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Subject: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: RockandRollFan on 05/04/02 at 08:44 a.m.

What are your favorite one hit wonder songs of the 1980's Only?  To be fair, to include the difference in the charts around the globe....to some a 1 hit wonder may have had more than 1 hit...yet in other areas the same cannot be said, so what may seem to be an artist with more than 1 hit to some, may have only had 1 hit to others....there, confused enough now?!  Here is an example....John Waite had a monster hit in 1984 with "Missing You" and around here scored minor hits with "Change" in 1983, and "These Times Are Hard For Lovers" in 1987...So to me that would make him a one hit wonder, while wherever you may be, all 3 were considered big hits....if anyone understands this ranting please let me know?  BTW, VH-1 is counting down the top 100 1 hit wonders of all-time this upcoming week...if anyone wants to know what #1 is send me a private message...A friend of mine at a local station has the entire list  ;) I will post mine if what I said makes sense to anybody...let's see how this works out :-/

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: oneonone on 05/04/02 at 09:15 a.m.

A-ha's take on me. ;D

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: lebeiw15 on 05/04/02 at 09:20 a.m.

Gary Newman- Cars
A-Ha- Take on Me
Men Without Hats- The Saftey Dance  ::) ;D

Oh, there are 1000 of them.  More later.

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Crazy Don on 05/04/02 at 10:23 a.m.

I do not consider a-ha to be a one-hit wonder as they had a minor hit with "The Sun Always Shines on TV", plus they did the theme to the James Bond movie "The Living Daylights."

I am probably not going into this subject as what were one- (or two-) hit wonders in the States may have lots of hits elsewhere, such as Spandau Ballet.  It may still be on this board where someone in England asked, "who do you like better, Duran Duran or Spandau Ballet?"  The Americans all said "Duran Duran" because Spandau Ballet is usually considered a one-hit wonder in the States because of "True."  (Chucky said they also released their song "Gold" in the States but was not much of a hit.)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: CeramicsFanatic on 05/04/02 at 04:21 p.m.


Quoting:
I do not consider a-ha to be a one-hit wonder as they had a minor hit with "The Sun Always Shines on TV", plus they did the theme to the James Bond movie "The Living Daylights."

I am probably not going into this subject as what were one- (or two-) hit wonders in the States may have lots of hits elsewhere, such as Spandau Ballet.  It may still be on this board where someone in England asked, "who do you like better, Duran Duran or Spandau Ballet?"  The Americans all said "Duran Duran" because Spandau Ballet is usually considered a one-hit wonder in the States because of "True."  (Chucky said they also released their song "Gold" in the States but was not much of a hit.)
End Quote



I remember "Gold".  And I am in the U.S.  I actually thought it was better than "True"...at least it was more upbeat!  ;)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: CeramicsFanatic on 05/04/02 at 04:23 p.m.

"When Your Heart Is Weak" by Cock Robin

"Too Shy" by Kajagoogoo

"Perfect Way" by Scritti Politti


....to name a few!

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Hairspray on 05/04/02 at 04:40 p.m.

"Electric Blue" - IceHouse

"Let's Go All The Way" - Sly Fox

Btw, I liked Spandau Ballet's "True" and "Gold" equally.

I just thought of the group ABC. They had a hit in the U.S. with "The Look Of Love", but I think they had another hit here with "Poison Arrow". I really liked both very much and remember both the videos shown often in the early days of MTV.  :)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Jii on 05/04/02 at 05:20 p.m.

I like Spandau Ballet's "Gold" better, "True" is/was so much more played everywhere. Level 42 was also great with "Lessons in love" and "Something about you", that I consider as a one hit wonder. And Murray Head with "One Night in Bangkok".

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: RockandRollFan on 05/04/02 at 08:42 p.m.

Quoting:


I just thought of the group ABC. They had a hit in the U.S. with "The Look Of Love", but I think they had another hit here with "Poison Arrow". I really liked both very much and remember both the videos shown often in the early days of MTV.  :)
End Quote

I heard somewhere that thier lead singer has a life-threatening illness of some sort....anything you know?

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Banasy on 05/04/02 at 09:13 p.m.

"Call To The Heart"  Guiffria

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: macdaddy on 05/04/02 at 09:21 p.m.


Rock 'n Roll Fan - Martin Fry, lead singer of ABC, *was* suffering from a serious illness a few years ago.  He's healthy now and is on tour.  Great singer.  I think ABC was an underrated band.

Some of my fave 80's 1-hit wonders are 'Pac-Man Fever' by Buckner & Garcia, 'I Wanna Be a Cowboy' by Boys Don't Cry (used to get played a lot at the local 80's night), 'Tainted Love' by Soft Cell...and a few others I'd like to mention, but I'm sure someone will post a reply within 45 seconds stating, "That's not a 1-hit wonder!  They also had a #15 hit in Belgium in 1985!" ;-)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: XenaKat13 on 05/04/02 at 09:36 p.m.

I've always liked Jermaine Stewart's stuff.  Most people I talk to remember either "We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off", --Or-- "The Word Is Out", but not both of them.

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: CeramicsFanatic on 05/04/02 at 10:26 p.m.


Quoting:
"Electric Blue" - IceHouse

"Let's Go All The Way" - Sly Fox

Btw, I liked Spandau Ballet's "True" and "Gold" equally.

I just thought of the group ABC. They had a hit in the U.S. with "The Look Of Love", but I think they had another hit here with "Poison Arrow". I really liked both very much and remember both the videos shown often in the early days of MTV.  :)
End Quote



I just thought you might be interested to know that Billboard lists all of these ABC songs as making the Top 40 here in the U.S.:

"The Look Of Love" (#18 in 1982)
"Poison Arrow" (#25 in 1983)
"Be Near Me" (#9 in 1985)
"(How To Be A) Millionaire" (#20 in 1986)
"When Smokey Sings" (#5 in 1987)

I've seen the last one listed frequently under misheard lyrics.  Apparently some people have thought that Martin Fry was singing "When Smokey sings I hear violence" instead of "When Smokey sings I hear violins".  LOL!

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: CeramicsFanatic on 05/04/02 at 10:28 p.m.


Quoting:
"Call To The Heart"  Guiffria
End Quote



What an excellent choice, Banasy!  I've always loved that song!!! 8)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: CeramicsFanatic on 05/04/02 at 10:30 p.m.

Quoting:
Level 42 was also great with "Lessons in love" and "Something about you", that I consider as a one hit wonder. And Murray Head with "One Night in Bangkok".
End Quote



I like Level 42 a lot myself.  My favorite by them is "Leaving Me Now".  It wasn't a hit here in the U.S. but I do remember hearing on the radio.  I'm so glad that I was able to download it!  :)

I also wanted to mention that I think Level 42 is very underrated.

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Hairspray on 05/04/02 at 11:16 p.m.


Quoting:


I just thought you might be interested to know that Billboard lists all of these ABC songs as making the Top 40 here in the U.S.:

"The Look Of Love" (#18 in 1982)
"Poison Arrow" (#25 in 1983)
"Be Near Me" (#9 in 1985)
"(How To Be A) Millionaire" (#20 in 1986)
"When Smokey Sings" (#5 in 1987)

I've seen the last one listed frequently under misheard lyrics.  Apparently some people have thought that Martin Fry was singing "When Smokey sings I hear violence" instead of "When Smokey sings I hear violins".  LOL!
End Quote




I can't believe I forgot all about "When Smokey Sings"!!!  :o
Shame on me. Shame.
Thanks for the info. ;)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: RockandRollFan on 05/04/02 at 11:40 p.m.


Quoting:

Rock 'n Roll Fan - Martin Fry, lead singer of ABC, *was* suffering from a serious illness a few years ago.  He's healthy now and is on tour.  Great singer.  I think ABC was an underrated band.

