Friends, Romans, Countrymen...lend me your ears. Um, I mean eyes. It's time for the final installment in my "True One-Hit Wonders of the 80s" series of posts. You may remember VH-1's show called the Top 100 One-Hit Wonders of the 80s, where so many of the songs came from artists who had more than one hit on the Billboard Top 40 list. Thus, VH-1 are dweebs who don't know what they're talking about. And they look funny. And they smell. And.... ("Get on with it!" - The Peanut Gallery)
Anyway, Matt from Scrubbles.net agreed with me (and when I say "agreed," I mean came up with the idea long before I had an inkling the VH-1 list even existed) and did a little research of his own, coming up with the real one-hit wonders of the 80s. Many thanks to Matt for posting his list, as it's been a godsend to me. He even showed up finally and complimented me on what I was doing! That was cool.
As most of you know, the Olympics are going on here in Vancouver right now. (What, you didn't know? Have you been living under a rock? Or on an expedition to deepest, darkest Africa to find Dr. Livingstone? I'll send you down the bobsled track on your belly for that one!) Olympic fever has overcome the city, making it stranger than usual (and it is pretty strange). Since we have some hockey games to go to, that's also why this is being posted on Saturday instead of Sunday. Freakin' Olympics, messing up everything.
Anyway, on to #1 in this, the final list! *sniff*
Showing posts with label 80s. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 80s. Show all posts
February 20, 2010
February 14, 2010
The True One-Hit Wonders of the 80s (Part 7)
It's Sunday morning, and that means it's time for another "One-Hit Wonders of the 80s" post! This is a special Valentine's addition to the list, with lots of love emanating from this post.
Ah, who am I kidding. It's going to be more snarky comments about really bad 80s music, but this time, I'll do it with love. Because that's the kind of guy I am. I am full of love, full to bursting. And I have to tell you, I love mocking 80s music. It makes for a valuable love-release. Isn't it ironic that many of the extremely crappy 80s songs are also love songs? That makes it perfect for this Valentine's edition of the show.
Of course, I don't know if this installment will have many (if any) love songs, since I haven't listened to the videos yet. (Preparation? That's a Greek word, isn't it?) I find these posts work better if I go into them blind. Sure, I'll correct something egregious that I've written if it turns out not to be true (unless it's funnier that way), but I write these promos before actually doing the artists and songs themselves.
What's that? What do I mean "doing" the artists? Ummmm....
But anyway...
As always, my disclaimer. None of this is my work. Well, ok, the writing is, but not the song research. I got these songs from Matt on Scrubbles.net, who went to the trouble of looking up the Billboard Top 40 hits in a nice book format. Doesn't that sound incredibly boring? That's the kind of dedication that speaks to why he's probably more successful than I am.
But I think I'm cuter.
On to #1!
Ah, who am I kidding. It's going to be more snarky comments about really bad 80s music, but this time, I'll do it with love. Because that's the kind of guy I am. I am full of love, full to bursting. And I have to tell you, I love mocking 80s music. It makes for a valuable love-release. Isn't it ironic that many of the extremely crappy 80s songs are also love songs? That makes it perfect for this Valentine's edition of the show.
Of course, I don't know if this installment will have many (if any) love songs, since I haven't listened to the videos yet. (Preparation? That's a Greek word, isn't it?) I find these posts work better if I go into them blind. Sure, I'll correct something egregious that I've written if it turns out not to be true (unless it's funnier that way), but I write these promos before actually doing the artists and songs themselves.
What's that? What do I mean "doing" the artists? Ummmm....
But anyway...
As always, my disclaimer. None of this is my work. Well, ok, the writing is, but not the song research. I got these songs from Matt on Scrubbles.net, who went to the trouble of looking up the Billboard Top 40 hits in a nice book format. Doesn't that sound incredibly boring? That's the kind of dedication that speaks to why he's probably more successful than I am.
But I think I'm cuter.
On to #1!
February 7, 2010
The True One-Hit Wonders of the 80s (Part 6)
Does it ever seem like these one-hit wonders post are never going to end? Will Dave finally run out of 80s music to post about, make fun of, and quite possibly (in Debbie Gibson's case) begin to worship like those false idols that they warned me about in Sunday School all those long years ago? Except Debbie Gibson is wonderfully real, damn it! Not a false bone in her body.
Incidentally, I do often refer to myself in third person. "Dave says that you really need to work harder, Peggy," or "Dave is really liking this pulled pork sandwich" or "Lucy, Dave thinks that you've got some wonderfully massive..." Ahem. Anyway.
Where was I? Oh, yes. I have some ideas for what to do with these 80s music posts when I do run out of one-hit wonders, so you will besuffering from enjoying these for a long time to come, I think. So not to worry! You 80s music fans out there (Hi, David!) have nothing to worry about. I will be here for a long time. Whether Sanity will remain here with me or whether it will move off to greener pastures because obviously it can't do anything here is another story entirely.
As always, this post is brought to you by the letters "C", "R", "A", "Z", and "Y," and the number "8."
Um, I mean that this list was taken from Matt over at Scrubbles.net (who finally found these posts, and I'm happy to say I now have a ringing endorsement for them), who did all the research so that I could put these posts together. Seriously, he did it for me. I went back in time and disguised myself as a hobo who stopped him on the street and said "Here, take this book and list all the one-hit wonders from the 1980s. You'll thank me later." While he did look at me like I was nuts, he obviously took my direction to heart! And you can now see the results.
I'll go to any lengths to avoid work.
Anyway, here we go!
Incidentally, I do often refer to myself in third person. "Dave says that you really need to work harder, Peggy," or "Dave is really liking this pulled pork sandwich" or "Lucy, Dave thinks that you've got some wonderfully massive..." Ahem. Anyway.
Where was I? Oh, yes. I have some ideas for what to do with these 80s music posts when I do run out of one-hit wonders, so you will be
As always, this post is brought to you by the letters "C", "R", "A", "Z", and "Y," and the number "8."
Um, I mean that this list was taken from Matt over at Scrubbles.net (who finally found these posts, and I'm happy to say I now have a ringing endorsement for them), who did all the research so that I could put these posts together. Seriously, he did it for me. I went back in time and disguised myself as a hobo who stopped him on the street and said "Here, take this book and list all the one-hit wonders from the 1980s. You'll thank me later." While he did look at me like I was nuts, he obviously took my direction to heart! And you can now see the results.
I'll go to any lengths to avoid work.
Anyway, here we go!
February 3, 2010
The True One-Hit Wonders of the 80s (Part 5)
I've read that the music of the 80s has various healing qualities. It can cure food allergies (it's gluten-free, you know!), neuroses, hallucinations, mania, alien abduction, and even death! That's right. By posting these one-hit wonders of the 80s posts, I am helping my fellow man! I am Dr. Livingstone to your Stanley! I am Dr. House to your whining family of my patients! I am Hawkeye to your Hot Lips! I'm....I'm wearing out the ink on my exclamation mark key. (Note to any teenagers reading this: if you didn't get that joke, ask your mother)
Ah, who am I kidding? The music of the 80s was generally crap, but it was fun crap at times! And one-hit wonders were generally more fun (and more crappy) than the other songs that I hear all the time on the 80s station I listen to when I'mgoofing off doing my job so diligently at work or when I go to bed. They're more fun because you have to wonder just why these songs hit the Top 40. And why they couldn't do it again. Did they even want to do it again? Did they try and fail miserably? Did they end up living on the streets destitute? Or, even worse, married to Sean Penn?
As usual, I must point out that these are the true one-hit wonders of the 80s, as researched in the Billboard Top 40 book by Scrubbles.net. I really hope he appreciates the traffic I'm sending his way. Just as much as I appreciate getting eight whole posts out of his one.
I won't even mention the VH-1 list that seems so incomplete after reading this one.
I just did what? Posted the link anyway? Oh, curses! Foiled again!
While I go see about more ink for my keys, let's begin....
Ah, who am I kidding? The music of the 80s was generally crap, but it was fun crap at times! And one-hit wonders were generally more fun (and more crappy) than the other songs that I hear all the time on the 80s station I listen to when I'm
As usual, I must point out that these are the true one-hit wonders of the 80s, as researched in the Billboard Top 40 book by Scrubbles.net. I really hope he appreciates the traffic I'm sending his way. Just as much as I appreciate getting eight whole posts out of his one.
I won't even mention the VH-1 list that seems so incomplete after reading this one.
I just did what? Posted the link anyway? Oh, curses! Foiled again!
While I go see about more ink for my keys, let's begin....
January 24, 2010
The True One-Hit Wonders of the 80s (Part 4)
Welcome once again to another installment in the (seemingly endless) one-hit wonders of the 80s series of posts. Really, one would think I'd run out of these soon. But you'd be wrooooooong.
There was a little confusion in Part 3, because some people haven't read the other posts (yes, there are a few Philistines still out there, but I'm working on getting rid of them). To be considered a "one-hit wonder" for this list, the artist must have had only one song hit the Billboard Top 40. It doesn't matter if they have 100 songs on the R&B charts, or the Country charts, the British charts, or the Pan Flute chart (a chart dominated by Zamfir, of course!)
It's only the Pop Top 40 that counts.
These are the *true* one-hit wonders, as extensively researched by Scrubbles.net (as opposed to my extensive research of doing a Google search and finding his site). These aren't the VH-1 one-hit wonders that actually had 15 or something like that (I'm surprised Madonna didn't make their list, for "Like a Virgin"). These are true-blooded one-hit wonders, songs that are so obscure that nobody (except my good friend David) remembers them!
So, if I can get the thought of Lucy Lawless nude scenes from the new Spartacus television series on Starz out of my head for a moment, I'll go ahead and start the list.
Um, give me a moment, please?
There was a little confusion in Part 3, because some people haven't read the other posts (yes, there are a few Philistines still out there, but I'm working on getting rid of them). To be considered a "one-hit wonder" for this list, the artist must have had only one song hit the Billboard Top 40. It doesn't matter if they have 100 songs on the R&B charts, or the Country charts, the British charts, or the Pan Flute chart (a chart dominated by Zamfir, of course!)It's only the Pop Top 40 that counts.
These are the *true* one-hit wonders, as extensively researched by Scrubbles.net (as opposed to my extensive research of doing a Google search and finding his site). These aren't the VH-1 one-hit wonders that actually had 15 or something like that (I'm surprised Madonna didn't make their list, for "Like a Virgin"). These are true-blooded one-hit wonders, songs that are so obscure that nobody (except my good friend David) remembers them!
So, if I can get the thought of Lucy Lawless nude scenes from the new Spartacus television series on Starz out of my head for a moment, I'll go ahead and start the list.
Um, give me a moment, please?
January 18, 2010
The true one-hit wonders of the 80s (Part 3)
It's that time once again, boys and girls, ladies and gentleman, hermaphrodites and...well, other hermaphrodites.
Yes, it's time for more one-hit wonders of the 80s! (Listens for applause. Hears crickets. Taps "Applause" sign and holds hand to ear until the crowd reluctantly starts cheering)
That's better. Yes, it's more one-hit wonders, your favourite posts next to those about unfriending Facebook friends! Don't deny it. I know it's true. You can't hide from me. I'm from the government. Well, sort of. They supplement my pay.
But anyway! Enough of that. Here's Part 3 of the *true* one-hit wonders of the 80s, as diagnosed (yes, that word use is intentional) by the guy who does Scrubbles.net (yes, he just looked at a book, but it's more than I did!). These are the true one-hit wonders, not the VH-1 crap that was put out, which included those who had more than one hit (and yes, the posts based on that list accounted for probably 20-25% of my traffic before I joined a blogging group, but that doesn't mean anything) (and yes, I am trying for the record on parentheses use in a blog post...am I winning?).
Wow, I'm exhausted now. And I haven't even listened to any of the songs. Stream of consciousness writing can be so tiring (Peanut Gallery: "And really bad to read!").
Without further ado, here is the next 9 songs/videos. As well, don't forget the other 80s posts I have, linked at the bottom of this page.
Yes, it's time for more one-hit wonders of the 80s! (Listens for applause. Hears crickets. Taps "Applause" sign and holds hand to ear until the crowd reluctantly starts cheering)
That's better. Yes, it's more one-hit wonders, your favourite posts next to those about unfriending Facebook friends! Don't deny it. I know it's true. You can't hide from me. I'm from the government. Well, sort of. They supplement my pay.
But anyway! Enough of that. Here's Part 3 of the *true* one-hit wonders of the 80s, as diagnosed (yes, that word use is intentional) by the guy who does Scrubbles.net (yes, he just looked at a book, but it's more than I did!). These are the true one-hit wonders, not the VH-1 crap that was put out, which included those who had more than one hit (and yes, the posts based on that list accounted for probably 20-25% of my traffic before I joined a blogging group, but that doesn't mean anything) (and yes, I am trying for the record on parentheses use in a blog post...am I winning?).
Wow, I'm exhausted now. And I haven't even listened to any of the songs. Stream of consciousness writing can be so tiring (Peanut Gallery: "And really bad to read!").
Without further ado, here is the next 9 songs/videos. As well, don't forget the other 80s posts I have, linked at the bottom of this page.
January 9, 2010
The true one-hit wonders of the 80s (Part 2)
It's time for yet another "one-hit wonders of the 80s" post, as I continue to go through the Scrubbles.net reaction to VH-1's list of the top 100. You can find Part 1 here.
I really enjoy doing these, hearing songs that I haven't heard in a long time (or, sometimes, I have no memory of hearing). And it makes me feel good when I see somebody on my Statcounter find one of these posts and go through all of them. Even better when I see the exit links of the Youtube videos (though now that I'm embedding them, I won't see that any more).
Does the fact that I'm still doing these mean I'm a traffic whore? Is the Pope Jewish?
Wait, I think that's wrong.
Anyway, here's Part 2! As always links to the other posts will be at the bottom.
I really enjoy doing these, hearing songs that I haven't heard in a long time (or, sometimes, I have no memory of hearing). And it makes me feel good when I see somebody on my Statcounter find one of these posts and go through all of them. Even better when I see the exit links of the Youtube videos (though now that I'm embedding them, I won't see that any more).
Does the fact that I'm still doing these mean I'm a traffic whore? Is the Pope Jewish?
Wait, I think that's wrong.
Anyway, here's Part 2! As always links to the other posts will be at the bottom.
December 31, 2009
The true one-hit wonders of the 80s (Part 1)
Back in August, I watched VH-1's "Top 100 One-Hit Wonders of the 80s" and decided that I would do a series of posts giving my opinions of these songs. It got me a bit nostalgic because this is the decade that I grew up in. The series is still my most popular group of blog posts, getting hits all the time by people either researching one of the singers or just doing a search on one-hit wonders. You can just go to #100-91 and then follow along from there.
One of the common themes in those posts, however, is the question of how VH-1 derived this list, as quite a few of the artists actually had more than one hit if you count songs that made the Billboard Singles Top 40 chart. It became a running joke in the posts. The blogger who posts to Scrubbles.net agrees, but he took it one step further. He looked through the definitive Billboard book of Top 40 singles and discovered that there actually isn't much overlap between reality and VH-1 reality. He posted his list here.
Since I'm in a mood (yeah, one of those moods), I figured "what the hell?" Why not post my thoughts on the true list? Also, what better way to ring in the new year than a look back? So what if it's not *this* year that I'm looking back to?
These are taken in the order they are on the Scrubbles blog, and I'm only going to do 9 at a time. I'm not going to mention the ones that are also on the VH-1 list, as I've already addressed them in my VH-1 posts. Also, I'm removing any "group" projects, such as Artists Against Apartheid and USA For Africa, as they are by definition "one-hit wonders." Keep your eyes peeled for more of these posts in the future.
