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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 Adult Contemporary 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

03/1985

Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears

from Songs from the Big Chair

417

✫1
US

2
AC

✫1
dance

2
rock

2
UK

[BRIT Awards Best British Single 1986]
[Polygram 880659 (Mercury)]
written by Roland Orzabal, Ian Stanley & Chris Hughes

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

07/1985

Take on Me by a-ha

from Hunting High and Low

363

✫1
US

4
AC

2
UK

[Warner 29011]
written by Paul Waaktaar-Savoy (as Pål Waaktaar), Magne Furuholmen & Morten Harket (as Morten Hårket)

10.

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

11.

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

12.

08/1985

Broken Wings by Mr. Mister

from Welcome to the Real World

350

✫1
US

3
AC

4
rock

4
UK

[RCA 14136]
written by Richard Page, Steve George & John Lang

13.

03/1985

Everytime You Go Away by Paul Young

from The Secret of Association

348

✫1
US

✫1
AC

14
rock

4
UK

[Columbia 04867]
written by Daryl Hall

14.

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

15.

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

16.

10/1985

Separate Lives by Phil Collins & Marilyn Martin

from White Nights: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

339

✫1
US

✫1
AC

4
UK

[Atlantic 89498]
written by Stephen Bishop

17.

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

18.

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

19.

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

20.

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

21.

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

22.

02/1985

Don't You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds

from The Breakfast Club: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

322

✫1
US

36
AC

9
dance

✫1
rock

7
UK

[A&M 2703]
written by Keith Forsey & Steve Schiff

23.

06/1985

St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion) by John Parr

from St. Elmo's Fire: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

321

✫1
US

16
AC

2
rock

6
UK

produced by David Foster
[Atlantic 7-89541]
written by David Foster & John Parr

24.

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

25.

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

26.

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

27.

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

28.

12/1985

Kyrie by Mr. Mister

from Welcome to the Real World

294

✫1
US

11
AC

✫1
rock

11
UK

[RCA 14258]
written by Richard Page, Steve George & John Lang

29.

11/1985

Burning Heart by Survivor

from Rocky IV: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

288

2
US

35
AC

11
rock

5
UK

[Scotti Bros. 4-05663]
written by Frankie Sullivan & Jim Peterik

30.

06/1985

Walk of Life by Dire Straits

from Brothers in Arms

287

7
US

4
AC

6
rock

2
UK

[Warner 28878]
written by Mark Knopfler

31.

09/1985

We Built This City by Starship

from Knee Deep in the Hoopla

285

✫1
US

37
AC

37
dance

✫1
rock

12
UK

[Grunt 14170]
written by Bernie Taupin, Martin Page, Dennis Lambert & Peter Wolf

32.

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

33.

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

34.

02/1985

I'm on Fire by Bruce Springsteen

from Born in the U.S.A.

253

6
US

6
AC

4
rock

5
UK

charted as I'm on Fire / Born in the USA in UK charts
[Columbia 04772]
written by Bruce Springsteen

35.

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

36.

10/1985

Nikita by Elton John

from Ice on Fire

247

7
US

3
AC

3
UK

featuring George Michael
[Geffen 7-28800]
written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin

37.

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

38.

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

39.

12/1985

Sara by Starship

from Knee Deep in the Hoopla

233

✫1
US

✫1
AC

12
rock

66
UK

[Grunt 14253]
written by Ina Wolf & Peter Wolf

40.

06/1985

Head over Heels by Tears for Fears

from Songs from the Big Chair

233

3
US

5
AC

7
rock

12
UK

[Polygram 880899 (Mercury)]
written by Roland Orzabal & Curt Smith

41.

09/1985

Something About You by Level 42

from World Machine

229

7
US

10
AC

4
dance

45
rock

6
UK

charted as Something About You / Coup d'état in US dance charts
[Polydor 883 362-1]
written by Mike Lindup, Phil Gould, Mark King, Wally Badarou & Boon Gould

42.

12/1985

My Hometown by Bruce Springsteen

from Born in the U.S.A.

