1985

What Was Happening in 1985

Live Aid, Live Earth, and the world watched together

Born in

Number 1 Songs in 1985 — UK and US Charts

UK #1

"The Power of Love"

Jennifer Rush

A sweeping power ballad that spent five weeks at UK number one. It was the first single by a female solo artist to sell over a million copies in the UK.

US #1

"We Are the World"

USA for Africa

Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, this star-studded charity single raised over $63 million for African famine relief. Forty-six artists recorded it in a single night.

Biggest Films of 1985 — Box Office Hits

Back to the Future

Box Office: $388 million

Robert Zemeckis's time-travel comedy starring Michael J. Fox became a cultural phenomenon. The DeLorean, flux capacitor, and '1.21 gigawatts!' all entered popular culture permanently.

Fashion and Style of 1985

Fashion, clothing and visual culture from the era

Architecture and Buildings of 1985

Buildings completed and structures opened in 1985

More About 1985

What Was Happening — A journey through the years