The year 1985 was the year of big charity concerts and records. Following up on the release of "Do They Know It’s Christmas Time" from 1984, the big Live Aid concert was organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for relief of the ongoing Ethiopian famine. The event was held simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London, UK, and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, US. Also inspired by Band Aid, USA for Africa band project released "We Are the World", a song written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie.
Among the best selling albums this year was Dire Straits’ album Brothers in Arms which at the same time was the first ever album to be released on CD. Jennifer Rush had the best selling single in the UK with "The Power of Love" while in the USA, Madonna and George Michael both solo and with Wham! ruled the charts.
With 1985 New Wave completely faded, knocked out by guitar-driven rock most notably by the Jangle rock which in this period of time was popularized as College rock with R.E.M. and The Smiths paving the way. On the other hand, Electronic music was transforming into new rhythms with the emerging Chicago house and Detroit techno that would give hits in the years to come.
The following Top 50 represents the result of the 'Best of 1984 - The Singles List' poll from 2014 together with our in-house votes.
Updated: 08/2020
02. The Smiths- How Soon is Now?
03. Pet Shop Boys- West End Girls
04. The Cult- She Sells Sanctuary
05. Depeche Mode- Shake the Disease
06. Killing Joke- Love Like Blood
07. Simple Minds- Don't You (Forget About Me)
08. New Order- The Perfect Kiss
09. The Cure- Close to Me
10. Talk Talk- Life's What You Make It
11. a-ha- The Sun Always Shine on TV
05. Depeche Mode- Shake the Disease
06. Killing Joke- Love Like Blood
07. Simple Minds- Don't You (Forget About Me)
08. New Order- The Perfect Kiss
09. The Cure- Close to Me
10. Talk Talk- Life's What You Make It
11. a-ha- The Sun Always Shine on TV
12. Grace Jones- Slave to the Rhythm
13. The Cure- In Between Days
14. Echo & The Bunnymen- Bring on the Dancing Horses
15. Jesus and The Mary Chain- Just Like Honey
16. Tears for Fears- Everybody Wants to Rule The World
17. Madonna - Into the Groove
18. Siouxsie and the Banshees- Cities in Dust
19. King- Love and Pride
20. David Bowie and Pat Metheny Group- This is not America
13. The Cure- In Between Days
14. Echo & The Bunnymen- Bring on the Dancing Horses
15. Jesus and The Mary Chain- Just Like Honey
16. Tears for Fears- Everybody Wants to Rule The World
17. Madonna - Into the Groove
18. Siouxsie and the Banshees- Cities in Dust
19. King- Love and Pride
20. David Bowie and Pat Metheny Group- This is not America
20. 'til Tuesday- Voices Carry
21. Double- Captain of Her Heart
22. Fine Young Cannibals- Johnny Come Home
23. Tears For Fears- Shout
24. Duran Duran- View to A Kill
25. The Dream Academy- Life in a Northern Town
26. Sade - The Sweetest Taboogoo
27. The Cure- A Night Like This
28. Talking Heads- Road to Nowhere
29. Bryan Ferry - Don't Stop The Dance
30. Sting- Russians
31. Pet Shop Boys- Opportunities
32. Clio- Faces
33. Propaganda- Duel
34. Simple Minds- Alive and Kicking
35. The Smiths- The Boy with the Thorn in his Side
36. Sandra- Maria Magdalena
37. Bronski Beat feat Marc Almond- I Feel Love
38. Yello- Vicious Games
39. Love and Rockets- Ball of Confusion
40. Tears for Fears- Head over Heels
41. The Replacements- Bastards of Young
42. Big Audio Dynamite- The Bottom Line
43. Prefab Sprout- When Love Breaks Down
44. Felt- Primitive Painters
45. Book of Love- I Touch Roses
46. Colourbox- The Moon is Blue
47. The Associates- Breakfast
48. Mr. Mister- Broken Wings
49. Icehouse- No Promises
50. Arcadia - Election Day
21. Double- Captain of Her Heart
22. Fine Young Cannibals- Johnny Come Home
23. Tears For Fears- Shout
24. Duran Duran- View to A Kill
25. The Dream Academy- Life in a Northern Town
26. Sade - The Sweetest Taboogoo
27. The Cure- A Night Like This
28. Talking Heads- Road to Nowhere
29. Bryan Ferry - Don't Stop The Dance
30. Sting- Russians
31. Pet Shop Boys- Opportunities
32. Clio- Faces
33. Propaganda- Duel
34. Simple Minds- Alive and Kicking
35. The Smiths- The Boy with the Thorn in his Side
36. Sandra- Maria Magdalena
37. Bronski Beat feat Marc Almond- I Feel Love
38. Yello- Vicious Games
39. Love and Rockets- Ball of Confusion
40. Tears for Fears- Head over Heels
41. The Replacements- Bastards of Young
42. Big Audio Dynamite- The Bottom Line
43. Prefab Sprout- When Love Breaks Down
44. Felt- Primitive Painters
45. Book of Love- I Touch Roses
46. Colourbox- The Moon is Blue
47. The Associates- Breakfast
48. Mr. Mister- Broken Wings
49. Icehouse- No Promises
50. Arcadia - Election Day