Key Takeaway
This week’s chart from March 16, 1985 captures a powerful moment in pop music: the bright, effervescent shine of Wham!’s Make It Big sitting at No. 1—and with it, the confident optimism of mid-’80s pop.It’s not just about a catchy hook; Wham! represented a youthful exuberance and musical freedom that resonated at a time when global and political tensions still loomed.
At the same time, the rise of Make It Big on the charts reminds us how music serves as a cultural refuge and unifier.
While the headlines of the day were heavy, on the turntables consumers were spinning songs that made them feel seen, carefree, and hopeful.
That tension—between what’s happening politically and what people are listening to—is one of the most meaningful take-aways from this week in 1985.
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A Snapshot in Time
Here’s a look at some of the major historical things happening around March 16, 1985, just as these albums were climbing the charts:
On March 16, 1985, Terry Anderson, an Associated Press journalist, was kidnapped in Beirut by a group linked to Hezbollah. History Diaries+2TakeMeBack+2
This event was part of a larger pattern of hostage-taking in Lebanon during the civil war. History Diaries+1
That same day, Soviet-U.S. tensions simmered as talks on arms and space-based missile defense (“Star Wars”) were ongoing. History Diaries
In the United Kingdom, the 1984–1985 miners’ strike was still in full force, symbolizing deep economic and political divisions. Wikipedia
Earlier in history on this date: March 16 has been marked by major moments, such as the My Lai massacre in 1968. Wikipedia+1
Just as Americans were navigating these geopolitical and social shifts, people were also turning to their stereos, cassettes, or turntables—and these were the albums they were putting on.
This Week’s Top Ten Albums in America (March 16, 1985)
Wham! – Make It Big
Featured hit song: Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go (among others) Wikipedia+1
John Fogerty – Centerfield
Featured hit: The Old Man Down the Road (or Centerfield)
Bruce Springsteen – Born in the U.S.A.
Featured hit: Dancing in the Dark (or Born in the U.S.A.)
Madonna – Like a Virgin
Featured hit: Like a Virgin
Beverly Hills Cop – Movie Soundtrack
Featured hit: Axel F (instrumental theme)
Foreigner – Agent Provocateur
Featured hit: I Want to Know What Love Is
REO Speedwagon – Wheels Are Turnin’
Featured hit: Can’t Fight This Feeling
Phil Collins – No Jacket Required
Featured hit: Sussudio
Tina Turner – Private Dancer
Featured hit: What’s Love Got to Do with It
Bryan Adams – Reckless
Featured hit: Run to You (or Heaven)
Album of the Week Spotlight
Make It Big - Wham!
Wham!-Make It Big
💿 Album of the Week Spotlight
Wham! – Make It Big
Why I Picked It:
Wham! was capturing lightning in a bottle in the mid-1980s.
With Make It Big, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley moved beyond teenage pop idols into global superstars.
The album’s polished production and irresistible hooks made it a commercial juggernaut.
It resonated with young people who craved both dance floor energy and emotional honesty.
Release & Chart Climb:
Make It Big was released in late 1984 (October in the U.S.). Wikipedia
The album soared to No. 1 on both the U.S. and UK charts, fueled by its string of hit singles. Wikipedia
Over time, it went multi-platinum, proving that Wham! wasn’t just a fad—but a defining act of their era. Wikipedia
Critical Reception:
Critics praised the album for its blend of upbeat pop and emotional depth.
George Michael’s songwriting and production maturity stood out; he had more control over this album than previous work. Wikipedia
While some dismissed Wham! as lightweight pop, the success of Make It Big proved that they had real staying power.
Cultural & Musical Impact:
Make It Big helped define mainstream synth-pop in the ’80s. Its songs were played everywhere—from radio to nightclubs—and it brought British pop sensibility to a global audience.
For many fans, Wham! symbolized a kind of joyful rebellion and optimism in a decade that was still grappling with political tension.
About Last Christmas:
Although Last Christmas was not on Make It Big (it was released as a standalone single), it has a special connection to this era.
The song was released on December 3, 1984. Wikipedia+1 Initially, it was released as a double A-side with Everything She Wants. Wikipedia+1 In the UK, Last Christmas peaked at No. 2, famously blocked from #1 by Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas?. Wikipedia
Over the years, it became a perennial favorite, and decades later (in 2023) it finally reached Christmas No. 1 in the UK—an astonishing 39 years after its release. The National News+2The Standard+2
Its enduring appeal highlights George Michael’s songwriting brilliance and the emotional resonance of Wham!’s music.
Thank You for Your Support!
Thank you for being a loyal reader of America's Top Ten Albums Insights!
Your passion for music history and these weekly journeys through classic albums means the world to me.
This blog is supported through affiliate sales, and when you make purchases through links on this site, you're helping keep these stories and memories alive.
I'm grateful for your continued support and for being part of this community that celebrates the soundtrack of our lives.
Here's to many more musical discoveries together!
Cheers, George
My Connection
Back in December 1984 through January 1985, I was managing the Camelot Music store at Park City Mall.
Wham! was everywhere. Our local radio station, WLAN in Lancaster, PA, was playing them heavily.
Between their radio presence and our in-store displays, we sold a ton of Make It Big LPs—and even singles.
My team and I felt like we were right in the eye of a pop storm.
Wham!’s energy was infectious, and customers came in excited, humming Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, Everything She Wants, and even Last Christmas.
It was more than a hit album—it was a cultural moment.
Is Your Current Turntable Hurting Your Records?
Reflections & Insights
TLooking at this week’s chart in March 1985, you can see how pop music offered a counterbalance to a tumultuous world.
While news headlines spoke of kidnappings, Cold War tensions, and political divisions, Make It Big and the rest of the Top Ten provided something different: a shared soundtrack for joy, escape, and connection.
Wham! in particular represented youth, energy, and ambition—qualities that resonated deeply for a generation grappling with uncertainty.
This chart also reminds us how albums, not just singles, shaped people’s listening habits.
In 1985, buying an LP was still a big deal: fans weren’t just grabbing the hit song—they were buying into an artist’s vision.
Make It Big was more than a collection of singles—it was a statement, and one that helped define the sound of its time.
Camelot Music Park City Mall 1985
🧠 Trivia Corner
Fun Fact 1: Make It Big produced four top-three singles in the U.S. and UK. Wikipedia
Fun Fact 2: George Michael produced Make It Big himself, solidifying his role not just as a singer but a serious songwriter-producer. Wikipedia
Fun Fact 3: Wham! donated all royalties from Last Christmas to the Ethiopian famine appeal, aligning with the charitable spirit of the Band Aid era. Wikipedia+1
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Did Last Christmas come from Make It Big?
A: No — Last Christmas was released separately (December 3, 1984) and later paired as a double A-side with Everything She Wants in the UK. Wikipedia+1
Q: Why was Last Christmas so successful in the UK but never hit No. 1 in 1984?
A: It was beaten to the top spot by Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas?, which dominated the UK charts in December 1984. Wikipedia
Q: When did Last Christmas finally reach No. 1 in the UK?
A: It reached the UK Christmas No. 1 in 2023—39 years after its release, making chart history. The National News
Q: How long was Wham! together after Make It Big?
A: Wham! disbanded in the mid-1980s. Their final studio album (in the U.S.) was Music from the Edge of Heaven. Wikipedia
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