And so to Now 5. There were none of that new-fangled CD malarky. It were down to business straight away with a reet grand vinyl / cassette release. (That’s enough Yorkshire – Ed).

This year for good measure, they skipped a Spring issue, preferring to jump to 17 August 1985 for the first release of 85. I’m not sure if this is true or not, and call me a cynic, but perhaps a little event at Wembley Stadium in July might have had some bearing on the issue. Or not. I don’t know…

Side 1

Duran Duran – A View to a Kill
Scritti Politti – The Word Girl
Harold Faltermeyer – Axel F
Fine Young Cannibals – Johnny Come Home
Dead or Alive – In Too Deep
Stephen ‘Tintin’ Duffy – Icing on the Cake
Kool & the Gang – Cherish
Paul Young – Every Time You Go Away

Side 2

Marillion – Kayleigh
Bryan Ferry – Slave to Love
David Bowie – This Is Not America
Simple Minds – Don’t You (Forget About Me)
Power Station – Get It On (Bang A Gong)
China Crisis – Black Man Ray
Phil Collins – One More Night

Side 3

Sister Sledge – Frankie
Mai Tai – History
Simply Red – Money’s Too Tight (To Mention)
Steve Arrington – Feel So Real
Jaki Graham – Round and Around
The Conway Brothers – Turn It Up
Loose Ends – Magic Touch
The Commentators – N-N-Nineteen Not Out

Side 4

U2 – The Unforgettable Fire
The Style Council – Walls Come Tumbling Down
Katrina And The Waves – Walking On Sunshine
Gary Moore & Phil Lynott – Out In The Fields
The Damned – The Shadow Of Love
Howard Jones – Life in One Day
Jimmy Nail – Love Don’t Live Here Anymore