John Mellencamp: Lonely Ol Night (1985)

The song was inspired by Hud starring Paul Newman. The strained relationship between father and son informed many of the lyrics. The song emotes loneliness especially for a mid-80s teen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQMkRzWT8mo

Sting: Fortress Around Your Heart (1985)

Using Medieval imagery, Sting translates his personal pain emanating from a divorce to a pop hit. He said the song is about "appeasement" and "trying to build a bridge between individuals."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qcVtEy6G1Q

Eric Clapton: Forever Man (1985)

Classic mid-80s Clapton. The record company complained his album Behind the Sun did not have enough singles. Enter this track...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bt2qBm4qS4w

Sting: Russians (1985)

Sting attacks the Cold War in "Russians." He criticizes both American and Soviet leadership in the anti-war piece. At the same time, Sting seems to lay more of the blame on the Soviets. At the time, people had grown more worried about the threat of nuclear annihilation as American rhetoric and Soviet military action heated up worldwide.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHylQRVN2Qs

R.E.M.: Driver 8 (1985)

"Driver 8" refers to a southern railroad that existed until 1979. The train has since been incorporated into Amtrak. IMO, this is one of the great underappreciated gems of the 1980s.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuFId1RYSZE

Jeff Beck w/Rod Stewart: People Get Ready (1985)

Curtis Mayfield wrote this spiritual in the wake of the Civil Rights Movement He employed Gospel and religious themes to create a social and political awareness. Jeff Beck released an amazing cover version in 1985 with Rod Stewart on vocals. Beck played the song with Sting on vocals at the 2009 Rock n Roll Hall of Fame concert.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC_j_dzka

With Sting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOnz2056RGQ

Curtis Mayfield:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nH3fKH10oM

 

Dire Straits: Money for Nothing (1985)

“Money for Nothing” is an iconic song from 1985. It contains a classic guitar riff, the line “I want my MTV”, and backing vocals from Sting.  Mark Knopfler overheard some guys in a store complaining about rock musicians not actually working and wrote the song from that perspective. In fact, Knopfler used some of the real words from the appliance store worker. Dire Straits was criticized for homophobic lyrics, but they were just parroting the blue collar worker. It continued to stir controversy as late as 2011, when people were much more lame.  The video employed groundbreaking computer effects and is considered one of the great productions of all time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAD6Obi7Cag

John Fogerty: The Old Man is Down the Road (1985)

John Fogerty scored a top 10 hit in 1985 with “The Old Man Down the Road.” Later, Fantasy Records sued Fogerty for plagiarizing himself.  Saul Zaentz owned the rights to Creedence Clearwater Revivals “Run Through the Jungle” and argued “The Old Man Down the Road” had the same chorus. Fogerty wrote both songs and won the suit. He later sued Fantasy and was awarded attorney’s fees.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbSGMRZsN4Q

and….Run Through the Jungle:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbI0cMyyw_M

The Cult: She Sells Sanctuary (1985)

“She Sells Sanctuary” is probably more popular today then when it was released. The song has appeared in a myriad of commercials, films, and video games.  The Cult’s front man, Ian Astbury eventually fronted the Doors for a time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I8mWG6HlmU

The Replacements: Left of the Dial (1985)

"Left of the Dial" refers to the position of most alternative radio stations. Underground rock that led to Nirvana began in earnest in punk's aftermath. By the late 80s, it was about to explode.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J004aQUKbO4

Prince: Raspberry Beret (1985)

Prince changed it up a bit with "Raspberry Beret." He incorporated Middle Eastern cymbals, strings, and a harmonica into this soundfest. In 2007, Justin Timberlake lifted the drums for "Until the End of Time."


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87k4QLn_q-Y

Clarence Clemons: You're A Friend of Mine (1985)

In 1985, Bruce Springsteen was one of the most popular acts on the planet. E-Street Band Saxophonist Clarence Clemons rode that popularity into the Top 20 with his duet with Jackson Browne.

RIP Big Man:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knVbfhmME1g

846. Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds (1985)

"Don't You Forget About Me" is one song destined to be on the hitlist at any retirement home circa 2035. The #1 hit by Simple Minds is one of the defining tracks of the era. Plus, it was in one of the defining movies of the period, The Breakfast Club. As a result, the song will remain with the eighties generation well into their golden years.

Studio Version & Official Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpc7TBhilFI

Live Aid (1985):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuAOl2oXXho

857. We Work the Black Seam by Sting (1985)

Mining is one of the worst jobs on Earth. In 1985, Sting wrote "We Work the Black Seam" which sympathized with the plight of coal miners and criticized putting profits over people. The critique recounts the forgotten miner as people enjoy their cheap energy and pollute at will.

"One day in the nuclear age, they may understand our rage. They build machines that they can't control and bury the waste in a great big hole."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFjXKUmb8kU

865. The Unforgettable Fire by U2 (1985)

An art exhibit by survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki inspired "The Unforgettable Fire." In 1945, the United States dropped two atom bombs on Japan ending World War II. The blasts destroyed both Hiroshima and Nagasaki and left deep emotional scars on the survivor. Some parlayed their experience into art and U2 transformed that material into a spacy period piece. Although released in April, this song always reminds me of winter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHa4y0uGKZw

867. Dancing in the Street by Martha and the Vandellas (1964)

If Motown has a signature song, this is it. "Dancing in the Street" captures a moment and mood of both Motown records and early sixties optimism. For a brief moment, the song was given a political tone as some decided to turn it into a civil rights anthem in the aftermath of several inner city riots. In 1985, David Bowie and Mick Jagger cut a version of the sixties hit for the Live Aid charity concert. The pair performed the song together in 1986 for the Prince's Trust Concert.

Martha and the Vandellas:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdvITn5cAVc

David Bowie and Mick Jagger:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9G4jnaznUoQ

878. And She Was by The Talking Heads (1985)

David Byrne claims "And She Was" is about a girl he knew that was into LSD. Apparently, the girl used to take the hallucinogen in a field next to a Yoo-Hoo drink factory. It definitely explains the lyrics!





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgSVTdAtNYE

898. Invincible by Pat Benatar (1985)

Pat Benatar ruled the pop rock scene in the early-to-mid eighties with hits like "Love is a Battlefield," "Promises in the Dark," and "Hit Me With Your Best Shot." She provided "Invincible" for the film The Legend of Billie Jean. The song performed better than the film. It hit #10 on the charts while the film tanked. Benatar continued to rack up hits until the music scene changed in the nineties.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A4xBp2rizQ

921. Home Sweet Home by Motley Crue (1985)

It may not seem like it, but Motley Crue's "Home Sweet Home" marks an important change in the music industry. Although not the first power ballad, its success led other hard rock and metal bands to write their own ballads. After this release, bands tended to release harder edged songs followed by a power ballad. The idea was to gain credibility with a male audience and then show a sensitive side to expand the audience. The original version of "Home Sweet Home" received extensive MTV play, but peaked at only #89 on the charts. The band re-released the song in 1991 and that version reached #37.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbRfYDP5P28

942. We Don't Need Another Hero by Tina Turner (1985)

Tina Turner began an amazing comeback in 1984. Her career bottomed out by the early eighties. In 1984, she released Private Dancer with the smash "What's Love Got To Do With It?" In 1985, she starred as Aunt Entity in the Mel Gibson film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. She performed "We Don't Need Another Hero" for the soundtrack. She filmed the video in her Aunt Entity persona and won a VMA for Best Female Video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1FPK5-Rm38