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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Other • Top 1000

Top R&B Songs of 1985

1984 <-

1985

-> 1986

Video playlist

Cover

Date

Title

Album

Comment

Video

03/1985

We Are the World by USA for Africa

from We Are the World: U.S.A. for Africa

429

✫1
US

✫1
AC

76
country

✫1
R&B

27
rock

✫1
UK

[Grammy Award for Song of the Year 1986]
grammy logo

[Grammy Award for Record of the Year 1986]
benefit recording by all-star group
[Columbia 04839]
written by Michael Jackson & Lionel Richie

06/1985

Saving All My Love for You by Whitney Houston

from Whitney Houston

423

✫1
US

✫1
AC

✫1
R&B

✫1
UK

[Arista 9381]
written by Gerry Goffin & Michael Masser

11/1985

West End Girls by Pet Shop Boys

from Please

406

✫1
US

26
AC

✫1
dance

36
R&B

37
rock

✫1
UK

[BRIT Awards Best British Single 1987]
[R]
[EMI America 8307]
written by Neil Tennant & Chris Lowe

09/1985

Part-Time Lover by Stevie Wonder

from In Square Circle

399

✫1
US

✫1
AC

✫1
dance

✫1
R&B

3
UK

[Tamla 1808]
written by Stevie Wonder

11/1985

When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going by Billy Ocean

from The Jewel of the Nile: Music from the 20th Century Fox Motion Picture Soundtrack

386

2
US

2
AC

31
dance

6
R&B

✫1
UK

[Jive 9432]
written by Wayne Brathwaite (as Wayne Anton Braithwaite), Barry Eastmond (as Barry James Eastmond), Robert John "Mutt" Lange & Billy Ocean

12/1985

How Will I Know by Whitney Houston

from Whitney Houston

372

✫1
US

✫1
AC

3
dance

✫1
R&B

5
UK

produced by Narada Michael Walden
[Arista 9434]
written by George Merrill, Shannon Rubicam & Narada Michael Walden

03/1985

Crazy for You by Madonna

from Vision Quest: Original Soundtrack of the Warner Bros Motion Picture

368

✫1
US

2
AC

80
R&B

2
UK

[Geffen 29051]
written by John Bettis & Jon Lind

02/1985

One More Night by Phil Collins

from No Jacket Required

357

✫1
US

✫1
AC

80
R&B

4
rock

4
UK

[Atlantic 89588]
written by Phil Collins

02/1985

Axel F by Harold Faltermeyer

from Beverly Hills Cop: Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack

354

3
US

✫1
AC

✫1
dance

13
R&B

2
UK

chated as New Attitude / Axel F in US dance charts [instrumental]
[MCA 52536]
written by Harold Faltermeyer

10.

07/1985

We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome) by Tina Turner

from Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

341

2
US

3
AC

23
dance

3
R&B

29
rock

3
UK

[Capitol 5491]
written by Terry Britten & Graham Lyle

11.

05/1985

Cherish by Kool & The Gang

from Emergency

339

2
US

✫1
AC

✫1
R&B

4
UK

[De-Lite 880869]
written by Robert Bell (as Robert "Kool" Bell), Kool & The Gang & James "J.T." Taylor

12.

11/1985

I'm Your Man by Wham!

from Music from the Edge of Heaven

333

3
US

13
AC

42
dance

55
R&B

✫1
UK

[Columbia 05721]
written by George Michael

13.

02/1985

Rhythm of the Night by DeBarge

from Rhythm of the Night

332

3
US

✫1
AC

3
dance

✫1
R&B

4
UK

[Gordy 1770]
written by Diane Warren

14.

09/1985

Miami Vice Theme by Jan Hammer

from Miami Vice

329

✫1
US

16
AC

23
dance

10
R&B

29
rock

5
UK

[instrumental]
[MCA 52666]
written by Jan Hammer

15.

