During the early 1980s, R.E.M. had established Athens, Georgia as the alternative center of the universe, but by 1985, Husker Du and the Replacements shifted the eyes of the indie world to Minneapolis/St. Paul, which had already unforgettably and generously delivered Prince to an appreciative pop music world. John Fogerty returned after almost a decade on the sidelines and was immediately sued for releasing a record that sounded too much like CCR; no wonder he loved the business. And the Queen of Soul returned to the Top Ten of the pop singles chart after a twelve year absence.
And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda, The Pogues
Anything, Anything (I’ll Give You), Dramarama
Bonzo Goes to Bitburg, The Ramones
Celebrated Summer, Husker Du
Centerfield, John Fogerty
Downtown Train, Tom Waits
Freeway of Love, Aretha Franklin
Head over Heels, Tears for Fears
Highwayman, The Highwaymen
How Will I Know, Whitney Houston
I Don’t Know Why You Don’t Want Me, Rosanne Cash
I’m Sticking with You, The Velvet Underground
I’ve Been Everywhere, Willie Nelson and Hank Snow
If I Had a Rocket Launcher, Bruce Cockburn
Into the Groove, Madonna
Just Like Honey, The Jesus and Mary Chain
King of Rock, Run-DMC
Left of the Dial, The Replacements
Makes No Sense at All, Husker Du
Nightshift, The Commodores
Part-Time Lover, Stevie Wonder
Perfect Way, Scritti Politti
Private Dancer, Tina Turner
Rain on the Scarecrow, John Cougar Mellencamp
Road to Nowhere, Talking Heads
Running Up That Hill, Kate Bush
September Song, Lou Reed
Shout, Tears for Fears
Stages, ZZ Top
Take the Skinheads Bowling, Camper Van Beethoven
Walking on Sunshine, Katrina and the Waves
Would I Lie to You, The Eurythmics