As tempted as I am to say "Shout" or "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" (for obvious reasons), I'm going to have to say my favorite is "The Power Of Love" by Huey Lewis & the News. But seriously, how do you pick between "Take On Me," "Money For Nothing," and "We Built This City"?? Bruh. Why do you have to make this so hard? Side note: My kids know all these awesome 80's tunes because they're still using them in movie soundtracks to this day. Tells you something.
Hands down; Mike & Mechanics' "Silent Running"... I made a mix tape with only that song on it... still have it, even though I have nothing to play it on!
1984 and 1985 are my two favourite years from the eighties, when the decade hit its peak in my view. Boys Of Summer Don Henley Duel- Propaganda Cherish- Kool and the Gang We Are The World- USA For Africa Crazy For You- Madonna Into The Groove- Madonna Just A Shadow- Big Country 1999- Prince Bring On The Dancing Horses- Echo and the Bunnymen Take On Me- Aha Cyndi Lauper- Change Of Heart Blue- Fine Young Cannibals Since Yesterday- Strawberry Switchblade I Was Born To Love-You Freddie Mercury Love Kills- Freddie Mercury History- Mai Tai King In A Catholic Style- China Crisis Every Time You Go Away- Paul Young Everything Must Change- Paul Young Separate Lives- Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin Life in a Northern Town- The Dream Academy Love Is A Battlefield- Pat Benatar Every Step Of The Way- John Waite Goodbye Lucille- Prefab Sprout Secret- OMD So In Love- OMD Love Parade- Dream Academy That Was Yesterday- Foreigner Body Rock- Maria Vidal Love Like Blood- Killing Joke The Power of Love- Jennifer Rush Love and Pride- King The Taste Of Your Tears- King Wide Boy -Nik Kershaw Can't Fight This Feeling REO Speedwagon Icing On The Cake Stephen Duffy A View To A Kill Duran Duran
I met the girl of my dreams in 83, we married in 84 and almost a year later on our 1st year anniversary in 85, we had our first child. Yup, we are still together today, having fun. She just came outside on the porch, sat next to me and started singing along with your #1 pick. Great show and thanks for what you do. I also, like yourself, miss very much the man himself, Casey Casum.
The whole 80's decade was awesome!! If you were a teen in that era you had the best music, cartoons, toys and so on.... Never again will this level of awesomeness will be experienced!!
Back when music was real, before the rise of boy bands and manufactured music became king. Though looking back a those cartoons I loved so much, I tend to cringe when I try to re-watch some of them, such as G.I. Joe, He-Man and Thundercats. Though Tom & Jerry, Yogi Bear, the Flintstones, and the like still hold up pretty well.
@@TheCaniblcat Yeah Voltron too, that was pretty cringe when I rewatched it a few years ago! It was an early '90s and not '80s cartoon but Exosquad holds up really well, I rewatched it during lockdown on Peacock, it is a sin it was put on the chopping block because some studio exec wanted it canceled. It definitely deserves a reboot and continuation since the first two season were just setup for the real story!
The Wham song has a very special place in my heart. My 5 year old son had just passed away in Cleveland at the Cleveland Clinic. He had an inoperable brain tumor. My now ex wife and I were returning home to Indiana when this song came on. “Now that you’re gone” made be cry my eyes out. I know this is sad, but the song always reminds me of that 5 year old little boy with the old soul.
I'm so glad I was a teenager during the 80's. I got to enjoy New Wave, Hair Metal, some of the best Pop Music, the start of Thrash, Post Punk, the roots of alternative rock, even early Hip Hop which was fun to listen to, etc. Plus the classics were still rockin'. What a great time for music.
I was a child of the '80s and a kid of the '90s. I regularly listen to music from the '60s to now, but the '80s remain my favorite. Mainstream radio was SO much more eclectic then--not to mention the slew of seminal college radio bands. My kids (11 and 12) routinely ask for my '80s playlist in the car. There's still a great deal of diversity in the music being made today overall, but Billboard Hot 100/Top 40 radio nowadays is rather monochrome and insipid.
@@ProfessorofRock Me too. I have been waiting for the pandemic to produce the next new genre of music or at least hit on the same energy we found in the late 70s and early 80s with new wave, punk etc. I have expected the pandemic to release energy, anger, and positivity --to take music from the three note Melodie’s ground today to something more. Along the line of B52s. Perhaps I have found the beginning of the trend I had expected. Check out Wet Leg. A band from the Isle of Wight….their songs Wet Dream, Chaisse Longue, and Oh No and Angelique are a fresh new sound that has a lot of inspiration from the Waitresses, Romeo Void, Pat Benatar, and the B52s to name a few. Enjoy
No doubt, Chet. I was younger but eventually came across all that you mentioned ... It was cool finding stuff in the 90s that I'd been to young in the 80s to appreciate, like Joy Division, 80s REM, etc.
I am so fortunate to have lived in the 60's, 70's and 80's, and I totally love watching your channel and interviews. I was young, and all of these songs have special meanings, because they all take me back to a certain moment in time. I know none of the new music, I listen to those old songs, TO REMEMBER!!!!! And to sing along, and remember those who I knew as a child, who are no longer with us. Keep great music alive!!!!
For me, the best song of 85 is, Everybody wants to rule the world. the opening guitar line is so melancholic, and the opening lyrics also are melancholic-"Welcome to your life, theres no turning back even while we sleep....." it always brings me back to the 80's
It’s why Tears for Fears are so AWESOME. That song gives me so much nostalgia for simpler times. It is criminal that I never got to live a single moment in 1985. I was only born in 2006…
I agree! If my life had a soundtrack, Everybody Wants To Rule The World would definitely be on it. It is high school to me. That and Don't You Forget About Me. They take me directly back to that time!
True, the sax line in "careless whisper" is unmistakable, iconic and like nothing else. It shines through any conditions. It would take a total vacuum to obscure it.
I graduated from HS in 1984 on Long Island listening to WLIR. It was summer, driving to fire island to surf and “When Doves Cry” came on the radio. I took a snapshot in my mind that it may not get better than this. MTV, Action Park, freedom from Cold War was around the corner. Still can well up with tears looking back. God bless the 80s and may God bless the USA.
I'm 60 and love the memories you give back to me❣And at the same time breaks my heart that the music now sucks. 💔Careless Whisper makes me feel as old as I am but love the memories❤
One of the best years in music. All the artist you mentioned, plus Dire Straits, Huey Lewis and the News, Tears For Fears, Hall & Oats, Sting, Howard Jones, Eurythmics, ABC, Thompson Twins, Commodores, A-Ha, Sade, Cyndi Lauper, Kool & The Gang, Duran Duran, etc… again definitely one of the best years!
At first I hated the music but after my roomier got hooked on MTV (I hated that too) and started listening to it I got into it...the videos (new at the time) especially I loved it...I was lucky to live in the 50s though the 80s
My husband of 28 years passed away last September and I’ve been listening to “Love songs” from the 70, 80, and 90’s ever since, driving my daughter crazy with them! Other then “Have I told you lately that I love you” (something I actually said to/asked him on a regular basis!) the songs in your video are in my personal top 10 favorites that I listen to to remember him every day! He was my soul mate and I’m finding it hard to live without him. Thanks for keeping this music alive for the next generation!
I LOVE Easy Lover. The tempo and lyrics are great, but for me, the "hook" is the incredible drum fills. As great as he was as a vocalist, Collins' drumming talent cannot be overstated.
I have a short story titled Easy Lover based on a true story of my life in 1985. The song has a small but prominent role in the story. That song instantly transports me to February 1985 which was one of the best times of my life. I play it often when I need to let the genie out of the bottle for a little dose of happiness.
During the 12 months from July 1983 to July 1984, 20 of pop's greatest albums of all time were released.... 1. Bruce Springsteen - Born in the USA 2. Prince - Purple Rain 3. Police - Synchronicity 4. Van Halen - 1984 5. Rolling Stones - Undercover 6. Culture Club - Colour by Numbers 7. Billy Joel - An Innocent Man 8. Lionel Richie - Can't Slow Down 9. Yes - 90125 10. Duran Duran - Seven and the Ragged Tiger 11. Cindy Lauper - She's So Unusual 12. Madonna - Madonna 13. Huey Lewis & The News - Sports 14. Tina Turner - Private Dancer 15. Metallica - Ride The Lightning 16. Scorpions - Love At First Sting 17. Chicago - 17 18. Judas Priest - Defenders of the Faith 19. Wham! - Make It Big 20. Footloose Soundtrack (Also, released before July 1983, but continued to be on Billboard's album charts in July 1983 and beyond) 1. Michael Jackson - Thriller 2. ZZ Top - Eliminator 3. Men At Work - Business As Usual 4. Flashdance Soundtrack 5. Def Leppard - Pyromania 6. Quiet Riot - Metal Health 7. Journey - Frontiers 8. Cuts Like A Knife - Bryan Adams 9. Talking Heads - Speaking in Tongues 10. Eurythmics - Swee Dreams So during that 12 months, 30 of the great albums of all time shared chart space. It was the single greatest 12 months in pop music history.
I came home about 10 years ago and found my 17 year old son in his room after his 1st heartbreak listening to I Wanna know what love is on repeat... The power and emotion of the song truly transcended generations.