11/1985

Say You, Say Me by Lionel Richie

from Dancing on the Ceiling

325

✫1
US

✫1
AC

✫1
R&B

8
UK

[Academy Award for Best Original Song 1985]
golden globe logo

[Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song 1985]
[Motown 1819]
written by Lionel Richie

16.

02/1985

Material Girl by Madonna

from Like a Virgin

324

2
US

38
AC

✫1
dance

49
R&B

3
UK

[Sire 29083]
written by Peter Brown & Robert Rans

17.

01/1985

Nightshift by The Commodores

from Nightshift

318

3
US

2
AC

✫1
R&B

3
UK

[tribute to Marvin Gaye & Jackie Wilson]
[Motown 1773]
written by Walter Orange, Dennis Lambert & Franne Golde

18.

01/1985

Sussudio by Phil Collins

from No Jacket Required

297

✫1
US

30
AC

4
dance

8
R&B

10
rock

12
UK

[Atlantic 89560]
written by Phil Collins

19.

11/1985

That's What Friends Are For by Dionne Warwick

from Friends

296

✫1
US

✫1
AC

✫1
R&B

16
UK

as Dionne Warwick and Friends featuring Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder & Elton John
grammy logo

[Grammy Award for Song of the Year 1987]
[Arista 9422]
written by Burt Bacharach & Carole Bayer Sager

20.

03/1985

Suddenly by Billy Ocean

from Suddenly

295

4
US

✫1
AC

5
R&B

4
UK

[Jive 9323]
written by Billy Ocean & Keith Diamond

21.

05/1985

19 by Paul Hardcastle

from Rain Forest

278

15
US

✫1
dance

8
R&B

✫1
UK

title refers to the average age of u.s. soldiers in vietnam
[Chrysalis 42860]
written by Paul Hardcastle, William Coutourie & Jonas McCord

22.

04/1985

Angel by Madonna

from Like a Virgin

271

5
US

5
AC

✫1
dance

71
R&B

5
UK

charted as Into the Groove / Angel in US dance charts
[Sire 29008]
written by Madonna & Stephen Bray

23.

12/1985

Living in America by James Brown

from Rocky IV: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

271

4
US

3
dance

10
R&B

5
UK

[Scotti Brothers 05682 ]
written by Dan Hartman & Charlie Midnight

24.

11/1985

Secret Lovers by Atlantic Starr

from As the Band Turns

253

3
US

✫1
AC

4
R&B

10
UK

[A&M 2788]
written by David Lewis & Wayne Lewis

25.

08/1985

Dress You Up by Madonna

from Like a Virgin

252

5
US

32
AC

3
dance

64
R&B

5
UK

[Sire 28919]
written by Peggy Stanziale & Andrea LaRusso

26.

02/1985

Things Can Only Get Better by Howard Jones

from Dream into Action

240

5
US

38
AC

10
dance

54
R&B

21
rock

6
UK

[Elektra 69651]
written by Howard Jones

27.

07/1985

Oh Sheila by Ready for the World

from Ready for the World

240

✫1
US

✫1
dance

✫1
R&B

[MCA 52636]
written by Melvin Riley, Gordon Strozier & Gerald Valentine

28.

05/1985

Raspberry Beret by Prince

from Around the World in a Day

238

2
US

4
dance

3
R&B

40
rock

25
UK

with The Revolution
charted as Raspberry Beret / She's Always In My Hair in US dance charts
[Paisley Park 28972]
written by Prince

29.

06/1985

The Power of Love by Huey Lewis & the News

from Back to the Future: Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack

238

✫1
US

6
AC

22
dance

81
R&B

✫1
rock

[Chrysalis 42876]
written by Huey Lewis, Chris Hayes & Johnny Colla

30.

12/1985

Let's Go All the Way by Sly Fox

from Let's Go All the Way

232

7
US

57
R&B

3
UK

[Capitol 5552]
written by Gary Cooper (as Gary "Mudbone" Cooper)

31.