Some of my fave 80's 1-hit wonders are 'Pac-Man Fever' by Buckner & Garcia, 'I Wanna Be a Cowboy' by Boys Don't Cry (used to get played a lot at the local 80's night), 'Tainted Love' by Soft Cell...and a few others I'd like to mention, but I'm sure someone will post a reply within 45 seconds stating, "That's not a 1-hit wonder!  They also had a #15 hit in Belgium in 1985!" ;-)
End Quote


Thanks for the good news, macdaddy!  I'm so happy to heaar that he is back aand healthy.  I loved "Poison Arrow" the video was so sad though :(

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Screwball54 on 05/04/02 at 11:56 p.m.


Quoting:
"Electric Blue" - IceHouse
End Quote



I wouldn't count Icehouse as a One hit wonder because they have had six songs That charted in the US.


Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Screwball54 on 05/04/02 at 11:59 p.m.


Quoting:
I do not consider a-ha to be a one-hit wonder as they had a minor hit with "The Sun Always Shines on TV", plus they did the theme to the James Bond movie "The Living Daylights."

End Quote



A-ha also had "Cry Wolf" which charted Stateside in 1987, and almost made the top 40.

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Tarzan Boy (Guest) on 05/05/02 at 00:10 a.m.

Using Rock'nRoll's definition of "one-hit wonder," I'll go ahead and list some of my favourites. Granted they mau have had hits on your respective corner of the pond, but in the 80s these were the only songs played by the band/artists, which I will list here:

"Images Of Heaven" by Peter Godwin
"Warm Leatherette" by The Normal
"Nowhere Girl" by B. Movie
"Boom Boom Boom (Let's Go Back To My Room)" by Paul Lekakis
"Harley David" by The Bollock Brothers
"Video Killed The Radio Star" by The Buggles
"Tarzan Boy" by Baltimora
"Send Me An Angel" by Real Life
"The Promise" by When In Rome

...some charted, some didn't, but they did get a reasonable amount of airplay back when radio was good...

Tarzan Boy

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Hairspray on 05/05/02 at 01:25 a.m.


Quoting:


I wouldn't count Icehouse as a One hit wonder because they have had six songs That charted in the US.



End Quote




Yes, but where they as popular? Ok. You got me.  ;)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Banasy on 05/05/02 at 03:14 a.m.

Quoting:


What an excellent choice, Banasy!  I've always loved that song!!! 8)
End Quote



Why, thank you! Thank you very mush!!!

***curling my lip in the best goldie-Elvis imitation that I can***



*edited because I don't know my @ss from...well, you know.*

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Fury on 05/05/02 at 05:59 a.m.


Quoting:
I also wanted to mention that I think Level 42 is very underrated.
End Quote



Me too ;D Shame they never got the credit they deserved.

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: 80smusicfreak on 05/05/02 at 06:54 a.m.

The following were all essentially one-hit wonders on the pop chart here in the U.S. (although a few did have one or two very minor follow-up hits). IMHO, these are all well worth tracking down, if you've never heard them - many are sadly forgotten classics. :( In fact, quite a few have never even appeared on CD here in the U.S. Those in bold rank among my all-time personal faves. Songs were hits in the year specified, followed by their peak position:

1980:

"Funkytown" - LIPPS, INC.  (#1)
"Tired of Toein' the Line" - ROCKY BURNETTE  (#8 )
"Cars" - GARY NUMAN  (#9)
"Into the Night" - BENNY MARDONES  (#11)
"Take a Little Rhythm" - ALI THOMSON  (#15)
"Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" - THE KORGIS  (#18 )
"I'm Happy That Love Has Found You" - JIMMY HALL  (#27)
"Who'll Be the Fool Tonight" - LARSEN-FEITEN BAND  (#29)
"Turning Japanese" - THE VAPORS  (#36)
"Only a Lonely Heart Sees" - FELIX CAVALIERE  (#36)
"This Beat Goes On"/"Switchin' to Glide" - THE KINGS  (#43)
"Stay in Time" - OFF BROADWAY USA  (#51)
"I Got You" - SPLIT ENZ  (#53)
"Computer Game ('Theme from the Circus')" - YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA  (#60)
"Darlin'" - YIPES!!  (#68 )
"I Don't Like Mondays" - THE BOOMTOWN RATS  (#73)
"When Things Go Wrong" - ROBIN LANE & THE CHARTBUSTERS  (#87)
"I've Just Begun to Love You" - DYNASTY  (#87)
"Love on the Phone" - SUZANNE FELLINI  (#87)
"Remote Control" - THE REDDINGS  (#89)


1981:

"Somebody's Knockin'" - TERRI GIBBS  (#13)
"Is it You" - LEE RITENOUR  (#15)
"Together" - TIERRA  (#18 )
"Sweet Baby" - STANLEY CLARKE/GEORGE DUKE  (#19)
"Breaking Away" - BALANCE  (#22)
"Precious to Me" - PHIL SEYMOUR  (#22)
"Sausalito Summernight" - DIESEL  (#25)
"Double Dutch Bus" - FRANKIE SMITH  (#30)
"You Could Take My Heart Away" - SILVER CONDOR  (#32)
"General Hospi-Tale" - THE AFTERNOON DELIGHTS  (#33)
"Nicole" - POINT BLANK  (#39)
"Fantastic Voyage" - LAKESIDE  (#55)


1982:

"Chariots of Fire - Titles" - VANGELIS  (#1)
"Let it Whip" - DAZZ BAND  (#5)
"Tainted Love" - SOFT CELL  (#8 )
"Nobody" - SYLVIA  (#15)
"Take Off" - BOB & DOUG McKENZIE  (#16)
"Goin' Down" - GREG GUIDRY  (#17)
"Fantasy" - ALDO NOVA  (#23)
"Call Me" - SKYY  (#26)
"If the Love Fits Wear It" - LESLIE PEARL  (#28 )
"All Our Tomorrows" - EDDIE SCHWARTZ  (#28 )
"Mama Used to Say" - JUNIOR  (#30)
"Genius of Love" - TOM TOM CLUB  (#31)
"More Than Just the Two of Us" - SNEAKER  (#34)
"Someday, Someway" - MARSHALL CRENSHAW  (#36)
"Holdin' On" - TANE CAIN  (#37)
"Love Plus One" - HAIRCUT ONE HUNDRED  (#37)
"Murphy's Law" - CHERI  (#39)
"Planet Rock" - AFRIKA BAMBAATAA  (#48 )
"What Do All the People Know" - THE MONROES  (#59)
"Cutie Pie" - ONE WAY  (#61)
"The Message" - GRANDMASTER FLASH & THE FURIOUS FIVE  (#62)
"I Know What Boys Like" - THE WAITRESSES  (#62)
"You've Got Another Thing Comin'" - JUDAS PRIEST  (#67)
"Your Daddy Don't Know" - TORONTO  (#77)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: 80smusicfreak on 05/05/02 at 06:58 a.m.

CONTINUED...

