History's Best Selling Music of 1985

Make way for the hits of 1985! This remarkable era stood as a testament to the tubular 80s arcade boom and the march of first-rate music. Crowd-pleasers such as No Jacket Required shared the spotlight with mega-bestsellers Songs from the Big Chair and Around the World in a Day. Brought to you by top-notch makers from industry leaders like Phil Collins and Tears for Fears, these trailblazing products sparked mega-hit frenzies and Saturday morning excitement and earned a permanent place in cultural lore. Check out the complete rank-ordered ledger below to relive the finest releases of the year.

1. No Jacket Required

   Released in 1985 by Phil Collins, Atlantic Records, Virgin Records

   On January 25, 1985, the landscape of popular music was indelibly altered with the release of Phil Collins' third solo album, "No Jacket Required." Coming off the massive success of his previous work and his role in Genesis, Collins was already a household name. However, this album catapulted him into the stratosphere of global superstardom. Released in the heart of the MTV era, its sound—a polished, radio-friendly mix of pop, rock, and R&B, driven by gated reverb drums and catchy synthesizer hooks—perfectly captured the zeitgeist of the mid-1980s. The album's release wasn't just another drop; it was a cultural event that would dominate airwaves, sales charts, and award shows for the next year, defining the sonic palette of the decade.

2. Songs from the Big Chair

   Released in 1985 by Tears for Fears, Roland Orzabal, Curt Smith, Mercury Records

   On February 25, 1985, the world was introduced to an album that would not only define the sound of the mid-80s but also elevate its creators to global superstardom. English duo Tears for Fears unleashed *Songs from the Big Chair*, a masterwork of sophisticated synth-pop and introspective lyricism. This wasn't just another album; it was a cultural event, spawning two U.S. number-one hits and capturing the optimistic yet anxious zeitgeist of the decade. Its release on this date marked the moment Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith conquered America and the world, cementing their place in music history with a record that was both commercially immense and artistically ambitious.

3. Around the World in a Day

   Released in 1985 by Prince and The Revolution, Paisley Park Records, Warner Bros. Records

   Released on April 22, 1985, Prince’s seventh studio album, "Around the World in a Day," arrived with the immense pressure of following one of the most successful albums and films of all time, "Purple Rain." In a characteristically bold move, Prince opted for a surprise release with minimal pre-release marketing and no lead single. The album, wrapped in distinctive psychedelic cover art, was shipped to record stores with little warning, forcing the world to react in real-time. This unconventional strategy amplified the shock of the album's sound, which was a dramatic and deliberate departure from the arena-rock and pop anthems that had just made him a global superstar.

4. Be Yourself Tonight

   Released in 1985 by Eurythmics, RCA Records

   On April 29, 1985, British duo Eurythmics released their fourth studio album, "Be Yourself Tonight," marking a significant evolution in their sound. Moving away from the colder, synth-pop-dominated style of their earlier work like "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)," this album embraced a more commercial, rock- and soul-influenced direction. Released during a period of pop music's global dominance, "Be Yourself Tonight" arrived with a powerful, confident energy, featuring a host of guest musicians and high-profile duets. This shift not only broadened their appeal but also solidified Annie Lennox's status as a formidable vocalist and Dave Stewart's reputation as a versatile producer and songwriter.

5. Brothers in Arms

   Released in 1985 by Dire Straits, Vertigo Records

   On May 13, 1985, the landscape of popular music was irrevocably altered with the release of Dire Straits' fifth studio album, 'Brothers in Arms.' Arriving at a pivotal moment in audio technology, the album wasn't just a collection of songs; it was a statement piece for the burgeoning Compact Disc format. Its release was perfectly timed to capitalize on the shift from analog to digital, and its meticulous production quality made it the definitive demonstration disc for the new technology. This strategic positioning, combined with the band's masterful songwriting and musicianship, ensured that 'Brothers in Arms' would become more than just a hit record—it would become a global phenomenon and a benchmark in recording history.