My best friend Suzanne would listen to that and "I'm All Out Of Love" by Air Supply everytime she broke up with a boyfriend. She would bawl so hard listening to those songs 😆
TRY lay it on the line , By Triumph 1979 ,, Hold the line By Toto 1978 Dream on by Aerosmith 1975 .. Born to run By Bruce Springsteen 1975 ,, Bohemian Rhapsody By Queen 1975... Boston More than a feeling 1976 ,,, Not to shabby for just a feeeeeeeew Biggies from the 70s ,,, It was a blast being a teen in the 70s
You sir, are without a doubt, the Casey Kasem of the 21st century. I love what you do. A heartfelt thank you for keeping the music (especially that from the 60s, 70s, and 80s) alive!
I was born in 1982, so I'm too young to have experienced the 80s fully and consciously. But in retrospect I think the 80s were just the best decade ever. In music, in movies, TV, comedy and general in life. Sure, not everything was awesome for everyone everywhere (and certainly not all the time) but overall I think the 80s had the perfect balance between optimism and melancholia, global connectedness and personal privacy, technical advance and analogue mechanics. People lived for themselves and the ones close to them, not for the faceless masses on the other side of the screen.
I was born in 1984. I know exactly what you mean. I also think the 90's were pretty good for quality of life (generally) music wise, it had its ups and downs but it was such a fun time to be a kid. If you were lucky enough to be born in the 80's or 90's you were truly blessed. I would sell everything I have to go back.
It was a Golden Age in entertainment. Period. Hearing a good song or seeing an awesome movie/show was like crack. We had nothing "on demand" (aside from trips to rent a VHS/Betamax tape of a movie that had already been released 6 - 12 months prior). So, when you experienced a great piece of entertainment, every moment was savored. _Stranger Things_ does a pretty good job of capturing what it looked like and the general spirit. Oddly, Stephen King's whacky, low-budget, cocaine-fueled, _Maximum Overdrive_ movie captures something too. Goonies, too, of course. I'd better stop now. Millions of us are waiting for Doc Brown's DeLorean, just to go back. Many will never return.
Born in "72 and I wouldn't say it was the best but it was one of the most fun and comfortable. Pop culture was really hokey but we were all very excited about it. And there was so much silliness to get excited about and remember.
@@ProfessorofRock Also, "Turn Up the Radio" has always reminded me of a cross between Def Leppard and Van Halen, especially the "Waah!" scream towards the end, which is very reminiscent of DLR's scream in the chorus of "Runnin' with the Devil".
I could watch these 80’s Redux videos all day long, it’s great hearing how well our favorites have held up over time…When I see This 80’s Top10, it’s an automatic thumbs up and start the video… There’s no doubt that from 83-85 our music was the best, not to mention movies and tv… An absolute great time to be a teenager, not having to worry about cell phones and social media all the time… Just wanna add, I’d like to dedicate this 👍🏻 to the Professor of Rock for doing these videos… they are awesome!
I read an article recently lamenting how little new music is listened to, accounting for just 5% of all music streams. He pointed out that the number one songs are all 40 years old, i.e., the 1980s. It's not just us who think music peaked in the 1980s, Gen Z and Millennials listen to 1980s music more than their own time period.
My daughter is 26, she always listens to the '60's, '70's and especially the 80's music. When she got married she insisted on "Our Lips are Sealed" as her mother/daughter dance. ( Her daddy passed away from brain cancer in 2005 when she was 9)
I turned 21 in 1985...perfect for going to NY clubs to see the latest bands. Saw basically everyone that ended up having hits in 84-86...what a perfect time for music. Thanks for putting these videos together...best channel on UA-cam!
This commented reminded me of the lyric by Tom Cochrane & Red Rider from The Boy Inside the Man from 1986... "When I turned twenty-one we were outside on the run When I walked out with my girl We went halfway around the world"
I was 16... imagine that! The pop era, rock era, and the early years of when hip-hop was pure... A young Mike Tyson and young Michael Jordan, even a young Donald Trump. The best era ever
When "Foolish Heart" started playing, I instantly became emotional Steve Perry was one of my mom's favorite singers and this was one of her favorite songs. I remember her playing the "Street Talk" album many times, singing along to "Foolish Heart" and "Oh, Sherrie" (another one of her favorites.) She passed away a few years ago and any time I hear a favorite song of hers I think about how much I miss her and how quickly time passes. I'm grateful for the time I did have with her and I cherish all the wonderful memories connected with the music she (and I) loved.
I lost my mom 3 years ago and I really miss her too. The hardest thing about getting older is losing your parents. My mom loved music from the fifties and the sixties I think of her when I hear the oldies. One day we will get to see our moms again.
I agree 100%! The years between, say…. 83 and 86/87 were the best music has ever been or ever will be again. I’m so lucky I was in my youth during that time to fully experience it.
Each of these songs still rings the bell for me. They tug at so many memories and emotions that may fade with time, but all of those experiences come back to life once I hear them again.
My firstborn who happened to have been born in 8/1985 shared this gem with me today 8/2/23. I literally was bawling my eyes out listening to this, especially the REO part and George Michael. This may be TMI but I became with child at the very end of 1984 while listening to "Careless Whisper", and "I cant fight this feeling" was hitting the airwaves. I was going through a rough time with the relationship and with life altogether. That song and REO were my "consolation". My first pregnancy, my firstborn and that REO's "can't fight this feeling" will always go hand in hand till the day I die!
I agree that "Careless Whispers" is the standout song on this list and one of the best songs of that year. To me the other songs listed were good in their time, but I haven't even thought about them in years. I will say that when it comes to George Michael penning "Careless Whispers" at the age of 17, I am not surprised. Who else but a young person coming into manhood still has the openness and the awakening maturity it takes to open himself up in a song that is basically a love lament and a confessional at the same time. Truly a powerful ballad that still resonates today.
I’m 62 and been drumming for over 50 yrs. 👍🏻 Used to play ALL the new stuff… the louder and heavier, the better. 😢 Now all I play is oldies because there ISN’T any new stuff ! Damn I miss the 80’s and 90’s. Keep hammering em brother ! ! !
Love the over 30 min running time. I don't even have to listen to know this will be great(but I'm watching) I was 16 in 85. Thanks Professor. Have a great weekend
@@ProfessorofRock you're never too long, I've never watched the clock watching your episodes. Totally engrossing & I know I'm not the only one who gets excited when I see the notification for Professor of Rock pop up.
Hey Professor, Greatest compliment I can give you is that I never skip the ads in your videos. That is because I want you to get paid for your efforts and genius. I was 16 years old in the summer of 85 and love the memories that your videos bring. Thank you
85 Was a great year. Over here in the UK Go West came on the scene. Level 42 released Something About You. Great artists and songs in the top 40. Way too many to mention. Great memories of listening to it all every night on the legendary Radio Luxembourg.
Speaking of "Easy Lover", I'd love for you to do a video covering The 80's biggest duets. Songs like "Say Say Say" by Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson or "Next Time I fall" by Peter Cetera & Amy Grant, or "I Knew You Were Waiting For Me" by Aretha Franklin & George Michael, and "Almost Paradise" by Mike Reno & Ann Wilson. The list goes on and on. So many of these have become timeless classics that are still heard on playlists today. Your insight on some of these would be both entertaining and informative.
I don't know why but the 80s tunes that stuck most in my head from back in the day... "Tarzan Boy" by Baltimora, and "Rock me Amadeus" by Falco. Ridiculous songs but they are still stuck in my head hahaha.
80s pop music was mostly awful, but the radio stations were paid by the record companies to overplay songs/bands they were promoting. We were instructed to enjoy horrible music and enough people did that there's a professor of "rock" telling us how great over-produced pop music was in the 80s.
Watching this today reminded me very much of the Sunday mornings listening to American Top 40, however instead of just listening I'm watching, listening, and responding. Back then I was a senior in HS working on weekends. Being a sax player, 1985 featuring some of the best and last great solos featured in music as synthesizers began to take hold. The best year ever for me. Touring Europe playing my sax that Summer, seeing The PowerStation 3 times in 3 different time zones (they had a different opening act for each one. Serving drinks backstage at Live Aid with my girlfriend meeting a who's who of Rock and some R&B's best sadly some of whom have passed.away. Then starting beginning college. What a year!
@@bobberndt9744 No doubt. He had released his "Mr. C" album containing a duet Jackson Browne "You're A Friend Of Mine." I also found an earlier album of his that I thought was better. Clarence "Clemons and the Red Bank Rockers." Can't also forget John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band's albums. The soundtracks for "Eddie and the Cruisers" films and more. I saw them 3 times following my first Springsteen show. My favourite solo that I still listen to regularly is on the Dire Straits "Brothers In Arms" album called "Your Latest Trick. It features Randy Brecker (trpt) playing the intro followed by his legendary brother Michael Brecker on tenor throughout. So smooth. I think that song was inspired by "Private Dancer" by Tina Turner. Maybe Knopfler wrote both during the same session.
I was born in 1980. Some of my earliest memories of music come from sitting in the car with my parents, listening to some of the Now albums we had, as in Now That's What I Call Music. I still go back to those compilation albums now, and what continues to amaze me is not only the superb quality of the songs and the musicians, but the range of styles and genres. Pick a chart from any week in any year of the 80s, and you would find true diversity of music. So much variety to choose from. You could recognize the great producers of the time as well, by their unique sound. No doubt I'm fulfilling the cliche that each generation is condemned to fulfill, but I just don't hear that talent any more, and I sure don't hear the variety. It seems like there's literally about three styles these days. Mostly everybody trying to be either hiphop or dance. I don't hear exciting new producers with unique sound. If anything, the industry standard with people using the same software, the same pitch correction and autotune, quantising drums, when they bother to actually use drums. It all just starts to blend in to one noise. I feel like I should be reaching for my pipe and slippers, but really, it's just how I see it now.
