The 10 Best Songs Of 1985, Ranked
Music in 1985 was like a neon explosion of synthesizers, unforgettable hooks, and voices that still echo through every retro playlist today.
From dance floors to car radios, these tracks ruled the airwaves and defined a generation.
Whether you lived through it or discovered these gems later, these songs prove that some melodies never fade.
Get ready to relive the magic of the year that gave us some of the catchiest tunes ever recorded.
Disclaimer:
This article reflects general music history, chart performance, and cultural commentary. Listener experiences and interpretations may vary based on personal preference.
Song details and artist information are presented for informational purposes, and readers are encouraged to explore the music themselves to form their own impressions.
1. George Michael – Careless Whisper
That saxophone intro hits differently every single time.
George Michael delivered a ballad so smooth it practically melted hearts worldwide, becoming one of the most iconic breakup songs in history.
If heartbreak had a soundtrack, this would be track one.
The song topped charts across the globe and remains a karaoke favorite for anyone feeling romantic or nostalgic.
Just saying, those sax notes are pure magic.
2. Like A Virgin By Madonna
Madonna shook the world with a bold anthem that reshaped pop music and sent vibrant energy pulsing through radios everywhere.
Her fearless attitude and addictive chorus turned the song into an instant classic that still sparks dancing decades later.
Think of it as a superhero origin moment for modern pop divas stepping into their power.
Track success soared to number one and sealed her place as the Queen of Pop with a glow fans never forgot.
3. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go By Wham!
Pure joy gets bottled into three minutes and thirty seconds of musical sunshine.
Wham! delivered the ultimate feel-good bop that makes sitting still nearly impossible, with hand claps and bright harmonies bursting like confetti.
Beneath that bubbly surface sits serious songwriting skill paired with infectious energy that sparks movement the moment it hits your ears.
Track success turned into a worldwide smash, proving simple fun can outrun almost anything else in pop.
Your feet will thank you for hitting play and letting the groove take charge.
4. I Want To Know What Love Is By Foreigner
When rock meets soul, you get this powerful ballad that tugs at every heartstring imaginable.
Foreigner brought in a gospel choir to elevate this track into something truly transcendent and emotionally overwhelming.
If you need a good cry or just want to feel something deep, crank this up loud.
The song dominated radio for weeks and became their biggest hit ever.
5. I Feel For You By Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan took a Prince-written track and transformed it into a funky masterpiece bursting with harmonica riffs and rap-tinged swagger that blew minds.
Original recording by Prince set the foundation, yet her version became the take that listeners cherish most.
Track energy mixed genres like a musical smoothie, folding R&B, funk, hip-hop, and pop into one irresistible groove that vibrates straight through your speakers.
Total game-changer for radio playlists everywhere and a clear reminder of how bold creativity can rewrite expectations.
6. Out Of Touch By Daryl Hall & John Oates
Hall & Oates proved they were anything but out of touch with a synth-driven banger that lit up MTV screens and sent neon energy buzzing into living rooms.
Song production leaned into futuristic flair for its era, wrapping layered keyboards around a chorus that burrows into your mind and refuses to leave.
How does a duo stay so consistently cool?
By crafting hits that keep sounding fresh even forty years later and still spark that unmistakable groove.
Chemistry between them remains one of pop history’s clearest examples of teamwork turning into pure magic.
7. Everybody Wants To Rule The World By Tears For Fears
Where philosophy meets pop perfection, this anthem captured the anxieties and ambitions of an entire generation.
Tears for Fears crafted a deceptively upbeat track with lyrics that actually explore power, freedom, and human nature pretty deeply.
If songs were superheroes, this one would have mind-reading powers.
The jangly guitars and smooth vocals made it a radio staple that never gets old.
8. Money For Nothing By Dire Straits
Opening guitar riff feels etched into the collective memory of music fans everywhere, ringing out like a spark that never fades.
Dire Straits delivered a rock masterpiece filled with sharp social commentary wrapped inside one of the catchiest riffs ever recorded.
Groundbreaking computer-animated visuals turned the music video into an MTV phenomenon that pushed creative boundaries across the industry.
Just saying, the track reshaped expectations of what rock could sound like in a synth-pop era filled with bold experimentation.
9. Crazy For You By Madonna
Madonna showed her softer side with a tender ballad that proved she could shine well beyond dance-pop anthems.
Song placement in Vision Quest helped it grow into a slow-dance classic cherished at school dances and weddings across generations.
Known for bold creative choices, she eased back here to offer pure romantic vulnerability that feels warm and intimate.
Result turned into another chart-topper that highlighted her remarkable range and emotional depth as an artist.
10. Take On Me By A-Ha
If you remember the pencil-sketch music video, you remember pop culture history being made right before your eyes.
A-ha combined soaring vocals with synth brilliance to create a track that feels like flying through a comic book.
That high note Morten Harket hits? Absolutely legendary and basically superhuman.
The song became a global phenomenon and remains one of the most recognizable tunes from the entire decade.