6. Heart

   Released in 1985 by Ann Wilson, Nancy Wilson, Heart, Capitol Records

   On June 21, 1985, the rock band Heart unleashed their self-titled eighth studio album, a release that would dramatically reshape their career and define the sound of mid-80s arena rock. After a period of declining commercial success in the early 80s, the band signed with Capitol Records and embraced a more polished, mainstream-friendly aesthetic. This album marked a radical departure from their harder, folk-tinged rock of the 70s, introducing slick production, power ballads, and songs written by outside professional songwriters. The release of "Heart" was a calculated gamble to reclaim their place at the top of the charts, and it paid off spectacularly, transforming them into MTV superstars and one of the biggest bands of the decade.

7. The Head on the Door

   Released in 1985 by The Cure, Fiction Records

   On August 13, 1985, English rock band The Cure released their sixth studio album, "The Head on the Door." This date marks a pivotal moment in the band's history, as the album represented a significant shift towards a more pop-oriented and accessible sound without sacrificing their trademark gothic introspection. Following the dark, experimental period of the early 80s, this release saw frontman Robert Smith re-embrace melody and brighter arrangements. It was the first Cure album to feature drummer Boris Williams and the return of bassist Simon Gallup, solidifying a lineup that would lead the band to its greatest international success. The album's release on this day set the stage for The Cure to break through to mainstream audiences, particularly in the United States.

8. Knee Deep in the Hoopla

   Released in 1985 by Starship, Grunt Records, RCA Records

   Released on September 10, 1985, Starship's fifth album, "Knee Deep in the Hoopla," marked the commercial zenith of a musical entity that had evolved from the 1960s psychedelic rock of Jefferson Airplane. This album was a full-throated embrace of the slick, synthesized pop-rock sound that dominated mid-80s radio and MTV. It was a calculated and wildly successful move that generated two number-one hits and redefined the band for a new generation, cementing their place in the decade's cultural zeitgeist even as it distanced them from their counter-cultural roots.

9. Hounds of Love

   Released in 1985 by Kate Bush, EMI Records

   Released on September 16, 1985, Kate Bush's "Hounds of Love" marked a powerful comeback and a creative zenith. After the commercially underwhelming performance of her 1982 album "The Dreaming," Bush took a hiatus, building her own 48-track studio in a barn behind her family home. This allowed her complete creative control, free from the pressures and schedules of a commercial studio. The release on this date unveiled an album of two distinct halves: a first side of radio-friendly art-pop singles and a second side consisting of a conceptual suite of songs titled "The Ninth Wave." It was a bold artistic statement that re-established her as a major commercial force and a pioneering artist in complete command of her vision, solidifying her legendary status.

10. Power Windows

    Released in 1985 by Rush, Anthem Records, Mercury Records

    On October 29, 1985, Canadian progressive rock titans Rush released their eleventh studio album, "Power Windows." The album arrived at the height of the band's 'synthesizer era,' a period defined by a departure from their earlier, guitar-heavy hard rock sound in favor of a more layered, keyboard-centric approach. In the mid-1980s music scene, dominated by new wave and synth-pop, Rush carved their own niche by integrating these modern electronic textures into their complex song structures and virtuosic musicianship. "Power Windows" was not just another album; it was a definitive statement of this sonic direction, showcasing a band that was unafraid to evolve and embrace the technological advancements of the time, solidifying their reputation as forward-thinking musicians.

11. Promise

    Released in 1985 by Sade Adu, Epic Records

    On November 4, 1985, the world was treated to the sophisticated sounds of Sade's second studio album, "Promise." Released following the phenomenal success of their debut, "Diamond Life," this date marked a crucial moment for the band. They had to prove they were not a one-hit wonder but a lasting force in music. "Promise" arrived amidst the high-energy, synth-heavy landscape of the mid-80s, offering a starkly different, more refined and soulful alternative. Its release solidified Sade's signature "quiet storm" sound, a blend of soul, R&B, jazz, and sophisti-pop that would define a mood and influence countless artists for decades to come.