A song reflecting on a specific date, possibly of personal significance to Mellencamp.
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150 matching catalog entries
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1985
Written as the theme song for the James Bond film of the same name.
View background statusJack Wagner pursued a recording career alongside his work in television soap operas. All I Need, written by Glen Ballard, Clif Magness and David Pack, became his signature single and the title of his debut album....
View background statusAll She Wants to Do Is Dance
Don HenleyReported release: 1985Date needs verification
Source year-end #97A critique of American foreign policy and its impact on other countries.
View background statusA moody, atmospheric track from the band's "Once Upon a Time" album.
View background statusAll Through the Night
Cyndi LauperReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #65The comfort and security found in a loving relationship.
View background statusBased on the Robert A. Heinlein short story of the same name, dealing with time travel paradoxes.
View background statusA pop-rock song about the impact of falling in love.
View background statusA dance-pop track about falling in love, from Madonna's "Like a Virgin" album.
View background statusA synth-pop track about irresistible attraction.
View background statusInstrumental theme from the film "Beverly Hills Cop."
View background statusA romantic synth-pop ballad showcasing the band's evolving sound.
View background statusBetter Be Good to Me
Tina TurnerReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #59A powerful rock anthem that showcased Turner's comeback in the 1980s.
View background statusBorn in the U.S.A.
Bruce SpringsteenRelease: 1984Source checked | Recent carryover
Source year-end #92Often misinterpreted as patriotic, the song actually critiques the treatment of Vietnam War veterans.
View background statusRichard Page attributes the imagery in Broken Wings to lyricist John Lang's reading of Kahlil Gibran. In a firsthand interview, Page said Lang approached the author's estate about using the material. Page also...
Read background and sourcesCalifornia Girls
David Lee RothReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #88A cover of The Beach Boys' classic, given a hard rock makeover by the Van Halen frontman.
View background statusCan't Fight This Feeling
REO SpeedwagonRelease: 1984Source checked | Recent carryover
Source year-end #13Can't Fight This Feeling appears on REO Speedwagon's 1984 Wheels Are Turnin'. The band's original program credits both words and music to Kevin Cronin. Its narrative moves from friendship toward a declaration of...
Read background and sourcesGeorge Michael wrote this song about the guilt of betraying a friend in a relationship.
View background statusThe importance of cherishing loved ones and relationships.
View background statusA funky rock track emphasizing the importance of open dialogue in relationships.
View background statusA Latin-influenced dance track that brought Gloria Estefan to mainstream success.
View background statusCool It Now
New EditionReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #26The challenges of young love and peer pressure.
View background statusWritten for the film "Vision Quest" to capture teenage love and desire.
View background statusA sultry R&B track showcasing Cole's powerful vocals.
View background statusDo What You Do
Jermaine JacksonReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #90A romantic ballad showcasing Jackson's smooth vocal style.
View background statusA dance-pop track with a catchy chorus and upbeat rhythm.
View background statusDon't Come Around Here No More
Tom Petty and the HeartbreakersReported release: 1985Date needs verification
Co-written with Dave Stewart of Eurythmics, featuring a psychedelic sound and video.
View background statusThe song's lyrics are intentionally vague, with Collins admitting he didn't know what they meant.
View background statusDon't You (Forget About Me)
Simple MindsReported release: 1985Date needs verification
Source year-end #16Written for the film "The Breakfast Club" to capture teenage angst and relationships.
View background statusThe idea of adorning a lover with affection and desire.
View background statusEasy Lover
Philip Bailey and Phil CollinsReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #12Collaborative effort during the recording of Bailey's Chinese Wall album.
View background statusA hard rock track about intense desire and passion.
View background statusRoland Orzabal and Curt Smith recalled that an early chorus referred explicitly to going to war, reflecting the nuclear anxiety of the Cold War. Orzabal changed the central phrase after thinking about a record...
Read background and sourcesEverything She Wants
Wham!Reported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #25George Michael's frustrations with a demanding partner.
View background statusOriginally written by Daryl Hall about the pain of separation.