Oh, and seriously...if you want some laughs (maybe not as much as I hoped, but I tried), go see my VH-1 posts. I hope you have as much fun reading them as I did writing them.
One of the common themes in those posts, however, is the question of how VH-1 derived this list, as quite a few of the artists actually had more than one hit if you count songs that made the Billboard Singles Top 40 chart. It became a running joke in the posts. The blogger who posts to Scrubbles.net agrees, but he took it one step further. He looked through the definitive Billboard book of Top 40 singles and discovered that there actually isn't much overlap between reality and VH-1 reality. He posted his list here.
Since I'm in a mood (yeah, one of those moods), I figured "what the hell?" Why not post my thoughts on the true list? Also, what better way to ring in the new year than a look back? So what if it's not *this* year that I'm looking back to?
These are taken in the order they are on the Scrubbles blog, and I'm only going to do 9 at a time. I'm not going to mention the ones that are also on the VH-1 list, as I've already addressed them in my VH-1 posts. Also, I'm removing any "group" projects, such as Artists Against Apartheid and USA For Africa, as they are by definition "one-hit wonders." Keep your eyes peeled for more of these posts in the future.
Oh, and seriously...if you want some laughs (maybe not as much as I hoped, but I tried), go see my VH-1 posts. I hope you have as much fun reading them as I did writing them.
November 21, 2009
One-hit wonders of the 80s posts
Besides my "Who unfriended you on Facebook?" post, my posts commenting on VH-1's "One-hit wonders of the 80s" countdown are my most popular posts. It's not uncommon to see people go through all 10 of the posts, with the occasional exit to look at a particular Youtube clip. I'm really heartened to see that, as I wasn't sure how those posts would go over. For those of you who missed them, you can go to #100-91 and then follow the links at the bottom of the post for all of the other ones. It's not just a countdown. It's also my thoughts on each song, along with a link to the video (or at least audio) of each song. I tried to make them funny, and I hope I succeeded.
One request I do have, though, is if you find these posts and enjoy them, I'd love to hear from you. Which ones did you enjoy? Which ones do you cringe when you remember? What ones do you disagree with me about? I'd love to know what you think. Do they make you nostalgic?
I've been toying with some other posts like that, but haven't found a good countdown of songs that I actually know (I'd do "one-hit wonders of the 90s" if I could find a good list of them).
So let me know what you think. Even if it's just a "hey, I loved reliving all of those."
One request I do have, though, is if you find these posts and enjoy them, I'd love to hear from you. Which ones did you enjoy? Which ones do you cringe when you remember? What ones do you disagree with me about? I'd love to know what you think. Do they make you nostalgic?
I've been toying with some other posts like that, but haven't found a good countdown of songs that I actually know (I'd do "one-hit wonders of the 90s" if I could find a good list of them).
So let me know what you think. Even if it's just a "hey, I loved reliving all of those."
August 30, 2009
Top 100 One-Hit Wonders of the 80s (#10-1)
This is it, race fans! The Top 10 one-hit wonders of the 80s, as counted down by VH-1. It's been a long road, doing these ten at a time. But they've been fun to do too. Especially gratifying is when I see somebody find one of these posts and then continue on through the rest of them. These are my most popular posts with the exception of the Alan Rickman fans finding my Harry Potter post (isn't he dreamy?)
Who would have thought, when I started this on that fateful Sunday evening, August 2, that within a month I'd be done with all 100? Anybody who knows me would have thought I'd end with the second post (if not the first). It's all of you who have kept me going, so I thank you.
Now, without further adieu, the top 10!
#10: Frankie Goes to Hollywood: "Relax" (1984)
And what a way to start the countdown, with a song about sex! Just listen to the words, you'll see what I mean. Damn, but this song has a great beat, though. It's no wonder it was popular in dance clubs. I've always kind of liked the song for just that reason, which isn't normally the case with these types of songs. For some reason, this one just hits that nerve just right and I actually like it.
The song and video was originally banned in Britain on the BBC for their overt sexuality (also the cover of the album sleeve). Of course, this rocketed the song to the top of the charts. However, the original video never made it to air, supposedly shot in a gay S&M parlor in London. This video was the one that replaced it. In 1984, it only reached #65 in the US, but by 1985 it had hit the top 10.
Frankie Goes to Hollywood had a few more monster hits in the UK, but never charted in the Top 40 again in the US. Those of you thinking of "Two Tribes" and "Welcome to the Pleasuredome" and saying "wait, those were hits!" actually need to re-think. Even though I have fond memories of "Two Tribes," it only hit #43 in the States while the other one hit #48. The band broke up in the late 80s, tried to reunite in the mid-2000s but subsequently disappeared.
#9 Kajagoogoo: "Too Shy" (1983)
This is another song that, thinking about it, I shouldn't like. But for some reason, it just gets my toe tapping. Gotta love that 80s hair! And the heavy keyboard electronics. The video shows a drummer, but the drum sounds in the song sound more like a drum machine than actual drums. But what do I know? It's still kind of an infectious song.
"Too Shy" was Kajagoogoo's debut single, and it was all downhill from there, at least in the States. They continued to hit in the UK for the next couple of years, before things just stopped happening for them. They reunited briefly in 2004, but have since reunited again and are planning a tour and new CD.
#8: Bow Wow Wow: "I Want Candy" (1982)
This song just annoyed the hell out of me when I first heard it (don't know if that was 1982 or not, since I was only 12 at the time). I don't know if it's the song or Bow Wow Wow's version of it, since it is a cover of a 1965 song. Either way, the instrumentation and beat just get on my nerves. I can't believe this song was as popular as it was, but I guess I'm not the arbiter of society's taste, am I?
Bow Wow Wow had a lot of controversy involving lead singer Annabella Lwin, mainly for sexualizing a 14-year-old girl (both in this video, but also on the cover of one of their albums). Of course, these days that wouldn't even be commented on except in Conservative circles (Miley Cyrus and her Annie Leibovitz photos, anyone?), but back then, it was an outrage. The band wasn't even allowed to leave the UK unless they promised to stop doing that. I won't even get into their alleged plagiarizing of African melodies in their songs. Wouldn't that just be considered "sampling" today? This band was before its time!!!!
They broke up in 1983, but they reformed in the early 2000s (who says 80s nostalgia is dead, with all of these reunions and reformations?). They haven't performed since 2006, but they aren't officially broken up or anything like that.
#7: Modern English: "I Melt With You" (1983)
Damn, but I love this song! Yes, that kind of embarrasses me, but what can I do? Me and my friends would listen to this song and dance all the time. Of course, this was five or six years later, when I was in college, but that's beside the point. I think my friend Erin introduced it to me, or at least it was listening to it with her that made me notice it (I don't really remember it before then). I do like the song, but I think part of my adoration is because of the memories it brings back.
All of that being said, this song really doesn't qualify as a "hit" compared to most of the other songs on this list. It hit #7 on the "Top Tracks" Billboard chart, but only #78 on the Billboard Top 100 (what the hell's the difference?). However, this is such a quintessential 80s song that its inclusion on the list is almost mandatory.
Modern English broke up in the late 80s, reformed with a couple of original members in 1990, broke up again, reformed with a couple of original members and produced an album, broke up...well, you get the idea. Supposedly, the original lead singer has toured recently with a "new" line-up of bandmembers, and they are supposedly working on a new album (It's supposed to be released soon, I think). We'll see what happens.
#6: Toni Basil: "Mickey" (1982)
I actually remember hearing this song when I was in junior high school (one of the few early 80s songs I remember from the time period it came out). For me, it's another guilty pleasure, as it's a fun song but I kind of cringe when I hear it. That doesn't matter, though, it's still well-loved on this end. The video's very funny, and it helps that Basil's incredibly cute. So's the song. This song is also seared into my memory for Weird Al's parody of it, "Ricky" (the Ricky Ricardo song).
Basil has never charted again, at least on the Top 40 (two songs were low on the charts, and numerous ones hit the Dance charts) but she has a wonderful career as dancer and choreographer, even appearing as a guest judge on one of the "So You Think You Can Dance" shows. Seeing her on the VH-1 special, you can see that she still has an insatiable thirst for life, and still appears to be a lot of fun.
#5: Soft Cell: "Tainted Love" (1981)
This is yet another wonderful song (this is the Top 10, so they better all be good!). I love the electronic beat of this song, and it's just an easy song to sing along with. It's been made more prominent recently with a remake from Marilyn Manson (and Manson's version has kind of spoiled this one for me a little bit, though I still love it). The video is extremely silly, though.
This song holds the record for most weeks in the US Top 40 charts, with 43 weeks. It built slowly, eventually hitting #8. Soft Cell continued to hit it big in the UK, though this was their only US hit. They broke up soon after, though (as is usual on this chart, it seems), they reunited in the early 2000s and actually released a new CD. They're still hovering around in the background, still around and still functioning.
#4: Tommy Tutone: "867-5309 / Jenny" (1982)
This song has transcended the ages, though it's never been a true favourite of mine. I like it, don't get me wrong. It's a fun song, and I wonder how many people dialed this number when this song became popular. I'll bet there were a lot of phone number changes around then (if Bell allowed that, that is). Rather famously, it was the local number of the daughter of the Buffalo chief of police, which ruffled a few feathers. This song remains popular to this day, which it definitely deserves.
The band did have a Top 40 song before this ("Angel Say No" hit #38), but this is pretty much their only solid hit. Lead singer Tommy Heath semi-retired and became a computer analyst in Portland, Oregon, but the band stayed together and played the occasional show. They've since signed another record deal, so who knows what's going to happen?
#3: A-Ha: "Take On Me" (1985)
Note: Apologies for the ad on this version of the song, but the other versions of the video had really crappy audio. Don't pay attention to the ad. :)
This has to be one of the best known Norwegian bands out there. This video was so innovative for its time, winning an MTV award for it. It looks good, even today! How's the song? It's also quite good, bringing back many fond memories. One of my college buddies was a big A-Ha fan, so I got to hear this song a lot in college. It's still cool, even after all of these years.
For the first time in this post, I have to say that "this isn't a one-hit wonder!" Well, kind of. "The Sun Always Shines on TV" hit #20, which to me is kind of a hit, anyway. On the other hand, I have no recollection of that song whatsoever, so I'll just ignore it. "Take on Me" is definitely the song everybody knows A-Ha from.
Unless you're in Europe, of course, where they remain popular to this day, especially in Norway.
#2: Flock of Seagulls: "I Ran (So Far Away)" (1982)
This is one of the most memorable songs from the 80s, I think. Everything's there, both in the video and in the song. Electronic keyboard? Check. Weird hair? Check. Bad clothes? Check. The video is hilarious for all of that, and for watching lead singer Mike Score "play" the keyboard (it looks like he's just pounding it randomly, doesn't it?) "Keep that finger on the key...ok....ok.....now move it to the next key! There you go." Still, the song is great.
The band had a series of break-ups shortly after this song. They reformed in 2003 for a VH-1 special and toured for a bit, but then broke up again. Now, lead singer Score fronts a new version of the band (he's the only original member), and this song appears to be quite prominent in their playlist. And Score would like you to know that he's really getting sick of it. I believe his exact words were "I'm sick of it." But he plays it because that's what people want to hear.
Ok, we've now reached the #1 one-hit wonder of the 80s. Do you need to take a bathroom break? Get a cold beverage? Check your email? No? I guess you can pause your reading at any time and do those things, so those questions were kind of nonsensical, weren't they? What? Why am I stalling? I'm not stalling....
Ok, here's #1!
#1: Dexys Midnight Runners: "Come On, Eileen" (1982)
This song definitely deserves its #1 status. I love this song to death. This is a wonderful song, and is also quintessential 80s. Who would have thunk. A song about a guy begging a woman for sex would be #1? I know I'm shocked. Maybe, after the success of this song, they could afford actual clothes, though (see the video). I can sing along with this song any time it comes on. Though funnily enough, it had left my consciousness until the band Save Ferris rerecorded it and I heard that one (that version is also wickedly awesome, almost better than this one).
The band broke up soon after this song, but reformed in 2003 for a few concerts. They've since been "in studio" for a new album, since 2005. Somehow, I don't see it happening. Either that, or this CD has the gestation period of six elephants.
So there you have it. All 100 top one-hit wonders of the 80s. I hope you've enjoyed this journey as much as I have. I'd love to hear your thoughts on any of these. Anybody who was left out but should be on this list? Remembrances of these songs and what they meant to you growing up? Come on, my high school classmates. Give me your memories! I've especially valued David's commentary, but I'd love to hear more as well. Of course, anybody else is welcome to comment as well.
Will more music posts come up? There are Top 100 lists out about almost everything else. I may dabble in them. What do you think? Should I?
In the meantime, please enjoy this bunch.
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
Who would have thought, when I started this on that fateful Sunday evening, August 2, that within a month I'd be done with all 100? Anybody who knows me would have thought I'd end with the second post (if not the first). It's all of you who have kept me going, so I thank you.
Now, without further adieu, the top 10!
#10: Frankie Goes to Hollywood: "Relax" (1984)
And what a way to start the countdown, with a song about sex! Just listen to the words, you'll see what I mean. Damn, but this song has a great beat, though. It's no wonder it was popular in dance clubs. I've always kind of liked the song for just that reason, which isn't normally the case with these types of songs. For some reason, this one just hits that nerve just right and I actually like it.
The song and video was originally banned in Britain on the BBC for their overt sexuality (also the cover of the album sleeve). Of course, this rocketed the song to the top of the charts. However, the original video never made it to air, supposedly shot in a gay S&M parlor in London. This video was the one that replaced it. In 1984, it only reached #65 in the US, but by 1985 it had hit the top 10.
Frankie Goes to Hollywood had a few more monster hits in the UK, but never charted in the Top 40 again in the US. Those of you thinking of "Two Tribes" and "Welcome to the Pleasuredome" and saying "wait, those were hits!" actually need to re-think. Even though I have fond memories of "Two Tribes," it only hit #43 in the States while the other one hit #48. The band broke up in the late 80s, tried to reunite in the mid-2000s but subsequently disappeared.
#9 Kajagoogoo: "Too Shy" (1983)
This is another song that, thinking about it, I shouldn't like. But for some reason, it just gets my toe tapping. Gotta love that 80s hair! And the heavy keyboard electronics. The video shows a drummer, but the drum sounds in the song sound more like a drum machine than actual drums. But what do I know? It's still kind of an infectious song.
"Too Shy" was Kajagoogoo's debut single, and it was all downhill from there, at least in the States. They continued to hit in the UK for the next couple of years, before things just stopped happening for them. They reunited briefly in 2004, but have since reunited again and are planning a tour and new CD.
#8: Bow Wow Wow: "I Want Candy" (1982)
This song just annoyed the hell out of me when I first heard it (don't know if that was 1982 or not, since I was only 12 at the time). I don't know if it's the song or Bow Wow Wow's version of it, since it is a cover of a 1965 song. Either way, the instrumentation and beat just get on my nerves. I can't believe this song was as popular as it was, but I guess I'm not the arbiter of society's taste, am I?
Bow Wow Wow had a lot of controversy involving lead singer Annabella Lwin, mainly for sexualizing a 14-year-old girl (both in this video, but also on the cover of one of their albums). Of course, these days that wouldn't even be commented on except in Conservative circles (Miley Cyrus and her Annie Leibovitz photos, anyone?), but back then, it was an outrage. The band wasn't even allowed to leave the UK unless they promised to stop doing that. I won't even get into their alleged plagiarizing of African melodies in their songs. Wouldn't that just be considered "sampling" today? This band was before its time!!!!
They broke up in 1983, but they reformed in the early 2000s (who says 80s nostalgia is dead, with all of these reunions and reformations?). They haven't performed since 2006, but they aren't officially broken up or anything like that.
