Here are the Hot Adult Contemporary #1s for 1985. The category went from Easy Listening in 1965 to Adult Contemporary in 1979, to Hot Adult Contemporary with the 20 October 1984 Billboard.
There was a lot of crossover between these and the pop and soul charts.
Cherish – Kool and the Gang, six weeks at #1. It was #2 for three weeks on the pop charts.
Careless Whisper – Wham!, featuring George Michael, five weeks at #1, three weeks at #1 pop.
Say You, Say Me – Lionel Richie, five weeks at #1, four weeks at #1 pop
The Search Is Over – Survivor, four weeks at #1. It went to #4 pop.
One More Night – Phil Collins, three weeks at #1
Who’s Holding Donna Now – DeBarge, three weeks at #1. #6 pop.
Saving All My Love For You – Whitney Houston, three weeks at #1, one week at #1 pop
Part-Time Lover, three weeks at #1. “It was the first single from his twentieth studio album, In Square Circle. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, R&B, dance, and adult contemporary charts, becoming Wonder’s final number one hit to date.”
Separate Lives – Phil Collins & Marilyn Martin, three weeks at #1, one week at #1 pop
Two weeks at #1
All I Need -Jack Wagner. He was on the soap opera General Hospital. Madonna’s Like A Virgin kept him from reaching #1 on the pop charts
You’re My Inspiration – Chicago. #3 for two weeks pop.
Too Late For Goodbye – Julian Lennon. It was released in September 1984 in the UK, but not until January 1985 in the US, where it reached #5 on the pop charts. Sam Peckinpah directed a music video for the song, but I don’t know for certain that this is it.
We Are The World – USA for Africa, #1 for four weeks pop. This is the radio edit.
Suddenly – Billy Ocean. #4 pop.
Smooth Operator – Sade. #5 pop.
Axel F – Harold Faltermeyer, two weeks at #1. This is the “theme tune to the film Beverly Hills Cop, its eponymous character played by Eddie Murphy, and the film franchise it is based on.” It became an international number one hit in 1985, but only went to #3 on the pop charts for three weeks in the US. I believe it’s Faltermeyer in the video.
Every Time You Go Away – Paul Young, two weeks at #1, #1 for one week pop
The only song to top the AC charts in 1985 for only one week was Rhythm of the Night—DeBarge. It went to #3 for two weeks on the pop charts.