3 Artists Who Spent 5 or More Weeks at No. 1 in 1985 (And a Few Who Came Close)

In 1985, the United States of America was obsessed with pop music. Of course, it makes sense. That’s when the country boasted some of the biggest names in pop—ever. Monikers like Madonna, Michael Jackson, and George Michael… You don’t get much more powerful than that. And scholars of the Billboard Hot 100 will see that those names appeared high atop the chart during the middle of the ’80s. Here below, we wanted to examine the vaunted chart right smack-dab in the middle of the 1980s decade. Who were people listening to? What were the most popular and impactful songs of the era? Let’s dive in. Indeed, these are the three artists who spent five or more weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985.

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The Artists Who Came Close

In total, 24 artists and acts hit the no. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985. And 16 hit the top position for multiple weeks, including Huey Lewis And The News, Lionel Richie, Dire Straits, REO Speedwagon, and George Michael. And while they didn’t hit the ultimate position for the most weeks, USA For Africa and Phil Collins each hit no. 1 for four weeks out of the year.

Tears for Fears (5)

The British-born pop band Tears For Fears tied for the lead in 1985 with five weeks at the no. 1 spot thanks to songs “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” and “Shout”. The former spent two weeks at the top position and the latter was up there for three straight weeks. With a shimmery sound, the group was a huge success in the middle of the decade.

Wham! (5)

If you count both his solo work and his work with his pop band Wham!, George Michael had the best year in 1985. In total, Michael was at no. 1 thanks to Wham! hits like “Careless Whisper” and “Everything She Wants”. But “Careless Whisper” also counts as a solo song since it was released as “featuring” George Michael. Nevertheless, however you slice it, Michael had a stellar year.

Madonna (5)

Madonna was one of four artists, along with Wham!, Phil Collins, and Tears for Fears, to have more than one song hit no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985. Collins boasted the most songs with three, while the others each had two. And while the longest-running no. 1 songs during the year were “We Are The World” by USA For Africa and “Say You, Say Me” by Lionel Richie, each of which hit no.1 for four-straight weeks, it was Madonna’s “Like A Virgin” that enjoyed a six-week run. That run began back in 1984. Her track “Crazy For You” also hit no. 1 for a week in 1985. What a year for the Queen of Pop!

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