View background statusThe barriers people build in relationships and the desire to break them down.
View background statusWham! was the British duo of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, who became friends at school in Hertfordshire and played in an earlier ska band. Their 1980s pop drew on soul and R&B, with Fantastic followed by Make...
View background statusA metaphor for life's journey and finding joy along the way.
View background statusFresh
Kool & the GangReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #89A celebration of feeling energized and renewed.
View background statusWritten for the film "Vision Quest," the song was only released as a single outside the U.S.
View background statusA cover of the T. Rex classic, given a hard rock makeover by the supergroup.
View background statusA solo effort from The Who's lead singer, embracing a more contemporary 80s sound.
View background statusReflects on the passage of time and nostalgia for one's younger years.
View background statusA rock song with an anti-drunk driving message.
View background statusThe song deals with the rush and confusion of falling in love.
View background statusHeaven
Bryan AdamsRelease: 1983Source checked | List year differs from verified release
Source year-end #24Originally written for the film "A Night in Heaven," the song became a hit when re-released.
View background statusAn upbeat rock song about the euphoria of new love.
View background statusI Can't Hold Back
SurvivorReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #73A rock anthem about giving in to passion and desire.
View background statusI Feel for You
Chaka KhanReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #5Originally written by Prince in 1979, inspired by his admiration for Patrice Rushen.
View background statusI Want to Know What Love Is
ForeignerRelease: 1984Source checked | Recent carryover
Source year-end #4Mick Jones described writing the song late at night while reflecting on divorce, a new relationship and pressures within the band. He wanted the arrangement to convey a spiritual dimension; the New Jersey Mass Choir...
Read background and sourcesA freestyle dance track that became a surprise hit.
View background statusA haunting, minimalist track about intense desire and longing.
View background statusAn upbeat dance-pop track showcasing George Michael's evolving sound.
View background statusIf You Love Somebody Set Them Free
StingReported release: 1985Date needs verification
Source year-end #55Sting's first solo single after leaving The Police, exploring themes of freedom in relationships.
View background statusA melodic metal ballad showcasing the band's softer side.
View background statusProduced by Rick James, the song features suggestive lyrics and a catchy funk groove.
View background statusWritten for the film "The Legend of Billie Jean," an anthem of empowerment.
View background statusJungle Love
The TimeReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #91Written and produced by Prince, the song featured in the film "Purple Rain."
View background statusJagger's solo effort, blending rock with contemporary 80s production.
View background statusThe title comes from the Greek phrase "Kyrie eleison" (Lord, have mercy), blending religious themes with pop music.
View background statusThe song's lyrics explore themes of trust and intimacy in relationships.
View background statusBilly Steinberg wrote the lyrics after leaving a difficult relationship and starting a new one. The title conveys emotional renewal rather than a literal claim about sexual experience. Tom Kelly supplied the musical...
Read background and sourcesThe isolation and monotony of small-town life.
View background statusA Hi-NRG dance track with a dramatic vocal performance by Pete Burns.
View background statusThe excitement and passion of new love.
View background statusLovergirl
Teena MarieReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #29A funky dance track showcasing Marie's powerful vocals.
View background statusLovers in a Dangerous Time
Bruce CockburnReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
The political and social climate of the 1980s.
View background statusA satirical take on 1980s materialism and consumerism.
View background statusMethod of Modern Love
Daryl Hall & John OatesReported release: 1984 / 1985Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #83A catchy pop song about the complexities of modern relationships.
View background statusJan Hammer's keyboard career links jazz fusion with electronic soundtrack music. A classically trained musician from Prague, he was an original member of the Mahavishnu Orchestra before developing solo synthesizer...
View background statusA funk-pop track about being deceived in a relationship.
View background statusMissing You
Diana RossReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #49Written as a tribute to Marvin Gaye after his death.
View background statusOverheard comments from workers watching MTV in an appliance store.
View background statusA rock song with a catchy chorus and guitar riff.