#7: Modern English: "I Melt With You" (1983)
Damn, but I love this song! Yes, that kind of embarrasses me, but what can I do? Me and my friends would listen to this song and dance all the time. Of course, this was five or six years later, when I was in college, but that's beside the point. I think my friend Erin introduced it to me, or at least it was listening to it with her that made me notice it (I don't really remember it before then). I do like the song, but I think part of my adoration is because of the memories it brings back.
All of that being said, this song really doesn't qualify as a "hit" compared to most of the other songs on this list. It hit #7 on the "Top Tracks" Billboard chart, but only #78 on the Billboard Top 100 (what the hell's the difference?). However, this is such a quintessential 80s song that its inclusion on the list is almost mandatory.
Modern English broke up in the late 80s, reformed with a couple of original members in 1990, broke up again, reformed with a couple of original members and produced an album, broke up...well, you get the idea. Supposedly, the original lead singer has toured recently with a "new" line-up of bandmembers, and they are supposedly working on a new album (It's supposed to be released soon, I think). We'll see what happens.
#6: Toni Basil: "Mickey" (1982)
I actually remember hearing this song when I was in junior high school (one of the few early 80s songs I remember from the time period it came out). For me, it's another guilty pleasure, as it's a fun song but I kind of cringe when I hear it. That doesn't matter, though, it's still well-loved on this end. The video's very funny, and it helps that Basil's incredibly cute. So's the song. This song is also seared into my memory for Weird Al's parody of it, "Ricky" (the Ricky Ricardo song).
Basil has never charted again, at least on the Top 40 (two songs were low on the charts, and numerous ones hit the Dance charts) but she has a wonderful career as dancer and choreographer, even appearing as a guest judge on one of the "So You Think You Can Dance" shows. Seeing her on the VH-1 special, you can see that she still has an insatiable thirst for life, and still appears to be a lot of fun.
#5: Soft Cell: "Tainted Love" (1981)
This is yet another wonderful song (this is the Top 10, so they better all be good!). I love the electronic beat of this song, and it's just an easy song to sing along with. It's been made more prominent recently with a remake from Marilyn Manson (and Manson's version has kind of spoiled this one for me a little bit, though I still love it). The video is extremely silly, though.
This song holds the record for most weeks in the US Top 40 charts, with 43 weeks. It built slowly, eventually hitting #8. Soft Cell continued to hit it big in the UK, though this was their only US hit. They broke up soon after, though (as is usual on this chart, it seems), they reunited in the early 2000s and actually released a new CD. They're still hovering around in the background, still around and still functioning.
#4: Tommy Tutone: "867-5309 / Jenny" (1982)
This song has transcended the ages, though it's never been a true favourite of mine. I like it, don't get me wrong. It's a fun song, and I wonder how many people dialed this number when this song became popular. I'll bet there were a lot of phone number changes around then (if Bell allowed that, that is). Rather famously, it was the local number of the daughter of the Buffalo chief of police, which ruffled a few feathers. This song remains popular to this day, which it definitely deserves.
The band did have a Top 40 song before this ("Angel Say No" hit #38), but this is pretty much their only solid hit. Lead singer Tommy Heath semi-retired and became a computer analyst in Portland, Oregon, but the band stayed together and played the occasional show. They've since signed another record deal, so who knows what's going to happen?
#3: A-Ha: "Take On Me" (1985)
Note: Apologies for the ad on this version of the song, but the other versions of the video had really crappy audio. Don't pay attention to the ad. :)
This has to be one of the best known Norwegian bands out there. This video was so innovative for its time, winning an MTV award for it. It looks good, even today! How's the song? It's also quite good, bringing back many fond memories. One of my college buddies was a big A-Ha fan, so I got to hear this song a lot in college. It's still cool, even after all of these years.
For the first time in this post, I have to say that "this isn't a one-hit wonder!" Well, kind of. "The Sun Always Shines on TV" hit #20, which to me is kind of a hit, anyway. On the other hand, I have no recollection of that song whatsoever, so I'll just ignore it. "Take on Me" is definitely the song everybody knows A-Ha from.
Unless you're in Europe, of course, where they remain popular to this day, especially in Norway.
#2: Flock of Seagulls: "I Ran (So Far Away)" (1982)
This is one of the most memorable songs from the 80s, I think. Everything's there, both in the video and in the song. Electronic keyboard? Check. Weird hair? Check. Bad clothes? Check. The video is hilarious for all of that, and for watching lead singer Mike Score "play" the keyboard (it looks like he's just pounding it randomly, doesn't it?) "Keep that finger on the key...ok....ok.....now move it to the next key! There you go." Still, the song is great.
The band had a series of break-ups shortly after this song. They reformed in 2003 for a VH-1 special and toured for a bit, but then broke up again. Now, lead singer Score fronts a new version of the band (he's the only original member), and this song appears to be quite prominent in their playlist. And Score would like you to know that he's really getting sick of it. I believe his exact words were "I'm sick of it." But he plays it because that's what people want to hear.
Ok, we've now reached the #1 one-hit wonder of the 80s. Do you need to take a bathroom break? Get a cold beverage? Check your email? No? I guess you can pause your reading at any time and do those things, so those questions were kind of nonsensical, weren't they? What? Why am I stalling? I'm not stalling....
Ok, here's #1!
#1: Dexys Midnight Runners: "Come On, Eileen" (1982)
This song definitely deserves its #1 status. I love this song to death. This is a wonderful song, and is also quintessential 80s. Who would have thunk. A song about a guy begging a woman for sex would be #1? I know I'm shocked. Maybe, after the success of this song, they could afford actual clothes, though (see the video). I can sing along with this song any time it comes on. Though funnily enough, it had left my consciousness until the band Save Ferris rerecorded it and I heard that one (that version is also wickedly awesome, almost better than this one).
The band broke up soon after this song, but reformed in 2003 for a few concerts. They've since been "in studio" for a new album, since 2005. Somehow, I don't see it happening. Either that, or this CD has the gestation period of six elephants.
So there you have it. All 100 top one-hit wonders of the 80s. I hope you've enjoyed this journey as much as I have. I'd love to hear your thoughts on any of these. Anybody who was left out but should be on this list? Remembrances of these songs and what they meant to you growing up? Come on, my high school classmates. Give me your memories! I've especially valued David's commentary, but I'd love to hear more as well. Of course, anybody else is welcome to comment as well.
Will more music posts come up? There are Top 100 lists out about almost everything else. I may dabble in them. What do you think? Should I?
In the meantime, please enjoy this bunch.
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
August 28, 2009
Top 100 One-Hit Wonders of the 80s (#20-11)
Can you believe we're almost at the end of this countdown? How many one-hit wonders will there be in this last 20 where I say "Oy! He/she's had more than one hit!" And I would say the "he/she" part too, because I'm tolerant that way.
Why are these intros starting to sound like Craig Ferguson doing his "Late Show" monologue on Speed? I don't know.
I do know that here are #20-11 of VH-1 One-Hit Wonders of the 80s countdown, and supposedly we're getting down to the good stuff. One can only hope.
#20: Rockwell: "Somebody's Watching Me" (1984)
Must be nice to have friends in high places! Being the son of Motown founder Berry Gordy gets you Michael Jackson singing background in the chorus, as well as Jermaine Jackson. Ok, Jermaine, maybe not ("Stop teasing, Jermaine!" 100 points to whoever gets that reference). Still, this song is kind of fun, and the video is even funner. Typical 80s electronica in the instrument department, but that's not all bad. And of course, it's cool to get a dig in on the IRS.
Sadly, nobody kept watching (or listening to, for that matter) Rockwell, as this was his only hit. Another song hit #35, but then he soon disappeared. You know it's bad when nobody can be bothered to track down what you're doing to update your Wikipedia entry.
#19: Dead or Alive: "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" (1985)
Back in the day, I used to sometimes get Dead or Alive lead singer Peter Burns and Boy George mixed up, because they had much the same look (watching the video, I can't imagine why that would be the case *rolls eyes*). No, I didn't truly get them mixed up, but they did remind me of each other. That being said, I loved this song, and still do have a soft spot in my heart for it. While it hit the charts in 1985, my biggest memories of it are playing at college parties where the booze was flowing and I was watching others dance (yes, I was sad in college).
This is another example of a band who should not be on this list, as "Brand New Lover" hit #15 as a follow-up to this song (which hit #11). When a second song does almost as well as the first, how can that be a one-hit wonder?
The band has been back and forth as far as whether they're broken up or not, but a new CD is supposed to be released soon, but I haven't heard anything else other than that. Burns appeared on Celebrity Big Brother over in the UK, and gained some fans and critics for basically being an asshole to a couple of the other housemates. And the VH-1 special also showed some of the medical problems Burns has had with his cosmetic surgery. That had to be one of the grossest things I've ever seen.
#18: Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock: "It Takes Two" (1988)
Man, but I can't stand hip hop music. It just does nothing for me. So you can guess what I feel about this song. It was annoying then and it's annoying now. However, it was very popular, making not only this list, but #80 in VH-1's 100 Greatest Songs of the 80s (WHY????????) Oh well. I'm obviously not the audience for it.
The duo are still active, evidently, but thankfully they haven't hit the mainstream charts again since this song, though they had a number of Dance chart hits.
#17: Men Without Hats: "Safety Dance" (1982)
Damn, but this is a fun song, and an even funner video! If you're a Ren Faire enthusiast, the video will be even better for you. The song doesn't mean a thing, at least not that I can gather. "We can dance if we want to, we can leave your friends behind. Because your friends don't dance, and if they don't dance, well, they're no friends of mine." HUH? Whatever. It's still a cool song.
Another "2-hit wonder" on this list of 1-hit wonders, they hit #20 with "Pop Goes the World," which could arguably be considered a better song than this one (it actually charted higher in Canada than "Safety Dance" did).
They re-grouped in 2003 to release another album, but have since disappeared.
#16: Nena: "99 Luft Balloons" (1984)
The German version of this song hit the the US charts in 1984, and even the English language version released later did well too. This Cold War protest song is cool even if you disagree with the protest aspect of it. The video's really cool too, though it definitely helps that Nena is one hot singer. But the mist-filled German forest she's walking through, explosions going off all around her, add an interesting effect to the whole thing. I'm sure some of the gals out there fell for the big-lipped, long-haired keyboard player too.
This was her only success over in the States, though she still continues to be quite prominent in her native Germany.
#15: Devo: "Whip It" (1980)
What a weird song, a weird video, from a weird band. I can't really say whether I liked or disliked the song, though, as it was just...weird. It gets your foot tapping with the interesting electronic beat and rather amusing lyrics, but that's about it. Consider this a lukewarm recommendation.
The band is still around and doing things, with a new album coming out next year supposedly. They never did much after this song on the US charts, however.
#14: Big Country: "In a Big Country" (1983)
I'm a big fan of Scotland (at least the concept, never having been there), so I already kind of like this Scottish band just on principle. Add in a bit of bagpipe and Scottish fife and you attract me even more. This is a pretty decent song with nice music, though the words again don't appear to mean much. And the video is just plain silly.
The band continued to be relatively big in Europe but this was their only US success.
#13: Thomas Dolby: "She Blinded Me With Science" (1982)
I love this song!!! Probably one of my favourites on this list, it's just so silly and fun. I loved the mental institution setting and that doctor! You can't go wrong with this song. The scientist in the video, Magnus Pyke, reportedly really got irritated because, when he was over in the States, people would see him on the street and shout "Science!!!" at him. Why didn't this happen in the UK? Because surprisingly, while this hit it big in the US, it didn't in the UK. MTV's influence? Ehhhh, could be!
Dolby had a lot of charted songs in the UK, though he never broke onto the main US chart again after this song. He has recently returned to music, however, after a long hiatus. What was he doing? Among other things, making your life a lot more interesting. His company, Retro Ringtones LLC, is majorly responsible for the ringtone boom, and his musical talents have been put to use creating unique ones.
Looking at him back in 1982, why does this not surprise me? He looks like a tech geek.
#12: Animotion: "Obsession" (1985)
Another awesome song!! Ok, maybe not awesome, but damn, it's fun to listen to. Very 80s, very electronic, very big haired video. Gotta love the Roman centurion outfit. I do have to say that female lead singer Astrid Plane's nose is rather...distracting. Even so, this is a good video and a song I could listen to again and again.
The band didn't exactly break up, continuing under the Animotion name, but it completely redid itself, with most of the original members leaving. They have since reformed and are doing a little touring. This band is also kind of in a grey area as far as one-hit wonders go. They had another song hist #39 ("Let Him Go," which I actually really liked at the time, and like it now too, listening to it on Youtube) and they hit #9 with "Room to Move." But since none of the original members were in the band for "Room to Move," does it really count as "their" hit?
I'll leave that for you to discuss. Or not, as the case may be. Am I the only one obsessing about this stuff? And is it on purpose that I mention that in an entry on the song "Obsession?" And why am I asking myself all these questions?
#11: Gary Numan: "Cars" (1980)
More 80s electronica!!! Though this song was released in 1979, actually, just hitting the US charts in 1980. It's kind of a cool song, supposedly about road rage, and captures perfectly how box-like the modern world can seem. It's not one of my favourites, but I do like it.
Numan remained wildly popular in the UK and Europe after this song, but for some reason never succeeded in the US again. Not sure exactly why. He still remains active, though, and a new CD could be coming down the turnpike.
I think this is the first group of 10 songs that I've liked every one of them, at least a little bit (with one exception, of course, as there always is). It's a good group, but it will be interesting to see what's in the top 10, especially #1 (he says, pretending like he hasn't seen the list already).
I hope to post that one on Sunday, which means I will have completed this entirely in the month of August, which has always been my goal. And when I say "always," I mean it has been since I realized I only had two left to do and five days until the end of the month.
I'm funny that way.
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
Why are these intros starting to sound like Craig Ferguson doing his "Late Show" monologue on Speed? I don't know.
I do know that here are #20-11 of VH-1 One-Hit Wonders of the 80s countdown, and supposedly we're getting down to the good stuff. One can only hope.
#20: Rockwell: "Somebody's Watching Me" (1984)
Must be nice to have friends in high places! Being the son of Motown founder Berry Gordy gets you Michael Jackson singing background in the chorus, as well as Jermaine Jackson. Ok, Jermaine, maybe not ("Stop teasing, Jermaine!" 100 points to whoever gets that reference). Still, this song is kind of fun, and the video is even funner. Typical 80s electronica in the instrument department, but that's not all bad. And of course, it's cool to get a dig in on the IRS.
Sadly, nobody kept watching (or listening to, for that matter) Rockwell, as this was his only hit. Another song hit #35, but then he soon disappeared. You know it's bad when nobody can be bothered to track down what you're doing to update your Wikipedia entry.
#19: Dead or Alive: "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" (1985)
Back in the day, I used to sometimes get Dead or Alive lead singer Peter Burns and Boy George mixed up, because they had much the same look (watching the video, I can't imagine why that would be the case *rolls eyes*). No, I didn't truly get them mixed up, but they did remind me of each other. That being said, I loved this song, and still do have a soft spot in my heart for it. While it hit the charts in 1985, my biggest memories of it are playing at college parties where the booze was flowing and I was watching others dance (yes, I was sad in college).
This is another example of a band who should not be on this list, as "Brand New Lover" hit #15 as a follow-up to this song (which hit #11). When a second song does almost as well as the first, how can that be a one-hit wonder?
The band has been back and forth as far as whether they're broken up or not, but a new CD is supposed to be released soon, but I haven't heard anything else other than that. Burns appeared on Celebrity Big Brother over in the UK, and gained some fans and critics for basically being an asshole to a couple of the other housemates. And the VH-1 special also showed some of the medical problems Burns has had with his cosmetic surgery. That had to be one of the grossest things I've ever seen.