It's the variety of the 80's that makes it so great. Everything today sounds the same, and its a terrible sound. But I guess you have to know the bad to appreciate the good.
I just googled top 10 of 2021 and got the list of time magazine. I actualy didn't know any of those 10 songs lol...but I listened to them and the variety is as big, if not bigger than any given 80ies year top ten. it's just an ilusion. couple that with the fact that all the crap from the 80ies is now filtered out and we only hear the good stuff from back than
I was telling my wife we are lucky to have grown up in the 70s and 80s because we got to experience so many old and new things. Kids today have no clue what they've missed out on.
One of my favorite memories of the 80's was doing a "jogathon" in high school, around the football field, to "Darling Nikki" by Prince. Like that could happen today! Thank you Professor for doing what you do.
Oh my...the nostalgia is real 🥰 I remember watching MTV while waiting for my bus...the good Ole days. MTV should be RTV now, because it went from music TV to reality TV. We need to bring MTV back to the glory days.
I graduated high school in 1980 and the music I grew up with was so amazing, there was nothing more exciting than going to the wherehouse to buy your albums, carefully peeling the plastic wrapper off and opening the album to find it open like a book with photos of the band and sometimes you could get a poster included. Those were the days, a completely different world than the one I live in now. Todays music is awful.
I doubt you listen to any of today's music. I'm not sure you're even making a distinction between the packaging music used to come in and the music itself.
Lived through the 80's, and can tell you that music isn't that much different, the key difference is the QUANTITY of good music. Every single song in the top ten of 1985 is a classic, as are all of the honorable mentions, but of last year's songs there may be only 2-3 of that level total. This has a lot to do with the music royalties. It was possible to make a ton of money on a music soundtrack album in the 80's, which is why Beverly Hills Cop comes up so often on this list. Look at the soundtrack for Top Gun Maverick. While the first Top Gun had several top hits on it, the new movie has almost nothing, with only 2 real songs on the album, neither of which lives up to the original. The industry is what it is, streaming revenue sucks unless you are top tier, music piracy is rampant, and I don't have a solution, but the incentives just don't exist to create great music, unless its a passion project, so it still gets made, just not like they used to.
It was a bad winter in Tn this year! Its amazing how memories anchor themselves to music and allow us to experience such a wide range of emotions about things that happened nearly 40 years ago!
33 minutes well spent. I love your stuff Professor. Music brings back so many memories of specific times, places, emotions, people. Thank you so much for what your doing. You and Casey Kasem are on equal footing
The appreciation of any art is subjective, but I never imagined people would ever be nostalgic for mid-80s pop music. At the time, everyone I knew very passionately hated mainstream 80s radio music, but we knew someone must be listening to it.
I felt the same about stuff in the 90s. The problem in the 80s was your comparison was effectively the treats of the 60s and 70s. Groups that ended up being the founders of genres that lasted for decades, and out performing every band that was ever likely to come after. Frankly blame the music industry execs.
@@SC-dm1ct I definitely blame the music execs for the horror that was 80s pop music. Payola, focus groups and image over substance made Billboard hits a nightmare of over-produced, cookie cutter schlock. I'm not a fan of the 90s either, but there was a nice little resurgence of DIY music before the industry swooped in, called it "grunge" and forced it to become sappy and vapid, like other radio music.
@@doctorfeelfunny584 I never liked it growing up, couldn't stand most synth sounds. That was until around 2014 when I just started listening to 80s music all of a sudden. I listened to a lot of 60s/70s from my dad and his radio choices.
I remember REO Speedwagon playing on my Red Sony Walkman as I topped the hill near the beach in summer and the cool sea breeze hit me and "I can't fight this feeling anymore........" It was an epic time and an epic song
Your love and appreciation of music is admirable and very apparent. I binge watch every couple weeks. Please don't ever stop. I truly envy you, talk about doing what you love and loving what you do.
love how you reference the movies and TV popular at the time as well, it's all part of what made the 80's and 90's so awesome that the latest generations only know how to copy it!!!
Man.. as a 80's teen all of these songs just gave me chills! Thanks, Prof! I remember hearing Careless Whisper for the first time on the radio at a friends house and I told him... 20 -30 years from now people are STILL going to play this song. It was THAT good! Now I'm off to create a playlist for all the songs of the Redux episodes! 😁
Fall 1985 was my first semester as a foreign student (freshman student) in USA. Listening to all these songs brings tears to my eyes.. such wonderful memories
@@fernandocuriel124 please don't take my rebuttal too seriously: Ok, person who grew up with Tinder and can UA-cam any song ever, and can FaceTime anyone in the world at any time for free...You're envious of our times? I'd add that we grew up with the threat of nuclear war, but this past year has been surprising. Back in the '80s (white) people were envious of the 1950s. (It was worse for minorities then, so I specify race for this nostalgia). People complained that rock is dead, synthesizers ruined music, this new music isn't cool anymore...and isn't good. In short, people tend to have escapist tendencies, the grass is always greener and we tend to view the past with rose colored lenses. Our love for music is both from experiences, having grown up with the music, forgetting the songs we hated, cultural associations, etc. Every era has the same. When I was young I saw or read a play where old men complained about how much better it used to be. I realized that point of view is psychological and has to do with where you are in life. I decided I didn't want to be that old man who really believes things were actually better. But anyway, enjoy the music of my childhood any time with modern technology! I'm so happy I can listen to songs I haven't heard in almost 40 years! I realized this is long. That's for reading.
1985 is probably my fav year during the 80's decade. So many amazing albums that year that were strong from beginning to end. And not only were most of them loaded with hits but many of the album tracks were so good that they could've probably been singles as well. So I encourage anyone who only knows the hits, by your fav artist, to go back and listen to those entire albums. You'll likely be very surprised at all the interesting & wonderful music that you missed out on.
I love the 1980s, but I didn't have much interest in the top 10 or mainstream music at that time. Reflecting back, the Professors' point is well-made here: even music that I dismissed and even mocked 40 years ago has proven to be wildly superior to the passionless conformity and musical triteness of the "product" being peddled to the masses these days.
Mark Allen After the '80s, music became harder to buy. By the '90s they phased out 45s and crammed everything onto tiny cassette tapes, making it hard to buy or play a particular song. When you wanted to have a record party 45s were perfect. They were lightweight, easy to manage, easy to transport, easy to file, quick to change, easy to sort. But with tapes it took too much time to hunt and peck to maintain a variety. That's about the time I said the hell with it and stopped buying music.
@@lancasterritzyescargotdine2602 - Yes, but you could record your own party mixes on cassette with very little faff, and listen to it on a Walkman. Couldn’t do either with 45 records.
@@sirrathersplendid4825 Sure, but who has all that extra time to first dump everything onto a cassette? With a stack of 45s you go thru them once - like Grant went thru Richmond, and you're done. I didn't have a Walkman, but I could always buy cassettes for one if I did. If they ever brought 45s back - even in the size of CDs - I'd use them.
I turned 24 in 85, so I grew up through some of best music ever. I was never a Wham fan but GM won my heart with his tribute to Freddie Mercury and his performance of Somebody to Love. Great stuff professor.
Just wanted to tell you how great your channel is...huge fan of what you do and have to say, Casey Kasem would be proud. I think you're continuing what he started many, many years ago. I used to love hearing American Top 40 Countdown and all the stories he would read (his blooper reels are epic! Never thought I'd hear Shaggy/Kasem curse like a sailor but...there it is!). At any rate, your research is fantastic, knowledge of music charts/history is amazing. That being said, thank you for what you do for all of your subs, for keeping the torch lit for Mr. Kasem and for the quality and quantity of content. Phenomenal job sir! It's not a good day if I don't catch at least a couple of your videos throughout my day. No doubt many others feel the same way I do about you and the channel.
@@cc1k435 You should have lived in the 70s WOOOOW ... Dukes of Hazard 1979, Dalles 1978 Love Boat 1977 ,,,Charlies Angles 1977 Sanford and son 1972 Welcome back Kotter 1976 Streets of Sanfran 1972 ,, Rockford Files 1975 ,, Maud 1974 ,, All in the Family ,, 1971 MASH 1972 Fantasy Island 1978 Most of the biggest Rock bands were FORMED IN THE 70s . From Queen to ACDC .To Van Hellen . The Eagles to Aerosmith ..
My mom LOVED REO Speedwagon. Her records were my toy box, and she had such a diverse array of music. I bought this record later in life, and it still makes me think of my mom. My dad can’t stand Kevin’s voice, though, so it’s a great torture mechanism. 😁
"Loverboy" is such an underrated song! That's my jam! Billy Ocean is awesome. Was gonna see him in Vegas in 2020, but COVID. Still hope I get a chance, cause Billy is the man. "Easy Lover" is my #1 of the Top 10. I was very lucky to see Phil Collins on his First Farewell Tour. The crowd popped the loudest and got the most excited for "Easy Lover". The intro is iconic.