View background statusNeutron Dance
The Pointer SistersReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #38The fear of nuclear war and the need to live life to the fullest.
View background statusThe importance of perseverance and staying true to oneself.
View background statusWritten for the film "Beverly Hills Cop," a song about personal transformation and confidence.
View background statusTribute to late R&B singers Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson.
View background statusNo More Lonely Nights
Paul McCartneyReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #72Written for McCartney's film "Give My Regards to Broad Street."
View background statusObsession
AnimotionReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #56The all-consuming nature of romantic obsession.
View background statusThe band's admiration for Prince and his music style.
View background statusA motivational song about perseverance and moving forward.
View background statusThe pain of a failing relationship and the desire to hold on.
View background statusOne Night in Bangkok
Murray HeadReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #54From the musical "Chess," the song uses Bangkok as a metaphor for the game of chess.
View background statusOut of Touch
Daryl Hall & John OatesReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #6The changing music industry and feeling disconnected from current trends.
View background statusStevie Wonder grew up in Michigan and joined Motown as a young multi-instrumentalist, initially recording as Little Stevie Wonder. The live Fingertips and later Uptight introduced a performer whose voice, harmonica...
View background statusMurphy's foray into music, produced by Rick James.
View background statusPenny Lover
Lionel RichieReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #96A smooth R&B ballad showcasing Richie's romantic songwriting.
View background statusA commentary on the pressures and illusions of fame and success.
View background statusA commentary on materialism and the pursuit of wealth.
View background statusTina Turner's solo recordings place her distinctive, rough-edged voice in rock, soul, pop and dance settings. Her early solo albums preceded the tightly arranged songs of Private Dancer, while Break Every Rule and...
View background statusA supergroup featuring Jimmy Page and Paul Rodgers, blending hard rock with 80s production.
View background statusRaspberry Beret
Prince & the RevolutionReported release: 1985Date needs verification
Source year-end #51Prince drew from his own teenage experiences for this playful, psychedelic-influenced song.
View background statusThe joy and energy of dancing and nightlife.
View background statusA rock anthem with a controversial music video that allegedly hurt Squier's career.
View background statusThe excitement and danger of an illicit affair.
View background statusThe longing and devotion in a complicated relationship.
View background statusSea of Love
The HoneydrippersReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #34A cover of the 1959 Phil Phillips song, featuring Robert Plant and Jimmy Page.
View background statusA power ballad reflecting on past relationships and memories.
View background statusSeparate Lives
Phil Collins and Marilyn MartinReported release: 1985Date needs verification
Source year-end #50Written for the film "White Nights" about the pain of separation.
View background statusShout
Tears for FearsReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #21Influenced by Arthur Janov's primal therapy and the need for emotional release.
View background statusWritten by Madonna, this dance track captures the energy of New York City street life.
View background statusA tribute to Mellencamp's upbringing in a small Indiana town.
View background statusA suave, charming man who uses women for personal gain.
View background statusWritten for an episode of "Miami Vice," dealing with the drug trade.
View background statusSolid
Ashford & SimpsonReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #80A celebration of a strong, enduring relationship, reflecting the couple's own marriage.
View background statusA supergroup featuring members of Duran Duran and Chic, creating a unique rock-funk sound.
View background statusA rock ballad about longing for a meaningful relationship.
View background statusSt. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)
John ParrReported release: 1985Date needs verification
Source year-end #18Written for the film "St. Elmo's Fire" and inspired by Paralympic athlete Rick Hansen.
View background statusA rock ballad about cherishing brief moments of happiness.
View background statusStrut
Sheena EastonReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #46A confident, sassy pop song produced by Chic's Nile Rodgers.
View background statusSuddenly
Billy OceanReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #52A romantic ballad that became Ocean's second U.S. number-one hit.
View background statusSugar Walls
Sheena EastonReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #100Written by Prince under the pseudonym Alexander Nevermind, exploring sensuality.
View background statusBryan Adams developed his early career in the Vancouver group Sweeney Todd before establishing a long songwriting partnership with Jim Vallance. A&M released his solo debut in 1980, followed by the breakthrough...