1983:

"Puttin' on the Ritz" - TACO  (#4)
"Der Kommissar" - AFTER THE FIRE  (#5)
"I Know There's Something Going On" - FRIDA  (#13)
"What About Me" - MOVING PICTURES  (#29)
"Can't Shake Loose" - AGNETHA FALTSKOG  (#29)
"So Wrong" - PATRICK SIMMONS  (#30)
"I Couldn't Say No" - ROBERT ELLIS ORRALL w/ CARLENE CARTER  (#32)
"Just Got Lucky" - JoBOXERS  (#36)
"The Salt in My Tears" - MARTIN BRILEY  (#36)
"Burning Heart" - VANDENBERG  (#39)
"The Fanatic" - FELONY  (#42)
"Swingin'" - JOHN ANDERSON  (#43)
"Juicy Fruit" - MTUME  (#45)
"It's Raining Men" - THE WEATHER GIRLS  (#46)
"China" - RED ROCKERS  (#53)
"Escalator of Life" - ROBERT HAZARD  (#58 )
"All Touch" - ROUGH TRADE  (#58 )
"Mexican Radio" - WALL OF VOODOO  (#58 )
"When I'm With You" - SHERIFF  (#61)
"Words" - F.R. DAVID  (#62)
"Why Me?" - PLANET P  (#64)
"I Eat Cannibals" - TOTAL COELO  (#66)
"Solid Rock" - GOANNA  (#71)
"Keep it Tight" - SINGLE BULLET THEORY  (#78 )
"I Melt With You" - MODERN ENGLISH  (#78 )
"State of the Nation" - INDUSTRY  (#81)
"Fade Away" - LOZ NETTO  (#82)
"A Million Miles Away" - THE PLIMSOULS  (#82)


1984:

"Breakin'...There's No Stopping Us" - OLLIE & JERRY  (#9)
"The Curly Shuffle" - JUMP 'N THE SADDLE  (#15)
"Modern Day Delilah" - VAN STEPHENSON  (#22)
"The Politics of Dancing" - RE-FLEX  (#24)
"Baby I Lied" - DEBORAH ALLEN  (#26)
"White Horse" - LAID BACK  (#26)
"A Girl in Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing)" - ROMEO VOID  (#35)
"Sugar Don't Bite" - SAM HARRIS  (#36)
"10-9-8" - FACE TO FACE  (#38 )
"Wouldn't it Be Good" - NIK KERSHAW  (#46)
"Jam on It" - NEWCLEUS  (#56)
"Black Stations/White Stations" - M+M  (#63)
"Breaking Up is Hard on You (a/k/a Don't Take Ma Bell Away from Me)" - THE AMERICAN COMEDY NETWORK  (#70)
"Somebody Else's Guy" - JOCELYN BROWN  (#75)
"Electric Kingdom" - TWILIGHT 22  (#79)
"Rappin' Rodney" - RODNEY DANGERFIELD  (#83)

Well, that covers the first half of the decade, anyway... :)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Criz on 05/05/02 at 02:02 p.m.

Now is the time for me to disagree with some! :)

Gary Numan - had various other hits, second mot dfamous being 'Are Friends Electric'. However, he had more of an impact on the British charts

Haircut 100 - Had 3 big hits, 'Love Plus One', 'Favourite Shirts ( boy meets girl) and 'Fantastic Day'.

Nik Kershaw - Also had, 'The Riddle' and 'I Won't Let The Sun Go Down On Me' - big hits in UK (top 10).

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Todd_R on 05/05/02 at 02:33 p.m.

"Holiday" by the Other Ones....and "They Don't Know" by Tracey Ullman....   Awesome songs!  By the way, I think Men Without Hats had a 2nd hit in the 80s with "Pop Goes the World"....

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Crazy Don on 05/05/02 at 02:34 p.m.

I have to disagree with you on some of these:

Quoting:
"Only a Lonely Heart Sees" - FELIX CAVALIERE  (#36)

End Quote



Had many hits as a member of the Young Rascals/Rascals.

Quoting:
"Somebody's Knockin'" - TERRI GIBBS  (#13)
"Nobody" - SYLVIA  (#15)
End Quote



Had many hits on the country charts.

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Crazy Don on 05/05/02 at 02:40 p.m.


Quoting:
"I Know There's Something Going On" - FRIDA  (#13)
"Can't Shake Loose" - AGNETHA FALTSKOG  (#29)
End Quote



Had many hits as members of ABBA.

Quoting:
"Just Got Lucky" - JoBOXERS  (#36)
End Quote



I like this.  Didn't know why it didn't chart higher nor why they had any more.

Quoting:
"Swingin'" - JOHN ANDERSON  (#43)
"Baby I Lied" - DEBORAH ALLEN  (#26)
End Quote



Had many hits on the country charts.

Quoting:
"Modern Day Delilah" - VAN STEPHENSON  (#22)
End Quote



Later a member of the country band Blackhawk, who had lots of hits on the country charts in the 1990's.  Died of skin cancer.  :(

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: lebeiw15 on 05/05/02 at 03:10 p.m.

ANyone know how long the VH1 1-hit wonders countdown will be?  Is it 2 hours a nite for 5 days?  I am going to tape it.. gotta get out my 8-hour tapes..

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: RockandRollFan on 05/05/02 at 03:27 p.m.


Quoting:


I just thought you might be interested to know that Billboard lists all of these ABC songs as making the Top 40 here in the U.S.:

"The Look Of Love" (#18 in 1982)
"Poison Arrow" (#25 in 1983)
"Be Near Me" (#9 in 1985)
"(How To Be A) Millionaire" (#20 in 1986)
"When Smokey Sings" (#5 in 1987)

End Quote

That just re-affirms how I feel about "Charts" & "Critics"  :(  I liked them in the exact opposite order..."Poison Arrow" was my favorite ABC tune, by far :)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: CeramicsFanatic on 05/05/02 at 05:41 p.m.


Quoting:

That just re-affirms how I feel about "Charts" & "Critics"  :(  I liked them in the exact opposite order..."Poison Arrow" was my favorite ABC tune, by far :)
End Quote



I know what you mean...it's almost like art in that it's very subjective.  Everyone will have different ideas about how songs should have charted, and that's fine.  My personal favorite by ABC is "The Look Of Love".  :)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: 80smusicfreak on 05/06/02 at 01:37 a.m.

Quoting:
Now is the time for me to disagree with some! :) End Quote



Okay, I'll counter:

Quoting: Gary Numan - had various other hits, second mot dfamous being 'Are Friends Electric'. However, he had more of an impact on the British charts End Quote



"Are 'Friends' Electric?" is considered a classic on this side of the Atlantic as well, but it only got as high as #105 when it was originally released here in the Summer of '80. He landed one other minor hit Stateside - "I Die: You Die" - which only managed to get as high as #102 in the Fall of '80...

Quoting: Haircut 100 - Had 3 big hits, 'Love Plus One', 'Favourite Shirts ( boy meets girl) and 'Fantastic Day'. End Quote



Same situation. "Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)" only got to #101 here in the Summer of '82. And "Fantastic Day" wasn't even released as a commercial 45 in the States - only as a promo 12" single...

Quoting: Nik Kershaw - Also had, 'The Riddle' and 'I Won't Let The Sun Go Down On Me' - big hits in UK (top 10).

End Quote



"The Riddle" struggled to #107 Stateside in the Spring of '85. "I Won't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" flopped completely...

So while I don't dispute what you said above, as I stated at the beginning of my original post, I was going by the U.S. charts only. And as I also mentioned, a few of the artists I named did have a minor follow-up hit or two in the U.S. (in addition to the classic hit I named), and the three acts you brought up are all perfect examples. I was merely following the logic given by RockandRollFan when he started this thread (see his original post)... :)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: 80smusicfreak on 05/06/02 at 02:16 a.m.