Hey Adam, I haven't checked in for awhile, had some health issues , I'm gonna start catching up on missed episodes, thanks for keeping great music alive !!! Bruce.
Brother I have to be honest. These songs drew a few tears. Happy Tears. Thanks for sharing the Memories of thinking where I was in my life. I’m an “old” man now but music has always been a part of my life. Going back with you and hearing some of these great songs has really reminded me of how wonderful that time was. Thanks again my Friend. 💕
One of my favorite years of music. I think what makes the 80's pop scene so good, is that on the radio one minute you could be listening to Van Halen, then The Pointer Sisters, then Foreigner, then Ah Ha, then Dire Straits. So ecclectic and fun.
Little known fact about "Neutron Dance" is that the line "someone stole my brand new Chevrolet" actually happened outside the place as the song was being written.
Hey, Adam, this is the fourth Redux video I saw this week only. I love the memories you as share, it's fascinating that you remember all of these. Thank you!
Hearing Ocean sing Loverbory again after all these years, it really strikes me. I miss Billy a lot! For some reason, I thought he had passed away and checked to make sure he is still with us (March, 2022) and I'm thrilled to know he is! Thank you for that! That one item makes my day. Christopher Cross' vocals always go straight to my heart. Think of Laura is my favorite, but they were ALL great. Chris is another one I miss. If he put out an album today, I would buy it sound-unheard.
The Pointer Sisters! Shameful that they have not yet been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as they have been so successful in so many music genres it's hard to believe they haven't been inducted yet.
Final year in high school first term at University. One of the most influential years of my life. I had AxelF on 12 inch single...... Awesome memories, thanks Professor
I’ve watched this video a few times. In 1985 I was 15 and as I watch this my son is now 15. Not sure his experience is the same as mine, but I think it’s a pivotal age. I’ll be curious to see how his time through this age stage compares in the years to come. He’s a drummer so he listens to a lot of this music. Time can be so transcending!
1985 was when I fully got into music. I was 11, and after finding this Tv show called KIdd Video, I started buying anything and everything I could get my hands on. (Thank you Columbia house 11 tapes for 1 cent and Mom for the use of her credit card.) Now 48 years old, I still jam out to all these and more any chance I get. (Thank you You Tube!)
I loved listening to all of the wonderful songs from the '80s. Two songs that came out in 1985, I think, were Don't you Forget About Me," Simple Minds. I loved the movie, "The Breakfast Club," and this song has a haunting quality about it and goes so well with the movie. I also loved the song, " How Will I Know"? by Whitney Houston. I didn't listen to her later songs but I used to love running to this song. It is so joyful. She wasn't much older than me and I can't imagine the pressures she went through but I loved her early hits so much.
Yes, I have to say I agree with how these songs landed in the final recalibration. For me, there is no one like George Michael and probably never will be again. Tell me anyone today who could sing and hold their own with greats like Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Mary J. Blige. Who could cover songs by Stevie Wonder, Freddie Mercury and Bonnie Raitt making them his own while honoring their creator? Who could sing every live performance with astounding pitch perfect accuracy? I honestly can't think of anyone but George. I recently watched a video of George in one of the performances later in his life doing John and Elvis are dead. It was absolute perfection and it made me cry knowing he is now gone as well. Thank you for this POR.
1985 was the year I discovered Take On Me, which inspired me to get into the whole synth world of music myself… I was just 13… but that year was also stacked with so many hits that take me right back… wish I could go back as well… 👍🏼💪🏼
Don't You Forget About Me - Simple Minds Boys Of Summer - Don Henley Shout - Tears For Fears Smooth Operator - Sade Every Time You Go Away - Paul Young
I smile when I hear these old songs that i haven't heard in decades, even for the songs that I never really liked, they are still a part of my history.
Wow, "Can't Fight This Feeling" took me right back to falling for a college friend that year. Hearing it again brought back the tears. Such great music!
I grew up in the 80's, I can't explain the feelings that come over me when I hear music from like Creedence Clear. 80's music makes me feel young again.
I miss the 80’s soooo much! I was so lucky to be a teenager and young adult in the 1980’s!! I started High school in 1980 when I was 14 then in 1986 I turned 20 so the 1980’s were absolutely the best decade ever. There will never be another time like the 80’s.
Poll: 1985! What are your picks for the greatest songs of that beautiful year?
As tempted as I am to say "Shout" or "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" (for obvious reasons), I'm going to have to say my favorite is "The Power Of Love" by Huey Lewis & the News. But seriously, how do you pick between "Take On Me," "Money For Nothing," and "We Built This City"??
Bruh. Why do you have to make this so hard?
Side note: My kids know all these awesome 80's tunes because they're still using them in movie soundtracks to this day. Tells you something.
Take On Me - A-ha
Money For Nothing - Dire Straits
Sentimental Street - Night Ranger
Head Over Heels - Tears For Fears
Hands down; Mike & Mechanics' "Silent Running"... I made a mix tape with only that song on it... still have it, even though I have nothing to play it on!
1984 and 1985 are my two favourite years from the eighties, when the decade hit its peak in my view.
Boys Of Summer Don Henley
Duel- Propaganda
Cherish- Kool and the Gang
We Are The World- USA For Africa
Crazy For You- Madonna
Into The Groove- Madonna
Just A Shadow- Big Country
1999- Prince
Bring On The Dancing Horses- Echo and the Bunnymen
Take On Me- Aha
Cyndi Lauper- Change Of Heart
Blue- Fine Young Cannibals
Since Yesterday- Strawberry Switchblade
I Was Born To Love-You Freddie Mercury
Love Kills- Freddie Mercury
History- Mai Tai
King In A Catholic Style- China Crisis
Every Time You Go Away- Paul Young
Everything Must Change- Paul Young
Separate Lives- Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin
Life in a Northern Town- The Dream Academy
Love Is A Battlefield- Pat Benatar
Every Step Of The Way- John Waite
Goodbye Lucille- Prefab Sprout
Secret- OMD
So In Love- OMD
Love Parade- Dream Academy
That Was Yesterday- Foreigner
Body Rock- Maria Vidal
Love Like Blood- Killing Joke
The Power of Love- Jennifer Rush
Love and Pride- King
The Taste Of Your Tears- King
Wide Boy -Nik Kershaw
Can't Fight This Feeling REO Speedwagon
Icing On The Cake Stephen Duffy
A View To A Kill Duran Duran
That Was Yesterday by Foreigner... Still gives me chills
I met the girl of my dreams in 83, we married in 84 and almost a year later on our 1st year anniversary in 85, we had our first child. Yup, we are still together today, having fun. She just came outside on the porch, sat next to me and started singing along with your #1 pick. Great show and thanks for what you do. I also, like yourself, miss very much the man himself, Casey Casum.
Casey was awesome
Kasem.
God, I miss the 80's.
i still remember CaseyK. doing the rest of the story
You really got married in 84. In my opinion best year for music. It’s my uncles fav too haha.
The whole 80's decade was awesome!! If you were a teen in that era you had the best music, cartoons, toys and so on.... Never again will this level of awesomeness will be experienced!!
Back when music was real, before the rise of boy bands and manufactured music became king.
Though looking back a those cartoons I loved so much, I tend to cringe when I try to re-watch some of them, such as G.I. Joe, He-Man and Thundercats. Though Tom & Jerry, Yogi Bear, the Flintstones, and the like still hold up pretty well.
Agreed. Was born in 65
Neutron dance is such a bop
I love it ❣️❣️❣️❣️
I remember Duran Duran, Culture Club, U2, and so many greats
@@TheCaniblcat Yeah Voltron too, that was pretty cringe when I rewatched it a few years ago! It was an early '90s and not '80s cartoon but Exosquad holds up really well, I rewatched it during lockdown on Peacock, it is a sin it was put on the chopping block because some studio exec wanted it canceled. It definitely deserves a reboot and continuation since the first two season were just setup for the real story!
The Wham song has a very special place in my heart. My 5 year old son had just passed away in Cleveland at the Cleveland Clinic. He had an inoperable brain tumor. My now ex wife and I were returning home to Indiana when this song came on. “Now that you’re gone” made be cry my eyes out. I know this is sad, but the song always reminds me of that 5 year old little boy with the old soul.
❤🙏🏿
I am sincerely sorry.
As they say, the song remembers when. 😢
😢❤😢
I'm so glad I was a teenager during the 80's. I got to enjoy New Wave, Hair Metal, some of the best Pop Music, the start of Thrash, Post Punk, the roots of alternative rock, even early Hip Hop which was fun to listen to, etc. Plus the classics were still rockin'. What a great time for music.
Exactly. SO much to choose from.
I was a child of the '80s and a kid of the '90s. I regularly listen to music from the '60s to now, but the '80s remain my favorite. Mainstream radio was SO much more eclectic then--not to mention the slew of seminal college radio bands. My kids (11 and 12) routinely ask for my '80s playlist in the car.
There's still a great deal of diversity in the music being made today overall, but Billboard Hot 100/Top 40 radio nowadays is rather monochrome and insipid.
@@ProfessorofRock Me too. I have been waiting for the pandemic to produce the next new genre of music or at least hit on the same energy we found in the late 70s and early 80s with new wave, punk etc. I have expected the pandemic to release energy, anger, and positivity --to take music from the three note Melodie’s ground today to something more. Along the line of B52s. Perhaps I have found the beginning of the trend I had expected. Check out Wet Leg. A band from the Isle of Wight….their songs Wet Dream, Chaisse Longue, and Oh No and Angelique are a fresh new sound that has a lot of inspiration from the Waitresses, Romeo Void, Pat Benatar, and the B52s to name a few. Enjoy
Chet, well said! The 70s had excellent diversity in offerings as well!
