Top Rock Hits of 1985: The Ultimate Mixtape

In 1985, rock music was at its peak, delivering iconic tracks that are still revered today. Imagine creating a mixtape back then, carefully selecting songs to capture the essence of the year. It was a time when cassettes ruled, and you had to consider track lengths to fit everything in.

For this exercise, let’s curate a rock mixtape of 1985. Picture yourself in that era, crafting a Side A and Side B that flow seamlessly together. Think about the artists who defined rock in 1985 and the songs that captured the spirit of the time.

While Dire Straits, Heart, Motley Crue, and Bryan Adams are must-haves, there are plenty of other artists who shaped rock music in 1985. It’s essential to strike a balance and tell the full story of that vibrant musical landscape.

Take a look at the mixtape lineup below and consider what songs you would add to reflect the rock genre in 1985. And if you want to dive deeper, you can listen to the full mixtape on Spotify. Let’s celebrate the best rock songs of 1985 the old-school way – through a mixtape playlist that encapsulates the magic of that musical era.