Quoting:


I know what you mean...it's almost like art in that it's very subjective.  Everyone will have different ideas about how songs should have charted, and that's fine. End Quote



Very true. A lot of the best-sounding music produced out there over the years didn't make the charts, and/or wasn't a favorite w/ critics. But speaking for myself, I find that w/ my heavy interest in music, chart books and critic's guides make excellent starting points, which is why I've built an extensive library of both over the years. Of course, I never treat them as gospel, and that's the key. But w/o such reference books, there really isn't any other starting point for exploring older music that you've never heard before - other than walking into a used record store, and blindly buying old LPs/cassettes/CDs by artists you've never heard of before. I'm know I'm much more willing to take a chance on a forgotten or lesser-known artist if I know there was a minor hit or two on the album first, even if I know I've never heard anything by them before (which is where said reference books come in handy). :) And I find it most definitely pays from a financial standpoint as well, because often I can get those more obscure '70s and '80s albums for just a few dollars each, knowing I'll likely enjoy most of the music on those albums. Compare that to paying $15-$20 in a mall store for one album by a more current '90s or '00s artist which has only one good song on it, and there's no contest! :) So I've found that I get much more satisfaction out of digging deeper into the music of the '70s and '80s vs. spending big bucks on the lousy music of today. And old chart books and critic's guides are an excellent way to learn about the past, especially if you missed something the first time around... :)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Criz on 05/06/02 at 05:35 a.m.


Quoting:


Okay, I'll counter:


"Are 'Friends' Electric?" is considered a classic on this side of the Atlantic as well, but it only got as high as #105 when it was originally released here in the Summer of '80. He landed one other minor hit Stateside - "I Die: You Die" - which only managed to get as high as #102 in the Fall of '80...


Same situation. "Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)" only got to #101 here in the Summer of '82. And "Fantastic Day" wasn't even released as a commercial 45 in the States - only as a promo 12" single...


"The Riddle" struggled to #107 Stateside in the Spring of '85. "I Won't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" flopped completely...

So while I don't dispute what you said above, as I stated at the beginning of my original post, I was going by the U.S. charts only. And as I also mentioned, a few of the artists I named did have a minor follow-up hit or two in the U.S. (in addition to the classic hit I named), and the three acts you brought up are all perfect examples. I was merely following the logic given by RockandRollFan when he started this thread (see his original post)... :)
End Quote



I don't mind dispution - but as I said in my post, I was commenting on high positions in the British charts :)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: macdaddy on 05/06/02 at 09:31 a.m.

Okay, I'm about as familiar with searching for/downloading songs on-line as I am with finding untraceable bank accounts in the Virgin Islands for my millions in stolen money...how can I hear these 'classic' Gary Numan songs which obviously bypassed my neck of the woods back in the 80's? ;-)

Thought of some other favorite 1-Hit Wonders....
I Beg Your Pardon by Kan Kon
Turning Japanese by The Vapors (someone else mentioned this, but it beared repeating as it's a fave of my local circle of friends)
Digging Your Scene by The Blow Monkeys
88 Lines about 44 Women by The Nails
Mexican Radio by Wall of Voodoo

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: RockandRollFan on 05/06/02 at 09:49 a.m.

Quoting:


I know what you mean...it's almost like art in that it's very subjective.  Everyone will have different ideas about how songs should have charted, and that's fine.  My personal favorite by ABC is "The Look Of Love".  :)
End Quote


Sort of off topic, but speaking of "Charts," I have, IMO, some total injustices that stand out...in 1981 "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes, I always have liked "More Love" from her previous LP much better,  stayed at no.1 for 9 & 1982 "Physical" by Olivia Newton-John stayed at no.1 for 10 weeks...all the while "Waiting For A Girl Like You" by Foreigner & "Don't Talk To Strangers" by Rick Springfield, languished at #2 on the singles chart....personally I could not have been more pissed.  An example from the Album charts, keeping in mind that this is just  My opinion while Michael Jacksons "Thriller" was at the top, "Frontiers" by Journey stayed at no.2....while I liked some of the songs on "Thriller" I very much preferred Journeys LP.  I usually always listened to AOR "Album Oriented Rock" stations though and they had thier own charts, so "Flit Boy" was never in the picture to begin with :D Oh, and what has to be the saddest by far is Credence Clearwater Revival never having a no.1 hit...lots of no. 2's though.

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: DJ Midas on 05/06/02 at 10:42 a.m.

"The Rain" - Oran "Juice" Jones
"White Horse" - Laid Back
"American Soviets" - CCCP
"Pump Up The Volume" - M/A/R/R/S


edited to add:

"Rumors" - Timex Social Club

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: ookla on 05/06/02 at 10:58 a.m.

How about...

"I've been thinking about you" -Londonbeat

"Word Up" -Cameo

"Easy Lover" -Philip Bailey (EW&F) & Phil Collins

"Wish I had a Girl" -Henry Lee Summer

"Buffalo Stance" -Neneh Cherry

"Wild Wild West" -Escape Club

Also DeBarge (Rythem of the Night) and The Jets (Crush on You) come to mind, although they may have had more than one hit ???  :o  

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Criz on 05/06/02 at 11:59 a.m.


Quoting:
How about...

"I've been thinking about you" -Londonbeat

"Word Up" -Cameo

"Easy Lover" -Philip Bailey (EW&F) & Phil Collins

"Wish I had a Girl" -Henry Lee Summer

"Buffalo Stance" -Neneh Cherry

"Wild Wild West" -Escape Club

Also DeBarge (Rythem of the Night) and The Jets (Crush on You) come to mind, although they may have had more than one hit ???  :o  
End Quote



I hope your not claiming Phil Collins as a one hit wonder!! I'm sure your just saying the duet was a lone hit.

Nenah Cherry has had many other hits also. 7 Sceonds with Youssou N'Dour is one of my all-time favourite songs.

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: CeramicsFanatic on 05/06/02 at 05:57 p.m.


Quoting:


"Physical" by Olivia Newton-John stayed at no.1 for 10 weeks...all the while "Waiting For A Girl Like You" by Foreigner languished at #2 on the singles chart.

Oh, and what has to be the saddest by far is Credence Clearwater Revival never having a no.1 hit...lots of no. 2's though.
End Quote



Those points I definitely agree with!

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: jamminoldies on 05/06/02 at 07:59 p.m.

My favorites are:

-"ROCK IT"
(Herbie Hancock)

-"GIVE IT UP"
(KC and The Sunshine Band)

-"BREAK MY STRIDE"
(Matthew Wilder)

-howard- :)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: 80smusicfreak on 05/07/02 at 06:16 a.m.

Quoting:


I usually always listened to AOR "Album Oriented Rock" stations though and they had thier own charts, so "Flit Boy" was never in the picture to begin with :D
End Quote



Not true. Believe it or not, MJ's "Beat It", "Say Say Say" (w/ Paul McCartney), and the title track from Thriller were all AOR hits as well here in the U.S...

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Gis on 05/07/02 at 07:02 a.m.

I always liked Owen Paul - Favorite waste of time.

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: RockandRollFan on 05/07/02 at 07:46 a.m.


Quoting:
How about...




Also DeBarge (Rythem of the Night) and The Jets (Crush on You) come to mind, although they may have had more than one hit ???  :o  
End Quote


I don't know about the Jets, but I do know that DeBarge had a big hit around here ( As well as my Favorite song by them called "Who's Holding Donna Now" :)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: RockandRollFan on 05/07/02 at 07:49 a.m.


Quoting:

on May 6th, 2002, 9:49am, RockandRollFan wrote:
"Physical" by Olivia Newton-John stayed at no.1 for 10 weeks...all the while "Waiting For A Girl Like You" by Foreigner languished at #2 on the singles chart.

Oh, and what has to be the saddest by far is Credence Clearwater Revival never having a no.1 hit...lots of no. 2's though.



Those points I definitely agree with!
End Quote


Thanks, Karen ;)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Criz on 05/07/02 at 12:15 a.m.


Quoting:
I always liked Owen Paul - Favorite waste of time.
End Quote



Me too :)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: jamminoldies on 05/07/02 at 07:40 p.m.

Here are some more of my favorites:

-TIMEX SOCIAL CLUB
("Rumors")

-STEVE WINWOOD
("Roll With It)? Wait a second...I don't think that was a one-hit wonder.

