The year is 1985. The new millennium is still a long way away, no one knows yet that CD sales, which have just really taken off, will become unlucrative in a few decades and have shrunk beyond recognition from free offers – and that the 1990s will soon be here It remains to be seen whether everything will be turned inside out.
Anyway, 1985 was a great year. Mark Knopfler released his uber-ballad “Brothers in Arms” and the album of the same name with Dire Straits, Kate Bush released “Hounds of Love,” and a lot was happening in pop music in general. But there was also a lot of steam going on in the metal world. We take a look at 30 great albums from 1985.
30
Dire Straits “Brothers in Arms”
In 1985, Mark Knopfler presented his über-ballad – after which he named Dire Straits’ fifth album. It wasn’t the only hit on “Brothers in Arms”: With “Money for Nothing” he created one of the most famous guitar riffs of all time – and “Walk of Life” is Knopfler’s fairground and baseball stadium song. Dire Straits was as big as it got: 30 million albums sold and sold out stadiums.
29
Tears for Fears “Songs from the Big Chair”
1985 was also the year that Tears For Fears released their second studio album, Songs from the Big Chair. It not only included the mega hit “Shout”, but also songs like “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” and “Head over Heels”, which also became classics.
28
Kate Bush “Hounds of Love”
Kate Bush divided her long player “Hounds Of Love” into two sections: The first five songs form “Hounds of Love”, while the seven songs that follow, entitled “The Ninth Wave”, tell a coherent concept that the artist describes as a kind of film describes. The first single became a mega hit again in 2022: We are of course talking about “Running Up That Hill”, which went to number one in eight countries decades after its release thanks to a key role in the series “Stranger Things”.
27
Phil Collins “No Jacket Required”
On “No Jacket Required” Phil Collins, who was omnipresent in the 1980s, wanted to make happier, danceable music again. His divorce in 1981 had been bothering him for a long time, and Collins had processed that in his music. But this time it should be more carefree. By the way, the title comes from a true story: Collins and Robert Plant wanted to go to a restaurant in Chicago, but Collins was refused entry because he was dressed too casually (“jacket required”).
26
A-Ha “Hunting High and Low”
Morten Harket and his bandmates from A-ha released their debut album “Hunting High and Low” in 1985. Norwegian synthpop that made history: It included one of the greatest pieces of the 1980s, of course we’re talking about the smash hit “Take On Me”. Also heard on it: songs like “The Sun Always Shines on TV”, “Train of Thought” and the soulful ballad “Hunting High and Low”.
25
Simple Minds “Once Upon a Time”
While the Simple Minds had worked with producer Steve Lillywhite for their previous album, they brought Jimmy Iovine and Bob Clearmountain into the studio for “Once Upon a Time”. A right decision: Songs like “Alive and Kicking” and “Sanctify Yourself” marked the commercial breakthrough for Jim Kerr & Co.
24
Sting “The Dream of the Blue Turtles”
Sting, freshly separated from The Police, released his first solo album “The Dream of the Blue Turtles” in 1985. To do this, he brought a fantastic line-up of jazz musicians into the band: Branford Marsalis and Omar Hakim were among them. Songs like “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free” and “Russians” were simultaneously catchy and virtuoso. To do this, Sting switched from his main instrument, the bass, to the guitar.
23
The Cure “The Head on the Door”
A lot happened at The Cure in 1985: drummer Boris Williams joined the band, bassist Simon Gallup returned. Porl Thompson completed the quintet – and so they went into the studio to record “The Head on the Door”. For the first time, all songs were written by Robert Smith. With songs like “In Between Days,” the album was a huge success for The Cure.
22
Talking Heads “Little Creatures”
Rolling Stone described “Little Creatures” as “the sound of David Byrne falling in love with normality.” Here the band brought Americana and country music into play – and a lap steel was also used. A great album with songs like “And She Was” and “Road to Nowhere”.
21
Whitney Houston “Whitney Houston”
The debut album from one of the greatest singers of all time. Produced by Jermaine Jackson, Kashif, Michael Masser, Narada Michael Walden and Dee Dee Warwick, Whitney Houston shines across the board. With “Saving All My Love for You”, “How Will I Know” and “Greatest Love of All” she landed three number one hits. The US Rolling Stone said at the time that Houston was “one of the most exciting new voices in years” and wrote: “Because she has a technically sophisticated voice like Patti Austin, it is her interpretive approach that sets her apart.” It continued: “Whitney Houston is clearly on the path to superstardom, and if nothing else, her album is an exciting preview of what’s to come.”
20
Prince and The Revolution “Around the World in a Day”
In 1985, Prince once again felt like experimenting. After turning the music world upside down with its predecessor “Purple Rain”, The Purple One didn’t think about fulfilling expectations and released a partly psychedelic album with “Around the World in a Day”. Included on it: Great songs like “Raspberry Beret”, “Paisley Park” and “Pop Life”.