#18: Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock: "It Takes Two" (1988)
Man, but I can't stand hip hop music. It just does nothing for me. So you can guess what I feel about this song. It was annoying then and it's annoying now. However, it was very popular, making not only this list, but #80 in VH-1's 100 Greatest Songs of the 80s (WHY????????) Oh well. I'm obviously not the audience for it.
The duo are still active, evidently, but thankfully they haven't hit the mainstream charts again since this song, though they had a number of Dance chart hits.
#17: Men Without Hats: "Safety Dance" (1982)
Damn, but this is a fun song, and an even funner video! If you're a Ren Faire enthusiast, the video will be even better for you. The song doesn't mean a thing, at least not that I can gather. "We can dance if we want to, we can leave your friends behind. Because your friends don't dance, and if they don't dance, well, they're no friends of mine." HUH? Whatever. It's still a cool song.
Another "2-hit wonder" on this list of 1-hit wonders, they hit #20 with "Pop Goes the World," which could arguably be considered a better song than this one (it actually charted higher in Canada than "Safety Dance" did).
They re-grouped in 2003 to release another album, but have since disappeared.
#16: Nena: "99 Luft Balloons" (1984)
The German version of this song hit the the US charts in 1984, and even the English language version released later did well too. This Cold War protest song is cool even if you disagree with the protest aspect of it. The video's really cool too, though it definitely helps that Nena is one hot singer. But the mist-filled German forest she's walking through, explosions going off all around her, add an interesting effect to the whole thing. I'm sure some of the gals out there fell for the big-lipped, long-haired keyboard player too.
This was her only success over in the States, though she still continues to be quite prominent in her native Germany.
#15: Devo: "Whip It" (1980)
What a weird song, a weird video, from a weird band. I can't really say whether I liked or disliked the song, though, as it was just...weird. It gets your foot tapping with the interesting electronic beat and rather amusing lyrics, but that's about it. Consider this a lukewarm recommendation.
The band is still around and doing things, with a new album coming out next year supposedly. They never did much after this song on the US charts, however.
#14: Big Country: "In a Big Country" (1983)
I'm a big fan of Scotland (at least the concept, never having been there), so I already kind of like this Scottish band just on principle. Add in a bit of bagpipe and Scottish fife and you attract me even more. This is a pretty decent song with nice music, though the words again don't appear to mean much. And the video is just plain silly.
The band continued to be relatively big in Europe but this was their only US success.
#13: Thomas Dolby: "She Blinded Me With Science" (1982)
I love this song!!! Probably one of my favourites on this list, it's just so silly and fun. I loved the mental institution setting and that doctor! You can't go wrong with this song. The scientist in the video, Magnus Pyke, reportedly really got irritated because, when he was over in the States, people would see him on the street and shout "Science!!!" at him. Why didn't this happen in the UK? Because surprisingly, while this hit it big in the US, it didn't in the UK. MTV's influence? Ehhhh, could be!
Dolby had a lot of charted songs in the UK, though he never broke onto the main US chart again after this song. He has recently returned to music, however, after a long hiatus. What was he doing? Among other things, making your life a lot more interesting. His company, Retro Ringtones LLC, is majorly responsible for the ringtone boom, and his musical talents have been put to use creating unique ones.
Looking at him back in 1982, why does this not surprise me? He looks like a tech geek.
#12: Animotion: "Obsession" (1985)
Another awesome song!! Ok, maybe not awesome, but damn, it's fun to listen to. Very 80s, very electronic, very big haired video. Gotta love the Roman centurion outfit. I do have to say that female lead singer Astrid Plane's nose is rather...distracting. Even so, this is a good video and a song I could listen to again and again.
The band didn't exactly break up, continuing under the Animotion name, but it completely redid itself, with most of the original members leaving. They have since reformed and are doing a little touring. This band is also kind of in a grey area as far as one-hit wonders go. They had another song hist #39 ("Let Him Go," which I actually really liked at the time, and like it now too, listening to it on Youtube) and they hit #9 with "Room to Move." But since none of the original members were in the band for "Room to Move," does it really count as "their" hit?
I'll leave that for you to discuss. Or not, as the case may be. Am I the only one obsessing about this stuff? And is it on purpose that I mention that in an entry on the song "Obsession?" And why am I asking myself all these questions?
#11: Gary Numan: "Cars" (1980)
More 80s electronica!!! Though this song was released in 1979, actually, just hitting the US charts in 1980. It's kind of a cool song, supposedly about road rage, and captures perfectly how box-like the modern world can seem. It's not one of my favourites, but I do like it.
Numan remained wildly popular in the UK and Europe after this song, but for some reason never succeeded in the US again. Not sure exactly why. He still remains active, though, and a new CD could be coming down the turnpike.
I think this is the first group of 10 songs that I've liked every one of them, at least a little bit (with one exception, of course, as there always is). It's a good group, but it will be interesting to see what's in the top 10, especially #1 (he says, pretending like he hasn't seen the list already).
I hope to post that one on Sunday, which means I will have completed this entirely in the month of August, which has always been my goal. And when I say "always," I mean it has been since I realized I only had two left to do and five days until the end of the month.
I'm funny that way.
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
August 26, 2009
Top 100 One-Hit Wonders of the 80s (#30-21)
I've had a suggestion that I should be getting these one-hit wonder posts out a bit faster. I think the words "enhanced" and "interrogation" were used, along with "cattle prod." I was successfully resisting, even when the branding iron was brought out. That was the case, until I saw that the brand said "Heidi Montag's Biggest Fan" and then I knew I had to give in.
So, as "requested," here's the next installment of the one-hit wonders of the 1980s, as "told" by VH-1.
#30: The Vapors: "Turning Japanese" (1980)
This is kind of a fun song, with a neat beat. I wouldn't call it a favorite at all, even at the time, but it's a nice little piece of nostalgia that's inoffensive and you can tap your foot to it.
This is supposedly a love song about being far away from the love of your life, but the rumour has persisted for years (denied by the band) that it was about masturbation. Listening to the words, I think it's obvious that it's not, but some memes you just can't get rid of.
The Vapors put out two albums but never had the success that "Turning Japanese" did (if you call hitting #36 "success"). They broke up soon after the release of their second album in 1981.
#29: Madness: "Our House" (1982)
This song is another "not a favourite, but fun to listen to" songs. I do love the instrumentation behind the song, whether it's truly trumpet/sax/whatever or if it's a synthesizer doing it, it's quite cool. The video is....quite odd, to say the least. But it just adds to the fun factor of the song. Only in Britain!
Madness has been around since 1976 and is still going strong today, though they did break up in 1988 before reforming in 1992. They still continue to be huge in the UK, though "Our House" is the only song to get above #33 in the US.
#28: John Parr: "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)" (1985)
(apologies for the video quality...best I could find)
The theme song to the hit film St. Elmo's Fire, this song is actually pretty good too, for an 80s song. It's very singable, and I probably would if I heard it on the radio in the car (and I was alone, of course). This video (and Parr in general, probably) is notable for his having an almost perfect head of hair. I swear, when he moves his head, it waves like a breeze blowing through a wheatfield. Every strand perfectly in place. He probably spent a lot of money on hairspray back then.
This was Parr's only hit, though an earlier song did chart at #23. He continues to be in the music business, flying under the radar but touring with Bryan Adams and Journey.
#27: Stacey Q: "Two of Hearts" (1986)
God, this is an infectious little ditty, isn't it? Listening to it, I know I shouldn't like it, but my toe just won't control itself. I really liked it when it came out, and while that feeling has lessened a bit, it's still quite catchy. I know I'm going to have to turn in my "Good Taste Society" union card, but I can't help it.
Stacey Q is still definitely active in the music business, with her first studio album (Ok, CD) in 12 years coming out this September. She is still performing as well, and, having seen her in the VH-1 special, I have to say that she's just as cute now at 51 as she was back in the 80s.
#26: Cutting Crew: "I Just Died in Your Arms" (1986)
This is another signature 80s tune, and again, one that is decent, but not that great. The Crew definitely has that 80s look too (there's just something about the 80s). It also has a really cool beat and some nice lyrics. I don't know if I'd sing along with it, but I probably wouldn't turn the radio if it came on.
This entry is kind of inexplicable, because "I've Been in Love Before" (a much better song, as far as I'm concerned) was their next single and hit #9. So how are they one-hit wonders? The band broke up in 1993, with some members still active in other venues and guitarist Scott MacMichael dying in 2002 of lung cancer. Lead singer Nick Van Eede has since reformed the group with different members, released an album in 2006, and they are still around.
Nothing like living in the past, eh?
#25: Musical Youth: "Pass the Dutchie" (1982)
This is another reggae song that made it onto the US charts, and is quite fun even today. It's a remake (and re-imagining) of an old reggae song "Pass the Kouchie," which is about marijuana. Of course, you can't have 12-year-old kids singing about that! So the title was changed and all drug references were removed. The kids are cute, and they definitely have that reggae sound to them, though I can't imagine what it is about the song that made it a hit compared to others. Was it the kids' voices that brought out the "they're so cute!!!" reactions? I don't know. I seem to remember it was a song that was vastly overplayed, though, and I quickly grew tired of it. Now that I haven't heard it for a while, it's fun again.
Musical Youth broke up in 1985, but have subsequently reformed in the 2000s, though only two of the original members are in it. They had some success in the UK, but this was their only US hit.
#24: Edie Brickell & New Bohemians: "What I Am" (1988)
This song has a great beat, but the lyrics just seem so pointless. Pseudo-philosophical crap is one way it could be described. It's too bad such great instrumentation has to be wasted on a song like this. Brickell's voice also kind of gets on my nerves, but that's beside the point.
I had no idea this band was still around, knowing that Brickell had married Paul Simon and produced three kids. I thought she was happy in that role, but evidently they are still around, releasing a new CD in 2006.
#23: Eddy Grant: "Electric Avenue" (1983)
Another reggae artist on this list! I think this is the third, but the second in this grouping. Interesting, eh? This song is pretty good, though it's not one of my favourites. It has a great beat to it, getting you to sway to it. I think the electronic music in the song is what made it a hit (what can I say? We liked this stuff in the 80s).
Grant's still active in the music business, and still quite big in the UK, though his only other entry in the US charts was a song for the Romancing the Stone soundtrack that ended up being cut from the movie.
#22: Michael Sembello: "Maniac" (1983)
The theme song to the movie Flashdance, this is another signature 80s tune, though I've never really cared for it too much. I'm not sure why that is, but it's always kind of annoyed me in the same way Frank Stallone's song from Staying Alive did. The video is nothing but clips from the movie, so nothing to comment on there.
Sembello still is quite active in the soundtrack business and is planning to go on tour this year to bring "his unique West Coast Sound around the world."
#21: Twisted Sister: "We're Not Gonna Take It" (1984)
This is another guilty pleasure, as this is such a cool song despite knowing it's not a "good" one. I think the video definitely helps, especially the "dad" in it. C'mon, wipe that spittle off your chin! This is the ultimate in teenage rebellion songs, at least as far as the 80s go. Your parents don't understand you, and the "racket" that you call music. What could be better for a teenage audience? And the video is simply hilarious. What's with Mom's water fixation? She should see somebody about that.
I was going to be complaining about Twisted Sister not being a one-hit wonder, because of their other song "I Wanna Rock," but now I see that it only reached #68 so never truly was a hit. Still, it was a fun song too.
Twisted Sister broke up in 1987 but reformed in 1997, even going so far as releasing a Christmas CD (I can just imagine).
So there you go. Another installment in this long-running series. Please don't hurt me!!!!
Stay tuned for more, coming up.
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
So, as "requested," here's the next installment of the one-hit wonders of the 1980s, as "told" by VH-1.
#30: The Vapors: "Turning Japanese" (1980)
This is kind of a fun song, with a neat beat. I wouldn't call it a favorite at all, even at the time, but it's a nice little piece of nostalgia that's inoffensive and you can tap your foot to it.
This is supposedly a love song about being far away from the love of your life, but the rumour has persisted for years (denied by the band) that it was about masturbation. Listening to the words, I think it's obvious that it's not, but some memes you just can't get rid of.
The Vapors put out two albums but never had the success that "Turning Japanese" did (if you call hitting #36 "success"). They broke up soon after the release of their second album in 1981.
#29: Madness: "Our House" (1982)
This song is another "not a favourite, but fun to listen to" songs. I do love the instrumentation behind the song, whether it's truly trumpet/sax/whatever or if it's a synthesizer doing it, it's quite cool. The video is....quite odd, to say the least. But it just adds to the fun factor of the song. Only in Britain!
Madness has been around since 1976 and is still going strong today, though they did break up in 1988 before reforming in 1992. They still continue to be huge in the UK, though "Our House" is the only song to get above #33 in the US.
#28: John Parr: "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)" (1985)
(apologies for the video quality...best I could find)
The theme song to the hit film St. Elmo's Fire, this song is actually pretty good too, for an 80s song. It's very singable, and I probably would if I heard it on the radio in the car (and I was alone, of course). This video (and Parr in general, probably) is notable for his having an almost perfect head of hair. I swear, when he moves his head, it waves like a breeze blowing through a wheatfield. Every strand perfectly in place. He probably spent a lot of money on hairspray back then.
This was Parr's only hit, though an earlier song did chart at #23. He continues to be in the music business, flying under the radar but touring with Bryan Adams and Journey.
#27: Stacey Q: "Two of Hearts" (1986)
God, this is an infectious little ditty, isn't it? Listening to it, I know I shouldn't like it, but my toe just won't control itself. I really liked it when it came out, and while that feeling has lessened a bit, it's still quite catchy. I know I'm going to have to turn in my "Good Taste Society" union card, but I can't help it.
Stacey Q is still definitely active in the music business, with her first studio album (Ok, CD) in 12 years coming out this September. She is still performing as well, and, having seen her in the VH-1 special, I have to say that she's just as cute now at 51 as she was back in the 80s.
#26: Cutting Crew: "I Just Died in Your Arms" (1986)
This is another signature 80s tune, and again, one that is decent, but not that great. The Crew definitely has that 80s look too (there's just something about the 80s). It also has a really cool beat and some nice lyrics. I don't know if I'd sing along with it, but I probably wouldn't turn the radio if it came on.
This entry is kind of inexplicable, because "I've Been in Love Before" (a much better song, as far as I'm concerned) was their next single and hit #9. So how are they one-hit wonders? The band broke up in 1993, with some members still active in other venues and guitarist Scott MacMichael dying in 2002 of lung cancer. Lead singer Nick Van Eede has since reformed the group with different members, released an album in 2006, and they are still around.
Nothing like living in the past, eh?
#25: Musical Youth: "Pass the Dutchie" (1982)
This is another reggae song that made it onto the US charts, and is quite fun even today. It's a remake (and re-imagining) of an old reggae song "Pass the Kouchie," which is about marijuana. Of course, you can't have 12-year-old kids singing about that! So the title was changed and all drug references were removed. The kids are cute, and they definitely have that reggae sound to them, though I can't imagine what it is about the song that made it a hit compared to others. Was it the kids' voices that brought out the "they're so cute!!!" reactions? I don't know. I seem to remember it was a song that was vastly overplayed, though, and I quickly grew tired of it. Now that I haven't heard it for a while, it's fun again.
Musical Youth broke up in 1985, but have subsequently reformed in the 2000s, though only two of the original members are in it. They had some success in the UK, but this was their only US hit.
#24: Edie Brickell & New Bohemians: "What I Am" (1988)
This song has a great beat, but the lyrics just seem so pointless. Pseudo-philosophical crap is one way it could be described. It's too bad such great instrumentation has to be wasted on a song like this. Brickell's voice also kind of gets on my nerves, but that's beside the point.