BOBBY MCFERRIN
("Don't worry,Be Happy")

-howard- :)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: radical on 05/09/02 at 09:06 a.m.

One of my favorite 1 hit wonders has to be Baltimora with "Tarzan Boy". Frankie Goes to Hollywood only had one great hit as well (at least in the states): "Relax"! Now if we can include an artist like Jon Waite, who only had one big hit solo but several others with the group "Bad English" (remember "When I see you smile"?) I would say Ric Ocasek's "Emotion in Motion" is the greatest--and perhaps one of the most underrated--one hit wonders of all time!

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Jessica on 05/09/02 at 11:23 a.m.

Here are my favorites. If they aren't one hit wonders, you can complain to this website :). www.onehitwondercentral.com

Lipps, Inc.- Funkytown
Sugar Hill Gang- Rapper's Delight
Tommy Tutone- 867-5309/Jenny
Waitresses- I Know What Boys Like
Tom Tom Club- Genius of Love
Charlene- I've Never Been To Me
Shannon- Let the Music Play
Mary Jane Girls- In My House
Rob Base & D.J. E-Z Rock- It Takes Two
L'Trimm- Cars with the Boom
J. J. Fad- Supersonic

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Criz on 05/09/02 at 12:09 a.m.


Quoting:
Here are my favorites. If they aren't one hit wonders, you can complain to this website :). www.onehitwondercentral.com

Lipps, Inc.- Funkytown
Sugar Hill Gang- Rapper's Delight
Tommy Tutone- 867-5309/Jenny
Waitresses- I Know What Boys Like
Tom Tom Club- Genius of Love
Charlene- I've Never Been To Me
Shannon- Let the Music Play
Mary Jane Girls- In My House
Rob Base & D.J. E-Z Rock- It Takes Two
L'Trimm- Cars with the Boom
J. J. Fad- Supersonic

End Quote



Am not going to complain ( for once! ) but the Waitresses have made one of the most played Chritmas songs, 'Christmas Wrapping'. However, I don't know how or if it charted in England or the US - so that's my basis of not complaining :)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Hairspray on 05/09/02 at 01:17 p.m.


Quoting:
Here are my favorites. If they aren't one hit wonders, you can complain to this website :). www.onehitwondercentral.com

Shannon- Let the Music Play
End Quote



No complaints here. Just an opinion:

I didn't and probably still don't consider Shannon a one hit wonder because she also had hits with "Give Me Tonight"
and "Do You Wanna Get Away", though they were not as big as the one you mentioned.

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: DJ Midas on 05/09/02 at 02:44 p.m.


Quoting:


No complaints here. Just an opinion:

I didn't and probably still don't consider Shannon a one hit wonder because she also had hits with "Give Me Tonight"
and "Do You Wanna Get Away", though they were not as big as the one you mentioned.
End Quote



Agreed.  And it just my opinion that Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock had minor hits with "Get On The Dance Floor" and "Joy & Pain."

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Hairspray on 05/09/02 at 03:12 p.m.


Quoting:


Agreed.  And it just my opinion that Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock had minor hits with "Get On The Dance Floor" and "Joy & Pain."
End Quote



I still have the 12" of "Joy & Pain"!  :D
From their hit "It Takes Two", to which I also have the 12", I like the instrumental best for its easy "mix-ability".  :)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: DJ Midas on 05/09/02 at 04:09 p.m.


Quoting:

I still have the 12" of "Joy & Pain"!  
End Quote


Me too.  and "Get On the Dance Floor" and "Turn it Out (Go Base)" (both the Gail Sky King Remixes and the UK Remixes)

Quoting:

From their hit "It Takes Two", to which I also have the 12", I like the instrumental best for its easy "mix-ability".  :)
End Quote



I have two copies of "It Takes Two" to make my own "on the fly" mixes using both the vocal and instrumental.  I've used the instrumental and looped it over numerous songs; one of my favorite mixes is Matthew Wilder's "Break My Stride"... ;D

"Woo!....Yeah!...." ;D

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: u-wish on 05/10/02 at 12:50 a.m.

Does anyone (beside me) remember Classix Nouveau and their one and only song "Guilty"?  
Techno-pop at its finest  :P, and probably the most obscure group of the eighties.

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: chris on 05/10/02 at 04:42 p.m.

No, but I think I remember their other one! LOL!  ;D

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: CeramicsFanatic on 05/10/02 at 04:52 p.m.


Quoting:
Tommy Tutone- 867-5309/Jenny
End Quote



I can't believe I forgot that one!

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Indy Gent on 05/10/02 at 05:05 p.m.

Knock On Wood-Amii Stewart
Born To Be Alive-Patrick Hernandez
Dance With Me-Peter Brown (not the Orleans song)
Animal-421
Heart and Soul-T'Pau
Take On Me-aha
Let's Go All the Way-Sly Fox

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: CeramicsFanatic on 05/10/02 at 05:19 p.m.


Quoting:
Knock On Wood-Amii Stewart
Born To Be Alive-Patrick Hernandez
End Quote



It's supposed to be 80's only, J.C.!  ;)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: jamminoldies on 05/11/02 at 10:57 a.m.

Here's another one:

-DENROY MORGAN
("I'll Do anything For You") :1981

-howard- :)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: macdaddy on 05/11/02 at 11:23 a.m.

U-Wish - yeah, I know that Classix Nouveux song.  It's on one of the Living in Oblivion CD's, which introduced me to some bands I've hadn't heard of...and now wish I'd never heard of ;-).  Strawberry Switchblade?  Red Box?   Ouch.  'Guilty' is an okay song.

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: lebeiw15 on 05/12/02 at 03:13 p.m.

Ok, I have a question, don't bite my head off if the answer is really obvious, but how do we know that Toni Basil or Gary Newman is a 1-Hit Wonder? ( I'm reffering to VH1's countdown, not that it matters on their countdown anyway.  ::) )  What I mean is, can't they come back tomorrow and have a #1 hit?  Unlikely, I know, but what about "Who Let The Dogs Out" since that song is just from 1 or 2 years ago?  How do we know they are a 1 Hit wonder?  Couldn't the Baha Men have another hit in 8 months?

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Banasy on 05/12/02 at 03:21 p.m.

Well, I'm pretty sure everybody means one-hit wonders that were made in that decade.....

However, if by some little chance they will let Toni Basil  ever record again, and it is for some reason was a hit, she would still be a one-hit wonder of the 80's decade with her song, "Micky".

But that's just me....

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: lebeiw15 on 05/12/02 at 03:25 p.m.

I see, that makes sense.

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Tv on 05/12/02 at 03:44 p.m.

I don't why. I really like that "Toy Soliders" by Martika. Is Brenda K. Starr a One Hit Wonder? I know she hit big with "I Still Believe" back in 1988 I think it was. Did she have any other hits besides "I Still Believe"? I always feel like a kid that grew up in the 80's and felt I should have been born sooner but than again I  grew up on 90's grunge. Sometimes I feel stuck in the middle between the decades of the 80's and 90's. I know the 80's were a corny time for some people but looking back It would have been fun to see how my teen years would have been had they took place in the 80's. On the positive side I can always look back on 80's sitcoms that I grew up on when I was a little kid. I like Freestyle/Dance like Lisa Lisa, Cover Girls, Stevie B and Pop/R&B like Jody Watley and Taylor Dayne than I like 90's grunge. Its just really weird sometimes.

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: jamminoldies on 05/12/02 at 05:15 p.m.

Here's another one-hit wonder that I saw on VH1 Classics:

-THE WAITRESSES
"(I Know What Boys Want") :1982

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: DJ Midas on 05/13/02 at 02:47 p.m.


