The Surprising Top 1 Of The Top Songs Of 1985

When it comes to the top albums of 1985, most people think about LL Cool J’s Radio, and for good reason. It was more than just an excellent debut album; it was a strong statement from a young musician determined to alter the music industry. When he was only 17, LL Cool J delivered an album that elevated hip-hop’s raw heart to new heights.

The Stripped-Down Sound and LL’s Swagger

Radio did not stand out due to complicated production or elaborate studio techniques. Instead, it used a stripped-down, hard-hitting tone. The producer, Rick Rubin, kept everything tight and quick, with strong beats, precise percussion, and plenty of opportunities for LL Cool J’s voice to shine. Because of its clean but strong style, the record created a street vibe that people could immediately relate to. It felt genuine, certain, and full of life. LL Cool J entered the game with a unique and natural swagger. He wasn’t pretending to be someone else; he was simply a boy from Queens with lofty ambitions and a loud voice. “I Can’t Live Without My Radio” and other songs reflected his personality: he was adventurous, active, and full of life. He rapped as if he had something to prove, and each line sounded as if he was attempting to capture the world’s attention and hold it.

Elevating Hip-Hop to National Prominence

Another factor that made Radio so brilliant was its ability to capture the essence of hip-hop in the mid-1980s. The style was still developing and working itself out, and LL Cool J arrived at the perfect time. While pop and rock dominated the charts, radio provided listeners with something unique—something authentic. With its booming bass and outstanding poetry, the album aided hip-hop’s rise from local communities to national prominence. The fame was primarily due to LL Cool J’s partnership with Rick Rubin. Rubin’s straightforward approach blended perfectly with LL’s high-energy delivery. They created a sound that influenced not only LL’s career, but also the direction of Def Jam Records and early hip-hop in general. Their work demonstrated to the world that rap did not require a high level of polish to make a difference. A strong voice, a hard beat, and a message that resonates can occasionally suffice.

Radio is still popular today because it is more than just an album; it represents an era in music history. It introduced a future celebrity, established a distinct sound, and demonstrated that hip-hop had something important to say. That’s why LL Cool J’s Radio consistently ranks at the top of any list of the finest albums of 1985.

Here’s the rest of the list, continuing from number 2 all the way to 100:

2. Brothers In Arms – Dire Straits
3. Rain Dogs – Tom Waits
4. King Of Rock – Run-D.M.C.
5. No Jacket Required – Phil Collins
6. Whitney Houston – Whitney Houston
7. Psychocandy – The Jesus and Mary Chain
8. Hounds Of Love – Kate Bush
9. Rum, Sodomy & the Lash – The Pogues
10. Heart – Heart
11. Steve McQueen/Two Wheels Good – Prefab Sprout
12. Live At The Harlem Square Club, 1963 – Sam Cooke
13. Tim – The Replacements
14. New Day Rising – Hüsker Dü
15. Low-Life – New Order
16. The Head On The Door – The Cure
17. Meat Is Murder – The Smiths
18. Scarecrow – John Cougar Mellencamp
19. Songs From The Big Chair – Tears For Fears
20. This Nation’s Saving Grace – The Fall
21. The Dream Of The Blue Turtles – Sting
22. Little Creatures – Talking Heads
23. Hunting High And Low – a-ha
24. Riptide – Robert Palmer
25. Centerfield – John Fogerty
26. Primitive Love – Miami Sound Machine
27. Who’s Zoomin’ Who – Aretha Franklin
28. Welcome To The Real World – Mr. Mister
29. Mantronix: The Album – Mantronix
30. Around The World In A Day – Prince and the Revolution
31. Theatre Of Pain – Mötley Crüe
32. Nervous Night – The Hooters
33. Listen Like Thieves – INXS
34. Misplaced Childhood – Marillion
35. The Power Station – The Power Station
36. Afterburner – ZZ Top
37. Miami Vice – Jan Hammer and various artists
38. Promise – Sade
39. Picture Book – Simply Red
40. Rock Me Tonight – Freddie Jackson
41. Dream Into Action – Howard Jones
42. Youthquake – Dead Or Alive
43. Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam With Full Force – Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam With Full Force
44. This Is The Sea – The Waterboys
45. Empire Burlesque – Bob Dylan
46. The Night I Fell In Love – Luther Vandross
47. First And Last And Always – Sisters Of Mercy
48. Southern Accents – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
49. Be Yourself Tonight – Eurythmics
50. Play Deep – The Outfield
51. Invasion Of Your Privacy – Ratt
52. In Square Circle – Stevie Wonder
53. Fables Of The Reconstruction – R.E.M.
54. Lovin’ Every Minute Of It – Loverboy
55. Flip Your Wig – Hüsker Dü
56. The Secret Of Association – Paul Young
57. Hell Awaits – Slayer
58. Behind The Sun – Eric Clapton
59. Once Upon A Time – Simple Minds
60. As The Band Turns – Atlantic Starr
61. Slave To The Rhythm – Grace Jones
62. Killing Is My Business…And Business Is Good – Megadeth
63. The Wake – IQ
64. Power Windows – Rush
65. Ready For The World – Ready For The World
66. Bad Moon Rising – Sonic Youth
67. Love – The Cult
68. To Mega Therion – Celtic Frost
69. Shaken ‘n’ Stirred – Robert Plant
70. Rock A Little – Stevie Nicks
71. Knee Deep In The Hoopla – Jefferson Starship
72. Boys And Girls – Bryan Ferry
73. Romance 1600 – Sheila E.
74. Live After Death – Iron Maiden
75. Night Time – Killing Joke
76. Halber Mensch – Einstürzende Neubauten
77. So Red The Rose – Arcadia
78. Suzanne Vega – Suzanne Vega
79. Cupid & Psyche 85 – Scritti Politti
80. Bonded By Blood – Exodus
81. Wonderland – Erasure
82. Rhythm Of The Night – DeBarge
83. Soldiers Under Command – Stryper
84. The Jets – The Jets
85. Soul To Soul – Stevie Ray Vaughan
86. Seven Churches – Possessed
87. She’s The Boss – Mick Jagger
88. Nightshift – The Commodores
89. Under Lock And Key – Dokken
90. That’s Why I’m Here – James Taylor
91. Can’t Stop The Love – Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly
92. Boy In The Box – Corey Hart
93. Mike + The Mechanics – Mike + The Mechanics
94. Seven Wishes – Night Ranger
95. Lone Justice – Lone Justice
96. World Machine – Level 42
97. The Family – The Family
98. Fly On The Wall – AC/DC
99. Maverick – George Thorogood & The Destroyers
100. Ain’t Love Grand – X