30 From ‘85

[RJhog (Admin)]

In this post I will be offering some stats and a couple of brief thoughts regarding 30 albums from 1985. This is not meant to be a Top 25 list of that year, it is just thirty albums from 1985 that I pulled out to listen to.  I will offer my personal ranking of the 30 albums as well and I encourage you to follow along and do the same...if you want.  I will be ranking as I go and shuffling as needed.  I will start here and add each successive album in the comments.  As a disclaimer, all of the Billboard charting and RIAA type info is pulled from Wikipedia so I don’t even know if it’s accurate but it is based on the Billboard Hot 100 or Billboard 200 albums chart.

Album Title: Centerfield

Artist: John Fogerty

Release Date: 1/14/85

Billboard: 1

RIAA Certification: 2 X Platinum

Billboard Charting Singles:

The Old Man Down The Road #10
Rock And Roll Girls #20
Centerfield #44

Notable Deep Cuts:

Mr. Greed
Searchlight

Vanz Kant Danz

Brief Thoughts: I wonder if John Fogerty had any idea how iconic the title track would turn out and that we would still be hearing it at minor league and major league ballparks to this day? Regardless, this is a good, fun little album that really calls back to CCR. The Old Man Down The Road and Searchlight could have easily been Creedence songs.

Ranking:

1. Centerfield

[TageRyche]

I do enjoy that Night Ranger album. I believe I wrote about it for The Cassette Chronicles.

However, other than the hit singles, I was very deeply disappointed in the Dire Straits album when I finally got myself a copy of it.

My rankings right now:

1. Heart

2. 7 Wishes

3. Brothers In Arms

[RJhog (Admin)]

Album Title: Tao

Artist: Rick Springfield

Release Date: 3/27/85

Billboard: 16

RIAA Certification: Platinum

Billboard Charting Singles:

Celebrate Youth #26
State Of The Heart #22

Notable Deep Cuts:

Dance This World Away
Written In Rock
Walking On The Edge
Walk Like A Man
Stranger In The House
My Father’s Chair

Brief Thoughts: I am pretty sure that I will find no one in agreement with my ranking of this one, but it is a personal favorite of mine. The songs are tremendous, especially from a lyrical standpoint. I’m not sure how anyone could listen to My Father’s Chair and not get choked up. I have been lost to it for 35 years and I still have to fight back tears. If you don’t like Springfield, at least check out the lyrics to the songs. Every one of them speaks to me.

Ranking:

1. Tao
2. 7 Wishes
3. Invasion Of Your Privacy
4. 7800° Fahrenheit
5. Theatre Of Pain
6. Brothers In Arms
7. The Firm
8. Heart
9. Centerfield
10. Southern Accents
11. The Power Station
12. Songs From The Big Chair
13. Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good!

[RJhog (Admin)]

Album Title: Knee Deep In The Hoopla

Artist: Starship

Release Date: 9/10/85

Billboard: 7

RIAA Certification: Platinum

Billboard Charting Singles:

We Built This City #1
Sara #1
Tomorrow Doesn’t Matter Tonight #26
Before I Go #68

Notable Deep Cuts:

Desperate Heart
Private Room
Love Rusts

Brief Thoughts: This is not an album that I owned back in the 80’s. I really didn’t even like that songs that were number 1 hits. But over the years they have both become easier to listen to. There are also a few deep cuts that I like. Mickey Thomas is a tremendous singer. But I’m not a big fan of the programmed drums. There is a cover of Rock Myself To Sleep but I like April Wine’s version better.

Ranking:

1. Tao
2. 7 Wishes
3. Invasion Of Your Privacy
4. 7800° Fahrenheit
5. Theatre Of Pain
6. Brothers In Arms
7. The Firm
8. Heart
9. Centerfield
10. Southern Accents
11. The Power Station
12. Songs From The Big Chair
13. Knee Deep In The Hoopla
14. Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good!