I had no idea this band was still around, knowing that Brickell had married Paul Simon and produced three kids. I thought she was happy in that role, but evidently they are still around, releasing a new CD in 2006.
#23: Eddy Grant: "Electric Avenue" (1983)
Another reggae artist on this list! I think this is the third, but the second in this grouping. Interesting, eh? This song is pretty good, though it's not one of my favourites. It has a great beat to it, getting you to sway to it. I think the electronic music in the song is what made it a hit (what can I say? We liked this stuff in the 80s).
Grant's still active in the music business, and still quite big in the UK, though his only other entry in the US charts was a song for the Romancing the Stone soundtrack that ended up being cut from the movie.
#22: Michael Sembello: "Maniac" (1983)
The theme song to the movie Flashdance, this is another signature 80s tune, though I've never really cared for it too much. I'm not sure why that is, but it's always kind of annoyed me in the same way Frank Stallone's song from Staying Alive did. The video is nothing but clips from the movie, so nothing to comment on there.
Sembello still is quite active in the soundtrack business and is planning to go on tour this year to bring "his unique West Coast Sound around the world."
#21: Twisted Sister: "We're Not Gonna Take It" (1984)
This is another guilty pleasure, as this is such a cool song despite knowing it's not a "good" one. I think the video definitely helps, especially the "dad" in it. C'mon, wipe that spittle off your chin! This is the ultimate in teenage rebellion songs, at least as far as the 80s go. Your parents don't understand you, and the "racket" that you call music. What could be better for a teenage audience? And the video is simply hilarious. What's with Mom's water fixation? She should see somebody about that.
I was going to be complaining about Twisted Sister not being a one-hit wonder, because of their other song "I Wanna Rock," but now I see that it only reached #68 so never truly was a hit. Still, it was a fun song too.
Twisted Sister broke up in 1987 but reformed in 1997, even going so far as releasing a Christmas CD (I can just imagine).
So there you go. Another installment in this long-running series. Please don't hurt me!!!!
Stay tuned for more, coming up.
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
August 23, 2009
Top 100 One-Hit Wonders of the 80s (#40-31)
It's that time again, boys and girls! Yes, it's time for the next installment of VH-1's Top 100 One-Hit Wonders of the 80s. I know you've been holding your breath since Sunday, when I posted the last one. My apologies for the delay. You can let go now. Please, David, you can let go! You're turning blue, David!
Oh well...I hate it when I lose fans.
Anyway, on to the countdown!
#40: The Buggles: "Video Killed the Radio Star" (1980)
Ah, yes. The video that launched it all! MTV used it to launch their new service in 1981, thus bringing it back to national consciousness after its initial release in 1979. Thankfully, I didn't catch MTV right at the beginning (not even sure if it was available from Day 1 in Davenport...maybe Dave can answer that?
The reason I say "thankfully" is that I find this song horribly repetitive and annoying. The video is also annoying; maybe it's lead singer Trevor Horn's weird glasses? I don't know, but this song just does nothing for me. That being said, for being the first "official" video, it is kind of inventive.
The Buggles are still kind of around. Both of the main musicians (Horn and Geoff Downes) are still active in the music business, though sometimes it doesn't seem like it. They briefly merged with the band Yes in the early 80s, have mentioned the idea of reviving the Buggles occasionally, and were supposed to come out with another CD, but it never happened.
I can't say I'm heartbroken about that.
#39: Matthew Wilder: "Break My Stride" (1983)
Ah, yes. I liked this catchy tune back in the day, though that could just be my early teenage brain not having activated the "quality" brain synapse. Listening to it now, it's rather annoying, isn't it? Wilder's voice just grates on my nerves. It's sending shivers down my spine right now, actually. And that moustache and hair! He's definitely a product of the 80s.
Wilder charted with another couple of songs, though none reached higher than 28. Now, he has does songwriting for the likes of Kelly Clarkson, No Doubt, Christina Aguilera and others.
#38: Bruce Willis: "Respect Yourself" (1987)
OH NOOOOOO!!!! Another actor who wanted to "branch out." Like Don Johnson and so many of the others in the 80s, he CAN'T SING! And watching the video, he can't dance either. It helps that he has June Pointer from the Pointer Sisters joining him, but it also hurts because he really pales in comparison. The song is really good, but that's because this is a cover of an earlier, actually good song rather than being written for Bruce to perform. By the way, don't you just hate it when spontaneous mass dancing breaks out in your local pool hall? I know I do.
Do I really need to give you an update on what good ol' Bruce has been doing with himself since this song came out?
#37: Lipps, Inc.: "Funkytown" (1980)
This song was played a lot throughout the 80s, because I doubt I became aware of it when I was 10 years old (or maybe I did?). It seemed to be the staple of many "pop" music stations in the 80s and was played all the time. Either that, or my memory is playing tricks on me and it just seemed that way. It's got a nice Jamaican-blend electronic beat at the beginning, but then it's just kind of a standard disco song. It's not horrible, but I don't have fond memories of it. It's rather more annoying now than I'm sure it was then, but maybe I'm not the audience for it. Of course, this song has been used so often in other media, with numerous covers, that it must have made an impression on somebody.
Lipps, Inc only charted the one time, at least in the Top 40, though they had some Dance hits after this one. They released a couple more albums but pretty much disappeared after the mid-80s.
#36: Weather Girls: "It's Raining Men" (1982)
This song has kind of been poisoned for me by Geri Halliwell's version of it from 2001, but looking back on this video, it's actually kind of a cool song. It's certainly very danceable with a nice beat. The video is incredibly cheesy, but it's kind of a cheesy song, so that's ok. They start out playing to the "sassy overweight black woman" stereotype, but once they actually start singing, it turns pretty good. Until the speedo-clad men in raincoats show up, of course (were they even called "speedos" back then?). Then again, I guess there has to be some eye candy for the women and gay men out there. Heaven knows we certainly get enough.
It would help if they could dance, though.
The Weather Girls never charted again after this, though they did have a couple of Dance hits under another name. Then again, this song only reached #46, so I'm not sure why it's called a "hit." I guess because we're still remembering it?
They were still active for a while, with new members now (the daughters of the original duo). Incidentally, Wikipedia says that their core audience was gay men. I swear I wrote the above comment before I saw that. I think the video indicated that more than I originally thought. :))
#35: Tom Tom Club: "Genius of Love" (1981)
I have no idea if that's the video for the song or some Youtube remake, so I won't comment on the video).
I have absolutely no memory of this song. After hearing it now, I must have blotted it out of my mind, because it is horrible. The beat is annoying, the electronics get under your skin and make you itch like a bad rash. And that guy almost screaming "James Brown" in the middle of it? This is totally forgettable 80s synth pop. No wonder I forgot it. This song is a great example of the worst of the 80s, and I may have to go scrub my brain now so that I can forget it for another 30 years.
The band, founded by a couple of Talking Heads alumni, is still active and producing albums, but hasn't even touched a chart since 1992.
#34: The Waitresses: "I Know What Boys Like" (1982)
I don't think I've liked a song yet on this part of the list, have I? This song doesn't break that string. Incredibly repetitive beat, banal lyrics, and even the sax sounds horrible (though that could be this recording of it). My brain is actually starting to hurt, listening to this song again.
This song topped out at #62, so again, I'm not sure why it's considered a "hit," though it's definitely remembered as part of the 80s. Maybe that's why? Wikipedia says that The Waitresses weren't active after 1983, but a couple of "Best of" (?????) albums/CDs were released in later years. Thankfully, I've never seen one.
#33: John Waite: "Missing You" (1984)
Finally!! A song on this list that I actually like. I can sing along with this one even today (and did just last week when it came on the radio). There's really nothing special about this song, but it just has a nice beat and lyrics with a universal appeal. Who hasn't experienced this kind of heartbreak, where somebody breaks up with you and you continue to claim to yourself that it hasn't affected you? Waite has that typical 80s singer look, with the hair and signature earring, but I'm sure the ladies considered him cute. And kudos to him (or the video director) for making his girlfriend in the video Asian.
Waite continued his music career after this, charting numerous times but only breaking the Top 40 twice more (at #37 and #25). He went on to be lead singer for the band Bad English, who had their own big hit with "When I See You Smile". He continues to be active in the business, making a nice career for himself and touring. He even recorded a duet of "Missing You" with Alison Krauss that hit the Country charts. Watching it now, it's actually quite good!
#32: Quarterflash: "Harden My Heart" (1981)
Two songs in a row!!! I loved Quarterflash when they came out, dancing to this song a lot (ok, in my bedroom, because I was only 11!). I'm a sucker for good sax, though, and this song definitely has a good one. I think that's one of the appeals of it, though Rindy Ross having a good voice and being kind of hot (I think I noticed that more in subsequent years) certainly helped. I think I had this album, actually, though I could be mistaken. I seem to remember playing it, though. Maybe it was my brother's?
There's no way this should be on a one-hit wonder list, though, as their follow-up song "Find Another Fool" (another song I really liked) hit #16. They also hit #14 with "Take Me to Heart" off of their next album (which is actually my favourite of the three). It's inclusions like this that make this list ridiculous sometimes.
Quarterflash has broken up a couple of times, but they've reformed and released a new CD just last year, which is kind of cool.
Incidentally, this is where we came in to actually watching the countdown on MuchMore (one of our music video stations).
#31: Bobby McFerrin: "Don't Worry, Be Happy" (1988)
I almost think this is the signature song of the 80s, McFerrin's suggestion that no matter what happens to you, just be happy and you will feel better. Try telling that to the clinically depressed. Anyway, McFerrin recruited Robin Williams and some other guy (I'm sure he was recognizable at the time) for the music video, and they looked like they had some fun making it. However, the song annoyed me almost from the beginning, and it hasn't worn well.
Looking at McFerrin's biography, he seems to be an incredibly talented vocal musician with lots of different skills and he's kept very busy. It's sad (at least for me, who hates this song) that he's best-remembered for this, then. There's so much there that he should be famous for but isn't. Oh well, at least he appears to be happy (and if he's not, maybe he should listen to this song again)
So there you have it. The next 10 one-hit wonders on the chart. We're really getting close now...so close, I can smell it. I just can't remember any grouping of 10 from this list that contained so many songs that I can't stand. If this would have been 100-91, I might not have continued these posts.
Stay tuned for more!
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
Oh well...I hate it when I lose fans.
Anyway, on to the countdown!
#40: The Buggles: "Video Killed the Radio Star" (1980)
Ah, yes. The video that launched it all! MTV used it to launch their new service in 1981, thus bringing it back to national consciousness after its initial release in 1979. Thankfully, I didn't catch MTV right at the beginning (not even sure if it was available from Day 1 in Davenport...maybe Dave can answer that?
The reason I say "thankfully" is that I find this song horribly repetitive and annoying. The video is also annoying; maybe it's lead singer Trevor Horn's weird glasses? I don't know, but this song just does nothing for me. That being said, for being the first "official" video, it is kind of inventive.
The Buggles are still kind of around. Both of the main musicians (Horn and Geoff Downes) are still active in the music business, though sometimes it doesn't seem like it. They briefly merged with the band Yes in the early 80s, have mentioned the idea of reviving the Buggles occasionally, and were supposed to come out with another CD, but it never happened.
I can't say I'm heartbroken about that.
#39: Matthew Wilder: "Break My Stride" (1983)
Ah, yes. I liked this catchy tune back in the day, though that could just be my early teenage brain not having activated the "quality" brain synapse. Listening to it now, it's rather annoying, isn't it? Wilder's voice just grates on my nerves. It's sending shivers down my spine right now, actually. And that moustache and hair! He's definitely a product of the 80s.
Wilder charted with another couple of songs, though none reached higher than 28. Now, he has does songwriting for the likes of Kelly Clarkson, No Doubt, Christina Aguilera and others.
#38: Bruce Willis: "Respect Yourself" (1987)
OH NOOOOOO!!!! Another actor who wanted to "branch out." Like Don Johnson and so many of the others in the 80s, he CAN'T SING! And watching the video, he can't dance either. It helps that he has June Pointer from the Pointer Sisters joining him, but it also hurts because he really pales in comparison. The song is really good, but that's because this is a cover of an earlier, actually good song rather than being written for Bruce to perform. By the way, don't you just hate it when spontaneous mass dancing breaks out in your local pool hall? I know I do.
Do I really need to give you an update on what good ol' Bruce has been doing with himself since this song came out?
#37: Lipps, Inc.: "Funkytown" (1980)
This song was played a lot throughout the 80s, because I doubt I became aware of it when I was 10 years old (or maybe I did?). It seemed to be the staple of many "pop" music stations in the 80s and was played all the time. Either that, or my memory is playing tricks on me and it just seemed that way. It's got a nice Jamaican-blend electronic beat at the beginning, but then it's just kind of a standard disco song. It's not horrible, but I don't have fond memories of it. It's rather more annoying now than I'm sure it was then, but maybe I'm not the audience for it. Of course, this song has been used so often in other media, with numerous covers, that it must have made an impression on somebody.
Lipps, Inc only charted the one time, at least in the Top 40, though they had some Dance hits after this one. They released a couple more albums but pretty much disappeared after the mid-80s.
#36: Weather Girls: "It's Raining Men" (1982)
This song has kind of been poisoned for me by Geri Halliwell's version of it from 2001, but looking back on this video, it's actually kind of a cool song. It's certainly very danceable with a nice beat. The video is incredibly cheesy, but it's kind of a cheesy song, so that's ok. They start out playing to the "sassy overweight black woman" stereotype, but once they actually start singing, it turns pretty good. Until the speedo-clad men in raincoats show up, of course (were they even called "speedos" back then?). Then again, I guess there has to be some eye candy for the women and gay men out there. Heaven knows we certainly get enough.
It would help if they could dance, though.
The Weather Girls never charted again after this, though they did have a couple of Dance hits under another name. Then again, this song only reached #46, so I'm not sure why it's called a "hit." I guess because we're still remembering it?
They were still active for a while, with new members now (the daughters of the original duo). Incidentally, Wikipedia says that their core audience was gay men. I swear I wrote the above comment before I saw that. I think the video indicated that more than I originally thought. :))
#35: Tom Tom Club: "Genius of Love" (1981)
I have no idea if that's the video for the song or some Youtube remake, so I won't comment on the video).
I have absolutely no memory of this song. After hearing it now, I must have blotted it out of my mind, because it is horrible. The beat is annoying, the electronics get under your skin and make you itch like a bad rash. And that guy almost screaming "James Brown" in the middle of it? This is totally forgettable 80s synth pop. No wonder I forgot it. This song is a great example of the worst of the 80s, and I may have to go scrub my brain now so that I can forget it for another 30 years.
The band, founded by a couple of Talking Heads alumni, is still active and producing albums, but hasn't even touched a chart since 1992.
#34: The Waitresses: "I Know What Boys Like" (1982)
I don't think I've liked a song yet on this part of the list, have I? This song doesn't break that string. Incredibly repetitive beat, banal lyrics, and even the sax sounds horrible (though that could be this recording of it). My brain is actually starting to hurt, listening to this song again.
This song topped out at #62, so again, I'm not sure why it's considered a "hit," though it's definitely remembered as part of the 80s. Maybe that's why? Wikipedia says that The Waitresses weren't active after 1983, but a couple of "Best of" (?????) albums/CDs were released in later years. Thankfully, I've never seen one.
#33: John Waite: "Missing You" (1984)
Finally!! A song on this list that I actually like. I can sing along with this one even today (and did just last week when it came on the radio). There's really nothing special about this song, but it just has a nice beat and lyrics with a universal appeal. Who hasn't experienced this kind of heartbreak, where somebody breaks up with you and you continue to claim to yourself that it hasn't affected you? Waite has that typical 80s singer look, with the hair and signature earring, but I'm sure the ladies considered him cute. And kudos to him (or the video director) for making his girlfriend in the video Asian.
