These are the Billboard Hot 100 number-one hits of 1985. The two longest running number-one singles of 1985 are "We Are the World" by USA for Africa and "Say You, Say Me" by Lionel Richie which each logged four weeks at number-one. "Say You, Say Me" logged two weeks at number-one in 1985 and two more additional weeks in 1986, reaching a total of four. "Like a Virgin" by Madonna concluded a six-week run that started in 1984.
That year, 17 acts first hit number one, such as Foreigner, USA for Africa, Simple Minds, Tears for Fears, Bryan Adams, Paul Young, Huey Lewis and the News, John Parr, Dire Straits, Ready for the World, a-ha, Whitney Houston, Jan Hammer, Starship, Marilyn Martin, and Mr. Mister. George Michael, having already hit number one with Wham!, also earns his first number one song as a solo act. Madonna, Wham!, Phil Collins, and Tears for Fears were the only acts to have more than one song reach number one, with Phil Collins having the most with three, while the others have two.
This was also a record year for British acts with 13 hits reaching the top spot. As of 2022 this record remains unbroken.
The yellow background indicates the #1 song on Billboard 's 1985 Year-End Chart of Pop Singles. |
Position | Artist | Weeks at No. 1 |
---|---|---|
1 | Madonna | 5 |
Wham! | ||
Tears for Fears | ||
4 | USA for Africa | 4 |
Phil Collins | ||
6 | George Michael | 3 |
REO Speedwagon | ||
Dire Straits | ||
9 | Foreigner | 2 |
Bryan Adams | ||
Duran Duran | ||
Huey Lewis and the News | ||
John Parr | ||
Starship | ||
Mr. Mister | ||
Lionel Richie | ||
17 | Simple Minds | 1 |
Paul Young | ||
Ready for the World | ||
a-ha | ||
Whitney Houston | ||
Stevie Wonder | ||
Jan Hammer | ||
Marilyn Martin |