09/1985

Who's Zoomin' Who? by Aretha Franklin

from Who's Zoomin' Who?

224

7
US

10
AC

✫1
dance

2
R&B

11
UK

produced by Narada Michael Walden
[Arista 9410]
written by Aretha Franklin, Preston Glass & Narada Michael Walden

32.

06/1985

If You Love Somebody Set Them Free by Sting

from The Dream of the Blue Turtles

217

3
US

39
AC

10
dance

17
R&B

✫1
rock

26
UK

[A&M 2738]
written by Sting

33.

06/1985

Into the Groove by Madonna

from Like a Virgin [second edition]

213

✫1
dance

19
R&B

✫1
UK

charted as Into the Groove / Angel in US dance charts
[Sire 20335]
written by Madonna & Stephen Bray

34.

06/1985

Freeway of Love by Aretha Franklin

from Who's Zoomin' Who?

209

3
US

11
AC

✫1
dance

✫1
R&B

68
UK

produced by Narada Michael Walden
[Arista 9354]
written by Jeffrey Cohen & Narada Michael Walden

35.

05/1985

Frankie by Sister Sledge

from When the Boys Meet the Girls

201

75
US

15
AC

32
R&B

✫1
UK

produced by Nile Rodgers
[Atlantic 89547]
written by Joy Denny

36.

10/1985

The Sweetest Taboo by Sade

from Promise

188

5
US

✫1
AC

3
R&B

31
UK

[Portrait 05713]
written by Sade Adu & Martin Ditcham

37.

03/1985

You Give Good Love by Whitney Houston

from Whitney Houston

188

3
US

4
AC

✫1
R&B

93
UK

[Arista 9274]
written by LaLa (as La Forrest Cope)

38.

11/1985

Chain Reaction by Diana Ross

from Eaten Alive

187

95
US

85
R&B

✫1
UK

[RCA 14244]
written by Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb & Maurice Gibb

39.

09/1985

Party All the Time by Eddie Murphy

from How Could It Be

184

2
US

19
dance

8
R&B

[Columbia 05609]
written by Rick James

40.

12/1985

Saturday Love by Cherrelle

from Alexander O'Neal

167

26
US

13
dance

2
R&B

6
UK

as Cherrelle with Arthur Alexander
[Tabu 05767]
written by Jimmy Jam (as James Harris III) & Terry Lewis

41.

07/1985

Dare Me by The Pointer Sisters

from Contact

164

11
US

32
AC

✫1
dance

6
R&B

17
UK

[RCA 14126]
written by Sam Lorber & Dave Innis

42.

06/1985

Who's Holding Donna Now? by DeBarge

from Rhythm of the Night

163

6
US

✫1
AC

2
R&B

83
UK

co-produced by David Foster
[Gordy 1793]
written by David Foster, Jay Graydon & Randy Goodrum

43.

07/1985

Trapped by Colonel Abrams

from Colonel Abrams

163

✫1
dance

20
R&B

3
UK

[MCA 52638]
written by Colonel Abrams & Marston Freeman

44.

11/1985

Go Home by Stevie Wonder

from In Square Circle

159

10
US

✫1
AC

✫1
dance

2
R&B

67
UK

[Tamla 1817]
written by Stevie Wonder

45.

12/1985

Tender Love by The Force M.D.'s

from Chillin'

154

10
US

2
AC

4
R&B

23
UK

[Warner 28818]
written by Jimmy Jam (as James Harris III) & Terry Lewis

46.

07/1985

I Miss You by Klymaxx

from Meeting in the Ladies Room

152

5
US

3
AC

11
R&B

89
UK

[Constellation 52606]
written by Lynn Malsby

47.

02/1985

In My House by Mary Jane Girls

from Only Four You

151

7
US

✫1
dance

3
R&B

77
UK

produced by Rick James
[Gordy 1741]
written by Rick James

48.