Waite continued his music career after this, charting numerous times but only breaking the Top 40 twice more (at #37 and #25). He went on to be lead singer for the band Bad English, who had their own big hit with "When I See You Smile". He continues to be active in the business, making a nice career for himself and touring. He even recorded a duet of "Missing You" with Alison Krauss that hit the Country charts. Watching it now, it's actually quite good!
#32: Quarterflash: "Harden My Heart" (1981)
Two songs in a row!!! I loved Quarterflash when they came out, dancing to this song a lot (ok, in my bedroom, because I was only 11!). I'm a sucker for good sax, though, and this song definitely has a good one. I think that's one of the appeals of it, though Rindy Ross having a good voice and being kind of hot (I think I noticed that more in subsequent years) certainly helped. I think I had this album, actually, though I could be mistaken. I seem to remember playing it, though. Maybe it was my brother's?
There's no way this should be on a one-hit wonder list, though, as their follow-up song "Find Another Fool" (another song I really liked) hit #16. They also hit #14 with "Take Me to Heart" off of their next album (which is actually my favourite of the three). It's inclusions like this that make this list ridiculous sometimes.
Quarterflash has broken up a couple of times, but they've reformed and released a new CD just last year, which is kind of cool.
Incidentally, this is where we came in to actually watching the countdown on MuchMore (one of our music video stations).
#31: Bobby McFerrin: "Don't Worry, Be Happy" (1988)
I almost think this is the signature song of the 80s, McFerrin's suggestion that no matter what happens to you, just be happy and you will feel better. Try telling that to the clinically depressed. Anyway, McFerrin recruited Robin Williams and some other guy (I'm sure he was recognizable at the time) for the music video, and they looked like they had some fun making it. However, the song annoyed me almost from the beginning, and it hasn't worn well.
Looking at McFerrin's biography, he seems to be an incredibly talented vocal musician with lots of different skills and he's kept very busy. It's sad (at least for me, who hates this song) that he's best-remembered for this, then. There's so much there that he should be famous for but isn't. Oh well, at least he appears to be happy (and if he's not, maybe he should listen to this song again)
So there you have it. The next 10 one-hit wonders on the chart. We're really getting close now...so close, I can smell it. I just can't remember any grouping of 10 from this list that contained so many songs that I can't stand. If this would have been 100-91, I might not have continued these posts.
Stay tuned for more!
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
August 16, 2009
Top 100 One-Hit Wonders of the 80s (#50-41)
It's Sunday morning, bright and early, so what better time to do another installment of the top 100 one-hit wonders of the 80s, according to VH-1? We're past the half-way mark and still going strong, though my ears are starting to bleed a little bit. That's ok. I'll just get on the waiting list to take care of that and be good in 2-3 years.
Anyway, on to the countdown!
#50: Neneh Cherry: "Buffalo Dance" (1989)
I kind of liked this song when it came out, but for the most part, I found it incredibly annoying. Typical 80s synth and early-techno beat just grated on me, and Cherry's voice didn't really help much. The video is almost psychedelic, with EXTREME close-ups at times of Cherry singing the song. It's not a totally bad song, but it just gets on my nerves (I'm starting to shake right now, actually).
Cherry is another two-hit wonder, actually, with "Kisses on the Wind" hitting #8, which to me, seems like a hit. Call me crazy! But she never made the Top 40 again after that, though she did continue to hit various European charts. She continues to work in the business, forming a new band and supposedly her next solo CD is supposed to be out....sometime. Give her time! She needs time to make sure everything's perfect. It's only been 13 years. Give her a break!
#49: Philip Bailey (w/ Phil Collins): "Easy Lover" (1984)
Obviously, Phil Collins is not the one-hit wonder here...
I actually really liked this song, singing along to it whenever I heard it. I haven't heard it in ages, though, so I can't say whether I would today or not. Actually, I probably would. It's got a great beat, Phil Collins along for the ride, what could be better? Ok, maybe listening to it while getting a backrub from Sarah Michelle Geller. But that's it! The video's kind of funky too, in that "let's get a helicopter view of the city while heading to the making of the video" way. And then watching the behind the scenes stuff is quite cool too. Especially funny is watching Phil Collins' receding hairline get a trim. They look like they had a lot of fun making this video. Or at least, we're supposed to think that.
Bailey is a long-time member of Earth, Wind, & Fire, and this was his only solo hit.
I love this bit from Bailey's Wikipedia entry:
"Phil Collins, during a radio interview, was asked how "he discovered" Philip Bailey. Annoyed with the interviewer's lack of knowledge, Collins made up a story about how he had been filling his car with gas/petrol when he heard the attendant singing...and that turned out to be Philip Bailey. The interviewer believed the whole story, which was also picked up by other media outlets"
He continues to front Earth, Wind, & Fire as well as having released various jazz and gospel albums as well.
#48: Yello: "Oh Yeah" (1985)
I had forgotten that this song was called "Oh Yeah" when I saw this, so I figured I had never heard the song. Of course, I then listened to it, and the memories flooded back. Seemingly used in almost every movie of the mid-80s (ok, only six, but it seemed like more), I never actually listened to the whole song at any time. Now that I am, I find it incredibly annoying. I don't mind electronic music, but this one simply grates on my ears.
Yello is a Swiss electronica band, and their music is popular in pop culture, in everything from movies, video games, TV shows, commercials, and more. This was their only hit (though it only hit #51, so VH-1's definition of a "hit" continues to elude me), but they were popular on the Dance charts and in Europe. They're still going strong, too.
#47: Pretty Poison: "Catch Me, I'm Falling" (1987)
A song from Jon Cryer's movie, Hiding Out (before he turned into the total dweeb he is in Two & a Half Men), this pop dance track is actually kind of fun, though not in any memorable way. It's an ok song, but I don't have a lot of good memories of it. And that video! Interspersed with scenes from the movie, it seems like an impromptu mass hysterical dance disease has infected everybody! Lead singer Jade Starling shows up in the subway and everybody starts dancing. I don't think that really happens in New York, though you New Yorkers can correct me if I'm wrong. Maybe it was an 80s thing? And then they show up at school and the same thing happens! I think Starling is a Typhoid Mary of Dancing Disease.
This was their only single, thanks to heavy MTV exposure, but they continued to hit the Dance charts. They've been gone since 1997, but a new single just came out on iTunes and a new CD is supposedly in the works.
#46: Georgia Satellites: "Keep Your Hands to Yourself" (1986)
Sorry, I couldn't find any recording of this song other than New Year's Rockin' Eve from 1987.
Just thinking about this song, I feel like I shouldn't be liking it. But yet, I do. It has that southern rock feel to it with screaming guitars and Dan Baird's southern-inflected voice just kind of infects you (yes, there does seem to be a medical theme to this blog post). It really got me rocking back in 86 when this came out and I still have trouble not tapping my foot. The lyrics are, of course, extremely silly, but that's not always a bad thing.
This was their only hit, and I'm not sure exactly why that was. Their song from Cocktail, the cover of "Hippy Hippy Shake," I really have fond memories of and could have sworn it charted, but evidently not. The band is still around, though they're definitely flying under the radar after a couple of break-ups in the 90s.
#45: Robbie Nevil: "C’est La Vie" (1987)
I just heard this song on the radio the other day and thought to myself "this song has to be on the one-hit wonders chart." And sure enough, here it is. It's kind of a forgettable song, though I did enjoy the nostalgia of hearing it again at the time. Once is enough, though, so I'm not as enamored with it as I was Friday. The video is kind of surreal too. Yeah, I love it when women wear a chemise to a construction site, dancing around for all the workers (ok, they would probably like it). Nevil's face looks like it would break if he managed to crack a smile. Come on, Robbie! You've got a very danceable song with beautiful women dancing around you! You should be grinning from ear to ear. He definitely has the 80s hair, though.
After a couple of mediocre-selling albums, he moved back behind the scenes and has been writing and producing for the likes of Babyface, Jessica Simpson and Destiny's Child. Most notably, he's worked on both the High School Musical and the Hannah Montana franchises, which I'm sure has him rolling in dough. Don't feel sorry for his one-hit wonder status. I'm sure he's very happy.
#44: Wall of Voodoo: "Mexican Radio" (1982)
Wow. A combination of New Wave synth and spaghetti western? How can this work? Yet it does. I actually really like this song, helped by both the synth and the interesting vocal inflections of lead singer Stan Ridgeway. The video is kind of funny, too. Can they stand any closer together? It's almost like they couldn't afford a wide-angle lens. And gotta love that iguana!
This song only hit #58, so it's not really a "hit", per se. But it eats its way into your head and hits your musical pleasure center, so I'll give VH-1 a pass on this one. They never had another hit again, and while Ridgeway is currently fronting a band called "Wall of Voodoo," none of the other original members are in it.
#43: Shannon: "Let the Music Play" (1983)
Man, do I love this song. This song will definitely get you dancing in your car (or your boat, or your chair if you're just sitting in front of the computer, which I guess you probably are, aren't you?). I went for years knowing and loving the song and had no idea who actually performed it, though. Oh, the trials and tribulations of the single woman on the dance floor, dancing with somebody and thinking there's a connection. And then the song changes and he's off dancing with somebody else! Maybe it's a good thing I never dated in this time period. Shannon, I feel your pain (well, from the male point of view, I mean).
This song circumvented the anti-disco feeling on US radio stations, bridging the gap between disco and "dance-pop." It's also been covered like crazy. Shannon kept recording, but never had the US success that this song portended. She was big in the UK and on the US Dance charts, though. She seems to be still active in the music scene, too, though definitely not as prominent as she once was.
#42: Timbuk 3: "The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades" (1986)
Another song I heard on the radio the other day. It's kind of fun, especially if you listen to the lyrics (and, unlike many songs, you can actually understand the lyrics!) The video is a weird mix of the duo playing in front of their trailer, a mule (with some extreme close-ups), and some strange animation. I wonder what TV reception is like out in the desert like that? This was a popular graduation song after it was released, though I don't remember if we were so cliched as to use it as well.
Anyway, the duo released a number of albums in the 10 years after this song, but never charted again. Both husband and wife are still active in the music scene, though.
#41: Billy Vera: "At This Moment" (1986)
Ah, one of my favourite romantic songs of the 80s. Made popular by it's inclusion in the TV series Family Ties as Alex and Ellen's love theme, it just gives me goosebumps every time I hear it (I've got them now). It also occasionally brings a tear to the eye. The combination of lyrics, Vera's voice, and the wonderful sax just gives you chills. I haven't heard this song in ages, and it's definitely still got that power.
This song also launched Vera's film career, but it didn't last long. He still works in the voice-over business, though, and he and the Beaters still perform at clubs.
I'm sure this song is quite prominent in their set list.
So there you have it. The next ten one-hit wonders of the 80s. There was actually some pretty decent stuff in this one. Stay tuned for more, coming in the near future!
Edit #1 (6/30/10): Replaced the "Mexican Radio" video with one that works.
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
Anyway, on to the countdown!
#50: Neneh Cherry: "Buffalo Dance" (1989)
I kind of liked this song when it came out, but for the most part, I found it incredibly annoying. Typical 80s synth and early-techno beat just grated on me, and Cherry's voice didn't really help much. The video is almost psychedelic, with EXTREME close-ups at times of Cherry singing the song. It's not a totally bad song, but it just gets on my nerves (I'm starting to shake right now, actually).
Cherry is another two-hit wonder, actually, with "Kisses on the Wind" hitting #8, which to me, seems like a hit. Call me crazy! But she never made the Top 40 again after that, though she did continue to hit various European charts. She continues to work in the business, forming a new band and supposedly her next solo CD is supposed to be out....sometime. Give her time! She needs time to make sure everything's perfect. It's only been 13 years. Give her a break!
#49: Philip Bailey (w/ Phil Collins): "Easy Lover" (1984)
Obviously, Phil Collins is not the one-hit wonder here...
I actually really liked this song, singing along to it whenever I heard it. I haven't heard it in ages, though, so I can't say whether I would today or not. Actually, I probably would. It's got a great beat, Phil Collins along for the ride, what could be better? Ok, maybe listening to it while getting a backrub from Sarah Michelle Geller. But that's it! The video's kind of funky too, in that "let's get a helicopter view of the city while heading to the making of the video" way. And then watching the behind the scenes stuff is quite cool too. Especially funny is watching Phil Collins' receding hairline get a trim. They look like they had a lot of fun making this video. Or at least, we're supposed to think that.
Bailey is a long-time member of Earth, Wind, & Fire, and this was his only solo hit.
I love this bit from Bailey's Wikipedia entry:
"Phil Collins, during a radio interview, was asked how "he discovered" Philip Bailey. Annoyed with the interviewer's lack of knowledge, Collins made up a story about how he had been filling his car with gas/petrol when he heard the attendant singing...and that turned out to be Philip Bailey. The interviewer believed the whole story, which was also picked up by other media outlets"
He continues to front Earth, Wind, & Fire as well as having released various jazz and gospel albums as well.
#48: Yello: "Oh Yeah" (1985)
I had forgotten that this song was called "Oh Yeah" when I saw this, so I figured I had never heard the song. Of course, I then listened to it, and the memories flooded back. Seemingly used in almost every movie of the mid-80s (ok, only six, but it seemed like more), I never actually listened to the whole song at any time. Now that I am, I find it incredibly annoying. I don't mind electronic music, but this one simply grates on my ears.
Yello is a Swiss electronica band, and their music is popular in pop culture, in everything from movies, video games, TV shows, commercials, and more. This was their only hit (though it only hit #51, so VH-1's definition of a "hit" continues to elude me), but they were popular on the Dance charts and in Europe. They're still going strong, too.
#47: Pretty Poison: "Catch Me, I'm Falling" (1987)
A song from Jon Cryer's movie, Hiding Out (before he turned into the total dweeb he is in Two & a Half Men), this pop dance track is actually kind of fun, though not in any memorable way. It's an ok song, but I don't have a lot of good memories of it. And that video! Interspersed with scenes from the movie, it seems like an impromptu mass hysterical dance disease has infected everybody! Lead singer Jade Starling shows up in the subway and everybody starts dancing. I don't think that really happens in New York, though you New Yorkers can correct me if I'm wrong. Maybe it was an 80s thing? And then they show up at school and the same thing happens! I think Starling is a Typhoid Mary of Dancing Disease.
This was their only single, thanks to heavy MTV exposure, but they continued to hit the Dance charts. They've been gone since 1997, but a new single just came out on iTunes and a new CD is supposedly in the works.
#46: Georgia Satellites: "Keep Your Hands to Yourself" (1986)
Sorry, I couldn't find any recording of this song other than New Year's Rockin' Eve from 1987.
Just thinking about this song, I feel like I shouldn't be liking it. But yet, I do. It has that southern rock feel to it with screaming guitars and Dan Baird's southern-inflected voice just kind of infects you (yes, there does seem to be a medical theme to this blog post). It really got me rocking back in 86 when this came out and I still have trouble not tapping my foot. The lyrics are, of course, extremely silly, but that's not always a bad thing.
This was their only hit, and I'm not sure exactly why that was. Their song from Cocktail, the cover of "Hippy Hippy Shake," I really have fond memories of and could have sworn it charted, but evidently not. The band is still around, though they're definitely flying under the radar after a couple of break-ups in the 90s.