[RJhog (Admin)]

Album Title: Scarecrow

Artist: John Cougar Mellencamp

Release Date: 8/5/85

Billboard: 2

RIAA Certification: 5 X Platinum

Billboard Charting Singles:

Lonely Ol’ Night #6
Small Town #6
R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A. (A Salute To ‘60s Rock) #2
Rain On The Scarecrow #21
Rumbleseat #28

Notable Deep Cuts:

Minutes To Memories
The Face Of The Nation
Justice And Independence’85
Between A Laugh And A Tear
You’ve Got To Stand For Somethin’

Brief Thoughts: Man, I love this album. It is so great. Lyrically and musically. Mellencamp had something to say and he said it well. Minutes To Memories is in my all-time Top 10. And to me, one thing that just jumps out at me is Kenny Aronoff’s drumming. Especially the snare sound. It is so defining for me. Pay attention to it the next time you spin this album. Or look up Aronoff on YouTube and check him out performing a couple of these songs.

Ranking:

1. Scarecrow
2. Tao
3. 7 Wishes
4. Invasion Of Your Privacy
5. 7800° Fahrenheit
6. Theatre Of Pain
7. Brothers In Arms
8. The Firm
9. Heart
10. Centerfield
11. Southern Accents
12. The Power Station
13. Songs From The Big Chair
14. Knee Deep In The Hoopla
15. Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good!

[TageRyche]

While there are some songs on the Scarecrow album I didn't care for, it is still a pretty darn good album.

My rankings right now:

1. Heart

2. 7 Wishes

3. Scarecrow

4. Brothers In Arms

[RJhog (Admin)]

Album Title: Under Lock And Key

Artist: Dokken

Release Date: 11/9/85

Billboard: 32

RIAA Certification: Platinum

Billboard Charting Singles:

In My Dreams #77

Notable Deep Cuts:

Unchain The Night
The Hunter
Slippin’ Away
It’s Not Love
Jaded Heart

Brief Thoughts: This is my favorite Dokken album. I think it is good from start to finish. Several of the deep cuts were singles but didn’t chart so I included them there. The Hunter may be my favorite Dokken song. This is highly polished with terrific production.

Ranking:

1. Scarecrow
2. Tao
3. 7 Wishes
4. Invasion Of Your Privacy
5. 7800° Fahrenheit
6. Under Lock And Key
7. Theatre Of Pain
8. Brothers In Arms
9. The Firm
10. Heart
11. Centerfield
12. Southern Accents
13. The Power Station
14. Songs From The Big Chair
15. Knee Deep In The Hoopla
16. Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good!

[RJhog (Admin)]

Album Title: Voices Carry

Artist: ‘Til Tuesday

Release Date: 4/20/85

Billboard: 19

RIAA Certification: Gold

Billboard Charting Singles:

Voices Carry #8
Looking Over My Shoulder #61

Notable Deep Cuts:

Winning The War
You Know The Rest

Brief Thoughts: I have always enjoyed the song Voices Carry. I also have several Aimee Mann solo albums and I mostly like what I have heard. This album isn’t hard to listen to, but it’s not something that begs to be heard over and over, my personal opinion of course.

Ranking:

1. Scarecrow
2. Tao
3. 7 Wishes
4. Invasion Of Your Privacy
5. 7800° Fahrenheit
6. Under Lock And Key
7. Theatre Of Pain
8. Brothers In Arms
9. The Firm
10. Heart
11. Centerfield
12. Southern Accents
13. The Power Station
14. Songs From The Big Chair
15. Knee Deep In The Hoopla
16. Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good!
17. Voices Carry

[RJhog (Admin)]

Album Title: Rescue You

Artist: Joe Lynn Turner

Release Date: ?/?/85

Billboard: 143

RIAA Certification: N/A

Billboard Charting Singles:N/A

Notable Deep Cuts:

Losing You
Young Hearts
Prelude/Endlessly
Rescue You
Feel The Fire
Soul Searcher

Brief Thoughts: I do remember the video for Endlessly being played a lot on MTv. Other than that, this album had no commercial success. Which is a shame because side one is pretty much melodically perfect. And while side two does slip a notch, it is still very good. I am glad I have this in my collection.

