19 hit songs turning 40 in 2025 from Elton John to Tina Turner
You can hear these songs on Greatest Hits Radio
From Whitney Houston to Madonna, Bryan Adams to Elton John, here we have some fantastic songs that are all celebrating their 40th anniversary in 2025. From the power ballads like Paul Young's 'Everytime You Go Away' and Mr. Mister's 'Broken Wings', to synth-pop hits like Kate Bush's 'Running Up That Hill' and Eurythmics' 'There Must Be An Angel', you're bound to know and love many of these songs.
In 1985 the UK also saw several significant events. The first mobile phone call was made in the UK by the son of former Vodafone Chairman Sir Ernest Harrison, calling his dad on New Year's Day. 1985 was also the year the Sinclair C5, a battery-assisted tricycle designed by Clive Sinclair, was launched.
Four decades ago, the iconic red telephone boxes began to be phased out by BT and it was also the year that EastEnders debuted on our TVs when most of us had just four channels.
Songs turning 40-years-old in 2025:
a-ha – ‘Take On Me’
a-ha's 1985 classic 'Take On Me' had an iconic music video which has now had more than two billion views on YouTube. The music video interspersed live clips with an animated pencil sketch.
The song was originally released in 1984, however it didn't have success in the UK until it was re-released for the second time in 1985. Then, it was third time lucky with the Norwegian band who ended up with a Number 2 hit single in the UK on it's third release.
Watch the music video on YouTube
Whitney Houston – ‘Saving All My Love For You’
Whitney Houston's cover of 'Saving All My Love For You' was her third single from her self-titled debut album. The song went to Number 1 in the UK, where it was certified Gold. 'Saving All My Love For You' also won Whitney a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1986.
Watch the music video on YouTube
Madonna – ‘Material Girl’
Featured on Madonna's second studio album 'Like a Virgin', 'Material Girl' wad a big hit for the pop super star. The song was produced by Nile Rodgers and reached Number 3 in the UK charts, being certified Silver. The song was later remixed and re-released in 2006, when it was certified Platinum.
Watch the music video on YouTube
Kate Bush – ‘Running Up That Hill’
Released in August 1985, Kate Bush had a massive hit with 'Running Up That Hill' which went to Number 3 in the UK. The song was written and produced by Kate. In 2022, 37 years after its initial release the song soared to Number 1 following its use in an iconic scene on the hit TV show Stranger Things.
Watch the original music video on YouTube
Paul Young – ‘Every Time You Go Away’
'Every Time You Go Away' was a big hit for Paul Young 40 years ago. The song was originally written by Daryl Hall, of Hall and Oates fame, and recorded by the duo in 1980, however they never released it. In 1985, Paul enjoyed a Top 5 hit with the song, which has now had more than 299 million views on YouTube.
Watch the music video on YouTube
Tears For Fears – ‘Everybody Wants to Rule The World’
'Everybody Wants to Rule The World' was released by Tears For Fears with the line-up of Roland Orzabal (guitar, vocals), Curt Smith (bass, vocals), Manny Elias (electronic drums) and Ian Stanley (synthesizers). The single was a Number 2 hit in the UK and has now been certified 4× Platinum. The song was written by Roland, Ian and producer Chris Hughes, who also produced the hit.
Watch the music video on YouTube.
Prince – ‘Raspberry Beret’
Prince's 'Raspberry Beret' was written and produced by the music icon. It served as the lead single from Prince & the Revolution's 1985 album 'Around the World in a Day', and went to Number 25 in the UK. It was actually recorded twice, once in 1982, and once in 1984, which was released the following year.
Watch the music video on YouTube.
Dead or Alive – ‘You Spin Me Right Round’
'You Spin Me Right Round' was released several times, getting to Number 1 in the UK in 1985. The song was Stock Aitken Waterman's first Number 1 and also became a huge hit around the world. Although it didn't manage to top the charts on its re-releases, it did enter the Top 5 when Pete Burns appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2006.
Watch the music video on YouTube.
Katrina and The Waves – ‘Walking on Sunshine’
Apart from their Eurovision winning entry 'Love Shine A Light' in 1997, Katrina and The Waves' biggest hit was 'Walking on Sunshine'. The song was written by the band's guitarist Kimberley Rew.
