“Dance Fight!” Anyone with kids knows what I mean that by quote. The epitome of an 80s dance track, this song has managed to carry on through the decades and remains one of this artist’s biggest songs. This second entry by this artist cements itself at the base of the top 5 songs turning 40 years old this year. At #5 it’s Into The Groove by Madonna.
Yes there is a hit of the 80s sound in this song, but it’s hard to justify that this track has not managed to remain in the public consciousness for years if not decades. Used in a variety of TV programs and often requested on radio stations, this second entry by this group is arguably one of it not their biggest song of all time. Wrapping up the 3rd quarter of this 1985 countdown at #6 is Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Tears For Fears.
Just like the previous entry to this countdown, here’s another song that can’t be capsuled into the 80s sound. Already with a couple huge hits under his belt, this artist produced this track of what everybody knows about in this country to some extent, and the problems and joys that come with it. Coming in at #7 is Small Town by John Mellencamp.
Rare can a song not only help define a pop-music genre, but also be the catalyst for the wave of music that would come years down the road. Enter this next 1985 track. It’s a safe bet that the Latin-music invasion can be traced back to this song, which never gets caught in the 80s time capsule. It still sounds fresh today. This energetic tune will get you singing and dancing, at #8 it’s Conga by Miami Sound Machine.
In the mid-80s, this artist was everywhere, from Miami Vice to Live Aid. He had four songs that were released in 1985 but only this one managed to break into this list. I can’t speak for everyone, but it’s hard for me not to enjoy this song when it comes on the air. That bass riff is iconic, the keyboard riff is jammin’, and the horns are superb. At #9 it’s Sussudio by Phil Collins.
We kick off the second half of the top 20 songs turning 40 years old with another time-capsuled 80s hit that still gets tons of airplay to this day. Again, the issue of whether “soundtrack songs” should be considered rears its ugly head again with this song, as it’s tied into the movie The Breakfast Club. Still, it’s a huge song that is still heard today, and it’s tough for it to not make it at least to #10 in this countdown – it’s Don’t You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds.