List of Hot Black Singles number ones of 1985

Singer Freddie Jackson
Freddie Jackson (pictured in 2019) spent eight weeks at number one in 1985, the most by any act.

Billboard published a weekly chart in 1985 ranking the top-performing singles in the United States in African American-oriented genres; the chart has undergone various name changes over the decades to reflect the evolution of black music and has been published as Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs since 2005.[1] In 1985, it was published under the title Hot Black Singles,[2] and 21 different singles reached number one.

In the issue of Billboard dated January 5, the group Midnight Star was at number one with "Operator", the song's third week atop the chart. The track ultimately spent five weeks in the top spot, but would prove to be the group's only chart-topper.[3] It was replaced at number one by "Gotta Get You Home Tonight" by Eugene Wilde, who reached the peak position with his first single to enter the chart.[4] Seven other acts reached number one for the first time during the year: Maze featuring Frankie Beverly with "Back in Stride" in April, the supergroup USA For Africa with "We Are the World" and Whitney Houston with "You Give Good Love" in May, Freddie Jackson with "Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)" in June, both Loose Ends with "Hangin' on a String (Contemplating)" and René & Angela with "Save Your Love (For #1)" in July, and Ready for the World with "Oh Sheila" in September.[5] Both Houston and Jackson achieved a second chart-topper before the end of the year. Additionally, the trio Isley-Jasper-Isley had their first chart topper under that name with "Caravan of Love", having previously spent time at number one as part of the Isley Brothers.[6] "We Are the World", a charity single intended to relieve starving people in Africa, particularly those feeling the effects of a lengthy famine in Ethiopia,[7] became the fastest-selling American pop single in history[8] and dominated radio airplay.[9] As a result, it topped the Hot 100, Hot Adult Contemporary, Hot Black Singles, and Hot Dance/Disco 12 Inch Singles Sales charts.[10][11] Houston's "Saving All My Love for You", Ready for the World's "Oh Sheila" and Stevie Wonder's "Part-Time Lover" also topped both the Black Singles chart and the Hot 100.[12]

In addition to Houston and Jackson, Kool & the Gang and Wilde had multiple number ones during 1985. Jackson's "Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)" tied with "Part-Time Lover" by Wonder for 1985's longest run in the peak position at six weeks each; Jackson's total of eight weeks at number one was the most of any act. In August, Aretha Franklin's "Freeway of Love" became her twentieth chart-topper, extending her record as the artist with the most number ones on the listing; it would prove to be her final appearance atop the chart, 18 years after her first.[13] Diana Ross, another of the biggest stars of black music,[14] also topped the chart for the final time.[15] She spent three weeks at number one with "Missing You", a tribute to singer Marvin Gaye, who had died the previous year.[15] Ross had first topped the chart as one of the Supremes in 1965.[16] The final number one of 1985 was Wilde's "Don't Say No Tonight"; although Wilde gained two number ones in 1985, he would achieve no further chart-toppers in his career.[4]