Quoting:
I don't why. I really like that "Toy Soliders" by Martika. Is Brenda K. Starr a One Hit Wonder? I know she hit big with "I Still Believe" back in 1988 I think it was. Did she have any other hits besides "I Still Believe"? I always feel like a kid that grew up in the 80's and felt I should have been born sooner but than again I  grew up on 90's grunge. Sometimes I feel stuck in the middle between the decades of the 80's and 90's. I know the 80's were a corny time for some people but looking back It would have been fun to see how my teen years would have been had they took place in the 80's. On the positive side I can always look back on 80's sitcoms that I grew up on when I was a little kid. I like Freestyle/Dance like Lisa Lisa, Cover Girls, Stevie B and Pop/R&B like Jody Watley and Taylor Dayne than I like 90's grunge. Its just really weird sometimes.
End Quote



Tv, if you like Martika and 80's freestyle music, check out her club hit "More Than You Know" from 1989. It has a freestyle-type sound to it.

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: PF4Eva on 05/15/02 at 04:21 p.m.

A-Ha "Take On Me"  :D
Spandau Balley "True"  :P
The Vapors "Turning Japanese"

How many hits did The Cutting Crew have?

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Arcfire (Guest) on 05/15/02 at 05:03 p.m.

Anyone remember Kim Mitchel's "might as well go for a soda"?

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: jamminoldies on 05/15/02 at 07:16 p.m.

-"ROCK STEADY"
(The Whispers) 1987

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: FussBudgetVanPelt on 05/16/02 at 04:20 a.m.

"Precious To Me" by Phil Seymour

Was that in the 80's ?  Has anyone else heard of it even...

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: 80smusicfreak on 05/16/02 at 12:02 a.m.

Quoting:
"Precious To Me" by Phil Seymour

Was that in the 80's ?  Has anyone else heard of it even...
End Quote



See my post above from May 5th, under "1981"... :)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: jamminoldies on 05/16/02 at 07:37 p.m.

would anyone happen to remember this one:

-"WE DON'T HAVE TO TAKE OUR CLOTHES OFF"
(Jermaine Stewart) 1985 ?

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Harry on 05/18/02 at 12:22 a.m.

Jesse's Girl - Rick Springfield
Turning Japanese - The Vapors
I ran - Flock of seagulls

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: lebeiw15 on 05/18/02 at 03:09 p.m.

I  have heard that one, JO.  Good song.

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: jamminoldies on 05/19/02 at 03:22 p.m.

Here is another one:

-"RIGHT ON TRACK"
(Breakfast Club) 1984

 -howard- :)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Natski on 05/20/02 at 01:54 p.m.

De La Soul - Me Myself and I ;D

If you can call that a one hit wonder......

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Tbullsr on 05/20/02 at 04:27 p.m.

;D

Nena - 99 Red Balloons
Mr. Big - To be with you
Dream Academy - Life in a northern town
Bonnie Tyler - Total eclipse of the heart
Sugar Hill Gang - White Lines
The Motels - Only the lonely
Autograph - Turn up the radio

Tim  RATT-n-ROLL

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: CeramicsFanatic on 05/21/02 at 01:37 a.m.


Quoting:
Here is another one:

-"RIGHT ON TRACK"
(Breakfast Club) 1984

 -howard- :)
End Quote



I just thought you might like to know that Billboard shows that song as coming out in 1987.  :)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: jamminoldies on 05/21/02 at 07:11 p.m.

"ELECTRIC AVENUE"
(Eddy Grant) 1983

"PASS THE DUTCHIE"
(Musical Youth) 1982

-howard- :)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: lebeiw15 on 05/21/02 at 07:21 p.m.

Didn't people think "Pass the Dutchie" was a drug?

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: KCraig8 on 06/02/02 at 12:58 a.m.

Wanted to say from a one hit wonder you named which I think is one of the most forgotten and best one hit wonders of the early 80's is Sausalito Summernight by Diesel. My dad had their album Watts In a Tank and I immediately took a liking of the song. I just recently been able to buy an import of a cd of theirs with their hits on it from Holland. The album version of Sausalito Summernight is better than the single version but both are great songs.

Quoting:
The following were all essentially one-hit wonders on the pop chart here in the U.S. (although a few did have one or two very minor follow-up hits). IMHO, these are all well worth tracking down, if you've never heard them - many are sadly forgotten classics. :( In fact, quite a few have never even appeared on CD here in the U.S. Those in bold rank among my all-time personal faves. Songs were hits in the year specified, followed by their peak position:

1980:

"Funkytown" - LIPPS, INC.  (#1)
"Tired of Toein' the Line" - ROCKY BURNETTE  (#8 )
"Cars" - GARY NUMAN  (#9)
"Into the Night" - BENNY MARDONES  (#11)
"Take a Little Rhythm" - ALI THOMSON  (#15)
"Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" - THE KORGIS  (#18 )
"I'm Happy That Love Has Found You" - JIMMY HALL  (#27)
"Who'll Be the Fool Tonight" - LARSEN-FEITEN BAND  (#29)
"Turning Japanese" - THE VAPORS  (#36)
"Only a Lonely Heart Sees" - FELIX CAVALIERE  (#36)
"This Beat Goes On"/"Switchin' to Glide" - THE KINGS  (#43)
"Stay in Time" - OFF BROADWAY USA  (#51)
"I Got You" - SPLIT ENZ  (#53)
"Computer Game ('Theme from the Circus')" - YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA  (#60)
"Darlin'" - YIPES!!  (#68 )
"I Don't Like Mondays" - THE BOOMTOWN RATS  (#73)
"When Things Go Wrong" - ROBIN LANE & THE CHARTBUSTERS  (#87)
"I've Just Begun to Love You" - DYNASTY  (#87)
"Love on the Phone" - SUZANNE FELLINI  (#87)
"Remote Control" - THE REDDINGS  (#89)


1981:

"Somebody's Knockin'" - TERRI GIBBS  (#13)
"Is it You" - LEE RITENOUR  (#15)
"Together" - TIERRA  (#18 )
"Sweet Baby" - STANLEY CLARKE/GEORGE DUKE  (#19)
"Breaking Away" - BALANCE  (#22)
"Precious to Me" - PHIL SEYMOUR  (#22)
"Sausalito Summernight" - DIESEL  (#25)
"Double Dutch Bus" - FRANKIE SMITH  (#30)
"You Could Take My Heart Away" - SILVER CONDOR  (#32)
"General Hospi-Tale" - THE AFTERNOON DELIGHTS  (#33)
"Nicole" - POINT BLANK  (#39)
"Fantastic Voyage" - LAKESIDE  (#55)


1982:

"Chariots of Fire - Titles" - VANGELIS  (#1)
"Let it Whip" - DAZZ BAND  (#5)
"Tainted Love" - SOFT CELL  (#8 )
"Nobody" - SYLVIA  (#15)
"Take Off" - BOB & DOUG McKENZIE  (#16)
"Goin' Down" - GREG GUIDRY  (#17)
"Fantasy" - ALDO NOVA  (#23)
"Call Me" - SKYY  (#26)
"If the Love Fits Wear It" - LESLIE PEARL  (#28 )
"All Our Tomorrows" - EDDIE SCHWARTZ  (#28 )
"Mama Used to Say" - JUNIOR  (#30)
"Genius of Love" - TOM TOM CLUB  (#31)
"More Than Just the Two of Us" - SNEAKER  (#34)
"Someday, Someway" - MARSHALL CRENSHAW  (#36)
"Holdin' On" - TANE CAIN  (#37)
"Love Plus One" - HAIRCUT ONE HUNDRED  (#37)
"Murphy's Law" - CHERI  (#39)
"Planet Rock" - AFRIKA BAMBAATAA  (#48 )
"What Do All the People Know" - THE MONROES  (#59)
"Cutie Pie" - ONE WAY  (#61)
"The Message" - GRANDMASTER FLASH & THE FURIOUS FIVE  (#62)
"I Know What Boys Like" - THE WAITRESSES  (#62)
"You've Got Another Thing Comin'" - JUDAS PRIEST  (#67)
"Your Daddy Don't Know" - TORONTO  (#77)
End Quote

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Goreripper on 06/02/02 at 07:11 p.m.