Watch the music video on YouTube.
Starship - ‘We Built This City’
As anthems go, Starship's 'We Built This City' is a pretty big one. The band's debut release was a hit around the world in 1985, going to Number 12 in the UK. It topped the charts in their native United States and has been certified Platinum in the UK.
Watch the music video on YouTube.
David Bowie and Mick Jagger – ‘Dancing In The Street’
Despite being originally released back in 1964 by Martha and the Vandellas, it was David Bowie and Mick Jagger's version of 'Dancing In The Street' which went to the top spot in the UK. Their cover of the song was recorded to raise money for Live Aid, with the original idea for Mick Jagger and David Bowie to perform the song between Wembley Stadium and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. Unfortunately in the end that performance didn't go ahead as the satellite link would have had a half-second delay.
Watch the music video on YouTube.
Eurythmics – ‘There Must Be An Angel (Playing with My Heart)’
Eurythmics members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart wrote their 1985 hit 'There Must Be An Angel (Playing with My Heart)' and enjoyed significant success with it. The song went to Number 1 in the UK as well as Ireland, Norway and Finland. The song was also certified Gold in Canada and New Zealand, with a Silver certification in the UK.
Watch the music video on YouTube.
Tina Turner – ‘We Don’t Need Another Hero’
Tina Turner's Top 5 hit 'We Don't Need Another Hero' was featured on Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, which starred Tina alongside Mel Gibson. The song was nominated for a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal, and the following year received an Ivor Novello Award for Best Contemporary Song and Best Film Theme or Song.
Watch the music video on YouTube.
Elton John – ‘Nikita’
The song was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin about an East German border guard patrolling the Berlin Wall, called 'Nikita'. In the song, he describes never being able to meet the guard because he can't cross the border. George Michael provided backing vocals for the hit, while Nik Kershaw played guitar. The song went to Number 3 in the UK.
Watch the music video on YouTube.
Duran Duran – ‘View To a Kill’
Written and recorded as the theme for the James Bond film 'View To a Kill', Duran Duran's song of the same name was also successful in the UK charts, reaching Number 2. The song was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and performed at Live Aid in Philadelphia.
Watch the music video on YouTube.
Simple Minds – ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’
They're still going today, but in 1985, Simple Minds with the line-up of Jim Kerr, Charlie Burchill, Michael McNeil, Mel Gaynor and John Giblin released 'Don't You (Forget About Me)'. The song became one of their biggest hits, and in February 2025 a live version of the song was released to celebrate the announcement of a new live album 'Live In The City of Diamonds'.
When it was originally released, the song went to Number 7, and was certified Silver. It was then re-released in 2004, when it was certified 3× Platinum.
Watch the music video on YouTube.
Bryan Adams – ‘Summer of ‘69’
Despite not entering the UK Top 40 when it was released back in 1985, Bryan Adams' 'Summer of '69' is a timeless classic, and has become incredibly popular since its initial release. The song's music video was nominated for Best Male Video at the MTV Video Music Awards. Then, in May 2021 the Official Charts Company listed the song as one of the UK's biggest-selling summer songs.
Watch the music video on YouTube.
Mr. Mister – ‘Broken Wings’
Mr. Mister's hit 'Broken Wings' was released just as they were about to go on tour to support Tina Turner. The song became a Top 5 hit in the UK, and continues to be popular today, with the the music video attracting more than 214 million views since it was added in October 2013.
Watch the music video on YouTube.
Paul Hardcastle – ‘19’
Paul Hardcastle's iconic track was written about the US' involvement in the Vietnam War, and the effects it had on those that served. The memorable music video was created by taking clips from the Vietnam Requiem documentary. The song quickly went to Number 1 in the UK and around the world, including West Germany, Sweden, Italy and Netherlands.
Watch the music video on YouTube.
Now read:
The greatest one-hit wonders of the 1980s
Bryan Adams: How the 'Groover From Vancouver' became famous
Tina Turner: Remembering the pop icon behind 'Proud Mary' and many more
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