View background statusA hard rock ode to summer romance and fun.
View background statusNamed after a real restaurant in Los Angeles, the song paints a picture of life in the city.
View background statusA made-up word that Collins used as a placeholder during songwriting.
View background statusPaul Waaktaar-Savoy traced the song's beginnings to his teenage years in Norway. The band repeatedly revised and recorded it, enduring failed UK releases before the familiar hit version found its audience. His Song...
Read background and sourcesAn Italo disco hit featuring a distinctive Tarzan-yell chorus.
View background statusA power ballad marking KISS's temporary abandonment of their trademark makeup.
View background statusThe Boys of Summer
Don HenleyReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #53A nostalgic look at lost love and the passing of youth.
View background statusThe Heat Is On
Glenn FreyReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #19Written for the film "Beverly Hills Cop" to capture the excitement and energy of the movie.
View background statusWritten for the film "Back to the Future" to capture the theme of love's power.
View background statusA power ballad about finding true love after a long search.
View background statusInspired by William S. Burroughs' novel "The Wild Boys: A Book of the Dead."
View background statusThings Can Only Get Better
Howard JonesReported release: 1984 / 1985Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #41Optimistic outlook on life and personal growth.
View background statusA follow-up to Rockwell's hit "Somebody's Watching Me," featuring a similar paranoid theme.
View background statusA smooth R&B track showcasing Vandross's distinctive vocal style.
View background statusToo Late for Goodbyes
Julian LennonReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #77Julian Lennon's debut single, showcasing a style reminiscent of his father, John Lennon.
View background statusA soulful ballad about heartbreak and loss.
View background statusA cover of Jimmy Cliff's song, recorded live and released as part of the "We Are the World" album.
View background statusValotte
Julian LennonReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #78The title track from Julian Lennon's debut album, named after the chateau where it was recorded.
View background statusAimee Mann wrote the song about a controlling relationship, originally with two women before changing it to a heterosexual couple.
View background statusWake Me Up Before You Go-Go
Wham!Reported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #3Andrew Ridgeley's brother left a note for their mom saying "wake me up up," accidentally writing "up" twice.
View background statusA celebratory song about a street musician, with a catchy organ riff.
View background statusWalking on Sunshine
Katrina and the WavesReported release: 1985Date needs verification
Source year-end #75An upbeat, feel-good song about the joy of being in love.
View background statusCharity single to raise funds for famine relief in Africa.
View background statusWe Belong
Pat BenatarReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Source year-end #39The strength and resilience of love in difficult times.
View background statusCritique of corporate-driven music and nostalgia for San Francisco's music scene.
View background statusWe Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)
Tina TurnerRelease year not establishedDate review open
Source year-end #57Written for the film "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome," in which Turner also starred.
View background statusThe song marked a comeback for Heart, showcasing a more polished pop sound.
View background statusWhen the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going
Billy OceanReported release: 1985 / 1986Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Written for the film "The Jewel of the Nile," an upbeat song about perseverance.
View background statusA soulful ballad about losing a love interest to someone else.
View background statusA playful song about romantic pursuit, marking Franklin's comeback in the 1980s.
View background statusA departure from the band's earlier synth-pop sound, embracing a more rock-oriented style.
View background statusWritten for the TV show "Miami Vice" to capture the city's nightlife and atmosphere.
View background statusWhitney Houston grew up in a musical family in Newark, New Jersey, with gospel as an early influence. Her self-titled 1985 debut and 1987 album Whitney established a repertoire of ballads and dance records. She also...
View background statusYou Spin Me Round (Like a Record)
Dead or AliveReported release: 1984Date needs verification | Recent carryover
Influenced by Luther Vandross's "I Wanted Your Love," the song became a worldwide hit.
View background statusPeter Cetera's feelings for his then-wife.
View background statusA smooth jazz-pop song showcasing Sade's sultry vocals.
View background statusBrowse by year
1960-2025. Each year contains 150 selections.