14 September 1985 The intention here was quite sweet: a transatlantic duet during Live Aid, with Bowie at Wembley and Jagger in Philadelphia. Alas, the best of 1985 technology couldn't help the organisers get around the satellite delay to make this work, so on the big day the video (below) was shown instead and became … Continue reading David Bowie and Mick Jagger – ‘Dancing In The Street’ →

31 August 1985 Sonny and Cher's 'I Got You Babe' is a charming '60s classic and certainly the best record ever made by someone called Bono. This UB40 and Chrissie Hynde reggae rendition engages with the original the way a knife-wielding maniac might break into your home and engage with your puppy dog's throat. It's … Continue reading UB40 with Chrissie Hynde – ‘I Got You Babe’ →

10 August 1985 Madonna's first number one single in the UK and Ireland feels a little anachronistic for its time. 'Into The Groove' followed up Like A Virgin's string of next-level hits and the epic power ballad 'Crazy For You', but it sounds more of a piece with her pre-Virgin dancefloor bops like 'Holiday', which … Continue reading Madonna – ‘Into The Groove’ →

3 August 1985 Where I am normally quite indulgent towards all '80s chart pop, I make an exception for the Eurythmics, who were irredeemably awful and on seemingly constant airplay throughout my otherwise happy childhood. 'There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)' is yet another of their contrived, mannered, soulless hits. If the … Continue reading Eurythmics – ‘There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)’ →

27 July 1985 In other words, the music from Beverly Hills Cop. I suffer a little cognitive dissonance in trying to reconcile this austere post-Kraftwerk electro-bleeping with the actual movie of Eddie Murphy guffawing and swearing his way across upmarket Los Angeles. What sounds like an 808 hi-hat and snare add a slight hint of … Continue reading Harold Faltermeyer – ‘Axel F’ →

29 June 1985 We can take our guidance on 'Frankie' from its producer, long-time Sister Sledge svengali Nile Rodgers. Apparently he hated the song at first, then a week later found he couldn't stop singing it. The writer of 'Frankie' proved to have more turbulent instincts. Denise Rich, who also wrote songs for Diana Ross … Continue reading Sister Sledge – ‘Frankie’ →

22 June 1985 In May 1985 a fire ripped through the crowded wooden main stand of Bradford's Valley Parade stadium during the home side's final game of the season; 56 people died and hundreds more were injured. This was a charity single to raise funds for the victims and families. There aren't Band Aid levels … Continue reading The Crowd – ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ →

8 June 1985 Much as with the wave of Papal-themed chart-toppers that followed John Paul II's big outdoor Irish tour of 1979, this Bruce Springsteen number one surfs a wave of promotion. The Boss had played Slane Castle the weekend before, touring the Born In The USA album that made him a globe-straddling superstar. I … Continue reading Bruce Springsteen – ‘I’m On Fire’ / ‘Born In The USA’ →

25 May 1985 I can vouch for Paul Hardcastle's '19' being huge in 1985. As to why it was huge, my small child brain didn't get it at the time and my slightly bigger adult brain still doesn't get it now. Perhaps the mainstream chart punter wanted electronic beats but something simpler and less brainy … Continue reading Paul Hardcastle – ’19’ →