By 1985 it feels like we have left the 70's far far behind. There is also a good blend of music here that I was into in high school and into in college, but the difference in time is no longer that relevant.
20. Rain On the Scarecrow by John Mellencamp
OK let's get into the fall of the Democratic party in rural America. Watch the opening of this video and you see three young farmers talking. These men would all have been voting Democrat in 1985 and this song was in response to the banking practices that had become the norm with all the deregulation of the banking industry under Reagan. Today all these guys and their families all likely vote Republican. It's incredible how much things can change in 40 years. Thank you Bill Clinton. I'll leave it there.
19. I Want the One I Can't Have by The Smiths
I wouldn't discover The Smiths until I was in college. I can still remember the first time I listened to this album Meat is Murder, their second album. Brilliant!! Best album they ever made and a huge influence.
18. Cloudbusting by Kate Bush
This is Kate Bush in a new plane of existence from her earlier work. Just a brilliant artist and a wonderful song. If you don't know the story about the songs look it up, very interesting.
17. Nowhere Fast by The Smiths
There are a few songs, especially when you are younger, that you hear and they completely resonate with you. I remember hearing "Born to Run" for the first time in high school, I remember hearing "Nowhere Fast" for the first time in college.
16. In Between Days by The Cure
I have always thought that Robert Smith's genius is well under appreciated. The same guy who's band broke into the mainstream with "The Forest" made this song. One thing that came out of this time of music was this idea of writing upbeat sounding songs that actually have very sad lyrics. Here is a great example that would inspire a lot of writers including those making hits today like Charlie XCS whether they know it or not.
15. Head Over Heels by Tears for Fears
I liked this song from the first time I heard it and I've never tired of it. It feels so mid 1980's in a way that is hard to explain. But if someone wanted me to define the sound of the 1980's this would be a good pick.
14. The Sweetest Taboo by Sade
Wow just so perfect. Love this song and never tire of it. It's one of those songs that just makes you want to tap your foot and feel cool. I remember reading a review of Sade in Rolling Stone Magazine when this album was out. The guy reviewing them had gone to see them in concert and was amazed at how much he enjoyed their show. I get it.
13. Take On Me by a-ha
Definitely my album of the year in 1985. Their next album would be even better in my view, but this was really their one shot in the US and then they faded away in our country. A good band for along time, but in many ways this was their best work. My kids love this song and if you haven't seen the modern acoustic take where they are performing this for bunch of mid 40s women check it out. It's great.
12. That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore by The Smiths
It's like they took Franny and Zooey and put it into song form in some way. Not sure how they did that. There is something about this song that I still connect to today just as I did at age 18. There is a loneliness and a cruelty to the world that those of us who can relate to Franny I don't think can ever get past.
11. Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears
Probably the perfect video, because this is a perfect driving song. The best song Tears for Fears ever did and that's a pretty good feat. They are a band who I've always believed completely burned out for everyone in 1985.
10. Driver 8 by R.E.M.
OK this is the second best R.E.M. song and a brilliant album. These two albums are for me the peak of R.E.M. though I would hang with them through a few more albums.
9. Plum Dumb by The Dead Milkmen
This is a great album that maybe hasn't aged so well, but I still love this song. It's funny I'm not even sure why I like this song so much. Maybe because it feels so 1985 and so youthful in a way that I'm not sure exists anymore.
8. The Boy Who Cried Wolf by The Style Council
Wow some big hitter albums in 1985. Really love this album and this song. I would discover these guys in college and this album in 1987. Easily one of the best albums ever made in my view but this is really the only standout single type song on the album.
7. Shoot Me Down by Everything But the Girl
This is the first song of theirs that really grabbed me and I happily went with them wherever they wanted to go.
6. To Live and Die in L.A. by Wang Chung
They had some big hit that I absolutely hated, but I absolutely love this song.
5. Is It a Crime by Sade
Probably the best vocal performance Sade ever did for an album. The band would go on to make better albums and better songs even, but this is Sade the singer at her best.
4. Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush
What can you say about a song that would come back 40 years later to be number 1. It's brilliant.
3. Well I Wonder by The Smiths
This is my favorite Smiths song. The music is perfect, the lyrics brilliant. The Smiths are not for everyon, but they are still special to me.
2. Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits
My most favorite ever TV and music moment was this song on Miami Vice. This is a song I fall back to quite often.
1. Into the Groove by Madonna
If you knew me in 1985 you would have easily guest what was number 1 if you knew this song was in the pool. I have declared this as my favorite song all time for the last 39 years and I don't see that changing anytime soon. Madonna would never top this song even though I think her later work was better than this era of work. If someone wants to know Madonna this is the song.