Chart history

[edit]
Singer Aretha Franklin
"Freeway of Love" by Aretha Franklin (pictured in 1968) was her record-extending 20th number one on the chart when it reached the top position in August.
Singer Angela Winbush
"Save Your Love (For #1)" was a chart-topper for René & Angela (Angela Winbush pictured in 1996).
Singer Diana Ross
"Missing You" was the final number one on the chart for Diana Ross (pictured in 1982), who had first topped the listing in 1965 as part of the Supremes.
singer Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston (pictured in 2009) reached number one for the first time with "You Give Good Love".
Key
† Indicates number 1 on Billboard's year-end black singles chart[17]
Chart history
Issue date Title Artist(s) Ref.
January 5 "Operator" Midnight Star [18]
January 12 [19]
January 19 [20]
January 26 "Gotta Get You Home Tonight" Eugene Wilde [21]
February 2 "Mr. Telephone Man" New Edition [22]
February 9 [23]
February 16 [24]
February 23 "Missing You" Diana Ross [25]
March 2 [26]
March 9 [27]
March 16 "Nightshift" Commodores [28]
March 23 [29]
March 30 [30]
April 6 [31]
April 13 "Back In Stride" Maze featuring Frankie Beverly [32]
April 20 [33]
April 27 "Rhythm Of the Night" DeBarge [34]
May 4 "We Are the World" USA for Africa [35]
May 11 [36]
May 18 "Fresh" Kool & the Gang [37]
May 25 "You Give Good Love" Whitney Houston [38]
June 1 "Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)" † Freddie Jackson [39]
June 8 [40]
June 15 [41]
June 22 [42]
June 29 [43]
July 6 [44]
July 13 "Hangin' on a String (Contemplating)" Loose Ends [45]
July 20 "Save Your Love (For #1)" René & Angela [46]
July 27 [47]
August 3 "Freeway of Love" Aretha Franklin [48]
August 10 [49]
August 17 [50]
August 24 [51]
August 31 [52]
September 7 "Saving All My Love for You" Whitney Houston [53]
September 14 "Cherish" Kool & the Gang [54]
September 21 "Oh Sheila" Ready For the World [55]
September 28 [56]
October 5 "You Are My Lady" Freddie Jackson [57]
October 12 [58]
October 19 "Part-Time Lover" Stevie Wonder [59]
October 26 [60]
November 2 [61]
November 9 [62]
November 16 [63]
November 23 [64]
November 30 "Caravan of Love" Isley-Jasper-Isley [65]
December 7 [66]
December 14 [67]
December 21 "Don't Say No Tonight" Eugene Wilde [68]
December 28 [69]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Molanphy, Chris (April 14, 2014). "I Know You Got Soul: The Trouble With Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Chart". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on January 21, 2019. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  2. ^ Whitburn 1996, p. xii.
  3. ^ Whitburn 2004, pp. 398–399.
  4. ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 623.
  5. ^ Whitburn 2004, pp. 263, 281, 359, 385, 485, 489, 490, 599.
  6. ^ Whitburn 2004, pp. 278, 279.
  7. ^ Garber, Megan (March 10, 2015). "'We Are the World' at 30: Stars Will Never Be That Earnest Again". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on April 29, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  8. ^ Bennett, Robert A. (December 29, 1985). "Whoever dreamed that up?". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 2, 2018. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  9. ^ Tyler-Ameen, Daoud (December 21, 2010). "The Worst Ideas Of 2010: We Are The World 25". NPR. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  10. ^ "Hot Dance/Disco". Billboard. April 20, 1985. Archived from the original on December 29, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  11. ^ "USA for Africa". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 14, 2019. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  12. ^ Whitburn 2004, pp. 263, 485, 636.
  13. ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 215, 216, 783.
  14. ^ Levesley, David (May 7, 2020). "16 Diana Ross songs to cushion the blow of missing her Glastonbury set". GQ. Archived from the original on August 18, 2022. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 502.
  16. ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 558.
  17. ^ "Year End Charts – Year-end Singles – Hot R&B;/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. December 11, 2007. Archived from the original on December 11, 2007. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  18. ^ "R & B Chart for January 5, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  19. ^ "R & B Chart for January 12, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  20. ^ "R & B Chart for January 19, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  21. ^ "R & B Chart for January 26, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 2, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  22. ^ "R & B Chart for February 2, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  23. ^ "R & B Chart for February 9, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 21, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  24. ^ "R & B Chart for February 16, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  25. ^ "R & B Chart for February 23, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  26. ^ "R & B Chart for March 2, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  27. ^ "R & B Chart for March 9, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  28. ^ "R & B Chart for March 16, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  29. ^ "R & B Chart for March 23, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 23, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  30. ^ "R & B Chart for March 30, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  31. ^ "R & B Chart for April 6, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  32. ^ "R & B Chart for April 13, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  33. ^ "R & B Chart for April 20, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  34. ^ "R & B Chart for April 27, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  35. ^ "R & B Chart for May 4, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  36. ^ "R & B Chart for May 11, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  37. ^ "R & B Chart for May 18, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  38. ^ "R & B Chart for May 25, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  39. ^ "R & B Chart for June 1, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 26, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  40. ^ "R & B Chart for June 8, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  41. ^ "R & B Chart for June 15, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  42. ^ "R & B Chart for June 22, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  43. ^ "R & B Chart for June 29, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  44. ^ "R & B Chart for July 6, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 24, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  45. ^ "R & B Chart for July 13, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  46. ^ "R & B Chart for July 20, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  47. ^ "R & B Chart for July 27, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  48. ^ "R & B Chart for August 3, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  49. ^ "R & B Chart for August 10, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  50. ^ "R & B Chart for August 17, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  51. ^ "R & B Chart for August 24, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  52. ^ "R & B Chart for August 31, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  53. ^ "R & B Chart for September 7, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  54. ^ "R & B Chart for September 14, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 24, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  55. ^ "R & B Chart for September 21, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  56. ^ "R & B Chart for September 28, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  57. ^ "R & B Chart for October 5, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  58. ^ "R & B Chart for October 12, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  59. ^ "R & B Chart for October 19, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 8, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  60. ^ "R & B Chart for October 26, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  61. ^ "R & B Chart for November 2, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  62. ^ "R & B Chart for November 9, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 11, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  63. ^ "R & B Chart for November 16, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  64. ^ "R & B Chart for November 23, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  65. ^ "R & B Chart for November 30, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  66. ^ "R & B Chart for December 7, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  67. ^ "R & B Chart for December 14, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  68. ^ "R & B Chart for December 21, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  69. ^ "R & B Chart for December 28, 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.

Works cited

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