Top 15 Aussie Songs of 1985 — A Year of Big Sounds and Bigger Characters

1985 was a spectacularly diverse year for Australian music. The charts were filled with everything from polished pop to gritty rock and new wave experimentation. Aussie artists weren’t just dominating locally — many were beginning to make serious waves overseas.

The year kicked off with Mental As Anything’s witty pop gem “You’re So Strong”, a reminder that clever songwriting could still win hearts. Then came the sultry danger of Divinyls’ “Pleasure & Pain”, a song that captured the seductive tension of love and heartbreak.

Australia was also discovering a more sophisticated pop sound. I’m Talking delivered the funky, polished “Trust Me,” introducing Kate Ceberano as a major voice. Meanwhile, Jimmy Barnes balanced grit and tenderness with “I’d Die To Be With You Tonight,” proving he could do more than just shout — he could truly sing.

The Eurogliders ruled the airwaves with two huge hits that year — “We Will Together” and later “Can’t Wait To See You.” Their bright, hopeful pop anthems perfectly captured the mid-’80s optimism. The same could be said of Koo De Tah’s “Too Young For Promises,” which combined mystery and melody into one of the most cinematic tracks of the decade.

On the edgier side, Do.Re.Mi’s “Man Overboard” tackled gender politics with fearless honesty, while Uncanny X-Men’s “50 Years” brought pop-rock energy and suburban angst to the charts.

Two tracks from Jimmy Barnes’s solo debut defined him as a true solo force: “Working Class Man,” written by Journey’s Jonathan Cain, became a blue-collar anthem for generations, and “Daylight” showed his raw power at full tilt.

Synth-pop found its peak with Pseudo Echo’s “Don’t Go” — slick, stylish, and ready for export. INXS pushed further toward global fame with “What You Need,” a confident funk-rock hybrid that made Michael Hutchence a worldwide icon.

Meanwhile, Models scored two massive hits with “Barbados” and “Out Of Mind, Out Of Sight.” The latter topped the charts, cementing the band’s place as one of Australia’s most inventive pop groups.

But topping the year — and doing so on their own terms — were Midnight Oil. Their “Species Deceases” EP hit number one while tackling issues like nuclear arms and environmental collapse. It was proof that political music could also be powerful rock.

1985 was the year Australian music truly came of age. Every corner of the scene — pop, rock, soul, and protest — delivered something unforgettable. Whether it was Jimmy Barnes belting out “Working Class Man” or Midnight Oil raging against the system, these songs remain a vital part of our cultural soundtrack.