226

6
US

✫1
AC

6
rock

9
UK

charted as Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town / My Hometown in UK charts
[Columbia 05728]
written by Bruce Springsteen

43.

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

44.

04/1985

Heaven by Bryan Adams

from Reckless

223

✫1
US

12
AC

27
rock

38
UK

[R]
[A&M 2729]
written by Bryan Adams & Jim Vallance

45.

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

46.

09/1985

You Belong to the City by Glenn Frey

from Miami Vice

216

2
US

2
AC

✫1
rock

94
UK

[MCA 52651]
written by Glenn Frey & Jack Tempchin

47.

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

48.

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

49.

09/1985

R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. (A Salute to 60's Rock) by John Mellencamp

from Scarecrow

199

2
US

36
AC

2
rock

67
UK

as John Cougar Mellencamp
[Riva 884455]
written by John Mellencamp

50.

03/1985

Life in a Northern Town by The Dream Academy

from The Dream Academy

190

7
US

2
AC

7
rock

15
UK

[Warner 28841]
written by Nick Laird-Clowes & Gilbert Gabriel

51.

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

52.

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)

53.

11/1985

Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground) by Mike + the Mechanics

from Mike + the Mechanics

187

6
US

7
AC

✫1
rock

21
UK

[Atlantic 7-89488]
written by Mike Rutherford & B. A. Robertson

54.

03/1985

Walking on Sunshine by Katrina & the Waves

from Walking on Sunshine

184

9
US

21
AC

19
dance

21
rock

8
UK

[Capitol 5466]
written by Kimberley Rew

55.

07/1985

Take Me Home by Phil Collins

from No Jacket Required

176

7
US

2
AC

12
rock

19
UK

[Atlantic 89472]
written by Phil Collins

56.

11/1985

Talk to Me by Stevie Nicks

from Rock a Little

172

4
US

14
AC

✫1
rock

68
UK

[Modern 99582]
written by Chas Sandford

57.

01/1985

California Girls by David Lee Roth

from Crazy from the Heat

171

3
US

29
AC

3
rock

68
UK

[Warner 29102]
written by Brian Wilson & Mike Love

58.

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

59.

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

60.

06/1985

Never Surrender by Corey Hart

from Boy in the Box

162

3
US

8
AC

8
rock

[EMI 8268]
written by Corey Hart

61.

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

62.

04/1985

The Search Is Over by Survivor

from Vital Signs

155

4
US

✫1
AC

[Scotti Bros. 4-04871]
written by Frankie Sullivan & Jim Peterik

63.

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

64.

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

65.

04/1985

Be Near Me by ABC

from How to Be a...Zillionaire!

150

9
US

11
AC

✫1
dance

26
UK

[Mercury 880626]
written by Martin Fry & Mark White

66.

09/1985

Small Town by John Mellencamp

from Scarecrow

145

6
US

13
AC

6
rock

53
UK

as John Cougar Mellencamp
[Riva 884202]
written by John Mellencamp

67.

04/1985

Don't Lose My Number by Phil Collins

from No Jacket Required

142

4
US

25
AC

39
dance

33
rock

[Atlantic 89536]
written by Phil Collins

68.

10/1985

King for a Day by Thompson Twins

from Here's to Future Days

139

8
US

13
AC

35
rock

22
UK

produced by Nile Rodgers
[Arista 1-9450]
written by Tom Bailey, Alannah Currie & Joe Leeway

69.

08/1985

Lonely Ol' Night by John Mellencamp

from Scarecrow

138

6
US

37
AC

✫1
rock

as John Cougar Mellencamp
[Riva 880984]
written by John Mellencamp

70.

03/1985

Cry by Godley & Creme

from The History Mix Volume 1

138

16
US

5
AC

22
dance

6
rock

19
UK

[Polydor 881 786-7]
written by Kevin Godley & Lol Creme

71.

11/1985

Tonight She Comes by The Cars

from Greatest Hits

135

7
US

36
AC

✫1
rock

79
UK

[Elektra 69589]
written by Ric Ocasek

72.

07/1985

Fortress Around Your Heart by Sting

from The Dream of the Blue Turtles

132

8
US

32
AC

✫1
rock

49
UK

[A&M 2767]
written by Sting

73.

