Poll: 1985! What are your picks for the greatest songs of that beautiful year?

I met the girl of my dreams in 83, we married in 84 and almost a year later on our 1st year anniversary in 85, we had our first child. Yup, we are still together today, having fun. She just came outside on the porch, sat next to me and started singing along with your #1 pick. Great show and thanks for what you do. I also, like yourself, miss very much the man himself, Casey Casum.

The whole 80's decade was awesome!! If you were a teen in that era you had the best music, cartoons, toys and so on.... Never again will this level of awesomeness will be experienced!!

The Wham song has a very special place in my heart. My 5 year old son had just passed away in Cleveland at the Cleveland Clinic. He had an inoperable brain tumor. My now ex wife and I were returning home to Indiana when this song came on. “Now that you’re gone” made be cry my eyes out. I know this is sad, but the song always reminds me of that 5 year old little boy with the old soul.

The 80’s was my favourite decade of my life. The music was fantastic!

Those of us who grew up in the 80's are so lucky.

For me, the best song of 85 is, Everybody wants to rule the world. the opening guitar line is so melancholic, and the opening lyrics also are melancholic-"Welcome to your life, theres no turning back even while we sleep....." it always brings me back to the 80's

I am so fortunate to have lived in the 60's, 70's and 80's, and I totally love watching your channel and interviews. I was young, and all of these songs have special meanings, because they all take me back to a certain moment in time. I know none of the new music, I listen to those old songs, TO REMEMBER!!!!! And to sing along, and remember those who I knew as a child, who are no longer with us. Keep great music alive!!!!

I graduated from HS in 1984 on Long Island listening to WLIR. It was summer, driving to fire island to surf and “When Doves Cry” came on the radio. I took a snapshot in my mind that it may not get better than this. MTV, Action Park, freedom from Cold War was around the corner. Still can well up with tears looking back. God bless the 80s and may God bless the USA.

I'm so glad I was a teenager during the 80's. I got to enjoy New Wave, Hair Metal, some of the best Pop Music, the start of Thrash, Post Punk, the roots of alternative rock, even early Hip Hop which was fun to listen to, etc. Plus the classics were still rockin'. What a great time for music.

During the 12 months from July 1983 to July 1984, 20 of pop's greatest albums of all time were released.... 1. Bruce Springsteen - Born in the USA 2. Prince - Purple Rain 3. Police - Synchronicity 4. Van Halen - 1984 5. Rolling Stones - Undercover 6. Culture Club - Colour by Numbers 7. Billy Joel - An Innocent Man 8. Lionel Richie - Can't Slow Down 9. Yes - 90125 10. Duran Duran - Seven and the Ragged Tiger 11. Cindy Lauper - She's So Unusual 12. Madonna - Madonna 13. Huey Lewis & The News - Sports 14. Tina Turner - Private Dancer 15. Metallica - Ride The Lightning 16. Scorpions - Love At First Sting 17. Chicago - 17 18. Judas Priest - Defenders of the Faith 19. Wham! - Make It Big 20. Footloose Soundtrack (Also, released before July 1983, but continued to be on Billboard's album charts in July 1983 and beyond) 1. Michael Jackson - Thriller 2. ZZ Top - Eliminator 3. Men At Work - Business As Usual 4. Flashdance Soundtrack 5. Def Leppard - Pyromania 6. Quiet Riot - Metal Health 7. Journey - Frontiers 8. Cuts Like A Knife - Bryan Adams 9. Talking Heads - Speaking in Tongues 10. Eurythmics - Swee Dreams So during that 12 months, 30 of the great albums of all time shared chart space. It was the single greatest 12 months in pop music history.

I agree 100%! The years between, say…. 83 and 86/87 were the best music has ever been or ever will be again. I’m so lucky I was in my youth during that time to fully experience it.

Phil Collins is a slam dunk wether solo w Genesis or in duo he is just incredible.

I was 19 in 85 and I still consider it one of the best years of my life.