No doubt, Chet. I was younger but eventually came across all that you mentioned ... It was cool finding stuff in the 90s that I'd been to young in the 80s to appreciate, like Joy Division, 80s REM, etc.
I am so fortunate to have lived in the 60's, 70's and 80's, and I totally love watching your channel and interviews. I was young, and all of these songs have special meanings, because they all take me back to a certain moment in time. I know none of the new music, I listen to those old songs, TO REMEMBER!!!!! And to sing along, and remember those who I knew as a child, who are no longer with us. Keep great music alive!!!!
Same here. I'd add the first half of the 90s.
Ditto baby!!! Born in 63, I was in my early twenties and it was a great time for music 🎶 🎵 I had a lot of fun in those carefree years!!!
The 80’s was my favourite decade of my life. The music was fantastic!
Definitely in my top 6
Nah 70's were the best! 😂 Lol
Let me guess...you were in your teens or 20s Lil
For me, the 80's music is The Music. And everything else feels inferior, no matter released before the 80's or after.
@@conniesue1111also 1960s
For me, the best song of 85 is, Everybody wants to rule the world. the opening guitar line is so melancholic, and the opening lyrics also are melancholic-"Welcome to your life, theres no turning back even while we sleep....." it always brings me back to the 80's
One of my favorite songs of all time. It would come later in the year...
It’s why Tears for Fears are so AWESOME. That song gives me so much nostalgia for simpler times. It is criminal that I never got to live a single moment in 1985. I was only born in 2006…
Rich Beato dedicates a "What Makes This Song Great" video to "EWtRtW" :)
@ghost mall Thx!
I agree! If my life had a soundtrack, Everybody Wants To Rule The World would definitely be on it. It is high school to me. That and Don't You Forget About Me. They take me directly back to that time!
True, the sax line in "careless whisper" is unmistakable, iconic and like nothing else. It shines through any conditions. It would take a total vacuum to obscure it.
I graduated from HS in 1984 on Long Island listening to WLIR. It was summer, driving to fire island to surf and “When Doves Cry” came on the radio. I took a snapshot in my mind that it may not get better than this. MTV, Action Park, freedom from Cold War was around the corner. Still can well up with tears looking back. God bless the 80s and may God bless the USA.
Those of us who grew up in the 80's are so lucky.
I concur
SOOOOOO LUCKY.
...ding-ding-DING! ...simple comment, with a LOT of meaning.....
Even MORE fortunate are those who were raised in the 1970's.
Most definitely !
I was a high school senior in 1985. Such fond memories. Wish it could have lasted forever!
*SAME!* 😊 One of the best times of my life.
me too.
Same here
So was I
Yup graduated at 17 in 1985.
I'm 60 and love the memories you give back to me❣And at the same time breaks my heart that the music now sucks. 💔Careless Whisper makes me feel as old as I am but love the memories❤
I was 19 in 85 and I still consider it one of the best years of my life.
Same...Same!!
Totally agree! I graduated high school in 85.
I was 17 and just graduated High School. Everything was so different then. My youngest just graduated High School. Times sure have changed.
Same here!
I was four in 1985 and a year away from starting school.
One of the best years in music. All the artist you mentioned, plus Dire Straits, Huey Lewis and the News, Tears For Fears, Hall & Oats, Sting, Howard Jones, Eurythmics, ABC, Thompson Twins, Commodores, A-Ha, Sade, Cyndi Lauper, Kool & The Gang, Duran Duran, etc… again definitely one of the best years!
At first I hated the music but after my roomier got hooked on MTV (I hated that too) and started listening to it I got into it...the videos (new at the time) especially I loved it...I was lucky to live in the 50s though the 80s
@@cbroz7492 wow now that is amazing, so lucky alright!
'85 was smack in the middle of the best 5 years of Pop/Rock era '83-'87!! Too many amazing bands and songs to list. So many all time greats.
Dire straits so underrated imo
God i hate huey lewis. Ug.
My husband of 28 years passed away last September and I’ve been listening to “Love songs” from the 70, 80, and 90’s ever since, driving my daughter crazy with them! Other then “Have I told you lately that I love you” (something I actually said to/asked him on a regular basis!) the songs in your video are in my personal top 10 favorites that I listen to to remember him every day! He was my soul mate and I’m finding it hard to live without him. Thanks for keeping this music alive for the next generation!
Growing up and being 16 in 1985 was the best time ever to be a teenager. The 60’s and 80’s were amazing decades in the history of music.
You for got the 70s
Cars, ELO, REO, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood 1:58 Mac, ABBA, The Who, meat Loaf, kiss, Linda Ronstadt, Supertramp, 70s
I LOVE Easy Lover. The tempo and lyrics are great, but for me, the "hook" is the incredible drum fills. As great as he was as a vocalist, Collins' drumming talent cannot be overstated.
Easy Lover was also the theme song to the first Wrestlemania!!!!
And Phillip Bailey's and Phil Collins' voices worked very well together. Kids today are deprived of good music.
Whenever I hear the song, I listen to it
That song is great!
I have a short story titled Easy Lover based on a true story of my life in 1985. The song has a small but prominent role in the story. That song instantly transports me to February 1985 which was one of the best times of my life. I play it often when I need to let the genie out of the bottle for a little dose of happiness.
80’s music is the music of my life. I appreciate your videos. Thank you.
During the 12 months from July 1983 to July 1984, 20 of pop's greatest albums of all time were released....
1. Bruce Springsteen - Born in the USA
2. Prince - Purple Rain
3. Police - Synchronicity
4. Van Halen - 1984
5. Rolling Stones - Undercover
6. Culture Club - Colour by Numbers
7. Billy Joel - An Innocent Man
8. Lionel Richie - Can't Slow Down
9. Yes - 90125
10. Duran Duran - Seven and the Ragged Tiger
11. Cindy Lauper - She's So Unusual
12. Madonna - Madonna
13. Huey Lewis & The News - Sports
14. Tina Turner - Private Dancer
15. Metallica - Ride The Lightning
16. Scorpions - Love At First Sting
17. Chicago - 17
18. Judas Priest - Defenders of the Faith
19. Wham! - Make It Big
20. Footloose Soundtrack
(Also, released before July 1983, but continued to be on Billboard's album charts in July 1983 and beyond)
1. Michael Jackson - Thriller
2. ZZ Top - Eliminator
3. Men At Work - Business As Usual
4. Flashdance Soundtrack
5. Def Leppard - Pyromania
6. Quiet Riot - Metal Health
7. Journey - Frontiers
8. Cuts Like A Knife - Bryan Adams
9. Talking Heads - Speaking in Tongues
10. Eurythmics - Swee Dreams
So during that 12 months, 30 of the great albums of all time shared chart space. It was the single greatest 12 months in pop music history.
Thanks 😊
You are totally right
Even as someone who grew up in the 80s but whose first love was punk, I can't argue with what you wrote at all. Man!, the 80s were so good!
Trully that era was a "golden age" ! My era!
I was just leaving jr.high for high school. Wham and Madonna combined to trigger the "fluorescent age." All the girls glowed.
Yuck. But there was some great music at the time, if you were willing to venture out of the mainstream.
The 80s were one of my favorite decades. Wonderful music and times.
Careless Whisper is still the one song that makes me pull over to the side of the road and just reminisce.
I came home about 10 years ago and found my 17 year old son in his room after his 1st heartbreak listening to I Wanna know what love is on repeat... The power and emotion of the song truly transcended generations.
My best friend Suzanne would listen to that and "I'm All Out Of Love" by Air Supply everytime she broke up with a boyfriend. She would bawl so hard listening to those songs 😆
Foreigner's "I Want To Know What Love Is" is still my #1 of all time 37 years later and will be 37 years from now.
No, you'll be dead.
Me too
"Drunk Uncle" from SNL...
TRY lay it on the line , By Triumph 1979 ,, Hold the line By Toto 1978 Dream on by Aerosmith 1975 .. Born to run By Bruce Springsteen 1975 ,, Bohemian Rhapsody By Queen 1975... Boston More than a feeling 1976 ,,, Not to shabby for just a feeeeeeeew Biggies from the 70s ,,, It was a blast being a teen in the 70s
@@theodoreritola7641 I prefer The Wolf Totem by The Hu
I graduated from high school in 1985. Such an awesome time this brought back some great memories.
Me too!
Me too! Great year
You sir, are without a doubt, the Casey Kasem of the 21st century. I love what you do. A heartfelt thank you for keeping the music (especially that from the 60s, 70s, and 80s) alive!
He is the closest thing to Casey Kasem I can get to in the 21st century.
With the exception of very little attention to R&B on the pop charts
Totally agree! Can't get enough of this channel. It ticks all the boxes.
I was born in 1982, so I'm too young to have experienced the 80s fully and consciously. But in retrospect I think the 80s were just the best decade ever. In music, in movies, TV, comedy and general in life. Sure, not everything was awesome for everyone everywhere (and certainly not all the time) but overall I think the 80s had the perfect balance between optimism and melancholia, global connectedness and personal privacy, technical advance and analogue mechanics. People lived for themselves and the ones close to them, not for the faceless masses on the other side of the screen.
