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List of Hot Adult Contemporary number ones of 1985

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A group of nine men playing various instruments and singing on a stage
Kool & The Gang (pictured performing in 2017) had the longest-running number one of 1985 with "Cherish".

Adult Contemporary is a chart published by Billboard ranking the top-performing songs in the United States in the adult contemporary music (AC) market. In 1985, 19 songs topped the chart, then published under the title Hot Adult Contemporary, based on playlists submitted by radio stations.[1]

In the year's first issue of Billboard the number one song was "Do What You Do" by Jermaine Jackson, which was in its third week at number one.[2] It held the top spot for a single week in 1985 before being replaced by "All I Need" by actor Jack Wagner, best known for his role as Frisco Jones on the soap opera General Hospital.[3] While continuing his acting career, Wagner released several albums in the 1980s.[4][5] Two acts tied for the highest number of weeks at number one in 1985, each spending six weeks atop the chart. Kool & The Gang spent six consecutive weeks at number one with "Cherish", the longest unbroken run at number one during the year. British singer Phil Collins spent three weeks in the top spot with "One More Night" and the same length of time at number one with "Separate Lives", a duet with American vocalist Marilyn Martin. The only act other than Collins with more than one number one in its own right was the family group DeBarge,[6] who topped the chart with both "Rhythm of the Night" and "Who's Holding Donna Now", although Lionel Richie and Stevie Wonder each achieved one solo chart-topper and also reached number one as part of the charity supergroup USA for Africa.[7]

Collins was one of a number of British acts to top the chart during 1985, as the American music market continued to feel the effects of the so-called Second British Invasion.[8][9] Another was Wham!, whose song "Careless Whisper" spent five weeks in the top spot.[10] In the duo's native United Kingdom, the song was released as a solo single by frontman George Michael, but the group's American label decided to release it under the name Wham! featuring George Michael.[11] It was one of several of the year's AC chart-toppers which also reached number one on Billboard's all-genres listing, the Hot 100. Whitney Houston's "Saving All My Love for You" was a triple chart-topper, reaching the top spot on the Hot 100, the AC chart and the Hot Black Singles listing.[12][13] Stevie Wonder's "Part-Time Lover" went one better, topping the same three charts and also the Hot Dance/Disco Club Play listing.[14][15] USA for Africa's "We Are the World", a charity single intended to relieve starving people in Africa, particularly those feeling the effects of a lengthy famine in Ethiopia,[7] became the fastest-selling American pop single in history[16] and dominated radio airplay.[7] As a result, it topped the Hot 100, Hot Adult Contemporary and Hot Black Singles,[17] as well as the Hot Dance/Disco 12 Inch Singles Sales chart.[18] The final number one of 1985 was "Say You, Say Me" by Lionel Richie, which occupied the top spot for the final four weeks of the year.

Chart history

[edit]
A short-haired man singing into a microphone while holding his left hand high in the air
Phil Collins had two number ones in 1985 and spent six weeks in the top spot.
A dark-haired young man wearing a dark jacket open to reveal only suspenders holding up his pants
"Careless Whisper" was a number one for Wham! featuring George Michael (pictured). In his native United Kingdom the song was credited to Michael alone.
A dark-skinned woman wearing a red leather jacket
British band Sade (lead singer Sade Adu pictured) topped the chart with "Smooth Operator".
Key
† Indicates best-performing AC song of 1985[19]