True, the sax line in "careless whisper" is unmistakable, iconic and like nothing else. It shines through any conditions. It would take a total vacuum to obscure it.

I'm 60 and love the memories you give back to me❣And at the same time breaks my heart that the music now sucks. 💔Careless Whisper makes me feel as old as I am but love the memories❤

Careless Whisper is still the one song that makes me pull over to the side of the road and just reminisce.

I was a high school senior in 1985. Such fond memories. Wish it could have lasted forever!

Growing up and being 16 in 1985 was the best time ever to be a teenager. The 60’s and 80’s were amazing decades in the history of music.

80’s music is the music of my life. I appreciate your videos. Thank you.

1985 was such a good year for music and movies.

One of the best years in music. All the artist you mentioned, plus Dire Straits, Huey Lewis and the News, Tears For Fears, Hall & Oats, Sting, Howard Jones, Eurythmics, ABC, Thompson Twins, Commodores, A-Ha, Sade, Cyndi Lauper, Kool & The Gang, Duran Duran, etc… again definitely one of the best years!

I LOVE Easy Lover. The tempo and lyrics are great, but for me, the "hook" is the incredible drum fills. As great as he was as a vocalist, Collins' drumming talent cannot be overstated.

I read an article recently lamenting how little new music is listened to, accounting for just 5% of all music streams. He pointed out that the number one songs are all 40 years old, i.e., the 1980s. It's not just us who think music peaked in the 1980s, Gen Z and Millennials listen to 1980s music more than their own time period.

I graduated from high school in 1985. Such an awesome time this brought back some great memories.

I was born in 1982, so I'm too young to have experienced the 80s fully and consciously. But in retrospect I think the 80s were just the best decade ever. In music, in movies, TV, comedy and general in life. Sure, not everything was awesome for everyone everywhere (and certainly not all the time) but overall I think the 80s had the perfect balance between optimism and melancholia, global connectedness and personal privacy, technical advance and analogue mechanics. People lived for themselves and the ones close to them, not for the faceless masses on the other side of the screen.

Foreigner's "I Want To Know What Love Is" is still my #1 of all time 37 years later and will be 37 years from now.

I was a major Wham! fan. “Everything She Wants”, “I’m Your Man” and “Freedom” are still amazing. OMG.

Speaking of "Easy Lover", I'd love for you to do a video covering The 80's biggest duets. Songs like "Say Say Say" by Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson or "Next Time I fall" by Peter Cetera & Amy Grant, or "I Knew You Were Waiting For Me" by Aretha Franklin & George Michael, and "Almost Paradise" by Mike Reno & Ann Wilson. The list goes on and on. So many of these have become timeless classics that are still heard on playlists today. Your insight on some of these would be both entertaining and informative.

I agree that "Careless Whispers" is the standout song on this list and one of the best songs of that year. To me the other songs listed were good in their time, but I haven't even thought about them in years. I will say that when it comes to George Michael penning "Careless Whispers" at the age of 17, I am not surprised. Who else but a young person coming into manhood still has the openness and the awakening maturity it takes to open himself up in a song that is basically a love lament and a confessional at the same time. Truly a powerful ballad that still resonates today.

RIP Alex Trebek. There'll never be another "Jeopardy!" host like him.

I was telling my wife we are lucky to have grown up in the 70s and 80s because we got to experience so many old and new things. Kids today have no clue what they've missed out on.

I was born in 1980. Some of my earliest memories of music come from sitting in the car with my parents, listening to some of the Now albums we had, as in Now That's What I Call Music. I still go back to those compilation albums now, and what continues to amaze me is not only the superb quality of the songs and the musicians, but the range of styles and genres. Pick a chart from any week in any year of the 80s, and you would find true diversity of music. So much variety to choose from. You could recognize the great producers of the time as well, by their unique sound. No doubt I'm fulfilling the cliche that each generation is condemned to fulfill, but I just don't hear that talent any more, and I sure don't hear the variety. It seems like there's literally about three styles these days. Mostly everybody trying to be either hiphop or dance. I don't hear exciting new producers with unique sound. If anything, the industry standard with people using the same software, the same pitch correction and autotune, quantising drums, when they bother to actually use drums. It all just starts to blend in to one noise. I feel like I should be reaching for my pipe and slippers, but really, it's just how I see it now.