I was born in 1984. I know exactly what you mean. I also think the 90's were pretty good for quality of life (generally) music wise, it had its ups and downs but it was such a fun time to be a kid. If you were lucky enough to be born in the 80's or 90's you were truly blessed. I would sell everything I have to go back.
I was 14/15 in 1982. It was great. Welcome to the club.
It was a Golden Age in entertainment. Period. Hearing a good song or seeing an awesome movie/show was like crack. We had nothing "on demand" (aside from trips to rent a VHS/Betamax tape of a movie that had already been released 6 - 12 months prior). So, when you experienced a great piece of entertainment, every moment was savored.
_Stranger Things_ does a pretty good job of capturing what it looked like and the general spirit. Oddly, Stephen King's whacky, low-budget, cocaine-fueled, _Maximum Overdrive_ movie captures something too. Goonies, too, of course. I'd better stop now.
Millions of us are waiting for Doc Brown's DeLorean, just to go back. Many will never return.
@@makerealitygreatagain8809 1983 here. Yeah, the 90s was okay, generally speaking. 👍🏽
Born in "72 and I wouldn't say it was the best but it was one of the most fun and comfortable. Pop culture was really hokey but we were all very excited about it. And there was so much silliness to get excited about and remember.
I was a major Wham! fan. “Everything She Wants”, “I’m Your Man” and “Freedom” are still amazing. OMG.
RIP Alex Trebek. There'll never be another "Jeopardy!" host like him.
You can say that again!
@@ProfessorofRock Also, "Turn Up the Radio" has always reminded me of a cross between Def Leppard and Van Halen, especially the "Waah!" scream towards the end, which is very reminiscent of DLR's scream in the chorus of "Runnin' with the Devil".
I’ll take 1985 for 500, Alex.
One of a kind.
I could watch these 80’s Redux videos all day long, it’s great hearing how well our favorites have held up over time…When I see This 80’s Top10, it’s an automatic thumbs up and start the video… There’s no doubt that from 83-85 our music was the best, not to mention movies and tv… An absolute great time to be a teenager, not having to worry about cell phones and social media all the time… Just wanna add, I’d like to dedicate this 👍🏻 to the Professor of Rock for doing these videos… they are awesome!
I read an article recently lamenting how little new music is listened to, accounting for just 5% of all music streams. He pointed out that the number one songs are all 40 years old, i.e., the 1980s. It's not just us who think music peaked in the 1980s, Gen Z and Millennials listen to 1980s music more than their own time period.
New music is little listened to because it's garbage
@@GreatUSTreasureHunt
Few real musicians now...just dorks rapping to a beat box.
90s were pretty good also, things started getting bad as the 00s progressed
@@PaddyDogg The 70s were TOP ,,
My daughter is 26, she always listens to the '60's, '70's and especially the 80's music. When she got married she insisted on "Our Lips are Sealed" as her mother/daughter dance. ( Her daddy passed away from brain cancer in 2005 when she was 9)
I turned 21 in 1985...perfect for going to NY clubs to see the latest bands. Saw basically everyone that ended up having hits in 84-86...what a perfect time for music. Thanks for putting these videos together...best channel on UA-cam!
This commented reminded me of the lyric by Tom Cochrane & Red Rider from The Boy Inside the Man from 1986...
"When I turned twenty-one
we were outside on the run
When I walked out with my girl
We went halfway around the world"
I was 16... imagine that!
The pop era, rock era, and the early years of when hip-hop was pure...
A young Mike Tyson and young Michael Jordan, even a young Donald Trump. The best era ever
When "Foolish Heart" started playing, I instantly became emotional Steve Perry was one of my mom's favorite singers and this was one of her favorite songs. I remember her playing the "Street Talk" album many times, singing along to "Foolish Heart" and "Oh, Sherrie" (another one of her favorites.) She passed away a few years ago and any time I hear a favorite song of hers I think about how much I miss her and how quickly time passes. I'm grateful for the time I did have with her and I cherish all the wonderful memories connected with the music she (and I) loved.
I lost my mom 3 years ago and I really miss her too. The hardest thing about getting older is losing your parents. My mom loved music from the fifties and the sixties I think of her when I hear the oldies. One day we will get to see our moms again.
Exactly the same regarding my own mom and her favorite music. ❤️✨ to you.
I agree 100%! The years between, say…. 83 and 86/87 were the best music has ever been or ever will be again. I’m so lucky I was in my youth during that time to fully experience it.
The 80's were good... but that is high praise considering what happened in the 60's and 70's
@@addictedtominisandlovingit3912 Probably true. Being born in the early 70’s I missed that experience though.
60's and 70's were better than the 80's so were the cars
@@markhall6306 i agree with you about the cars. But not the cars.
@@walkerb1734 Doors Hendrix Annimals Cream Mama's and Popas better then the 80's
Each of these songs still rings the bell for me. They tug at so many memories and emotions that may fade with time, but all of those experiences come back to life once I hear them again.
I was 19 in March of 1985. What a magical time to be alive. Thanks for transporting us back in time, if even for just a few minutes.
Me too
My firstborn who happened to have been born in 8/1985 shared this gem with me today 8/2/23. I literally was bawling my eyes out listening to this, especially the REO part and George Michael. This may be TMI but I became with child at the very end of 1984 while listening to "Careless Whisper", and "I cant fight this feeling" was hitting the airwaves. I was going through a rough time with the relationship and with life altogether. That song and REO were my "consolation". My first pregnancy, my firstborn and that REO's "can't fight this feeling" will always go hand in hand till the day I die!
We don’t yet have the technology to travel in time, but in the meantime, we have the Professor of Rock!
I think we can all agree that one of the main trips with a working time machine will have to be to the 80's.
I agree that "Careless Whispers" is the standout song on this list and one of the best songs of that year. To me the other songs listed were good in their time, but I haven't even thought about them in years.
I will say that when it comes to George Michael penning "Careless Whispers" at the age of 17, I am not surprised. Who else but a young person coming into manhood still has the openness and the awakening maturity it takes to open himself up in a song that is basically a love lament and a confessional at the same time.
Truly a powerful ballad that still resonates today.
Seether's cover of Careless Whisper is amazing.
You gotta hear sexy sax man’s version :)
It’s “Careless Whisper.” Singular.
I'm 63 and drumming for over 50 years. I love your show and your talent. Keep rocking! Thanks!!!
I’m 62 and been drumming for over 50 yrs. 👍🏻 Used to play ALL the new stuff… the louder and heavier, the better. 😢 Now all I play is oldies because there ISN’T any new stuff ! Damn I miss the 80’s and 90’s. Keep hammering em brother ! ! !
1985 was a magical time in music. Just like the entire decade!🔥
1984, not 85'
Love the over 30 min running time. I don't even have to listen to know this will be great(but I'm watching) I was 16 in 85. Thanks Professor. Have a great weekend
It got a little long but time well spent talking 80s!
@@ProfessorofRock you're never too long, I've never watched the clock watching your episodes. Totally engrossing & I know I'm not the only one who gets excited when I see the notification for Professor of Rock pop up.
Hey Professor,
Greatest compliment I can give you is that I never skip the ads in your videos. That is because I want you to get paid for your efforts and genius.
I was 16 years old in the summer of 85 and love the memories that your videos bring.
Thank you
I am 61. Music is magic it takes you back. I was graduating from college and had the world by the balls or so I thought😁
85 Was a great year. Over here in the UK Go West came on the scene. Level 42 released Something About You. Great artists and songs in the top 40. Way too many to mention. Great memories of listening to it all every night on the legendary Radio Luxembourg.
Something about You! That slap bass is infectious! Deserved a mention here.
what about Madness?
Speaking of "Easy Lover", I'd love for you to do a video covering The 80's biggest duets. Songs like "Say Say Say" by Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson or "Next Time I fall" by Peter Cetera & Amy Grant, or "I Knew You Were Waiting For Me" by Aretha Franklin & George Michael, and "Almost Paradise" by Mike Reno & Ann Wilson. The list goes on and on. So many of these have become timeless classics that are still heard on playlists today. Your insight on some of these would be both entertaining and informative.
Yes please … Superb request.
Ohh next time I fall!!!! Love love it 🥰
I don't know why but the 80s tunes that stuck most in my head from back in the day... "Tarzan Boy" by Baltimora, and "Rock me Amadeus" by Falco. Ridiculous songs but they are still stuck in my head hahaha.
80s pop music was mostly awful, but the radio stations were paid by the record companies to overplay songs/bands they were promoting. We were instructed to enjoy horrible music and enough people did that there's a professor of "rock" telling us how great over-produced pop music was in the 80s.
@@doctorfeelfunny584 And for me, his nick- name is a sort of false flag namin'. Greeds from Europe...
@@melchiorvonsternberg844 "Top 40 Pop Tutor"
I can't sing along to 'Rock Me Amadeus' without changing the lyrics to 'Hot Potatoes'.
SPEAKING of ridiculous songs what about Nina Hagen?
Watching this today reminded me very much of the Sunday mornings listening to American Top 40, however instead of just listening I'm watching, listening, and responding. Back then I was a senior in HS working on weekends. Being a sax player, 1985 featuring some of the best and last great solos featured in music as synthesizers began to take hold. The best year ever for me. Touring Europe playing my sax that Summer, seeing The PowerStation 3 times in 3 different time zones (they had a different opening act for each one. Serving drinks backstage at Live Aid with my girlfriend meeting a who's who of Rock and some R&B's best sadly some of whom have passed.away. Then starting beginning college. What a year!
