Scenes 'n' Soundwaves Top 100 of 1985

These were among my favorite songs of 1985, counted down from 100 to 1.

If you could define a typical 80's year, it would have to be 1985. Many styles of music pretty much came together. MTV was by now a dynamic powerhouse which was able to break new songs with relative ease; it's no secret that pretty much all music came with its official video. The synth-pop that gathered steam the last couple of years came to a head in '85. Led by Madonna, the dance genre "Freestyle" broke through with a vengence as well. While glam (or "hair" metal) started to make inroads, it really wouldn't be apparent for another year or two. Mainstream hard "arena" rock was very popular in 1985, although that would be replaced by hair metal in the coming years.

What was I listening to? Several radio stations. While I still, to an extent listened to Z-100, New York's premiere Top 40 (although WPLJ was a worthy competitor), and album rock station WDHA out of Morris County NJ, I spent many hours listening to WQQQ (Q-100, Easton PA), and WPST (Trenton NJ), both Top 40 stations, although WPST leaned rock and what would be the seeds of Modern Rock.

You will notice that, although some of the hits are here, much of the songs here are mid-charters at best, and some didn't even chart on the Billboard Hot 100, but I had heard them on radio stations, and they made an impact on me. Some "local" bands made the list as well.

This is not the "offical" Top 100 of 1985, far from it. If you want the actual list, click here:    • 1985 Billboard Year ✦ End Hot 100 Singles ...  . However, while some of the big hits are included in my video, there are songs that might vaguely remember, oh so briefly, and maybe some that you will discover.

The song's "Hot 100" peak is listed here. If a song didn't chart there, the peak position is from the following, in this order: Mainstream Rock, Dance Club Play, U.K. Singles. If a song made either Billboard's or Z-100's Top 20 of the year, it is noted as well.


This video is for entertainment purposes only; I do not own any rights to the music, the copyright owner has the right to pull any songs at their discretion, and no monetization is expected from this video.

Feel free to check out my music blog at https://sheldonsoundwaves.blogspot.com/