The 80s were one of my favorite decades. Wonderful music and times.

You sir, are without a doubt, the Casey Kasem of the 21st century. I love what you do. A heartfelt thank you for keeping the music (especially that from the 60s, 70s, and 80s) alive!

I'm 63 and drumming for over 50 years. I love your show and your talent. Keep rocking! Thanks!!!

The Pointer Sisters! Shameful that they have not yet been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as they have been so successful in so many music genres it's hard to believe they haven't been inducted yet.

I came home about 10 years ago and found my 17 year old son in his room after his 1st heartbreak listening to I Wanna know what love is on repeat... The power and emotion of the song truly transcended generations.

1985 was a magical time in music. Just like the entire decade!🔥

My mom LOVED REO Speedwagon. Her records were my toy box, and she had such a diverse array of music. I bought this record later in life, and it still makes me think of my mom. My dad can’t stand Kevin’s voice, though, so it’s a great torture mechanism. 😁

Your love and appreciation of music is admirable and very apparent. I binge watch every couple weeks. Please don't ever stop. I truly envy you, talk about doing what you love and loving what you do.

It's the variety of the 80's that makes it so great. Everything today sounds the same, and its a terrible sound. But I guess you have to know the bad to appreciate the good.

The end of 70s and early 80s music are so great that even only one week of one year is much better than almost all music today. Thanks Professor

Hey Professor, Greatest compliment I can give you is that I never skip the ads in your videos. That is because I want you to get paid for your efforts and genius. I was 16 years old in the summer of 85 and love the memories that your videos bring. Thank you

Christopher Cross also sang the song "Ride Like the Wind" That was a really good 80's song. There is a lot of other golden pieces buried in the 80's past. Some out front and some obscure. Real Life - Send Me An Angel is one of the really good obscure ones.

We don’t yet have the technology to travel in time, but in the meantime, we have the Professor of Rock!

I am 61. Music is magic it takes you back. I was graduating from college and had the world by the balls or so I thought😁

I remember REO Speedwagon playing on my Red Sony Walkman as I topped the hill near the beach in summer and the cool sea breeze hit me and "I can't fight this feeling anymore........" It was an epic time and an epic song

My husband of 28 years passed away last September and I’ve been listening to “Love songs” from the 70, 80, and 90’s ever since, driving my daughter crazy with them! Other then “Have I told you lately that I love you” (something I actually said to/asked him on a regular basis!) the songs in your video are in my personal top 10 favorites that I listen to to remember him every day! He was my soul mate and I’m finding it hard to live without him. Thanks for keeping this music alive for the next generation!

The summer of 1985 was a great time for music and a great time to be young.

85 Was a great year. Over here in the UK Go West came on the scene. Level 42 released Something About You. Great artists and songs in the top 40. Way too many to mention. Great memories of listening to it all every night on the legendary Radio Luxembourg.

Eddie Van Halen’s grin in jump still makes me swoon! May he RIP. 💔🎶💙

boys of summer - released in late 1984 and number 1 in 1985 - best single of the 1980 - example of perfect American 1980s pop.

When "Foolish Heart" started playing, I instantly became emotional Steve Perry was one of my mom's favorite singers and this was one of her favorite songs. I remember her playing the "Street Talk" album many times, singing along to "Foolish Heart" and "Oh, Sherrie" (another one of her favorites.) She passed away a few years ago and any time I hear a favorite song of hers I think about how much I miss her and how quickly time passes. I'm grateful for the time I did have with her and I cherish all the wonderful memories connected with the music she (and I) loved.

I don't know why but the 80s tunes that stuck most in my head from back in the day... "Tarzan Boy" by Baltimora, and "Rock me Amadeus" by Falco. Ridiculous songs but they are still stuck in my head hahaha.

