One Hit Wonders: 80's

Hits of the '80s

For every Madonna, Michael Jackson and Wham! who made it big (no pun intended, Wham! fans), in the 1980s, there was a one-hit wonder who scored an equally huge chart-topping hit. These songs defined the generation's music history with their unforgettable lyrics, catchy melodies and irresistible catch phrases.

The list of one-hit wonders: 80's music is quite lengthy. Many, if not most, of the songs are likely to be as familiar to the general public as those by the world's most popular artists. While some did top the charts, others idled just near the top and maintained a steadfast hold on boom boxes across the country. In other words, it didn't matter how high they hit on the charts - it was their contagious melodies that made them relevant then and today.

One Hit Wonders: 80's Music

An endless selection of '80s music has led to the popularity of radio stations dedicated solely to this indulgent decade's biggest and best hits. We all know, love and sing along with I Wanna Dance With Somebody and Sunglasses at Night, but we're equally enamored of the songs by artists who struck big once, only to never be heard from again. Who's on this intriguing list? Here's just a taste of the artists and songs that have earned a proud spot in the one-hit wonder annals of music history.

Toni Basil

Boasting a quintessentially '80s-esque music video and a playful, sing-along-with-me chorus, Mickey was singer Toni Basil's biggest – and only – hit. The sight of dozens of peppy cheerleaders, pompoms waving frantically, as they hopped to the beat and chanted, "Oh Mickey, you're so fine/You're so fine, you blow my mind/Hey Mickey!" is one that no pop music fan will forget. Today, the song is a staple on 80's music radio stations, and Basil herself shows up on the occasional trip down memory lane to discuss the song's popularity.

Jan Hammer

Some of you are probably staring blank-faced at the screen right about now – which just happens to prove the significance of one-hit wonders! You may not know their names and faces, but their songs are unforgettable. If you've ever seen Miami Vice, then you've heard Jan Hammer's beat-driven theme song to the popular television program. The tune will go down in history as one of the most famous instrumentals ever.

Dexys Midnight Runners

They scored big with "Come On Eileen" in 1983, but the British band's other singles simply didn't match up. The good news, though, is that lead singer Kevin Rowland was right when he sang, "I'll hum this tune forever." Indeed.

Tommy Tutone

It might be the first phone number (besides your own) that you memorized. 867-5309 (Jenny) is still a favorite with its catchy tune and unique chorus. Of course, the song also provided plenty of unlucky citizens with major headaches! People who shared the same phone number as the song title weren't too amused by the endless crank calls and requests to speak to Jenny.

a-ha

Though a-ha had a couple of very minor hits after "Take on Me" made its mark on the world, the band will always be remembered for that song and the animated/live action music video that accompanied it.

More One-Hit Wonders

The list is endless, and the above songs are just a sampling of the singles that made a strong impact. A few others that stand out among the bunch include:

• 99 Luftballoons by Nena
• Tainted Love by Soft Cell
• Pass the Dutchie by Musical Youth
• Whip It by Devo
• Too Shy by Kajagoogoo
• The Safety Dance by Men Without Hats
• Funkytown by Lipps, Inc.
• Rock Me Amadeus by Falco
• Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood
• She's Like the Wind by Patrick Swayze
• Into the Night by Benny Mardones
• The Promise by When in Rome
• Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves

The Relevance of One-Hit Wonders

Even today, many of these songs still have an impact. New generations are consistently exposed to them through television commercials and movie soundtracks. This, of course, helps develop a whole new fan base for the songs and retain their popularity. For example, Pringles used a play on words of Devo's Whip It to promote their potato chips.