In My House Mary Jane Girls
26 When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going Billy Ocean
27 Rhythm Of The Night DeBarge
28 Oh Sheila Ready For The World
29 Say You, Say Me Lionel Richie
30 Would I Lie To You? Eurythmics
31 Small Town John Cougar Mellencamp
32 Living In America James Brown
33 And She Was Talking Heads
34 Broken Wings Mr. Mister
35 St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion) John Parr
36 We Built This City Starship
37 I Didn't Mean To Turn You On Robert Palmer
38 Who's Zoomin' Who? Aretha Franklin
39 Holding Back The Years Simply Red
40 These Dreams Heart
41 Some Like It Hot Power Station
42 Take Me Home Phil Collins
43 R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A. (A Salute To '60s Rock) John Cougar Mellencamp
44 Sun City Artists United Against Apartheid
45 I Can't Live Without My Radio LL Cool J
46 The Show Doug E. Fresh & The Get Fresh Crew
47 She Sells Sanctuary The Cult
48 Let's Go All The Way Sly Fox
49 You Belong To The City Glenn Frey
50 Opportunities (Let's Make Lots Of Money) Pet Shop Boys
51 There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart) Eurythmics
52 Road To Nowhere Talking Heads
53 We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off Jermaine Stewart
54 If You Love Somebody Set Them Free Sting
55 Two Of Hearts Stacey Q
56 You Are My Lady Freddie Jackson
57 Conga Miami Sound Machine
58 Oh Yeah Yello
59 19 Paul Hardcastle
60 A View To A Kill Duran Duran
61 Lonely Ol' Night John Cougar Mellencamp
62 You Give Good Love Whitney Houston
63 Pop Life Prince & The Revolution
64 All I Need Is A Miracle Mike + The Mechanics
65 Voices Carry 'Til Tuesday
66 Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves Eurythmics & Aretha Franklin
67 Rock Me Tonight (For Old Time's Sake) Freddie Jackson
68 Secret Lovers Atlantic Starr
69 Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground) Mike + The Mechanics
70 Walk Of Life Dire Straits
71 Centerfield John Fogerty
72 In Between Days The Cure
73 Just Another Night Mick Jagger
74 Alive And Kicking Simple Minds
75 Brothers In Arms Dire Straits
76 Dare Me Pointer Sisters
77 A Love Bizarre Sheila E.
78 Who's Holding Donna Now? DeBarge
79 Rock The Bells LL Cool J
80 One More Night Phil Collins
81 All Cried Out Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam
82 Your Love Outfield
83 Separate Lives Phil Collins & Marilyn Martin
84 One Of The Living Tina Turner
85 Hangin' On A String (Contemplating) Loose Ends
86 Tender Love Force M.D.s
87 Head Over Heels Tears For Fears
88 Burning Heart (Theme From "Rocky IV") Survivor
89 Kyrie Mr. Mister
90 I'm Your Man Wham!
91 Things Can Only Get Better Howard Jones
92 Forever Man Eric Clapton
93 The Boy With The Thorn In His Side Smiths
94 The Whole Of The Moon Waterboys
95 Close To Me The Cure
96 Cry Godley & Creme
97 So Far Away Dire Straits
98 The Sun Always Shines On T.V. A-Ha
99 King Of Rock Run-D.M.C.
100 The Payoff Mix Double Dee & Steinski
20 more worth mentioning.
101 Love Like Blood Killing Joke
102 What You Need INXS
103 Crush On You Jets
104 Life In A Northern Town Dream Academy
105 Something About You Level 42
106 Party All The Time Eddie Murphy
107 Election Day Arcadia
108 Computer Love Zapp
109 Trapped Colonel Abrams
110 Slave To The Rhythm Grace Jones
111 Just Like Honey Jesus & Mary Chain
112 California Girls David Lee Roth
113 Face The Face Pete Townshend
114 Talk To Me Stevie Nicks
115 Single Life Cameo
116 Take The Skinheads Bowling Camper Van Beethoven
117 Bastards Of Young Replacements
118 P.S.K. - What Does It Mean? Schoolly D
119 Driver 8 R.E.M.
120 Find A Way Amy Grant
DigitalDreamDoor Editor Picks for 1985
Jeff's Choice - Greatest Single Re-Entry
* Holiday Madonna (#2 UK)
Jeff's Choice - An unheralded great record from 1985
* Fall Down (Spirit Of Love) Tramaine
Lew's Choice:
* Beat's So Lonely Charlie Sexton
Bruce's Choice:
* Dip My Dipper Cicero Blake
Brett's Choice:
* Waiting On My Angel Jamie Principle
Ryan's Choice:
* Up The Hill And Down The Slope The Loft


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