#45: Robbie Nevil: "C’est La Vie" (1987)
I just heard this song on the radio the other day and thought to myself "this song has to be on the one-hit wonders chart." And sure enough, here it is. It's kind of a forgettable song, though I did enjoy the nostalgia of hearing it again at the time. Once is enough, though, so I'm not as enamored with it as I was Friday. The video is kind of surreal too. Yeah, I love it when women wear a chemise to a construction site, dancing around for all the workers (ok, they would probably like it). Nevil's face looks like it would break if he managed to crack a smile. Come on, Robbie! You've got a very danceable song with beautiful women dancing around you! You should be grinning from ear to ear. He definitely has the 80s hair, though.
After a couple of mediocre-selling albums, he moved back behind the scenes and has been writing and producing for the likes of Babyface, Jessica Simpson and Destiny's Child. Most notably, he's worked on both the High School Musical and the Hannah Montana franchises, which I'm sure has him rolling in dough. Don't feel sorry for his one-hit wonder status. I'm sure he's very happy.
#44: Wall of Voodoo: "Mexican Radio" (1982)
Wow. A combination of New Wave synth and spaghetti western? How can this work? Yet it does. I actually really like this song, helped by both the synth and the interesting vocal inflections of lead singer Stan Ridgeway. The video is kind of funny, too. Can they stand any closer together? It's almost like they couldn't afford a wide-angle lens. And gotta love that iguana!
This song only hit #58, so it's not really a "hit", per se. But it eats its way into your head and hits your musical pleasure center, so I'll give VH-1 a pass on this one. They never had another hit again, and while Ridgeway is currently fronting a band called "Wall of Voodoo," none of the other original members are in it.
#43: Shannon: "Let the Music Play" (1983)
Man, do I love this song. This song will definitely get you dancing in your car (or your boat, or your chair if you're just sitting in front of the computer, which I guess you probably are, aren't you?). I went for years knowing and loving the song and had no idea who actually performed it, though. Oh, the trials and tribulations of the single woman on the dance floor, dancing with somebody and thinking there's a connection. And then the song changes and he's off dancing with somebody else! Maybe it's a good thing I never dated in this time period. Shannon, I feel your pain (well, from the male point of view, I mean).
This song circumvented the anti-disco feeling on US radio stations, bridging the gap between disco and "dance-pop." It's also been covered like crazy. Shannon kept recording, but never had the US success that this song portended. She was big in the UK and on the US Dance charts, though. She seems to be still active in the music scene, too, though definitely not as prominent as she once was.
#42: Timbuk 3: "The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades" (1986)
Another song I heard on the radio the other day. It's kind of fun, especially if you listen to the lyrics (and, unlike many songs, you can actually understand the lyrics!) The video is a weird mix of the duo playing in front of their trailer, a mule (with some extreme close-ups), and some strange animation. I wonder what TV reception is like out in the desert like that? This was a popular graduation song after it was released, though I don't remember if we were so cliched as to use it as well.
Anyway, the duo released a number of albums in the 10 years after this song, but never charted again. Both husband and wife are still active in the music scene, though.
#41: Billy Vera: "At This Moment" (1986)
Ah, one of my favourite romantic songs of the 80s. Made popular by it's inclusion in the TV series Family Ties as Alex and Ellen's love theme, it just gives me goosebumps every time I hear it (I've got them now). It also occasionally brings a tear to the eye. The combination of lyrics, Vera's voice, and the wonderful sax just gives you chills. I haven't heard this song in ages, and it's definitely still got that power.
This song also launched Vera's film career, but it didn't last long. He still works in the voice-over business, though, and he and the Beaters still perform at clubs.
I'm sure this song is quite prominent in their set list.
So there you have it. The next ten one-hit wonders of the 80s. There was actually some pretty decent stuff in this one. Stay tuned for more, coming in the near future!
Edit #1 (6/30/10): Replaced the "Mexican Radio" video with one that works.
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
August 12, 2009
Top 100 One-Hit Wonders of the 80s (#60-51)
It's time for another part of the countdown! Why am I starting to feel like Casey Kasem with a normal voice? I don't know, but this is #60-51 of the Top 100 One-Hit Wonders of the 80s, as compiled by VH-1 (and you know how accurate that must be!). Will this be another post full of "this band/singer/dancer/actor/politician doesn't belong here!" complaints? Hopefully not. I haven't looked at the list yet, so I don't know. If you have any suggestions for those acts who should be on this list but aren't, let me know in the comments!
Here's the link to VH-1's list, so you can check it out ahead of time.
And this will hopefully be another American Idol-free zone.
So on to the countdown!
#60: Nu Shooz: "I Can't Wait" (1986)
One of my favourite songs on this list! This is another song I sing along with on the radio when it comes on, even today. There's nothing I can point to in the song that says "This is good!", but it just makes me bob my head whenever I hear it. The video, though, is quite surreal. What's with the office in the middle of the paper mache desert? And pulling the fish out of the urn? And what's with that magnet? Just what are they trying to say? Or are they just going for "weird?"
*Sigh* This is yet another "how are they one-hit wonders?" entry, as their next song, "Point of No Return" also charted (listening to it now, it's a thoroughly forgettable song, though, so maybe they just forgot?). I'm really starting to warm to that "two-hit wonder" post that I mentioned in a previous one. Of course, that would be too much work to put together, and I'm lazy. I'll happily link to anybody else who wants to do it, though!
Sadly, the group decided to disband in the early 90s, though why Wikipedia says that they existed "1979-Present", I have no idea.
#59: The Outfield: "Your Love" (1986)
This, on the other hand, isn't a bad song but it just never really appealed to me. Maybe it's lead singer Tony Lewis' voice just kind of grates on me a bit. It doesn't sound like a typical 80s song, though, which does add a little bit to its appeal. Not much, though.
This song's inclusion on this list is even more mystifying, as they had numerous singles that charted. Never as high as this one (#6), but one reach #19 and another #25 and another #21. What is the deal?
The Outfield are still together, releasing another album (I would say "CD", but this is an 80s post) in 2006. They took an extended hiatus throughout the mid-90s, and have never reached the heights of their popularity from the late 80s and early 90s, but they're still in business.
At least they have a job.
#58: Don Johnson: "Heartbeat" (1986)
Oh no!!!! It's another actor who decided to dabble in singing!!! And another actor who can't sing, either. This is a horrible song, and a really horrible video. Playing a guy who must like cameras, as he's filming people on the streets, and then the video cuts to him being in some (I assume) Central American war-torn country as some kind of photojournalist. Interspersed with this are shots of him singing in some generic, white square-filled backdrop, including reaching out to some mythical figure just off the side of the screen in heartfelt....well, some emotion, anyway. I love the clenching of the fist and intense look on his face. Personally, I think it makes him look constipated, but that's just me. Then the video moves on to, I don't know, gang-infested LA? The images just don't seem to go with the music, but I could be wrong there.
This isn't the worst song on this list, but it is really close. While it was Johnson's only "hit," he did chart (#56) with another song off of this album.
I don't really need to give you an update on what he's doing now, do I?
#57: Jermaine Stewart: "We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off" (1985)
If we do that, will it make the song more palatable?
Actually, I don't mind this song that much, though I think it would depend on the setting. It would be a good song to dance to, but I'm not a big fan of just listening to it. Still, Stewart appears to be having fun in the video, so that's a plus. It does have some really weird dance moves, though.
Stewart died of AIDS-related cancer in 1997. In a seemingly common refrain in this post, he did have another moderate hit on the US charts, so he really doesn't belong on this list.
#56: Til Tuesday: "Voices Carry" (1985)
Finally! An American New Wave band from the 80s!
I actually kind of liked this song when it came out, and it's still pretty good today. It's another relevant song, and it's still relevant today, being about being in an abusive relationship. The video adds a bit of a "class" motif to it, with the boyfriend/husband trying to change her into a more upper-crust sort rather than the spikey-haired rebellious woman that she really is, but I think it's more about abuse than anything else.
This was Til Tuesday's only real hit, though they did have one other song get up to #26 (just what is the definition of a "hit" anyway?) The band broke up in 1988, though lead singer Aimee Mann is still active.
#55: Johnny Kemp: "Just Got Paid" (1988)
I am definitely not the audience for this song. This was a #1 crossover hit for Kemp, who traditionally was on the R&B charts (and I say "traditionally," even though he only had three albums). The video is another one of those where it's mostly the singer and a bunch of dancers doing some heavily choreographed moves, interspersed with other dance club images. I can't point to anything in it that says "this is bad," but it just doesn't turn me on. I can point to the entire song that says "this is the 80s!"
As I said, Kemp only had three albums, and this song came off of his second. He had one other moderate hit, with "Birthday Suit" hitting #36 in 1989 (what is it with 80s singers and nudity?). He's still around, doing stuff, but that's about all I can find out.
#54: Chris DeBurgh: "Lady in Red" (1986)
This is one of the most popular songs from the 80s, I think. It was the love theme for Steve & Kayla on "Days of Our Lives," which has to be why it became so popular (those soap opera moms can be quite rabid). It's not too bad, but it just wears on my nerves to this day. I think it was overplayed when it was popular, and I still haven't recovered from that. Still, guys, if you can sing, it can't hurt if you sing it to your loved one. You might get lucky! Unless, of course, she's rabidly anti-80s music, in which case you'll get thrown out on your ass.
This was DeBurgh's only US hit, though he remained popular in the UK for a while. Even that success started to fade after a while, though. He does still have quite a fan following, though, so at least he's still working.
#53: Taco: "Puttin' on the Ritz" (1983)
I don't know why, but I love this song. It's a "pop" version of Irving Berlin's 1930s song, and it's enough to get your toe tapping. I guess having a Berlin pedigree certainly helps. The video for this was censored from its original version which contained some dancers in blackface (the uncensored version is what I'm linking to).
Taco vanished from the US shores after this song became a hit, though he continues to work and perform in Germany, where he lives.
#52: Mary Jane Girls: "In My House" (1985)
This song definitely has that vintage 80s sound, that little bit of funk and that little bit of weird synth guitar. The video is also vintage 80s weirdness, with a bunch of rather scantily-clad women just dancing in various urban environments (along with a brief tub scene that I guess was supposed to titillate the guys?) I'm not a big fan of this song, though again, I don't think I'm the target audience. It would probably make a good dance club song.
This was their only Top 40 hit, and the band pretty much broke up in the late 80s/early 90s. All of the women in the group seem to be still working in the industry, however.
#51: After the Fire "Der Kommissar" (1982)
This is a song I'm of two minds on. Part of me just doesn't like it, but the other part of me loves the interesting guitar riffs and the vocals by Peter Banks (almost sounding like an English version of Falco, the original artist who recorded this song). I think I'm leaning toward the liking part of my brain. It's quite catchy, and vintage 80s too.
This was After the Fire's only US hit, and they never really had much success in the UK either. For some reason, they hung around for a while, broke up and then reformed in 2005 and are still going strong (if under the radar) today. Remarkable, considering the fact that the general populace still doesn't seem to have heard of them (at least judging by the charts). That kind of existence can probably be quite pleasant, though. Playing for your fans but not having to deal with the trials and tribulations that actual popularity gives you.
It's a win/win!
So there you have it. We've reached the half-way point in the countdown, and I haven't given up on it yet. When I started, I thought it might be a good possibility, as I'm a lazy sot. But this has been fun, and now that I know some people like it, I will definitely get to #1. Consider me the After the Fire of bloggers.
Update #1 (3/2/10): Changed "Just Got Paid" to a link that works.
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
Here's the link to VH-1's list, so you can check it out ahead of time.
And this will hopefully be another American Idol-free zone.
So on to the countdown!
#60: Nu Shooz: "I Can't Wait" (1986)
One of my favourite songs on this list! This is another song I sing along with on the radio when it comes on, even today. There's nothing I can point to in the song that says "This is good!", but it just makes me bob my head whenever I hear it. The video, though, is quite surreal. What's with the office in the middle of the paper mache desert? And pulling the fish out of the urn? And what's with that magnet? Just what are they trying to say? Or are they just going for "weird?"
*Sigh* This is yet another "how are they one-hit wonders?" entry, as their next song, "Point of No Return" also charted (listening to it now, it's a thoroughly forgettable song, though, so maybe they just forgot?). I'm really starting to warm to that "two-hit wonder" post that I mentioned in a previous one. Of course, that would be too much work to put together, and I'm lazy. I'll happily link to anybody else who wants to do it, though!
Sadly, the group decided to disband in the early 90s, though why Wikipedia says that they existed "1979-Present", I have no idea.
#59: The Outfield: "Your Love" (1986)
This, on the other hand, isn't a bad song but it just never really appealed to me. Maybe it's lead singer Tony Lewis' voice just kind of grates on me a bit. It doesn't sound like a typical 80s song, though, which does add a little bit to its appeal. Not much, though.
This song's inclusion on this list is even more mystifying, as they had numerous singles that charted. Never as high as this one (#6), but one reach #19 and another #25 and another #21. What is the deal?
The Outfield are still together, releasing another album (I would say "CD", but this is an 80s post) in 2006. They took an extended hiatus throughout the mid-90s, and have never reached the heights of their popularity from the late 80s and early 90s, but they're still in business.
At least they have a job.
#58: Don Johnson: "Heartbeat" (1986)
Oh no!!!! It's another actor who decided to dabble in singing!!! And another actor who can't sing, either. This is a horrible song, and a really horrible video. Playing a guy who must like cameras, as he's filming people on the streets, and then the video cuts to him being in some (I assume) Central American war-torn country as some kind of photojournalist. Interspersed with this are shots of him singing in some generic, white square-filled backdrop, including reaching out to some mythical figure just off the side of the screen in heartfelt....well, some emotion, anyway. I love the clenching of the fist and intense look on his face. Personally, I think it makes him look constipated, but that's just me. Then the video moves on to, I don't know, gang-infested LA? The images just don't seem to go with the music, but I could be wrong there.
This isn't the worst song on this list, but it is really close. While it was Johnson's only "hit," he did chart (#56) with another song off of this album.
I don't really need to give you an update on what he's doing now, do I?
#57: Jermaine Stewart: "We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off" (1985)
If we do that, will it make the song more palatable?
Actually, I don't mind this song that much, though I think it would depend on the setting. It would be a good song to dance to, but I'm not a big fan of just listening to it. Still, Stewart appears to be having fun in the video, so that's a plus. It does have some really weird dance moves, though.
Stewart died of AIDS-related cancer in 1997. In a seemingly common refrain in this post, he did have another moderate hit on the US charts, so he really doesn't belong on this list.
#56: Til Tuesday: "Voices Carry" (1985)
Finally! An American New Wave band from the 80s!
I actually kind of liked this song when it came out, and it's still pretty good today. It's another relevant song, and it's still relevant today, being about being in an abusive relationship. The video adds a bit of a "class" motif to it, with the boyfriend/husband trying to change her into a more upper-crust sort rather than the spikey-haired rebellious woman that she really is, but I think it's more about abuse than anything else.
This was Til Tuesday's only real hit, though they did have one other song get up to #26 (just what is the definition of a "hit" anyway?) The band broke up in 1988, though lead singer Aimee Mann is still active.
#55: Johnny Kemp: "Just Got Paid" (1988)
I am definitely not the audience for this song. This was a #1 crossover hit for Kemp, who traditionally was on the R&B charts (and I say "traditionally," even though he only had three albums). The video is another one of those where it's mostly the singer and a bunch of dancers doing some heavily choreographed moves, interspersed with other dance club images. I can't point to anything in it that says "this is bad," but it just doesn't turn me on. I can point to the entire song that says "this is the 80s!"
As I said, Kemp only had three albums, and this song came off of his second. He had one other moderate hit, with "Birthday Suit" hitting #36 in 1989 (what is it with 80s singers and nudity?). He's still around, doing stuff, but that's about all I can find out.