Oh my...the nostalgia is real 🥰 I remember watching MTV while waiting for my bus...the good Ole days. MTV should be RTV now, because it went from music TV to reality TV. We need to bring MTV back to the glory days.

Just wanted to tell you how great your channel is...huge fan of what you do and have to say, Casey Kasem would be proud. I think you're continuing what he started many, many years ago. I used to love hearing American Top 40 Countdown and all the stories he would read (his blooper reels are epic! Never thought I'd hear Shaggy/Kasem curse like a sailor but...there it is!). At any rate, your research is fantastic, knowledge of music charts/history is amazing. That being said, thank you for what you do for all of your subs, for keeping the torch lit for Mr. Kasem and for the quality and quantity of content. Phenomenal job sir! It's not a good day if I don't catch at least a couple of your videos throughout my day. No doubt many others feel the same way I do about you and the channel.

I was 19 in March of 1985. What a magical time to be alive. Thanks for transporting us back in time, if even for just a few minutes.

I was 5 in 1985. I miss the 80’s more than anything I can possibly explain. WE WERE SO SPOILED….!🔥❤️🔥❤️

GEORGE MICHAEL got the single and the album of the year with Wham!'s Careless Whisper and Make it Big, respectively, and then, he did it again three years later with FAITH. Now, 37 years later, he got the most streaming song of that especific time frame. He really made it and still making it BIG.

It was a bad winter in Tn this year! Its amazing how memories anchor themselves to music and allow us to experience such a wide range of emotions about things that happened nearly 40 years ago!

I turned 21 in 1985...perfect for going to NY clubs to see the latest bands. Saw basically everyone that ended up having hits in 84-86...what a perfect time for music. Thanks for putting these videos together...best channel on KZfaq!

The appreciation of any art is subjective, but I never imagined people would ever be nostalgic for mid-80s pop music. At the time, everyone I knew very passionately hated mainstream 80s radio music, but we knew someone must be listening to it.

I grew up in the 80's, I can't explain the feelings that come over me when I hear music from like Creedence Clear. 80's music makes me feel young again.

I’ve watched this video a few times. In 1985 I was 15 and as I watch this my son is now 15. Not sure his experience is the same as mine, but I think it’s a pivotal age. I’ll be curious to see how his time through this age stage compares in the years to come. He’s a drummer so he listens to a lot of this music. Time can be so transcending!

I graduated high school in 1980 and the music I grew up with was so amazing, there was nothing more exciting than going to the wherehouse to buy your albums, carefully peeling the plastic wrapper off and opening the album to find it open like a book with photos of the band and sometimes you could get a poster included. Those were the days, a completely different world than the one I live in now. Todays music is awful.

I could watch these 80’s Redux videos all day long, it’s great hearing how well our favorites have held up over time…When I see This 80’s Top10, it’s an automatic thumbs up and start the video… There’s no doubt that from 83-85 our music was the best, not to mention movies and tv… An absolute great time to be a teenager, not having to worry about cell phones and social media all the time… Just wanna add, I’d like to dedicate this 👍🏻 to the Professor of Rock for doing these videos… they are awesome!

Hey, Adam, this is the fourth Redux video I saw this week only. I love the memories you as share, it's fascinating that you remember all of these. Thank you!

The week this list was released, there was a Senior girl that drove me nuts in a couple classes. She even threw a chair toward me in yearbook class. As a Junior I was glad she would be gone in a couple months. On June 1, 1985 she walked into my life and we have been together ever since! These songs are part of our story.

Love the over 30 min running time. I don't even have to listen to know this will be great(but I'm watching) I was 16 in 85. Thanks Professor. Have a great weekend

1985 is probably my fav year during the 80's decade. So many amazing albums that year that were strong from beginning to end. And not only were most of them loaded with hits but many of the album tracks were so good that they could've probably been singles as well. So I encourage anyone who only knows the hits, by your fav artist, to go back and listen to those entire albums. You'll likely be very surprised at all the interesting & wonderful music that you missed out on.