Quoting:
Jesse's Girl - Rick Springfield
End Quote



Rick Springfield has a few more hits than that. I also recall 'Don't Talk to Strangers' and 'I've Done Everything For You'. I know there were more. And Zoot! He had a hit with them in Australia in the early 1970s. But that doesn't count, I know.  ;)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Gambo on 06/07/02 at 11:19 a.m.




"World's Away" by Strange Advance

"Julian" by Alta Moda

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Bobby on 06/12/03 at 12:53 a.m.

What about 'Holiday rap' by MC Miker 'G' and DeeJay Sven? (Go to no 6 in UK charts and haven't had a hit since!)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Howard on 06/13/03 at 01:08 p.m.

A song called "Catch the Beat".It was an early old school rap tune.

Howard

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Bobby on 06/13/03 at 03:31 p.m.


Quoting:
Didn't people think "Pass the Dutchie" was a drug?
End Quote



The lyrics initially were 'Pass the Douchie (?) which means pass the joint. Obviously Pete Waterman didn't think this was marketable so he called it 'Pass the Dutchie' which was a cooking pot.

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: rip_jeans on 06/14/03 at 11:36 p.m.


Quoting:

Men Without Hats- The Saftey Dance  ::) ;D

Oh, there are 1000 of them.  More later.
End Quote



Men Without Hats had another hit, but I did know how high it charted.  "Pop Goes The World"

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: rip_jeans on 06/14/03 at 11:56 p.m.

I Got You
Cool Places
Forget Me Nots
Black Velvet
Living On Video
So Alive
Johnny Are You Queer
Whisper To A Scream
Pina Colada Song
It Might Be You
Supersonic
In My House
Send Me An Angel
Come On Eileen
Cutie Pie
Double Dutch Bus
A Girl Like You by Ed Collins (or is this a recent hit)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Bobby on 06/15/03 at 05:25 a.m.

Edwyn Collins sang 'A girl like you' in 1995.  :)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Digitales on 06/16/03 at 02:09 p.m.

Hey, I haven't read this whole thread yet, but i wanted to add my 2 fave 1hitwonders:

DESIRELESS - voyage, voyage
REAL LIFE - send me an angel

probably has many more, but i can remember right now  8)

I saw a program with 1 hit wonders on Vh-1 (i guess it was about 100 too, not sure), it was just great. I can't wait to see! keep us updated about the date, would you?!
TIA

Quoting:
What are your favorite one hit wonder songs of the 1980's Only?  
BTW, VH-1 is counting down the top 100 1 hit wonders of all-time this upcoming week...if anyone wants to know what #1 is send me a private message...A friend of mine at a local station has the entire list  ;) I will post mine if what I said makes sense to anybody...let's see how this works out :-/
End Quote

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Digitales on 06/16/03 at 02:11 p.m.


Quoting:
I do not consider a-ha to be a one-hit wonder as they had a minor hit with "The Sun Always Shines on TV", plus they did the theme to the James Bond movie "The Living Daylights."
End Quote



I agree... I'm not sure if it's because I'm a fan, or because I'm brazilian and A-ha had at least 5 hits on the charts in Brazil (in the late 80s and 90s with the song "Early Morning")

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Digitales on 06/16/03 at 02:12 p.m.


Quoting:
Edwyn Collins sang 'A girl like you' in 1995.  :)
End Quote



LOL but that's a hit from the 90's!
post your fave from the 80's  :P

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Digitales on 06/16/03 at 02:13 p.m.


Quoting:
"Too Shy" by Kajagoogoo
....to name a few!
End Quote



wow I love that song too and the video!

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Digitales on 06/16/03 at 02:15 p.m.


Quoting:
I just thought of the group ABC. They had a hit in the U.S. with "The Look Of Love", but I think they had another hit here with "Poison Arrow". I really liked both very much and remember both the videos shown often in the early days of MTV.  :)
End Quote



sorry for so many posts...been behind this thread.
I love both songs as well. But ABC have many other cool songs as well! i've seen both videoclips often on channel VH-1, they are neat 8)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Digitales on 06/16/03 at 02:22 p.m.


Quoting:
Tainted Love' by Soft Cell...
End Quote



yes, Tainted love was a one hit wonder in brazil too! "tell it to my heart" by Kelly Llorenna too (it was in the soundtrack of a tv serie, LOL).

"99 red balloons/luft baloons" by Nena was a one hit wonder in Norway. Oh don't forget "final countdown" by Europe! LOL

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Digitales on 06/16/03 at 02:26 p.m.


Quoting:"Video Killed The Radio Star" by The Buggles
"Tarzan Boy" by Baltimora
"Send Me An Angel" by Real Life
End Quote



oh i should have read this thread before posting. Sorry folks!
i second these hits you mentioned Tarzan Boy. I loved specially Send me an angel by real life.

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Paul_UK on 06/16/03 at 02:27 p.m.


Quoting:
What about 'Holiday rap' by MC Miker 'G' and DeeJay Sven? (Go to no 6 in UK charts and haven't had a hit since!)
End Quote



Thank heaven! I detested that song with a passion you could only imagine...Madge should have sued!

More of a continental theme...
Ryan Paris - Dolce Vita (1983) his only hit...and which must rank as the strangest 12" of all time - halfway in, another completely different song cuts in! Then, just as abruptly, it goes back to the first song again...strange!

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Digitales on 06/16/03 at 02:35 p.m.


Quoting:
My favorites are:
-"ROCK IT"
(Herbie Hancock)
End Quote



wow i second that! the video is great too, very freak/artsy!

i just came up with another song that i really like and i guess it was a one hit wonder. "Somebody's watching me" by ROCKWELL! I remember that even in the 1 hit wonder program of Vh-1, it was mentioned that the song only had success because Michael Jacson sang the chorus...

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Digitales on 06/16/03 at 02:39 p.m.


Quoting:
One of my favorite 1 hit wonders has to be Baltimora with "Tarzan Boy". Frankie Goes to Hollywood only had one great hit as well (at least in the states): "Relax"!
End Quote



"Two tribes" by FGTH was a hit in UK too, wasn't it? I'm not sure.
There was a definitely one hit wonder band, "Cutting Crew" with the song called "I just died in your arms tonight", kinda cheezy but nice, well i like it  :-*

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Digitales on 06/16/03 at 02:41 p.m.


Quoting:
Does anyone (beside me) remember Classix Nouveau and their one and only song "Guilty"?  
Techno-pop at its finest  :P, and probably the most obscure group of the eighties.

End Quote



WOOOHOO! me and my sister we love Classix Nouveaux.
You have to see the video of "guilty" it's awesome, totally New Romantic. It even have that little goth/new romantic dance that appears in "Planet Earth" video by Duran Duran.
Highly recommended

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Digitales on 06/16/03 at 02:44 p.m.


Quoting:
U-Wish - yeah, I know that Classix Nouveux song.  It's on one of the Living in Oblivion CD's, which introduced me to some bands I've hadn't heard of...and now wish I'd never heard of ;-).  Strawberry Switchblade?  Red Box?   Ouch.  'Guilty' is an okay song.
End Quote



awww I dig Strawberry Switchblade... still have their vinyl bought in Brazil and tons of clippings from 80s magazine. Darn, i even wear all the polka dots clothing! LOL

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Digitales on 06/16/03 at 02:54 p.m.