Don't forget Clarence Clemons accents in Bruce Springsteens tunes. 🎷🎵
@@bobberndt9744 No doubt. He had released his "Mr. C" album containing a duet Jackson Browne "You're A Friend Of Mine." I also found an earlier album of his that I thought was better. Clarence "Clemons and the Red Bank Rockers." Can't also forget John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band's albums. The soundtracks for "Eddie and the Cruisers" films and more. I saw them 3 times following my first Springsteen show. My favourite solo that I still listen to regularly is on the Dire Straits "Brothers In Arms" album called "Your Latest Trick. It features Randy Brecker (trpt) playing the intro followed by his legendary brother Michael Brecker on tenor throughout. So smooth. I think that song was inspired by "Private Dancer" by Tina Turner. Maybe Knopfler wrote both during the same session.
@@seanswinton6242 Search for "Dreams" self-titled. Has the Brecker Bros, Billy Cobham & others. New York is one of my favorite cuts from that release.
I was born in 1980. Some of my earliest memories of music come from sitting in the car with my parents, listening to some of the Now albums we had, as in Now That's What I Call Music. I still go back to those compilation albums now, and what continues to amaze me is not only the superb quality of the songs and the musicians, but the range of styles and genres. Pick a chart from any week in any year of the 80s, and you would find true diversity of music. So much variety to choose from. You could recognize the great producers of the time as well, by their unique sound. No doubt I'm fulfilling the cliche that each generation is condemned to fulfill, but I just don't hear that talent any more, and I sure don't hear the variety. It seems like there's literally about three styles these days. Mostly everybody trying to be either hiphop or dance. I don't hear exciting new producers with unique sound. If anything, the industry standard with people using the same software, the same pitch correction and autotune, quantising drums, when they bother to actually use drums. It all just starts to blend in to one noise. I feel like I should be reaching for my pipe and slippers, but really, it's just how I see it now.
It's the variety of the 80's that makes it so great. Everything today sounds the same, and its a terrible sound. But I guess you have to know the bad to appreciate the good.
I just googled top 10 of 2021 and got the list of time magazine. I actualy didn't know any of those 10 songs lol...but I listened to them and the variety is as big, if not bigger than any given 80ies year top ten. it's just an ilusion. couple that with the fact that all the crap from the 80ies is now filtered out and we only hear the good stuff from back than
@@Jaburu - Let me see that list you found.
@@Lvatopesado have fun
@@Jaburu - didn't.
@@Lvatopesado hehe
1985 was a phenomenal time to be in college!! Life was just so much fun!
I was telling my wife we are lucky to have grown up in the 70s and 80s because we got to experience so many old and new things. Kids today have no clue what they've missed out on.
Frfr
That’s actually Mariel Hemingway playing Tipper Gore in the movie “Warning: Parental Advisory” from 2002.
I wonder if he did that on purpose since it was preceded by an actual picture of Tipper Gore.
Haha! When I saw that I thought... Nope, I do NOT remember Tipper being that attractive, nor looking that familiar! Sorry Tipper... :P
One of my favorite memories of the 80's was doing a "jogathon" in high school, around the football field, to "Darling Nikki" by Prince. Like that could happen today!
Thank you Professor for doing what you do.
Oh my...the nostalgia is real 🥰 I remember watching MTV while waiting for my bus...the good Ole days. MTV should be RTV now, because it went from music TV to reality TV. We need to bring MTV back to the glory days.
The end of 70s and early 80s music are so great that even only one week of one year is much better than almost all music today. Thanks Professor
@carlos Alvarez.you hit the right time frame and time span plus movies, TV sitcoms roller skates
1985 is middle 80s.
1978 79 Rocked SOOO HARD I was there
@@theodoreritola7641 NAH...too much disco in 78 n 79...rock ROCKED harder in 67 thur 76 again ROCKED harder in 81 thur 96....I WAS THERE.
I graduated high school in 1980 and the music I grew up with was so amazing, there was nothing more exciting than going to the wherehouse to buy your albums, carefully peeling the plastic wrapper off and opening the album to find it open like a book with photos of the band and sometimes you could get a poster included. Those were the days, a completely different world than the one I live in now. Todays music is awful.
I totally agree!
I doubt you listen to any of today's music.
I'm not sure you're even making a distinction between the packaging music used to come in and the music itself.
Agree todays music is garbage,BUT i do enjoy listening to “the weekend” he has an 80s retro sound that brings me back
I remember the Wherehouse! There were a couple of them in San Diego when I moved here in 88. Biggest competitor to Tower, if I remember correctly.
Lived through the 80's, and can tell you that music isn't that much different, the key difference is the QUANTITY of good music. Every single song in the top ten of 1985 is a classic, as are all of the honorable mentions, but of last year's songs there may be only 2-3 of that level total. This has a lot to do with the music royalties. It was possible to make a ton of money on a music soundtrack album in the 80's, which is why Beverly Hills Cop comes up so often on this list. Look at the soundtrack for Top Gun Maverick. While the first Top Gun had several top hits on it, the new movie has almost nothing, with only 2 real songs on the album, neither of which lives up to the original. The industry is what it is, streaming revenue sucks unless you are top tier, music piracy is rampant, and I don't have a solution, but the incentives just don't exist to create great music, unless its a passion project, so it still gets made, just not like they used to.
It was a bad winter in Tn this year! Its amazing how memories anchor themselves to music and allow us to experience such a wide range of emotions about things that happened nearly 40 years ago!
33 minutes well spent. I love your stuff Professor. Music brings back so many memories of specific times, places, emotions, people. Thank you so much for what your doing. You and Casey Kasem are on equal footing
The appreciation of any art is subjective, but I never imagined people would ever be nostalgic for mid-80s pop music. At the time, everyone I knew very passionately hated mainstream 80s radio music, but we knew someone must be listening to it.
I felt the same about stuff in the 90s. The problem in the 80s was your comparison was effectively the treats of the 60s and 70s. Groups that ended up being the founders of genres that lasted for decades, and out performing every band that was ever likely to come after. Frankly blame the music industry execs.
@@SC-dm1ct I definitely blame the music execs for the horror that was 80s pop music. Payola, focus groups and image over substance made Billboard hits a nightmare of over-produced, cookie cutter schlock.
I'm not a fan of the 90s either, but there was a nice little resurgence of DIY music before the industry swooped in, called it "grunge" and forced it to become sappy and vapid, like other radio music.
@@doctorfeelfunny584 I never liked it growing up, couldn't stand most synth sounds. That was until around 2014 when I just started listening to 80s music all of a sudden. I listened to a lot of 60s/70s from my dad and his radio choices.
Hindsight 20/20, we often don't appreciate what we have til it's gone.
@@doctorfeelfunny584 Nirvana, Alice in chains, much great in the 90's, can't just write off a decade
I remember REO Speedwagon playing on my Red Sony Walkman as I topped the hill near the beach in summer and the cool sea breeze hit me and "I can't fight this feeling anymore........"
It was an epic time and an epic song
These top tens bring back such good memories and it's programs like this for music fans of all ages to treasure and enjoy
Your love and appreciation of music is admirable and very apparent. I binge watch every couple weeks. Please don't ever stop. I truly envy you, talk about doing what you love and loving what you do.
love how you reference the movies and TV popular at the time as well, it's all part of what made the 80's and 90's so awesome that the latest generations only know how to copy it!!!
1985... I was 12 years old and LOVING every single minute of it. And this channel is AWESOME. Thank you, professor.
Man.. as a 80's teen all of these songs just gave me chills! Thanks, Prof!
I remember hearing Careless Whisper for the first time on the radio at a friends house and I told him... 20 -30 years from now people are STILL going to play this song. It was THAT good!
Now I'm off to create a playlist for all the songs of the Redux episodes! 😁
Fall 1985 was my first semester as a foreign student (freshman student) in USA. Listening to all these songs brings tears to my eyes.. such wonderful memories
The summer of 1985 was a great time for music and a great time to be young.
Summer of 1985 was fantastic for me, going into my senior year...great times!
Live AID!!!
I’m so just jealous of you guys.
@@fernandocuriel124 please don't take my rebuttal too seriously: Ok, person who grew up with Tinder and can UA-cam any song ever, and can FaceTime anyone in the world at any time for free...You're envious of our times?
I'd add that we grew up with the threat of nuclear war, but this past year has been surprising.
Back in the '80s (white) people were envious of the 1950s. (It was worse for minorities then, so I specify race for this nostalgia). People complained that rock is dead, synthesizers ruined music, this new music isn't cool anymore...and isn't good.
In short, people tend to have escapist tendencies, the grass is always greener and we tend to view the past with rose colored lenses. Our love for music is both from experiences, having grown up with the music, forgetting the songs we hated, cultural associations, etc. Every era has the same.
When I was young I saw or read a play where old men complained about how much better it used to be. I realized that point of view is psychological and has to do with where you are in life. I decided I didn't want to be that old man who really believes things were actually better. But anyway, enjoy the music of my childhood any time with modern technology! I'm so happy I can listen to songs I haven't heard in almost 40 years!
I realized this is long. That's for reading.
the 80s were in general.