Brother I have to be honest. These songs drew a few tears. Happy Tears. Thanks for sharing the Memories of thinking where I was in my life. I’m an “old” man now but music has always been a part of my life. Going back with you and hearing some of these great songs has really reminded me of how wonderful that time was. Thanks again my Friend. 💕

love how you reference the movies and TV popular at the time as well, it's all part of what made the 80's and 90's so awesome that the latest generations only know how to copy it!!!

I love the 1980s, but I didn't have much interest in the top 10 or mainstream music at that time. Reflecting back, the Professors' point is well-made here: even music that I dismissed and even mocked 40 years ago has proven to be wildly superior to the passionless conformity and musical triteness of the "product" being peddled to the masses these days.

That’s actually Mariel Hemingway playing Tipper Gore in the movie “Warning: Parental Advisory” from 2002.

I turned 17 in 1985. Fucking unbelievable year for being a teenager. A year of firsts. Some forgettable. Some unforgettable. All of it absolutely A.M.A.Z.I.N.G with this music as our playlist of life. I got my first job working weekends which gave me cash in the hand - enough to begin my album collection. The first … (and my greatest to this day) … cassette tape album I bought - Legend - Bob Marley and the Wailers. In 1985 I bought these albums to follow up and support my Bob Marley purchase - vinyl & tape cassettes. I had one rule - keep an open mind … this is what followed:- Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense Stevie Wonder - In Square Circle The Robert Cray Band’s Album’s - False Accusations and Bad Influence “Follow Yourself” - Album by Double Trouble and Stevie Ray Vaughan U2’s 1984 album “Bad” Prince & The Revolution - Purple Rain Sade - Diamond Life Van Halen - 1984 The Smiths - The Smiths Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Goodbye Cruel World Eric Clapton - Behind the Sun Whitney Houston - Whitney Houston Prince & The Revolution - Around the World in a Day Tina Turner - Private Dancer Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Welcome to the Pleasuredome Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms UB40 - Baggariddim Eurythmics - Be Yourself Tonight Sting - The Dream of the Blue Turtles Mick Jagger - She's the Boss Sade - Promise Phil Collins - No Jacket Required These were some of my earliest musical experiences - and then of course Live Aid Happened. Boom - my life was set forever… I vowed to buy my own Fender Stratocaster one day. I achieved that dream in 2010 when I purchased my very first Custom Made Fender Telecaster. One month later I bought my first of sixteen electric guitars - My very own 1981 Law Suit Matsumoku Made Blond AriaProII Super Strat. Aaahhhh 1984/1985 … she was a wonderful time.

I have to say, 1985 was the best year of my life and, to me, had the most perfect year in music!

1985 was a phenomenal time to be in college!! Life was just so much fun!

1985 was when I fully got into music. I was 11, and after finding this Tv show called KIdd Video, I started buying anything and everything I could get my hands on. (Thank you Columbia house 11 tapes for 1 cent and Mom for the use of her credit card.) Now 48 years old, I still jam out to all these and more any chance I get. (Thank you You Tube!)

I discovered you a few days ago and I've been binge listening ever since. The eighties really was the good stuff! Thanks for sharing

I was home on leave before shipping overseas, and my best friend, his wife and I were out clubbing, and in one club his wife and I ( Dave didn't dance) cleared the dance floor to "The Neutron Dance". We even got cheers, and applause! What a memory.

Watching this today reminded me very much of the Sunday mornings listening to American Top 40, however instead of just listening I'm watching, listening, and responding. Back then I was a senior in HS working on weekends. Being a sax player, 1985 featuring some of the best and last great solos featured in music as synthesizers began to take hold. The best year ever for me. Touring Europe playing my sax that Summer, seeing The PowerStation 3 times in 3 different time zones (they had a different opening act for each one. Serving drinks backstage at Live Aid with my girlfriend meeting a who's who of Rock and some R&B's best sadly some of whom have passed.away. Then starting beginning college. What a year!