Ranking:

1. Scarecrow
2. Tao
3. 7 Wishes
4. Invasion Of Your Privacy
5. 7800° Fahrenheit
6. Under Lock And Key
7. Theatre Of Pain
8. Brothers In Arms
9. Rescue You
10. The Firm
11. Heart
12. Centerfield
13. Southern Accents
14. The Power Station
15. Songs From The Big Chair
15. Knee Deep In The Hoopla
17. Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good!
18. Voices Carry

[TageRyche]

I have the Dokken album and I had or still have the Joe Lynn Turner album. However, I haven't listened to that one in quite a while.

My rankings right now:

1. Heart

2. Under Lock And Key

3. 7 Wishes

4. Scarecrow

5. Rescue You

6. Brothers In Arms

[RJhog (Admin)]

Album Title: Lovin’ Every Minute Of It

Artist: Loverboy

Release Date: August 85

Billboard: 13

RIAA Certification: 2 X Platinum

Billboard Charting Singles:

Lovin’ Every Minute Of It #9
Dangerous #65
This Could Be The Night #10
Lead A Double Life #68

Notable Deep Cuts:

Steal The Thunder
Friday Night
Destination Heartbreak

Brief Thoughts: This is not my favorite Loverboy album but I still like it a lot. It flows well and all of the singles are good. It contains Steal The Thunder, which is in my Loverboy Top 10 and possibly Top 5. There is a song or two that do not do much for me, but overall it is a good album and fun to sing along to.

Ranking:

1. Scarecrow
2. Tao
3. 7 Wishes
4. Invasion Of Your Privacy
5. 7800° Fahrenheit
6. Under Lock And Key
7. Theatre Of Pain
8. Lovin’ Every Minute Of It
9. Brothers In Arms
10. Rescue You
11. The Firm
12. Heart
13. Centerfield
14. Southern Accents
15. The Power Station
16. Songs From The Big Chair
17. Knee Deep In The Hoopla
18. Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good!
19. Voices Carry

[RJhog (Admin)]

Album Title: Under A Raging Moon

Artist: Roger Daltrey

Release Date: September 85

Billboard: 42

RIAA Certification: N/A

Billboard Charting Singles:

After The Fire #48
Let Me Down Easy #86

Notable Deep Cuts:

Breaking Down Paradise
The Pride You Hide
Move Better In The Night
Love Me Like You Do
Under A Raging Moon

Brief Thoughts: Under A Raging Moon did not perform as well commercially as many of the albums I have featured, but it sure is a good one. I remember seeing the video to After The Fire many times and I always enjoyed it. It is a terrific song. And the title track is outstanding and should be heard by everyone.

Ranking:

1. Scarecrow
2. Tao
3. 7 Wishes
4. Invasion Of Your Privacy
5. 7800° Fahrenheit
6. Under Lock And Key
7. Theatre Of Pain
8. Lovin’ Every Minute Of It
9. Under A Raging Moon
10. Brothers In Arms
11. Rescue You
12. The Firm
13. Heart
14. Centerfield
15. Southern Accents
16. The Power Station
17. Songs From The Big Chair
18. Knee Deep In The Hoopla
19. Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good!
20. Voices Carry

[RJhog (Admin)]

Album Title: Play Deep

Artist: The Outfield

Release Date: 11/12/85

Billboard: 9

RIAA Certification: 3 X Platinum

Billboard Charting Singles:

Your Love #6
All The Love #19
Everytime You Cry #66

Notable Deep Cuts:

I Don’t Need Her
61 Seconds
Taking My Chances
Nervous Alibi

Brief Thoughts: Man, I love The Outfield. All of their hits and most of there deep cuts. This album is fun and takes me right back to 1985 and 1986. You know Your Love is a classic. I never get tired of hearing it and singing it. I was totally surprised though that Say It Isn’t So did not chart. That song is killer too!

Ranking:

1. Scarecrow
2. Tao
3. 7 Wishes
4. Play Deep
5. Invasion Of Your Privacy
6. 7800° Fahrenheit
7. Under Lock And Key
8. Theatre Of Pain
9. Lovin’ Every Minute Of It
10. Under A Raging Moon
11. Brothers In Arms
12. Rescue You
13. The Firm
14. Heart
15. Centerfield
16. Southern Accents
17. The Power Station
18. Songs From The Big Chair
19. Knee Deep In The Hoopla
20. Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good!
21. Voices Carry