Wrapping up the top 20 songs released in 1985 proved to be really tough.  All the prior tracks had enormous cred to stake their claim to the top spot, but in the end, this one track managed to do it.  It is the defining song of this man’s career, and has managed to elude its encapsulation by the 80s decade sound, being a huge rock anthem and a song dedicated to all those artists who tried to make it big but decided other things in life were more important.  The #1 song turning 40 years old this year is – …..more →

We are almost to the top of my countdowns, and this song almost made it there.  My kids know this song, many others know it and hear it all the time, and it remains one of her biggest hits today.  Not much else can be said except go ahead and listen, at #2 it’s How Will I Know by Whitney Houston.

I must have gone over this song over and over again.  At one time it was my top pick for 1985, but now it resides in this spot.  Who would have that this artist who made one color popular with him would end up doing it again a year later with not only another color but a hat too.  This man had boatloads left to say, and it continued with this #3 track on my countdown – Raspberry Beret by Prince.

Another sports-themed track of 1985, this song was one of 7 different singles that were released over a two year period and helped establish this man firmly as The Boss.  This song still has a lot of legs with its sound, its association with sports, and its catchy chorus.  Rock on to this #4 track – Glory Days by Bruce Springsteen.

“Dance Fight!” Anyone with kids knows what I mean that by quote.  The epitome of an 80s dance track, this song has managed to carry on through the decades and remains one of this artist’s biggest songs.  This second entry by this artist cements itself at the base of the top 5 songs turning 40 years old this year.  At #5 it’s Into The Groove by Madonna.

Yes there is a hit of the 80s sound in this song, but it’s hard to justify that this track has not managed to remain in the public consciousness for years if not decades.  Used in a variety of TV programs and often requested on radio stations, this second entry by this group is arguably one of it not their biggest song of all time.  Wrapping up the 3rd quarter of this 1985 countdown at #6 is Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Tears For Fears.