11 Albums That Turn 40 in 2025
The year 1985 sure did produce a diverse variety of hit albums many of which have stood the test of time. Let’s take a brief journey through that year and look at 11 albums turning 40 in 2025.
Phil Collins – No Jacket Required
Collins continued his ’80s dominance with No Jacket Required. The LP topped the album chart in 12 countries, including the United States, the UK, Canada, and Australia. Boasting singles like “Sussudio” and “One More Night,” No Jacket Required went on to win Album of the Year at the 28th Annual Grammy Awards.
Prince and the Revolution – Around the World in a Day
Trying to follow up Purple Rain must have been extremely daunting, but Prince clearly wasn’t one for fear nor was he one to simply try and replicate his previous work. Instead, Around the World in a Day saw Prince lean heavily into psychedelia. The album’s lead single, “Raspberry Beret,” is one of Prince’s most beloved songs.
Dire Straits – Brothers in Arms
Yeah, this is the way you do it. Dire Straits’ fifth studio album was an absolute smash and has sold over 30 million copies worldwide thanks to mega-hits like “Money for Nothing” and “Walk fo Life.”
Kate Bush – Hounds of Love
Hounds of Love has been a beloved classic for decades. However, the album and its lead single, “Running Up That Hill,” received renewed interest in 2022 thanks to being featured in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things. The enthusiasm was so intense that “Running Up That Hill” reentered the Billboard Hot 100 chart and went to No. 3.
John Cougar Mellencamp – Scarecrow
Two years after his hit album Uh-Huh, Mellencamp released Scarecrow, which really saw the singer-songwriter come into his own but still be able to crank out hits. The first three singles off of Scarecrow were “Lonely Ol’ Night,” “Small Town,” and “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.”
Heart – Heart
Sure, the ’80s-era of Heart is a touchy time for both fans and sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, but it’s difficult not to recognize the self-titled Heart, which is still the band’s only No. 1 album. Plus, songs like “What About Love” and “These Dreams” remain undeniable hits.
Whitney Houston – Whitney Houston
The self-titled debut that started a legendary career, Whitney Houston went on to sell over 30 million copies worldwide and has been certified 14 times platinum in the United States. The LP yielded three No. 1 singles: “Saving All My Love for You,” “How Will I Know,” and “Greatest Love of All.”
Motley Crue – Theatre of Pain
Following up their breakthrough album Shout at the Devil, Motley Crue released Theatre of Pain. The album leaned heavily into glam and gave the world a classic cover with “Smokin’ in the Boys Room” and one of the greatest power ballads of all time with “Home Sweet Home.”
The Cult – Love
If this author had her way, The Cult would’ve been a much bigger band in the United States. Of course, that doesn’t mean the English rock band didn’t have success stateside. “She Sells Sanctuary” remains a timeless rock classic. If you haven’t listened to Love in a long time, give it a listen, because it still holds up.
Bon Jovi – 7800° Fahrenheit
Sure, 7800° Fahrenheit wasn’t an absolute smash hit, but it’s a fascinating look at Bon Jovi a little over one year before the release of Slippery When Wet when they went on to damn near take over the world. Plus, “In and Out of Love” is still a fun jam.
Tears For Fears – Songs From the Big Chair
Whether you got into Songs From the Big Chair when it was first released or you got into it thanks to the use of “Head Over Heels” in the 2001 film Donnie Darko, New Wave icons Tears For Fears arrived in a massive way thanks to this sophomore effort. It didn’t hurt that this LP also featured No. 1 hits “Shout” and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.”