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

74.

01/1985

That Was Yesterday by Foreigner

from Agent Provocateur

120

12
US

24
AC

4
rock

28
UK

[Atlantic 89571]
written by Lou Gramm & Mick Jones [Foreigner]

75.

06/1985

Life in One Day by Howard Jones

from Dream into Action

116

19
US

16
AC

36
rock

14
UK

[Elektra 7-69631]
written by Howard Jones

76.

04/1985

So Far Away by Dire Straits

from Brothers in Arms

114

19
US

3
AC

29
rock

20
UK

[Warner 28789]
written by Mark Knopfler

77.

06/1985

You're Only Human (Second Wind) by Billy Joel

from Greatest Hits, Vols. 1 & 2 (1973-1985)

113

9
US

2
AC

26
rock

94
UK

[Columbia 05417]
written by Billy Joel

78.

03/1985

Say You're Wrong by Julian Lennon

from Valotte

21
US

6
AC

3
rock

75
UK

[Atlantic 7-89567]
written by Julian Lennon

79.

08/1985

Love Is the Seventh Wave by Sting

from The Dream of the Blue Turtles

17
US

20
AC

19
rock

41
UK

[A&M 2787]
written by Sting

80.

02/1985

Along Comes a Woman by Chicago

from Chicago 17

14
US

25
AC

10
rock

96
UK

[Warner/Full Moon 29082]
written by Peter Cetera & Mark Goldenberg

81.

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]

82.

08/1985

Love Theme from St. Elmo's Fire by David Foster

from David Foster

15
US

3
AC

[instrumental]
[Atlantic 89528]
written by David Foster

83.

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

84.

01/1985

Keeping the Faith by Billy Joel

from An Innocent Man

18
US

3
AC

[Columbia 04681]
written by Billy Joel

85.

05/1985

Just as I Am by Air Supply

from Air Supply

19
US

3
AC

[Arista 9353]
written by Dick Wagner & Rob Hegel

86.

07/1985

Shame by The Motels

from Shock

21
US

22
AC

14
dance

10
rock

[Capitol 5497]
written by Martha Davis

87.

03/1985

One Lonely Night by REO Speedwagon

from Wheels Are Turnin'

19
US

10
AC

17
rock

[Epic 34-04848]
written by Neal Doughty

88.

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

89.

10/1985

You're a Friend of Mine by Clarence Clemons & Jackson Browne

from Hero

18
US

21
AC

16
rock

[Mercury 73920]
written by Narada Michael Walden & Jeffrey Cohen

90.

05/1985

Getcha Back by The Beach Boys

from The Beach Boys

26
US

2
AC

97
UK

[Columbia 04913 (Caribou)]
written by Mike Love & Terry Melcher

91.

12/1985

Leaving Me Now by Level 42

from World Machine

32
AC

15
UK

[Polydor 885284]
written by Wally Badarou, Mark King & Phil Gould

92.

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

93.

10/1985

Soul Kiss by Olivia Newton-John

from Soul Kiss

20
US

20
AC

100
UK

[MCA 52686]
written by Mark Goldenberg

94.

07/1985

No Lookin' Back by Michael McDonald

from No Lookin' Back

34
US

18
AC

4
rock

[Warner 28960]
written by Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins & Ed Sanford

95.

10/1985

Bop by Dan Seals

from Won't Be Blue Anymore

42
US

10
AC

✫1
country

[EMI America 8289]
written by Jennifer Kimball & Paul Davis

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.

05/1985

Not Enough Love in the World by Don Henley

from Building the Perfect Beast

34
US

6
AC

17
rock

[Geffen 29012]
written by Don Henley, Danny Kootch (as Danny Kortchmar) & Benmont Tench

99.

08/1985

Don't Stop the Dance by Bryan Ferry

from Boys and Girls

26
AC

21
UK

[Warner 28887]
written by Bryan Ferry & Rhett Davies

100.

05/1985

Find a Way by Amy Grant

from Unguarded

29
US

7
AC

[A&M 2734]
written by Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith

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