10/1985

Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves by Eurythmics & Aretha Franklin

from Be Yourself Tonight

139

18
US

10
dance

66
R&B

9
UK

[RCA 14214]
written by Annie Lennox & Dave Stewart [David Allan Stewart]

49.

07/1985

Pop Life by Prince

from Around the World in a Day

137

7
US

5
dance

8
R&B

60
UK

with The Revolution
charted as Pop Life / Hello in US dance charts
[Paisley Park 28998]
written by Prince

50.

03/1985

Feel So Real by Steve Arrington

from Dancin' in the Key of Life

137

104
US

5
dance

17
R&B

5
UK

[Atlantic 89576]
written by Steve Arrington & India Arrington

51.

04/1985

I Wonder If I Take You Home by Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam

from Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force

128

34
US

✫1
dance

6
R&B

12
UK

with Full Force
[Columbia 04886]
written by Full Force

52.

02/1985

Just Another Night by Mick Jagger

from She's the Boss

128

12
US

11
dance

83
R&B

✫1
rock

32
UK

[Columbia 04743]
written by Mick Jagger

53.

10/1985

A Love Bizarre by Sheila E.

from Romance 1600

126

11
US

✫1
dance

2
R&B

76
UK

[Paisley Park 28890]
written by Prince & Sheila E.

54.

08/1985

You Are My Lady by Freddie Jackson

from Rock Me Tonight

126

12
US

3
AC

✫1
R&B

49
UK

[Capitol 5495]
written by Barry Eastmond

55.

01/1985

All She Wants to Do Is Dance by Don Henley

from Building the Perfect Beast

121

9
US

10
dance

65
R&B

✫1
rock

[Geffen 29065]
written by Danny Kootch (as Danny Kortchmar)

56.

03/1985

Could It Be I'm Falling in Love by Jaki Graham & David Grant

from Hopes and Dreams

113

60
R&B

5
UK

[Capitol 5553]
written by Melvin Steals & Mervin Steals

57.

02/1985

Hangin' on a String (Contemplating) by Loose Ends

from So Where Are You?

112

43
US

12
dance

✫1
R&B

13
UK

[MCA 52570]
written by Carl McIntosh, Jane Eugene & Steve Nichol

58.

08/1985

The Show by Doug E. Fresh

from Oh, My God!

109

4
R&B

7
UK

as Doug E. Fresh & the Get Fresh Crew
[novelty]
[Reality 242]
written by Doug E. Fresh (as Douglas E. Davis) & Slick Rick (as Ricky Walters)

59.

05/1985

History by Mai Tai

from Mai Tai

108

109
US

3
dance

37
R&B

8
UK

[Critique 715]
written by Jochim Fluitsima & Eric van Tijn

60.

01/1985

This Is My Night by Chaka Khan

from I Feel for You

104

60
US

✫1
dance

11
R&B

14
UK

[Warner 29097]
written by Mic Murphy & David Frank

61.

08/1985

Say I'm Your No. 1 by Princess

from Princess

103

22
dance

20
R&B

7
UK

[Next Plateau 301]
written by Mike Stock, Matt Aitken & Pete Waterman

62.

06/1985

My Toot Toot by Denise LaSalle

103

79
R&B

6
UK

aka My Tu - Tu
[Malaco 2112]
written by Rockin' Sidney (as Sidney Simien)

63.

09/1985

Perfect Way by Scritti Politti

from Cupid & Psyche 85

101

11
US

6
dance

85
R&B

48
UK

[Warner 28949]
written by Green Gartside & David Gamson

64.

07/1985

Conga by Miami Sound Machine

from Primitive Love

10
US

7
dance

60
R&B

79
UK

[Epic 05457]
written by Enrique Garcia

65.

02/1985

New Attitude by Patti LaBelle

from Beverly Hills Cop: Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack

17
US

✫1
dance

3
R&B

chated as New Attitude / Axel F (by Harold Faltermeyer) in US dance charts
[MCA 52517]
written by Sharon Robinson (as Sharon Teresa Robinson), Jon Gilutin & Bunny Hull

66.