Issue date Title Artist(s) Ref.
January 5 "Do What You Do" Jermaine Jackson [2]
January 12 "All I Need" Jack Wagner [20]
January 19 [21]
January 26 "You're the Inspiration" Chicago [22]
February 2 [23]
February 9 "Careless Whisper" Wham! featuring George Michael [24]
February 16 [25]
February 23 [26]
March 2 [27]
March 9 [28]
March 16 "Too Late for Goodbyes" Julian Lennon [29]
March 23 [30]
March 30 "One More Night" Phil Collins [31]
April 6 [32]
April 13 [33]
April 20 "We Are the World" USA for Africa [34]
April 27 [35]
May 4 "Rhythm of the Night" DeBarge [36]
May 11 "Smooth Operator" Sade [37]
May 18 [38]
May 25 "Suddenly" Billy Ocean [39]
June 1 [40]
June 8 "Axel F" Harold Faltermeyer [41]
June 15 [42]
June 22 "The Search Is Over" Survivor [43]
June 29 [44]
July 6 [45]
July 13 [46]
July 20 "Who's Holding Donna Now" DeBarge [47]
July 27 [48]
August 3 [49]
August 10 "Everytime You Go Away" Paul Young [50]
August 17 [51]
August 24 "Cherish" † Kool & the Gang [52]
August 31 [53]
September 7 [54]
September 14 [55]
September 21 [56]
September 28 [57]
October 5 "Saving All My Love for You" Whitney Houston [58]
October 12 [59]
October 19 [60]
October 26 "Part-Time Lover" Stevie Wonder [61]
November 2 [62]
November 9 [63]
November 16 "Separate Lives" Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin [64]
November 23 [65]
November 30 [66]
December 7 "Say You, Say Me" Lionel Richie [67]
December 14 [68]
December 21 [69]
December 28 [70]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2007). Joel Whitburn Presents Billboard Top Adult Songs, 1961-2006. Record Research Incorporated. p. vi. ISBN 9780898201697.
  2. ^ a b "Adult Contemporary chart for January 5, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  3. ^ "All I Need - Jack Wagner". AllMusic. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  4. ^ Neal, Rome (February 2, 2004). "Jack Wagner Acts And Sings". CBS News. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  5. ^ "Jack Wagner Album Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  6. ^ Prato, Greg. "DeBarge Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  7. ^ a b c Sutton, Michael. "USA for Africa Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  8. ^ Jonze, Tim (June 11, 2011). "MTV launches the 'second British invasion'". The Guardian. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  9. ^ Puterbaugh, Parke (November 10, 1983). "Anglomania: The Second British Invasion". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  10. ^ Chiu, David (July 9, 2013). "A look back at 1983: The year of the second British Invasion". CBS News. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  11. ^ Hanson, Amy. "Careless Whisper - Wham!". AllMusic. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  12. ^ "Whitney Houston Saving All My Love For You Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  13. ^ "Whitney Houston Saving All My Love For You Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  14. ^ Hogan, Ed. "Part-Time Lover - Stevie Wonder". AllMusic. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  15. ^ "Stevie Wonder Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  16. ^ Bennett, Robert A. (December 29, 1985). "Whoever dreamed that up?". The New York Times. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  17. ^ "USA for Africa". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  18. ^ "Hot Dance/Disco". Billboard. April 20, 1985. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  19. ^ "Billboard Adult Contemporary Year End, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  20. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for January 12, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  21. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for January 19, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  22. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for January 26, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  23. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for February 2, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  24. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for February 9, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  25. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for February 16, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  26. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for February 23, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  27. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for March 2, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  28. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for March 9, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  29. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for March 16, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  30. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for March 23, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  31. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for March 30, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  32. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for April 6, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  33. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for April 13, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  34. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for April 20, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  35. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for April 27, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  36. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for May 4, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  37. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for May 11, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  38. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for May 18, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  39. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for May 25, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  40. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for June 1, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  41. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for June 8, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  42. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for June 15, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  43. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for June 22, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  44. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for June 29, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  45. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for July 6, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  46. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for July 13, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  47. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for July 20, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  48. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for July 27, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  49. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for August 3, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  50. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for August 10, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  51. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for August 17, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  52. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for August 24, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  53. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for August 31, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  54. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for September 7, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  55. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for September 14, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  56. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for September 21, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  57. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for September 28, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  58. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for October 5, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  59. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for October 12, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  60. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for October 19, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  61. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for October 26, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  62. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for November 2, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  63. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for November 9, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  64. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for November 16, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  65. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for November 23, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  66. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for November 30, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  67. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for December 7, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  68. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for December 14, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  69. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for December 21, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  70. ^ "Adult Contemporary chart for December 28, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
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