Top 100 One-Hit Wonders of the 80s (#90-81)

Continuing the countdown of commentary on VH-1's "Top 100 One-Hit Wonders of the 80s" (the previous one can be found here), here are Numbers 90-81!

As before, I'm linking to Youtube since the VH-1 links won't work for me.


#90: Haircut 100: "Love Plus One" (1981)



Ah, yes, another quintessential 80s New Wave band, Haircut 100 didn't stick around long, and only had this one song. It's typical 80s: bad hair, lots of weird imagery in the video (what's with the lop-sided Tarzan swing?) and lots of "ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya" choruses. It's an ok song, but doesn't bring back too many memories (I was only 11!). It doesn't hold that much charm today, however.

And why do so many lead singers from that era resemble Rick Astley somehow?

#89: Rodney Dangerfield: "Rappin' Rodney" (1980)

I'm guessing on the date, because I can't find a citation. Wikipedia says it was one of MTV's first videos, though, so I'm just putting 1980.

Ah yes, another actor/comedian gets one hit and thus shows up on this list. This is just a rehash of Dangerfield's comedy routines set to a rap. If you like his schtick, you'll like this. If you don't, you won't. I found it funny at the time, but it hasn't aged well. It's fitting this came out when it did, though, as the early 80s is when his career peaked. Worth a look-see, for nostalgia if nothing else.

#88: Nik Kershaw: "Wouldn't it be Good?" (1984)

Wow! Cool 80s video special effects in the video! Wonder if his hair is one of those? Watching Nik try to emote is kind of painful, though.

How about the song? It's actually pretty good, though not one of my favourites. It's been covered a lot over the years. It's got the usual 80s synth and pop vocals, it's kind of catchy, and it's not something that makes me turn the radio off.

Now that's an endorsement!

#87: Vixen: "Edge of a Broken Heart" (1988)

Finally, a Hair Band that makes sense! This all-female group released their first album in 1988 and this was the only hit off of that album. It came out my first year in college and was always on MTV at that time. All the women are gorgeous (and I'm sure the hair was actually a turn-on back then), but the song's not too bad either. I loved it at the time and it's certainly not bad even now.

If you're into that kind of thing, of course.

Incidentally, why do so many female rock singers of the 80s sound like Pat Benatar?

#86: Patrice Rushen: "Forget Me Nots" (1982)

I'm listening to this song right now, and I have absolutely no memory of it, thus it is not having the desired nostalgic effect. It's definitely a good song. Rushen had a very successful R&B career (maybe she's on this list because this is the only "mainstream" hit she had?) and displays a lot of talent. It's a great song, and I love the sax in the middle. This song just doesn't scream "80s!!!!" to me, which I guess is a good thing.

#85: Ziggy Marley And The Melody Makers: "Tomorrow People" (1988)

Obviously, Marley has had a very successful Reggae career, but this is the only song of his that broke into the mainstream Billboard charts. There's nothing in the song that speaks as to why that is, but I remember enjoying the song a lot when it came out. And then I got so tired of it that I never wanted to hear it again. I haven't been a big reggae fan over the years, but my wife likes it some so I have been listening to a bit more than usual and I do enjoy it.

This was also a first year of college song for me, but this one just started getting annoying. I'm much better now, though.

#84: The Church: "Under the Milky Way" (1988)

I absolutely loved this song when it came out in 1988 and I still love it to this day. Whenever it comes on the car radio, I'm singing away to myself. This Australian band had a couple of hits in its native country, but this song was the only international hit. That's too bad, though from what I've heard, this is a bit different than their usual stuff. This really brings back my 80s feeling. I also love the bagpipe near the end.

Good stuff. Wish there had been more like it.

#83: Paul Lekakis: "Boom, Boom, Boom, Let's Go Back to My Room" (1987)

Oh, man, what memories. And not necessarily good ones, either. Actually, it wasn't bad if you were drunk and on a dance floor, but that should be for obvious reasons. The lyrics are so corny, but it's got a nice dance beat to it. Of course, my memories are of hearing it at college parties and not dancing to it, given my dating woes at the time. Maybe that's why I hate it so much?

No, on second thought, it just sucks.

#82: Red Rider: "Lunatic Fringe" (1981)

Red Rider is a Canadian band, and so was much bigger up here, but looking at the Canadian Encyclopedia, they had a bunch of hits in the States, so I have no clue why they are included here. This is a great song that I have absolutely no memory of at the time. It's kind of eerie, but thought-provoking as well.

#81: Josie Cotton: "Johnny Are You Queer" (1982)

Another song I have absolutely no memory of. And listening to it now, I'm quite happy for that fact. God, what an atrocious song. This was a hit? Gag me with a spoon!!!

So there you have it. The next 10 in the Top 100 One-Hit Wonders of the 80s VH-1 list. Keep an eye out for the next installment, coming out...sometime.

True One-Hit Wonders of the 80s
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8

Top 100 One-Hit Wonders of the 80s posts
#100-91
#90-81
#80-71
#70-61
#60-51
#50-41
#40-31
#30-21
#20-11
#10-1