8 of the 80s: 6/5/14 (1985)

Moving ahead a decade in today's throwbacks, I've got eight more nuggets from 1985, the year the Discovery Channel makes its debut in America.

Jack Wagner - "Premonition"
from the album All I Need (1984)
Billboard peak: #101
Songwriters: Tom Keane, Clif Magness, Mark Mueller

Wagner's starring stint on General Hospital couldn't pull this attempt at harder-edged faux new wave to the main pop chart, but I'm sure it was played in a lot of aerobic exercise rooms.

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The New Jersey Mass Choir - "I Want To Know What Love Is"
from the album I Want To Know What Love Is (1985)
Billboard peak: #101
Songwriter: Mick Jones


After the gospel group backed up Foreigner on their #1 single, they had a minor hit of their own with a version of it.

The Deele - "Material Thangz"
from the Material Thangz (1985)
Billboard peak: #101
Songwriter: Carlos Greene

Before Babyface and L.A. went on to bigger and better "thangz", they were part of this C-level funk group.

Wilton Felder with Bobby Womack - "(No Matter How High) I'll Still Be Lookin' Up To You"
from the album Secrets (1984)
Billboard peak: #102
Songwriters: Paul Kish, Bobby Womack

The former sax player for the Jazz Crusader paired up with the soul icon for this R&B hit.

Sheila E. - "Sister Fate"
from the album A Romance 1600 (1985)
Billboard peak: #102
Songwriter: Sheila E.

The first single from her sophomore album was quickly overshadowed by the more Prince-like "A Love Bizarre".

Con Funk Shun - "Electric Lady"
from the album Electric Lady (1985)
Billboard peak: #102
Songwriters: Ken Cedar, David Renzer, Lawrence Smith

This record tied with their "Chase" from 1979 to be their highest-charting R&B hit, stopping at #4.

Santana - "I'm The One Who Loves You"
from the album Beyond Appearances (1985)
Billboard peak: #102
Songwriter: Curtis Mayfield

The Latin rock fusion master was deep into adult contemporary land with his synth-heavy track that misses the soul of writer Mayfield.

Ashford & Simpson - "Babies"
from the album Solid (1984)
Billboard peak: #102
Songwriters: Nick Ashford, Valerie Simpson

The husband and wife songwriting/performing duo reached the R&B top-40 with this robotic opposite of their jubilant "Solid".