One of my favorite memories of the 80's was doing a "jogathon" in high school, around the football field, to "Darling Nikki" by Prince. Like that could happen today! Thank you Professor for doing what you do.

I was 21 in 1985. You can't beat that! ❤️🎶

Fall 1985 was my first semester as a foreign student (freshman student) in USA. Listening to all these songs brings tears to my eyes.. such wonderful memories

I was 14 in 1985. The darkest time of my life. Thank goodness I had great music to cheer me up.

Each of these songs still rings the bell for me. They tug at so many memories and emotions that may fade with time, but all of those experiences come back to life once I hear them again.

I always loved You Belong to the City more, I have a big thing for minor key songs... but I will have to admit that much of my MTV exposure was based on a single rotation of about 50 songs my mom had taped for us off MTV before we moved out of California to Idaho, where we had no cable, and so couldn't watch MTV again until I was in college in the 90s. Roth's cover of California Girls was one of my favorite videos. It was just so beautifully off the wall. And he was so obviously ridiculous, it was wonderful.

I graduated high school right in the middle of the greatest decade, 1985. At the time I wasn't much into pop music. Mostly listened to music like Rush, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Motley Crue, Judas Priest, and the like. (still do) I did watch MTV and listen to the radio a lot though. Thank you for this trip down memory lane. It put a huge smile on my face, and maybe even caused a tear to roll down my cheek.

Little known fact about "Neutron Dance" is that the line "someone stole my brand new Chevrolet" actually happened outside the place as the song was being written.

1985 was the year I discovered Take On Me, which inspired me to get into the whole synth world of music myself… I was just 13… but that year was also stacked with so many hits that take me right back… wish I could go back as well… 👍🏼💪🏼

Great set of songs from one of the greatest years of music ever. Even though it isn't nearly my favorite of the batch, the one that sticks out the most to to me is Careless Whisper. I was a freshman in college in the spring of 85, just turned 19, and that was when I met my first ever girlfriend. First time going on a date, first kiss, first... ya know. Had to also have been the first times I ever slow danced with a girl, and Careless Whisper was the main one we all danced to. Takes me back to that monumental moment in life when a boy first started becoming a man. Hard to believe it's been almost 40 years.

Stumbled on this channel recently. First saw the "Under the Bridge" episode. Felt like the delivery was familiar. After mentioning Kasem in this episode its now clear. Your delivery, pause, and inflection is very inspired by Kasem. Keep it up. Love the content.

33 minutes well spent. I love your stuff Professor. Music brings back so many memories of specific times, places, emotions, people. Thank you so much for what your doing. You and Casey Kasem are on equal footing

Man, that sax solo in "You Belong To the City" is legit. I remember learning that one. Don Henley did some fantastic hits back then, too. So much talent. And Billy Ocean! Holy cow, hadn't heard that name in forever, but his songs were everywhere back then. 1985 was about as awesome as I remember it. (edit: Got to #1, and of course, people still joke about the sax solo in that song! But the 80's and smoky sax solos just go together like PB&J. And *might* have had something to do with catching my (now) wife's attention...)

You've gotten a new subscriber! I love the way you break the music down, thank you!

REO takes me back to high school. I was a Junior and was dating a guy who was 21. Everyone new each other in my community and we all went to church together. I loved that man, but there were complications that we couldn't overcome. I moved back to my hometown in another state and never saw him again. I'm on Facebook with his sister and see the occasional picture of him and his wife. I never see him smile. Makes me wonder.

And Professor is right. How is it that Foreigner and REO are not in the Rock Hall?? Absolute travesty.

"Loverboy" is such an underrated song! That's my jam! Billy Ocean is awesome. Was gonna see him in Vegas in 2020, but COVID. Still hope I get a chance, cause Billy is the man. "Easy Lover" is my #1 of the Top 10. I was very lucky to see Phil Collins on his First Farewell Tour. The crowd popped the loudest and got the most excited for "Easy Lover". The intro is iconic.

Holy crap! This was a top 10 for just 1 week? I thought it was the top 10 list for the entire year! Great memories....