1985 was a big year for music, especially in the rock and pop industries. We saw bands such as Tears for Fears, the Dire Straits, and Motley Crue dominating the charts with massive hits.
On the solo front, Madonna, Tina Turner, and Whitney Houston led the pack as big-name women making their mark in the music industry.
Fast forward to 2025, and these songs are aging gracefully, showing up on all the big-time 80s playlists and still receiving frequent airplay on music radio stations around the world.
Top songs that are turning 40 years old in 2025
No. 10- "Centerfield" by John Fogerty
A little over a decade after leaving Creedence Clearwater Revival, John Fogerty achieved a major success with the release of the hit song "Centerfield," from the album of the same name. Despite coming off a nine-year hiatus, Fogerty didn’t miss a beat and delivered another big hit that is comparable to the big songs from Creedence Clearwater Revival in the 70s. Along with "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," it has become a staple at baseball stadiums worldwide and is a true summer classic.
No. 9- "How Will I Know?" By Whitney Houston
1985 saw the rise of Whitney Houston as she came to prominence by releasing her debut self-titled studio album. She became the first solo female artist to produce three number-one hits in the United States with “Saving All My Love for You," “Greatest Love Of All," and “How Will I Know," the latter of which we will highlight here. "How Will I Know" was originally written for Janet Jackson and is described as a synth-funk and dance-pop song that stays true to the sound of the '80s.
This song is one of the highlights of her illustrious career, alongside her rendition of “I Will Always Love You" and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody."
No. 8-"Take on Me"- A-ha
First released in 1984, “Take on Me” did not take off as expected, failing to chart and leave a dent in the music industry. One year later, the song was released internationally and finally broke through, hitting the top of the Billboard charts in the U.S. and number two in the UK.
The song's success was bolstered big time by a live-action animated music video that received regular airplay on MTV. Take on Me would prove to be a one-hit wonder for A-ha in the United States, but it was certainly a big one and helped cement their place in music history.
No. 7-"We Are the World"- USA For Africa
One of the highest-selling singles of all time, "We Are the World," was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie in 1985 as a charity single for the famine in Ethiopia. The song features major headliners, including Jackson, Richie, Cyndi Lauper, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, and Tina Turner.
Clocking in at over six minutes in length, "We Are the World," was heavily promoted with a music video, VHS, magazine, posters, and more. While today’s music industry features a lot of talented and skilled musicians, it will be hard to top the firepower and magic that was captured with this exceptional group of artists 40 years ago.
No. 6-"We Don’t Need Another Hero"- Tina Turner
So much can be said about the legendary career of Tina Turner. From her career beginnings with her (then) husband, Ike Turner, to her successful solo run, she certainly left her mark on the music industry. Recorded for the soundtrack of Mad MaxBeyond Thunderdome, “We Don’t Need Another Hero” showcases Turner's exceptional vocal abilities, especially in the chorus, where her instantly recognizable voice shines.
The song became a huge hit, helping cement her status as one of the most influential and powerful women in rock and roll.
No. 5-"Don’t You (Forget About Me)"- Simple Minds
Simple Minds scored a huge breakout hit in 1985 with the release of "Don’t You (Forget About Me),". The release, however, almost never took place as the band initially declined to record it but eventually accepted it after several other artists passed on the song. They clearly made the right decision in the end, as the song has enjoyed immense popularity over the last forty years, from being featured in The Breakfast Club to becoming a staple in their live sets.
No. 4-"Into the Groove"- Madonna
While Whitney Houston and Tina Turner achieved widespread success in the 1980s, it was Madonna who took the music industry by storm both on and off the stage. She pushed boundaries with her music and her antics, which led her to become a cultural icon all across the world. "Into the Groove" is a true dance-pop classic that features synthesizers and drum machines, and double-tracked vocals from the “Queen of Pop.”
Despite being a big success for Madonna, the song was not released officially on any albums and was only included in an international re-issue of Like A Virgin and several compilation releases. This speaks volumes about the song's impact and legacy despite its limited promotion.
No. 3-"Everybody Wants to Rule the World"- Tears for Fears
One of the defining songs from the new wave sounds of the 80s, “Everybody Wants to Rule The World,” discusses the human desire for power and control, topics that are still very relevant today, especially in the world of politics and business. The track blends guitar-centric rock and roll with modern synth-pop, making for a catchy, polarizing tune that remains popular today.
No. 2-"Home Sweet Home"- Motley Crue
Known for their voracious, energetic songs, Motley Crue slowed it down a bit on “Home Sweet Home,” from the Theatre of Pain album. Classified as a power ballad, "Home Sweet Home," set the stage for many of the great hair metal ballads that would follow during the course of the late 80s.
The song has a slow rocking piano intro that leads into a melodic verse and chorus with great guitar solos and riffs from the legendary Mick Mars. The chemistry between Vince Neil and company is on full display in this song and it has become one of the band’s signature songs, even with the big change from their normal style.
No. 1- "Money for Nothing"- Dire Straits
Only the Dire Straits can manage to take a song about installing microwave ovens and make it into an all-time classic composition. "Money for Nothing," kicks off with an incredible intro that features falsetto vocals from Sting and a powerful guitar riff from Mark Knopfler. The song is loaded with hard rock riffs that are reminiscent of ZZ Top that capture the listener's attention right from the start.
The song also features a groundbreaking music video that features 3D computer animations illustrating the lyrics and was the first track to appear on MTV Europe when it launched in 1987. All in all, “Money for Nothing’s” big hard rock stadium sound combined with the memorable music video makes it the top song turning 40 in 2025.