10/1985

Slave to the Rhythm by Grace Jones

from Slave to the Rhythm

✫1
dance

20
R&B

12
UK

[Manhattan 50020]
written by Bruce Woolley, Simon Darlow, Stephen Lipson & Trevor Horn

67.

07/1985

Let Me Be the One by Five Star

from Luxury of Life

59
US

9
dance

2
R&B

18
UK

[RCA 14229]
written by Ian Foster

68.

05/1985

All Fall Down by Five Star

from Luxury of Life

65
US

6
dance

16
R&B

15
UK

[RCA 14108]
written by Barry Blue & Robyn Smith (as Robin Smith)

69.

10/1985

One of the Living by Tina Turner

from Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

15
US

6
dance

41
R&B

55
UK

[Capitol 5518]
written by Holly Knight

70.

10/1985

Alice, I Want You Just for Me! by Full Force

from Full Force

34
dance

16
R&B

9
UK

[Columbia 05623]
written by Howie Tee

71.

08/1985

I'll Be Good by René & Angela

from Street Called Desire

47
US

7
dance

4
R&B

22
UK

[Mercury 884009]
written by René Moore & Angela Winbush

72.

06/1985

Dancin' in the Key of Life by Steve Arrington

from Dancin' in the Key of Life

68
US

2
dance

8
R&B

21
UK

[Atlantic 89535]
written by Steve Arrington & India Arrington

73.

08/1985

Single Life by Cameo

from Single Life

26
dance

2
R&B

15
UK

[Atlanta Artists 884010]
written by Larry Blackmon & Tomi Jenkins

74.

11/1985

Digital Display by Ready for the World

from Ready for the World

21
US

3
dance

4
R&B

[MCA 52734]
written by Gregory Potts

75.

10/1985

Emergency by Kool & The Gang

from Emergency

18
US

41
dance

7
R&B

50
UK

[De-Lite 884199]
written by George Brown, Kool & The Gang & James "J.T." Taylor

76.

07/1985

Mystery Lady by Billy Ocean

from Suddenly

24
US

5
AC

10
R&B

49
UK

[Jive 9374]
written by Billy Ocean, Keith Diamond & James Woodley [songwriter]

77.

06/1985

Round and Around by Jaki Graham

from Heaven Knows

85
R&B

9
UK

[Capitol 5516]
written by Derek Bramble

78.

08/1985

Takes a Little Time by Total Contrast

from Total Contrast

✫1
dance

80
R&B

17
UK

[London 882070]
written by Steve Harvey, Robin Achampong & Delroy Murray

79.

04/1985

Thinking About Your Love by Skipworth & Turner

from Skipworth & Turner

104
US

✫1
dance

10
R&B

24
UK

[4th & Broadway 7414]
written by Rodney Skipworth & Phil Turner

80.

11/1985

Sun City by Artists United Against Apartheid

from Sun City: Artists United Against Apartheid

38
US

48
dance

21
R&B

41
rock

21
UK

co-produced by Little Steven
[Manhattan 50017]
written by Steven Van Zandt

81.

08/1985

A Nite at the Apollo Live! The Way You Do the Things You Do/My Girl by Hall & Oates

from Live at the Apollo

20
US

12
AC

40
R&B

43
rock

58
UK

with David Ruffin & Eddie Kendricks
[live]
[RCA 14178]
written by Smokey Robinson & Bobby Rogers

82.

09/1985

Everybody Dance by Ta Mara & the Seen

from Ta Mara & the Seen

24
US

9
dance

3
R&B

[A&M 2768]
written by Jesse Johnson & Ta Mara

83.

06/1985

Turn It Up by The Conway Brothers

from Turn It Up!

81
R&B

11
UK

[Paula 1245]
written by Fredrick Conway, Hiawatha Conway, Huston Conway & James Conway

84.

