100 Greatest Albums of 1985

Criteria: These 1985 albums were chosen for their initial and lasting popularity and their influence and impact on rock music in general. Also considered is critical acclaim. The list includes rock and roll and related genres that were influential on rock music.

Note: Yearly album lists go by earliest 'release date'. Not necessarily the year an album peaked in the U.S. charts.

1. Radio
LL Cool J
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
DigitalDreamDoor Editor Picks for 1985
An unheralded great album from 1985
Brett's choice:
* The Jasmine Minks
The Jasmine Minks

Bruce's choice:
* Members Only
Bobby Bland

Ryan's choice:
* Don't Stand Me Down
Dexy's Midnight Runners

Lew's choice:
* Cock Robin
Cock Robin
1984   |   1986