September 1985 -- Established artists, iconic 80's hits, quirk-free

Solid countdown this week -- Laura Branigan with her first flop debut single, hinting at the end of her career.  Stevie Wonder bombs in with what would be his last #1, 22 years after his first.  The Pointer Sisters will just miss the top 10 in their last major chart surge.

The quirkiness of 1983 is virtually gone, with well-established artists up and down the charts.  #1 was a hear one-hit wonder though...John Parr, and edging its way to #1 is one of my all-time favorites that I heard and purchased on 45 long before it hit #1, and I cheered it all the way... "Take on Me"!

I was surprised "Shout" didn't linger at #1 longer, but it was a year of big turnover at #1, which can mean higher quality songs.

Besides Take on Me, favorites:  Summer of 69, Freeway of Love, Part Time Lover

1 1 ST. ELMO’S FIRE (MAN IN MOTION) –•– John Parr – 13 (1)

2 3 WE DON’T NEED ANOTHER HERO –•– Tina Turner – 11 (2)
3 6 MONEY FOR NOTHING –•– Dire Straits – 10 (3)
4 7 CHERISH –•– Kool & The Gang – 11 (4)
5 2 POWER OF LOVE –•– Huey Lewis & The News – 12 (1)
6 8 DON’T LOSE MY NUMBER –•– Phil Collins – 9 (6)
7 4 FREEWAY OF LOVE –•– Aretha Franklin – 13 (3)
8 12 FREEDOM –•– Wham! – 8 (8)
9 10 POP LIFE –•– Prince & The Revolution – 8 (9)
10 11 INVINCIBLE –•– Pat Benatar – 11 (10)

11 5 SUMMER OF ’69 –•– Bryan Adams – 12 (5)
12 9 YOU’RE ONLY HUMAN (SECOND WIND) –•– Billy Joel – 10 (9)
13 15 DARE ME –•– The Pointer Sisters – 10 (13)
14 17 DRESS YOU UP –•– Madonna – 5 (14)
15 18 OH SHEILA –•– Ready For The World – 7 (15)
16 16 SMOKIN’ IN THE BOYS ROOM –•– Motley Crue – 10 (16)
17 21 TAKE ON ME –•– A-Ha – 10 (17)
18 23 SAVING ALL MY LOVE FOR YOU –•– Whitney Houston – 5 (18)
19 25 LONELY OL’ NIGHT –•– John Cougar Mellencamp – 4 (19)
20 24 CRY –•– Godley & Creme – 9 (20)

21 22 SHAME –•– The Motels – 9 (21)
22 13 SHOUT –•– Tears For Fears – 14 (1)
23 14 NEVER SURRENDER –•– Corey Hart – 15 (3)
24 26 THERE MUST BE AN ANGEL –•– Eurythmics – 7 (24)
25 33 DANCING IN THE STREET –•– Mick Jagger & David Bowie – 3 (25)
26 19 LIFE IN ONE DAY –•– Howard Jones – 11 (19)
27 32 FORTRESS AROUND YOUR HEART –•– Sting – 4 (27)
28 34 C-I-T-Y –•– John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band – 6 (28)
29 30 EVERY STEP OF THE WAY –•– John Waite – 6 (29)
30 20 WHAT ABOUT LOVE? –•– Heart – 16 (10)

31 43 PART TIME LOVER –•– Stevie Wonder – 2 (31)
32 38 I GOT YOU BABE –•– UB40 & Chrissie Hynde – 8 (32)
33 42 LOVIN’ EVERY MINUTE OF IT –•– Loverboy – 4 (33)
34 36 NO LOOKING BACK –•– Michael McDonald – 8 (34)
35 44 THE WAY YOU DO THE THINGS YOU DO / MY GIRL –•– Daryl Hall & John Oates – 3 (35)
36 48 I’M GOIN’ DOWN –•– Bruce Springsteen – 2 (36)
37 37 DO YOU WANT CRYING –•– Katrina & The Waves – 8 (37)
38 27 MYSTERY LADY –•– Billy Ocean – 11 (24)
39 28 IF YOU LOVE SOMEBODY SET THEM FREE –•– Sting – 15 (3)
40 40 SPANISH EDDIE –•– Laura Branigan – 8 (40)