1985 is probably my fav year during the 80's decade. So many amazing albums that year that were strong from beginning to end. And not only were most of them loaded with hits but many of the album tracks were so good that they could've probably been singles as well. So I encourage anyone who only knows the hits, by your fav artist, to go back and listen to those entire albums. You'll likely be very surprised at all the interesting & wonderful music that you missed out on.
Agreed!
Phil Collins is a slam dunk wether solo w Genesis or in duo he is just incredible.
Phil was the #1 male vocalist of the '80s. He had Top 40 hits from each year of the decade, whether solo, with Genesis or in duets.
I love the 1980s, but I didn't have much interest in the top 10 or mainstream music at that time. Reflecting back, the Professors' point is well-made here: even music that I dismissed and even mocked 40 years ago has proven to be wildly superior to the passionless conformity and musical triteness of the "product" being peddled to the masses these days.
Same here! The music I ignored and scorned in 1985 is superior to so much of today's!
Me too. I thought music was going downhill then. I had no idea how bad it would get.
Mark Allen After the '80s, music became harder to buy. By the '90s they phased out 45s and crammed everything onto tiny cassette tapes, making it hard to buy or play a particular song. When you wanted to have a record party 45s were perfect. They were lightweight, easy to manage, easy to transport, easy to file, quick to change, easy to sort. But with tapes it took too much time to hunt and peck to maintain a variety. That's about the time I said the hell with it and stopped buying music.
@@lancasterritzyescargotdine2602 - Yes, but you could record your own party mixes on cassette with very little faff, and listen to it on a Walkman. Couldn’t do either with 45 records.
@@sirrathersplendid4825 Sure, but who has all that extra time to first dump everything onto a cassette? With a stack of 45s you go thru them once - like Grant went thru Richmond, and you're done.
I didn't have a Walkman, but I could always buy cassettes for one if I did.
If they ever brought 45s back - even in the size of CDs - I'd use them.
I turned 24 in 85, so I grew up through some of best music ever. I was never a Wham fan but GM won my heart with his tribute to Freddie Mercury and his performance of Somebody to Love. Great stuff professor.
Just wanted to tell you how great your channel is...huge fan of what you do and have to say, Casey Kasem would be proud. I think you're continuing what he started many, many years ago. I used to love hearing American Top 40 Countdown and all the stories he would read (his blooper reels are epic! Never thought I'd hear Shaggy/Kasem curse like a sailor but...there it is!). At any rate, your research is fantastic, knowledge of music charts/history is amazing. That being said, thank you for what you do for all of your subs, for keeping the torch lit for Mr. Kasem and for the quality and quantity of content. Phenomenal job sir! It's not a good day if I don't catch at least a couple of your videos throughout my day. No doubt many others feel the same way I do about you and the channel.
I was 5 in 1985. I miss the 80’s more than anything I can possibly explain.
WE WERE SO SPOILED….!🔥❤️🔥❤️
I was 25 and it was fabulous!
same :) :)
Music was good. Tv was good, so were movies. Pop culture made it a great time to be alive and young. 😊
@@cc1k435 You should have lived in the 70s WOOOOW ... Dukes of Hazard 1979, Dalles 1978 Love Boat 1977 ,,,Charlies Angles 1977 Sanford and son 1972 Welcome back Kotter 1976 Streets of Sanfran 1972 ,, Rockford Files 1975 ,, Maud 1974 ,, All in the Family ,, 1971 MASH 1972 Fantasy Island 1978 Most of the biggest Rock bands were FORMED IN THE 70s . From Queen to ACDC .To Van Hellen . The Eagles to Aerosmith ..
This seriously ranks among the best content on the internet. Love the show. Keep doing what your doing.
My mom LOVED REO Speedwagon. Her records were my toy box, and she had such a diverse array of music. I bought this record later in life, and it still makes me think of my mom. My dad can’t stand Kevin’s voice, though, so it’s a great torture mechanism. 😁
"Loverboy" is such an underrated song! That's my jam! Billy Ocean is awesome. Was gonna see him in Vegas in 2020, but COVID. Still hope I get a chance, cause Billy is the man.
"Easy Lover" is my #1 of the Top 10. I was very lucky to see Phil Collins on his First Farewell Tour. The crowd popped the loudest and got the most excited for "Easy Lover". The intro is iconic.
Hey Adam, I haven't checked in for awhile, had some health issues , I'm gonna start catching up on missed episodes, thanks for keeping great music alive !!! Bruce.
Brother I have to be honest. These songs drew a few tears. Happy Tears. Thanks for sharing the Memories of thinking where I was in my life. I’m an “old” man now but music has always been a part of my life. Going back with you and hearing some of these great songs has really reminded me of how wonderful that time was. Thanks again my Friend. 💕
One of my favorite years of music. I think what makes the 80's pop scene so good, is that on the radio one minute you could be listening to Van Halen, then The Pointer Sisters, then Foreigner, then Ah Ha, then Dire Straits. So ecclectic and fun.
Little known fact about "Neutron Dance" is that the line "someone stole my brand new Chevrolet" actually happened outside the place as the song was being written.
I heard that! I should've included it in the piece. Thank for the reminder!
WOW! Very fascinating!
Hey, Adam, this is the fourth Redux video I saw this week only. I love the memories you as share, it's fascinating that you remember all of these. Thank you!
I was 14 in 1985. The darkest time of my life. Thank goodness I had great music to cheer me up.
Hearing Ocean sing Loverbory again after all these years, it really strikes me. I miss Billy a lot! For some reason, I thought he had passed away and checked to make sure he is still with us (March, 2022) and I'm thrilled to know he is! Thank you for that! That one item makes my day. Christopher Cross' vocals always go straight to my heart. Think of Laura is my favorite, but they were ALL great. Chris is another one I miss. If he put out an album today, I would buy it sound-unheard.
The Pointer Sisters! Shameful that they have not yet been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as they have been so successful in so many music genres it's hard to believe they haven't been inducted yet.
I miss the 80's! It's an awesome decade of music and movies.
Jaws 1975 ,, Star Wars 77 Smokey and the Bandit 77 , Alien 79 Rocky Rocky 2 76 and 79 ,, Animal house 1978 .. Grease 1978 ,, THE GOOD OL 70s
Final year in high school first term at University. One of the most influential years of my life. I had AxelF on 12 inch single...... Awesome memories, thanks Professor
I’ve watched this video a few times. In 1985 I was 15 and as I watch this my son is now 15. Not sure his experience is the same as mine, but I think it’s a pivotal age. I’ll be curious to see how his time through this age stage compares in the years to come. He’s a drummer so he listens to a lot of this music. Time can be so transcending!
1985 was when I fully got into music. I was 11, and after finding this Tv show called KIdd Video, I started buying anything and everything I could get my hands on. (Thank you Columbia house 11 tapes for 1 cent and Mom for the use of her credit card.) Now 48 years old, I still jam out to all these and more any chance I get. (Thank you You Tube!)
I totally remember KIDD VIDEO! YES!
That was the biggest scam lol I did it and my Mom freaked out ended up spending hundred dollars over the contract 😅 🙃
I loved listening to all of the wonderful songs from the '80s. Two songs that came out in 1985, I think, were Don't you Forget About Me," Simple Minds. I loved the movie, "The Breakfast Club," and this song has a haunting quality about it and goes so well with the movie. I also loved the song, " How Will I Know"? by Whitney Houston. I didn't listen to her later songs but I used to love running to this song. It is so joyful. She wasn't much older than me and I can't imagine the pressures she went through but I loved her early hits so much.
Eddie Van Halen’s grin in jump still makes me swoon! May he RIP. 💔🎶💙
Yes, I have to say I agree with how these songs landed in the final recalibration. For me, there is no one like George Michael and probably never will be again. Tell me anyone today who could sing and hold their own with greats like Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Mary J. Blige. Who could cover songs by Stevie Wonder, Freddie Mercury and Bonnie Raitt making them his own while honoring their creator? Who could sing every live performance with astounding pitch perfect accuracy? I honestly can't think of anyone but George. I recently watched a video of George in one of the performances later in his life doing John and Elvis are dead. It was absolute perfection and it made me cry knowing he is now gone as well. Thank you for this POR.
1985 was the year I discovered Take On Me, which inspired me to get into the whole synth world of music myself… I was just 13… but that year was also stacked with so many hits that take me right back… wish I could go back as well… 👍🏼💪🏼
Don't You Forget About Me - Simple Minds
Boys Of Summer - Don Henley
Shout - Tears For Fears
Smooth Operator - Sade
Every Time You Go Away - Paul Young
I smile when I hear these old songs that i haven't heard in decades, even for the songs that I never really liked, they are still a part of my history.
Wow, "Can't Fight This Feeling" took me right back to falling for a college friend that year. Hearing it again brought back the tears. Such great music!
I grew up in the 80's, I can't explain the feelings that come over me when I hear music from like Creedence Clear. 80's music makes me feel young again.
6:32 Man, “The Filthy Fifteen” would make one impressive compilation album 😆
I'm kind of surprised Rhino hasn't done it yet.
I miss the 80’s soooo much! I was so lucky to be a teenager and young adult in the 1980’s!! I started High school in 1980 when I was 14 then in 1986 I turned 20 so the 1980’s were absolutely the best decade ever. There will never be another time like the 80’s.
1985 may be the greatest year EVER!
Music, movies & television were the absolute best!!