Quoting:
Ok, I have a question, don't bite my head off if the answer is really obvious, but how do we know that Toni Basil or Gary Newman is a 1-Hit Wonder? ( I'm reffering to VH1's countdown, not that it matters on their countdown anyway.  ::) )  What I mean is, can't they come back tomorrow and have a #1 hit?  End Quote



I'm glad you asked.... I'm not sure if i'm still on topic, but when "physical" by Olivia Newton John, "betty davi's eyes" by Kim carnes are mentioned as one hit wonder, it makes me think what actually defines a one hit wonder artist.

In my mind they were /are those that have only one song that hits the chart, they have their 15mins of fame and them disappear in obscurity again... you know those bands that are only known/recognized by one single song?
examples:
- Doctor & the medics, with the cover "spirit in the sky"
-Toto Coelo  "I eat cannibals"

Sometimes 1hitwonders are just considered cult and still doing good albums, but just don't hit the charts again.

But what about big artists such as Olivia Newton John, Gary Numan, Kim carnes, are they one hit wonders even if they still kept hanging around? also Gary Numan had such an important place in electronic music, that i can't think of him as one hit wonder.

I dunno, if this post is kinda messy, but i just wondered.
Thoughts, anyone?

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Digitales on 06/16/03 at 02:57 p.m.


Quoting:
A-Ha "Take On Me"  :D
Spandau Balley "True"  :P
The Vapors "Turning Japanese"

How many hits did The Cutting Crew have?
End Quote



AFAIK, only "i just died in your arms tonight" but i can't say for sure.
Vapors on the other hand is known only by Turning Japanese.

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Digitales on 06/16/03 at 03:00 p.m.


Quoting:
I ran - Flock of seagulls
End Quote



I thought FOS had other hits? "I ran", "If i had a photograph of you", "Space Age"?
please someone let me know if I'm totally wrong! thanks

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Bobby on 06/17/03 at 03:12 a.m.

Quoting:
LOL but that's a hit from the 90's!
post your fave from the 80's  :P
End Quote



I did Digitales but Rip Jeans wasn't sure what year that particular hit went into the charts. So I told him.  ;)

Earlier through the thread I mentioned the 'Rap sensation' - MC Miker G and Deejay Sven's 'Holiday Rap.'

You're right about 'Flock of seagulls' - they aren't a one hit wonder.

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Digitales on 06/17/03 at 04:32 a.m.

Ahhhhhhh I got it know  :-*
thanks for reminding me your fave ones, i read the thread totally out of order LOL typical me, sorry  8)

I never thought of AFOS being a one hit wonder, but maybe a lot of people may remember them by "I ran" and not the other songs.. not really sure, hmmm I like them a lot, so it's hard to consider a band one hit wonder when you're a fan HEHE
Just like Real Life, in the charts they may be remembered as a one hit wonder, but in fact they released many many awesome singles and albums, to me they are a cult band but that un/fortunately had only one hit in the mainstream, i guess it was because their main label at the time just wanted money and their music wasn't what they wanted to invest in anymore, or something like that. They are going to release a new album this year, mostly of their 90s and noughties stuff are pretty good, it's Real life, but can be harder, more techno, it's great. I could compare their musical growth kinda like the same that happened to Information Society, they got even better  ;) take care!

Quoting:
I did Digitales but Rip Jeans wasn't sure what year that particular hit went into the charts. So I told him.  ;)

Earlier through the thread I mentioned the 'Rap sensation' - MC Miker G and Deejay Sven's 'Holiday Rap.'

You're right about 'Flock of seagulls' - they aren't a one hit wonder.
End Quote

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Digitales on 06/17/03 at 08:13 a.m.

I just remembered another hit wonder I like but that's mostly due the nostalgic content it has upon me. The song is:

"Captain of Her Heart" by DOUBLE

again, this one was played (and been a classic still today, in some radios in Brazil) over and over again, because it was in the soundtrack of a tv serie there... but the funny thing (at least to me!) was that me and my sister loved some crackers with the brand "Captain", so whenever we had it for breakfast or for school lunch we would start to sing that song together with our improvised english, LOL

anyway... my mom used to have radio on for several hours a day... back then there was good music, i guess seeing my mom doing housework while singing along the 80's hits will be an image I will never forget, she always looked kinda happy. I visited her last year and she still does the same and listens to the very same stuff!  8)

sorry for the little nostalgic note, i hope the time you spent reading this wasn't wasted, remember those minutes i took from your life won't ever be back! LOL beware!!!!  ;D

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Digitales on 06/18/03 at 11:52 p.m.

Anyone remember "Maria Magdalena" by Sandra?
it was a one hit wonder that reached the charts of 15 countries in 1985. I didn't know about it until know when I searched for her info. That song was one of the singles that i saved my month allowance just to get it!
i like it for the nostalgic meaning to me :-[

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: rip_jeans on 06/19/03 at 04:17 a.m.

Okay got another list of favorite 1 hit wonder:

Voices Carry
2 Occasions
2 Of Hearts
Under The Milky Way
Cross My Heart
Jam On It
Relax
Tempted (did Squeeze have another hit?)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Bobby on 06/19/03 at 04:28 a.m.


Quoting:
Tempted (did Squeeze have another hit?)End Quote



Squeeze are well famous in Britain, Rip Jeans. They had hits like 'Cool for cats','Labelled with love','Goodbye girl' and 'Hourglass'.

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: boris66au on 06/19/03 at 04:30 a.m.

Squeeze had loads of hits...not sure of the years though

Squeeze
Cool For Cats

Squeeze
If I Didn’t Love You

Squeeze
Labelled With Love

Squeeze
Last Time Forever

Squeeze
Take Me I’m Yours

Squeeze
Tempted By The Fruit Of Another

Squeeze
Up The Junction

there may be more but they're the ones i've downloaded (and all good!)

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Bobby on 06/19/03 at 04:31 a.m.


Quoting:
Anyone remember "Maria Magdalena" by Sandra?
it was a one hit wonder that reached the charts of 15 countries in 1985. I didn't know about it until know when I searched for her info. That song was one of the singles that i saved my month allowance just to get it!
i like it for the nostalgic meaning to me :-/quote]

Yes, Digitalis I know of Sandra. I have the song you are referring to on CD. She also did other stuff like 'In the heat of the night' and a cover of Love Affair's 'Everlasting love'.

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: kris on 06/19/03 at 03:29 p.m.

I'm thinking of Paul Hardcastle's '19'

nanananananananananana...nineteen. That was Hardcastle all right, wasn't it?

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: kris on 06/19/03 at 03:36 p.m.

Oops, forgot another one:

The Cutting Crew, Died in your Arms Tonight or something like that

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Bobby on 06/19/03 at 03:50 p.m.


Quoting:
I'm thinking of Paul Hardcastle's '19'
End Quote



Yep! It was Paul Hardcastle. He had a couple more hits in Britain, more notably 'Don't waste my time' and 'The Wizard'.

'I just died in your arms tonight' by Cutting Crew was a classic. Didn't think much of the video though - a little bit heavy on the eyes.

Subject: Re: Your Favorite 1 Hit Wonders 80's Only

Written By: Digitales on 06/20/03 at 04:29 p.m.


Quoting:
Yes, Digitalis I know of Sandra. I have the song you are referring to on CD. She also did other stuff like 'In the heat of the night' and a cover of Love Affair's 'Everlasting love'.
End Quote



i never heard their other songs! actually I didn't know she was german until I researched about her online! But it was a BIG hit and i was a kid, my grandma that bought me a a vinyl compilation that featured that song!  8)