One of the hallmarks of music in the 1980s was the synthesis of sounds across all genres. This has led to a number of one-hit wonder artists who have found a way to top the charts, even though they haven’t found sustained success. Introducing songs that bring a wave of nostalgia to you.
1. Whip It by Devo (1980)
This new wave song became a huge success with a music video on MTV. Although some parents thought it dealt with inappropriate material, the song became a family favorite.
Can you hear it in your head? I can do it now.
2. Funky Town by Lipps Inc. (1979)
The disco era may have faded by 1980, but the Lips kept it alive with their soulful track “Funky Town.” Although the song was a worldwide hit, the group never charted in the United States again.
3. Mickey by Tony Basil (1981)
Basil’s remake of the 1981 new wave hit “Kitty,” about a girl’s love for a boy named Mickey, became a worldwide sensation and reached number one in the United States. signboard‘s Hot 100 chart. The cheerleading-themed video was choreographed by Basil himself.
4. Tainted Love by Soft Cell (1981)
Gloria Jones first released the song in 1965 to little fanfare. However, it wasn’t until her cover of the 1982 Soft Girlfriend that this single became a worldwide hit and is still popular on pop music radio today. One of her versions of Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love” has an ending that changes to “Where Did Our Love Go?” by the Supremes.
5. Take My Breath Away by Berlin (1986)
Love songs from the 1986 hit movie top gun It topped charts around the world and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. The American New Wave band was unable to repeat their number one success and disbanded in 1987.
6. Don’t Worry Be Happy by Bobby McFarlin (1988)
This fun melody was the first a cappella song to reach number one on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in 1988. The official video features the comical stylings of Bill Irwin and the late Robin Williams.
7. Only the Lonely by the Motels (1982)
The first single from the new wave band’s third studio album would become their only hit. This 1982 song of hers, propelled into the top 10 largely by her video, struck a chord with listeners as it was about achieving success without joy.
8. Double Dutch Bus by Frankie Smith (1981)
The catchy 1981 jam was dedicated to the Double Dutch Jump Rope game, which was especially popular in Smith’s hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The song has had an incredible impact on hip-hop language and music and has been sampled by many artists.
9. Forget Me Nots by Patrice Rushen (1982)
Although considered a failure by American music executives, Patrice Rushen’s song achieved moderate success around the world in 1982. man in black clothes And George Michael first lovethe single was heavily featured in the Tom Hanks movie big.
10. Rock Me Amadeus Falco (1985)
Falco’s rap and pop performance inspired by the 1984 film Amadeus Rock Me Amadeus He became the first and only German-speaking artist to ever reach the top. signboard‘s Hot 100 chart. Falco continued to attempt to release new music until his death in 1995 at the age of 40.
11. Lady in Red by Chris de Burgh (1986)
De Burgh’s 1986 ballad, inspired by the first time he saw the woman who would become his wife, is also a polarizing one-hit wonder. Although the song became popular all over the world, it was also listed as one of his most annoying songs of the 1980s.
12. Take On Me by A-ha (1985)
The music video, which received little attention after its original release in 1984, was remade the following year as a combination of live-action and pencil sketch animation. Not only did the song help it top the charts, the video also won numerous awards, making it one of his most famous videos and songs of the 1980s.
13. Somebody’s Watching Me by Rockwell (1984)
This 1984 single was destined to be a hit. Unknown to many, Rockwell was the son of legendary Motown founder Berry He Gordy. Additionally, Michael Jackson sang the chorus, and Jermaine Jackson provided backing vocals.
14.Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood (1984)
Synthpop group Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s first song was first released in 1983. Still, it took him until the spring of 1984 to gain traction on the pop charts. Interesting fact: three video versions of him were created, including live performances and the version featured in the film Brian de Parma. Kagemusha.
15. Our House by Madness (1982)
This pop band’s only top 10 hit single was from their fourth studio album. This video showcases homes such as modest working-class homes, Buckingham Palace, and Hugh Hefner’s infamous mansion.
16. Catch Me (I’m Falling) Pretty Poison (1987)
Philadelphia dance group Pretty Poison’s infectious 1987 song still gets parties going. In addition to appearing in Jon Cryer’s films, hidehas recently become popular again with its use on Netflix. Dahmer – Monster: The Story of Jeffrey Dahmer soundtrack.
17. St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion) by John Parr (1984)
The theme song for the 1985 Brat Pack film St. Elmo’s Fire was a worldwide No. 1 hit and earned a Grammy nomination. Parr remade the song in 2012 as a tribute to football player Tim Tebow. Tim Tebow’s Fire.
18. Come on Eileen by Dexy’s Midnight Runners (1982)
‘Come on Eileen’ won Best British Single at the 1983 Brit Awards and was again voted one of the best songs of the 1980s across the UK in 2015.
19. Electric Avenue by Eddie Grant (1982)
With the help of MTV, Eddie Grant shot to the top of the charts in 1983 with “Electric Avenue.” The song references an actual street in London called Electric Avenue, where riots occurred in 1981.
20. She Blind Me with Science (Thomas Dolby, 1982)
This funky, scientific song is known as one of the greatest one-hit wonders of all time. It was also used as the theme song in the pilot version of the movie. big bang theory.
