Do You Wanna Party Like it’s 1985? Sorry Prince, we’re going to borrow your phrase for this one. We’re going back to 1985 to check out some of the big hits from that year. Maybe not the ones you may expect, but those as per 1985 Billboard Hot 100. I stuck my hand into my music vault, and found this cassette tape in my hand and said, “why not?”
Thapson
I lost the original cover, so I had photocopied another one to keep it “authentic.” But, make no mistake about it, the hits on it are as legit as they come. Played ad nauseum, I had tossed the cassette tape into my collection vault. The tape players have long since died, but the music stays strong. The moment you listen to it, it transports you back to that era of Video Arcades, Reagan, Walkman, Miami Vice, Stonewashed Jeans, Costume Jewellery, Michael J. Fox, Dallas, Casey Kassem, etc. And the memories come back to life. If not of this generation, then the hits from this tape should tell you why the music from that era was so cool and stands the test of time. Spoiler Alert: The list may not have “the usual suspects.”
Paul Hardcastle – “19”
An exceptionally talented musician, producer, composer, British Paul Hardcastle started his musical career in 1984. While he’s had a fantastic range of music, it was the 1985 hit “19” that made him famous the world over.
Paul Hardcastle extraordinary talent lives on to this day. Mixing electronic beats with regular instruments, you get where many artists got their inspiration from. We’ll revisit him in depth later.
YouTube / Paul Hardcastle – Topic
Duran Duran – “View to a Kill”
Making their debut in 1982, Duran Duran then were regarded by some as “the Beatles of the 80s.” Part of the New Wave style of music and fashion scene to come out of the UK, Duran Duran kept churning out hit after hit with their albums. And it was only a matter of time when they were approached to record one for the next James Bond movie. This namesake became a hit by mid 1985, earning Duran Duran another feather in the cap, and confirming their place in the music and culture of the 1980s.
YouTube / Duran Duran
Cyndi Lauper – “The Goonies ‘r’ Good Enough”
I consider Cyndi Lauper unfortunate. Because, she seemed to go head-to-head with Madonna, in terms of style and popularity. Then for some reason she fell back and never made it to the heights of popularity that Madonna achieved. Maybe raw talent, better marketing, plain luck, or a combination of all three. Cyndi Lauper has given us memorable iconic hits back in the 1980s including Girls Just Want to Have Fun, True Colors, and this lesser known one. Another song that was developed for a children’s movie, “The Goonies.”
It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I actually like it a lot for the cool percussion beat, and Cyndi Lauper’s unmistakable voice, and style of singing. Billboard agrees with me, hence its addition to the tape.
YouTube / Cyndi Lauper
Phylis Nelson – “Move Closer”
An artist who died way too young, Phylis Nelson is regarded as a “one hit wonder,” for this song. In fact, this song did not do as well in her native U.S., as it did in the UK where it actually charted big time. More commonly recognized for her dance music, “Move Closer” is actually quite a departure from her niche. Listening to it now, her work sounds better than the credit it earned. Maybe the time was wrong, with so many artists coming out with disco and dance music at the time. Phylis never repeated the success she earned with “Move Closer,” which she wrote herself, and is based on her personal life. Proving angst is the best motivator for a good song.
YouTube / The80sMusicFan
Tom Petty – “Don’t Come Around Here No More”
This song is part of Tom Petty’s album “Southern Accents” which was released early 1985. Originally written by David Stewart, of the Eurythmics, it was completed by Tom. David was apparently inspired by his image of Stevie Nicks’ “Alice in Wonderland” persona when he first met her. The song was also meant to be sung by her, but she declined after she heard how good Tom Petty sang it.
The late Tom Petty is a legend for connoisseurs of rock music, and this song is an embodiment of his incredible talent. Along with the amazing music, the music video for this song also features David Stewart, an Alice in Wonderland, and Tom Petty’s signature top hat.
YouTube / Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
China Crisis – “Black Man Ray”
Formed in England, the new wave band China Crisis was originally into music with political satire in mind. Black Man Ray, reflects their philosophical undertones, and was included in their second album “Flaunt the Imperfection” in 1985.
Black Man Ray, is one of their biggest hits from this album, and a great example of their style of song writing. Thinking man’s rock, if you will. China Crisis apparently later, veered away from this style into more commercial style of music production. Listening to this song, brings the exact place where I heard them for the first time. Such is the power of a good song.