06/1985

If You Were Here Tonight by Alexander O'Neal

from Alexander O'Neal

17
R&B

13
UK

[Tabu 05418]
written by Monte Moir

85.

12/1985

He'll Never Love You (Like I Do) by Freddie Jackson

from Rock Me Tonight

25
US

28
AC

19
dance

8
R&B

81
UK

charted as He'll Never Love You (Like I Do) / I Wanna Say I Love You in US dance charts
[Capitol 5535]
written by Keith Diamond & Barry Eastmond

86.

04/1985

I Want Your Lovin' (Just a Little Bit) by Curtis Hairston

48
dance

76
R&B

13
UK

[Pretty Pearl 0215]
written by Curtis Hairston, Greg Radford & Ray Barretto (as Ray Baretto)

87.

07/1985

Object of My Desire by Starpoint

from Restless

25
US

12
dance

8
R&B

[Elektra 69621]
written by Ky Adeyemo (as Kayode Adeyemo), Ernesto Phillips & Keith Diamond

88.

03/1985

Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid by Hall & Oates

from Big Bam Boom

18
US

17
AC

85
R&B

[RCA 14035]
written by Daryl Hall

89.

05/1985

Save Your Love (For #1) by René & Angela

from Street Called Desire

101
US

3
dance

✫1
R&B

66
UK

[Mercury 880731]
written by René Moore & Angela Winbush

90.

08/1985

You Wear It Well by El DeBarge

from Rhythm of the Night

46
US

✫1
dance

7
R&B

with DeBarge
[Gordy 1804]
written by Chico DeBarge & El DeBarge

91.

11/1985

Your Personal Touch by Evelyn King

from A Long Time Coming

86
US

5
dance

9
R&B

37
UK

as Evelyn "Champagne" King
[RCA 14201]
written by Allen George & Fred McFarlane

92.

09/1985

Love Take Over by Five Star

from Luxury of Life

30
dance

9
R&B

25
UK

[RCA 14323]
written by Bernard Oattes & Rob van Schaik

93.

04/1985

Do You Wanna Get Away by Shannon

from Do You Wanna Get Away

49
US

✫1
dance

13
R&B

[Mirage 99655]
written by Ann Godwin & Chris Barbosa

94.

11/1985

If I Ruled the World by Kurtis Blow

from America

25
dance

16
R&B

24
UK

[Mercury 884269]
written by Kurtis Blow, Davy D (as David Reeves) & AJ Scratch

95.

02/1985

'Til My Baby Comes Home by Luther Vandross

from The Night I Fell in Love

29
US

4
R&B

featuring Billy Preston
[Epic 04760]
written by Luther Vandross & Marcus Miller

96.

09/1985

Caravan of Love by Isley Jasper Isley

from Caravan of Love

51
US

16
AC

✫1
R&B

[CBS Associated 05611]
written by Ernie Isley, Chris Jasper & Marvin Isley

97.

06/1985

Possession Obsession by Hall & Oates

from Big Bam Boom

30
US

8
AC

20
dance

69
R&B

charted as Possession Obsession / Dance on Your Knees in US dance charts
[RCA 14098]
written by Daryl Hall, John Oates, Sara Allen & Janna Allen

98.

06/1985

Wild and Crazy Love by Mary Jane Girls

from Only Four You

42
US

3
dance

10
R&B

produced by Rick James
[Gordy 1798]
written by Kenny Hawkins & Rick James

99.

10/1985

Baby Talk by Alisha

from Alisha

68
US

✫1
dance

75
R&B

67
UK

[Vanguard 35262]
written by Greg Brown & Logankoya

100.

10/1985

I Like You by Phyllis Nelson

from I Like You

61
US

✫1
dance

65
R&B

81
UK

[USA Carrere 05719]
written by Phyllis Nelson

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US charts info based on Billboard (www.billboard.com) charts • UK charts info based on The Official UK Charts Company's charts

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