#54: Chris DeBurgh: "Lady in Red" (1986)
This is one of the most popular songs from the 80s, I think. It was the love theme for Steve & Kayla on "Days of Our Lives," which has to be why it became so popular (those soap opera moms can be quite rabid). It's not too bad, but it just wears on my nerves to this day. I think it was overplayed when it was popular, and I still haven't recovered from that. Still, guys, if you can sing, it can't hurt if you sing it to your loved one. You might get lucky! Unless, of course, she's rabidly anti-80s music, in which case you'll get thrown out on your ass.
This was DeBurgh's only US hit, though he remained popular in the UK for a while. Even that success started to fade after a while, though. He does still have quite a fan following, though, so at least he's still working.
#53: Taco: "Puttin' on the Ritz" (1983)
I don't know why, but I love this song. It's a "pop" version of Irving Berlin's 1930s song, and it's enough to get your toe tapping. I guess having a Berlin pedigree certainly helps. The video for this was censored from its original version which contained some dancers in blackface (the uncensored version is what I'm linking to).
Taco vanished from the US shores after this song became a hit, though he continues to work and perform in Germany, where he lives.
#52: Mary Jane Girls: "In My House" (1985)
This song definitely has that vintage 80s sound, that little bit of funk and that little bit of weird synth guitar. The video is also vintage 80s weirdness, with a bunch of rather scantily-clad women just dancing in various urban environments (along with a brief tub scene that I guess was supposed to titillate the guys?) I'm not a big fan of this song, though again, I don't think I'm the target audience. It would probably make a good dance club song.
This was their only Top 40 hit, and the band pretty much broke up in the late 80s/early 90s. All of the women in the group seem to be still working in the industry, however.
#51: After the Fire "Der Kommissar" (1982)
This is a song I'm of two minds on. Part of me just doesn't like it, but the other part of me loves the interesting guitar riffs and the vocals by Peter Banks (almost sounding like an English version of Falco, the original artist who recorded this song). I think I'm leaning toward the liking part of my brain. It's quite catchy, and vintage 80s too.
This was After the Fire's only US hit, and they never really had much success in the UK either. For some reason, they hung around for a while, broke up and then reformed in 2005 and are still going strong (if under the radar) today. Remarkable, considering the fact that the general populace still doesn't seem to have heard of them (at least judging by the charts). That kind of existence can probably be quite pleasant, though. Playing for your fans but not having to deal with the trials and tribulations that actual popularity gives you.
It's a win/win!
So there you have it. We've reached the half-way point in the countdown, and I haven't given up on it yet. When I started, I thought it might be a good possibility, as I'm a lazy sot. But this has been fun, and now that I know some people like it, I will definitely get to #1. Consider me the After the Fire of bloggers.
Update #1 (3/2/10): Changed "Just Got Paid" to a link that works.
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
August 10, 2009
Top 100 One-Hit Wonders of the 80s (#70-61)
Ick, I feel dirty even touching politics. So how about another fun post instead? Continuing the countdown of 80s One-Hit Wonders (at least according to VH-1, who, as we've seen has been wrong in some of what they choose), here's #70-61! Links to the previous installments will be down at the bottom of the post.
Now that I know I've got some fans of these posts, I'll be inspired to do them even more quickly. And I promise not to mention a certain American Idol singer, because I don't want to artificially drive my traffic up. Ok, I will if he actually comes up in these next ten songs, but I promise not to do it just because! I'm not a traffic whore. Not much of one, anyway.
Anyway, here are #70-61, after the break.
#70: Harold Faltermeyer: "Axel F" (1985)
The instrumental theme song to 1984's hit movie, Beverly Hills Cop, this is another song that just screams "80s!!!" with nothing but some synthesizers and a drum machine, expertly done. It even works as music by itself, though I'm sure it only became a hit because of the movie. Still, that's not all bad, is it? I actually kind of like it, even today.
Faltermeyer has had a lot of success doing soundtracks, but moved back to his native Germany after doing the soundtrack for Tango & Cash. Thus, he is a one-hit wonder because the studios felt that Axel Foley's theme just might make a catchy tune and, incidentally, tons more cash.
I guess it worked.
#69: T’Pau: "Heart & Soul" (1987)
Another British 80s band who made a splash in the States and then disappeared. I actually really like this song, and it's not just because the band is named after a Star Trek character. I like lead singer Carol Decker's voice and the song has a nice beat to it too. It's definitely an 80s song in feel and sound, though. This is another one I'll sing along to if it shows up in the car.
This was T'Pau's only US hit, but they were huge in the UK, charting many more times before breaking up in the early 90s. Decker has formed a new band with the same name and is still active. I would assume this is one of the songs they continue to perform.
See? I can do one of these entries without being snarky.
#68: Peter Schilling: "Major Thom" (1983)
I absolutely love this song. The video is surreal, though, with NASA rocket launch video interspersed with a tower of broken-down cars, with Schilling sitting in the topmost one and a bunch of hobos sitting down on the ground. I'm not sure what the point of that is, but I'm sure it's some kind of statement. NASA's not getting enough money? I don't know.
Anyway, the song itself is wonderful, especially the end. The first few times I heard it, I almost cried when Major Tom disappears into the celestial wastes, and then when his wife receives the message from him.
This song has been covered quite often and is currently being used in a car commercial. This is still the best version, though, and I'll forgive him for selling out. He can probably use the money.
#67: Martika: "Toy Soldiers" (1989)
A heart-wrenching song about drug addiction, it's actually quite good. The video, however, is overwrought with Martika's attempts to be passionate looking pained instead. The imagery in the video is powerful, though, so there is a trade-off.
It was never one of my favourite songs, but I do like the message and Martika's voice isn't too bad. Not great, but passable.
Martika actually had a few more hits in the 90s, one under Prince's tutelage, so again, I question her inclusion in this list. That being said, I've never heard any of the other songs, so take it for what you will. It sounds like she's still working in the industry, though, so that's good.
#66: The Jeff Healey Band: "Angel Eyes" (1989)
Damn, but this is a good song! And it's my least favourite Jeff Healey song, too. He has done so much great stuff, that this almost seems like a sop to the Chart Gods. I loved this song at the time, but I much preferred his more bluesy songs like "Confidence Man" (off of the same album as "Angel Eyes"). Still, this ballad just grabs me and makes me sing along with it.
Healey has been huge up here in his native Canada, not quite a national icon, but he should be. "Angel Eyes" is his only US hit, though. Sadly, Healey left us on March 2, 2008 at the age of 41. The music world lost one of the greats on that day.
#65: Boomtown Rats: "I Don't Like Mondays" (1980)
Written by Bob Geldof and inspired by a California school shooting where the killer basically said that she didn't like Mondays and this livened it up, this song became enormously popular on album rock stations, but only reached #73 in the US because Geldof had some bad feelings about US radio stations. I've never really liked the song too much, and didn't even know all of that until this post. I just never cared for it.
Album rock stations would play this throughout the 80s on Monday mornings, I guess to show solidarity with those workers who have to start their work week on Mondays. Once again, demonstrating that people who do this kind of thing never really listen to(or don't care, anyway) the words to the songs they use for these purposes.
#64: Robbie Dupree: "Steal Away" (1980)
This is actually quite the catchy tune (I guess the "60s" in this Top 100 have some pretty good stuff in there!). It's another song I used to sing along with when I was a kid, though I don't know if it was when it originally came out (I was only 10) or later on in the 80s when it was still being played.
I love the wikipedia entry for this song, where it says: "The song is built around a keyboard riff notably similar to the 1979 hit version of "What a Fool Believes" by The Doobie Brothers." I guess they didn't use the word "sampling" back then, or am I getting my terminology wrong?
Anyway, Dupree had two other US hits, so again, I'm questioning his inclusion on this list. He appears to be still active in the music business, though he hasn't risen to any prominence since the early 80s.
#63: Oran “Juice” Jones: "The Rain" (1986)
I only have vague memories of this song, even now as I'm listening to it. I do remember it, though. Jones has a disturbing resemblance to Eddie Murphy, which isn't bringing good 80s music vibes to my brain, considering his attempts at singing noted earlier. The song isn't too bad, in that "80s soul" kind of way, but it's nothing memorable (which is probably why I don't remember much about it!). The video is cheesy beyond belief (sorry for any of you who click on it).
Jones never was able to follow this up, though he did have a hit duet with Alyson Williams, "How to Love Again."
#62: XTC: "Dear God" (1987)
I am completely baffled by this inclusion on the list. First, I have no memory of this song at all. That's not necessarily a surprise, though given the fact that I was 17 when it came out, there's no way I wouldn't have heard it.
Looking at their discography, I can see why I never heard it. It never charted in the US! I guess it did reach #15 on the Rock Album charts, but it's completely unmemorable. When I think XTC, I think "Mayor of Simpleton" (which actually did chart in the US at #72) and "King for a Day" (which was #11 on the Modern Rock chart).
What about this song? I just heard it now for the first time. Didn't really care for it, but it is vintage XTC.
#61: E.U.: "Da Butt" (1988)
I can't believe I've never heard this song, but I haven't. It definitely has that 80s style to it, though. I'm listening to it now and I can't really say anything good or bad about it. Just that I don't like it. How this made it onto any "Greatest Songs Since You Were Born" list is beyond me. There's just nothing memorable about it. Almost reminds me of Bell Biv Devoe and some of those other boy bands like that.
I never liked them either.
So there you go. Numbers 70-61 are in the book, and it's probably overall the best 10 in the group (though there are better songs in the previous posts, the average quality of this group is quite high). Too bad it had to end on such a downer.
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
Now that I know I've got some fans of these posts, I'll be inspired to do them even more quickly. And I promise not to mention a certain American Idol singer, because I don't want to artificially drive my traffic up. Ok, I will if he actually comes up in these next ten songs, but I promise not to do it just because! I'm not a traffic whore. Not much of one, anyway.
Anyway, here are #70-61, after the break.
#70: Harold Faltermeyer: "Axel F" (1985)
The instrumental theme song to 1984's hit movie, Beverly Hills Cop, this is another song that just screams "80s!!!" with nothing but some synthesizers and a drum machine, expertly done. It even works as music by itself, though I'm sure it only became a hit because of the movie. Still, that's not all bad, is it? I actually kind of like it, even today.
Faltermeyer has had a lot of success doing soundtracks, but moved back to his native Germany after doing the soundtrack for Tango & Cash. Thus, he is a one-hit wonder because the studios felt that Axel Foley's theme just might make a catchy tune and, incidentally, tons more cash.
I guess it worked.
#69: T’Pau: "Heart & Soul" (1987)
Another British 80s band who made a splash in the States and then disappeared. I actually really like this song, and it's not just because the band is named after a Star Trek character. I like lead singer Carol Decker's voice and the song has a nice beat to it too. It's definitely an 80s song in feel and sound, though. This is another one I'll sing along to if it shows up in the car.
This was T'Pau's only US hit, but they were huge in the UK, charting many more times before breaking up in the early 90s. Decker has formed a new band with the same name and is still active. I would assume this is one of the songs they continue to perform.
See? I can do one of these entries without being snarky.
#68: Peter Schilling: "Major Thom" (1983)
I absolutely love this song. The video is surreal, though, with NASA rocket launch video interspersed with a tower of broken-down cars, with Schilling sitting in the topmost one and a bunch of hobos sitting down on the ground. I'm not sure what the point of that is, but I'm sure it's some kind of statement. NASA's not getting enough money? I don't know.
Anyway, the song itself is wonderful, especially the end. The first few times I heard it, I almost cried when Major Tom disappears into the celestial wastes, and then when his wife receives the message from him.
This song has been covered quite often and is currently being used in a car commercial. This is still the best version, though, and I'll forgive him for selling out. He can probably use the money.
#67: Martika: "Toy Soldiers" (1989)
A heart-wrenching song about drug addiction, it's actually quite good. The video, however, is overwrought with Martika's attempts to be passionate looking pained instead. The imagery in the video is powerful, though, so there is a trade-off.
It was never one of my favourite songs, but I do like the message and Martika's voice isn't too bad. Not great, but passable.
Martika actually had a few more hits in the 90s, one under Prince's tutelage, so again, I question her inclusion in this list. That being said, I've never heard any of the other songs, so take it for what you will. It sounds like she's still working in the industry, though, so that's good.
#66: The Jeff Healey Band: "Angel Eyes" (1989)
Damn, but this is a good song! And it's my least favourite Jeff Healey song, too. He has done so much great stuff, that this almost seems like a sop to the Chart Gods. I loved this song at the time, but I much preferred his more bluesy songs like "Confidence Man" (off of the same album as "Angel Eyes"). Still, this ballad just grabs me and makes me sing along with it.
Healey has been huge up here in his native Canada, not quite a national icon, but he should be. "Angel Eyes" is his only US hit, though. Sadly, Healey left us on March 2, 2008 at the age of 41. The music world lost one of the greats on that day.
#65: Boomtown Rats: "I Don't Like Mondays" (1980)
Written by Bob Geldof and inspired by a California school shooting where the killer basically said that she didn't like Mondays and this livened it up, this song became enormously popular on album rock stations, but only reached #73 in the US because Geldof had some bad feelings about US radio stations. I've never really liked the song too much, and didn't even know all of that until this post. I just never cared for it.
Album rock stations would play this throughout the 80s on Monday mornings, I guess to show solidarity with those workers who have to start their work week on Mondays. Once again, demonstrating that people who do this kind of thing never really listen to(or don't care, anyway) the words to the songs they use for these purposes.
#64: Robbie Dupree: "Steal Away" (1980)
This is actually quite the catchy tune (I guess the "60s" in this Top 100 have some pretty good stuff in there!). It's another song I used to sing along with when I was a kid, though I don't know if it was when it originally came out (I was only 10) or later on in the 80s when it was still being played.
I love the wikipedia entry for this song, where it says: "The song is built around a keyboard riff notably similar to the 1979 hit version of "What a Fool Believes" by The Doobie Brothers." I guess they didn't use the word "sampling" back then, or am I getting my terminology wrong?
Anyway, Dupree had two other US hits, so again, I'm questioning his inclusion on this list. He appears to be still active in the music business, though he hasn't risen to any prominence since the early 80s.
#63: Oran “Juice” Jones: "The Rain" (1986)
I only have vague memories of this song, even now as I'm listening to it. I do remember it, though. Jones has a disturbing resemblance to Eddie Murphy, which isn't bringing good 80s music vibes to my brain, considering his attempts at singing noted earlier. The song isn't too bad, in that "80s soul" kind of way, but it's nothing memorable (which is probably why I don't remember much about it!). The video is cheesy beyond belief (sorry for any of you who click on it).
Jones never was able to follow this up, though he did have a hit duet with Alyson Williams, "How to Love Again."
#62: XTC: "Dear God" (1987)
I am completely baffled by this inclusion on the list. First, I have no memory of this song at all. That's not necessarily a surprise, though given the fact that I was 17 when it came out, there's no way I wouldn't have heard it.
Looking at their discography, I can see why I never heard it. It never charted in the US! I guess it did reach #15 on the Rock Album charts, but it's completely unmemorable. When I think XTC, I think "Mayor of Simpleton" (which actually did chart in the US at #72) and "King for a Day" (which was #11 on the Modern Rock chart).
What about this song? I just heard it now for the first time. Didn't really care for it, but it is vintage XTC.
#61: E.U.: "Da Butt" (1988)
I can't believe I've never heard this song, but I haven't. It definitely has that 80s style to it, though. I'm listening to it now and I can't really say anything good or bad about it. Just that I don't like it. How this made it onto any "Greatest Songs Since You Were Born" list is beyond me. There's just nothing memorable about it. Almost reminds me of Bell Biv Devoe and some of those other boy bands like that.
I never liked them either.
So there you go. Numbers 70-61 are in the book, and it's probably overall the best 10 in the group (though there are better songs in the previous posts, the average quality of this group is quite high). Too bad it had to end on such a downer.
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
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