YouTube / 80rec
The Beach Boys – “California Calling”
These guys need no introduction. While their heyday was in the 1960s, The Beach Boys reappeared in the 80s and, despite their troubles, still managed to turn out albums and hit singles. With so much love among their fans, and a resurgence in the popularity, The Beach Boys managed to eke out some memorable music during the 80s.
California Calling, off their 1985 album, The Beach Boys, is among their bigger hits from this period. And they sound amazingly like they used to during their surfing style rock music.
YouTube / Ole Jensen
Dead or Alive – “Lover Come Back to Me”
Another super band from Liverpool, Dead or Alive, while famous for their music, are most synonymous for their lead vocalist song writer Pete Burns. His androgynous looks and styles is legendary among the rock bands from the 1980s.
Lover Come Back to Me is among their biggest hits off their second album “Youthquake,” released in 1985. It charted big in the UK and around the world, and definitely earns its spot on this Billboard compilation. Unfortunately, Pet Burns’ voice went silent in 2016, when he died young – due to the after effects of all the cosmetic surgeries he had done.
YouTube / deadoralivetv
Midnight Oil – “When the Generals Talk”
We go down under for this one. Another band that is big into environmentalism, and political causes; this was actually the first time I heard Midnight Oil.
When the Generals Talk was actually on their fifth album “Red Sails in the Sunset” from late 1984. The song talks about how those in power twist words and narrative to control, and subjugate the masses. Midnight Oil, while not popularly known at this time, were to achieve much bigger mainstream success later in the 1980s.
YouTube / mkolker
Dire Straits – “So Far Away”
One of my all-time favorite bands. For me Dire Straits have the Midas touch. Mark Knopfler’s incredible talent, backed up by the fantastic band members, make them one of the most understated geniuses in contemporary music.
While I was already their fan, it was their 1985 album “Brothers in Arms” that took their success to even more amazing heights. So many hits, on this album, just like on all their previous ones. And one of them is this one.
YouTube / Dire Straits
Stephen Tin Tin Duffy – Kiss Me
One of the two original founders of Duran Duran, Stephen Duffy’s career is one of constant movement. A prolific musician, songwriter, Stephen has been involved in so many projects, its mind-boggling. You can find his fingerprints on the work of a variety of artists.
But for me, “Kiss Me” is the song I remember him for the most, off his first album The Ups and Downs. I wonder what would his career have been like, had he stayed with Duran Duran? But that’s water under the bridge now.
YouTube / Stephen Duffy – Topic
The Colourfield – “Thinking of You”
Yet another band from England, “The Colourfield” was formed of three core members. Based in Manchester, for me “Thinking of You” feels like a one-hit wonder from them. Off of their album “Virgins and Phillistines,” this one is likely their one an only major hit that was likely heard around the world.
Founded in 1984, the band as it was known was all but forgotten by 1987. We lost their vocalist, Terry Hall, in December 2022 to cancer. Post-Colourfield, he had also collaborated with a wide range of artists.
Youtube / Chrysalis Records
Men at Work – “Everything I Need”
We’ve already touched on the incredible Aussie band “Men at Work” in one of my previous posts. I consider Two Hearts as their last major album, after which their popularity seemed to wane away, as they drifted apart into other individual careers – without any official breakup. While I like at least three other songs also from this album, “Everything I Need” is the biggest hit they had from it.
The song and video, at times, almost has a kind of world-weary feel to it. Like they’re tired and want to pack it up and return home and back to a regular family life. Hey, being worldwide stars is not easy!
YouTube – Men at Work
There You Have It
And there you have it, folks. Our look back at only some of tons of hits from 1985. We’ll talk about the ones we missed out another time. In any case the 80s decade was pretty prolific and eclectic with a wide range of music that was born then. And I especially like this collection for recognizing some not so big artists.
Artists from the 50s and 60s were still kicking around, doing their bit. New forms of music, and styles emerged on the scene. Much of this music has stood the test of time. Which is why folks like me feel fortunate for having enjoyed that era, and its musical creativity and experimentation.
I’ll return with more stuff in future to touch on the music that formed the soundtrack of our lives.
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