The Best One-Hit Wonders of the ’80s
The 1980s was a big decade for one-hit wonders – Author: Cat Badra, Modern English photo via Sheva Kafai
The 1980s was a rich decade for music, with blockbuster pop and rock acts reigning supreme. The ’80s was also a big decade for one-hit wonders, whether it was pop, rock, hair metal or any other genre. The decade was musically dependent, in a way, on these songs that went to No. 1 on the charts, and often times, the artists and bands behind them never got that boost again. But, that’s okay, because some artists and bands became household names on that one hit and were able to live the rest of their lives off that legendary song. We’re honoring some of the greatest one-hit wonders of the ’80s, mainly in the pop and rock genres.
Best One-Hit Wonders of the ’80s
A Flock of Seagulls, “I Ran (So Far Away)”
The 1980s was filled with great music videos, and one that was legendary was the music video from A Flock of Seagulls for “I Ran (So Far Away).” The music video for the 1982 song showed the band members performing the song in a room covered in aluminum foil and mirrors. Aside from the video, the song itself was a major hit and really put A Flock of Seagulls on the amp. It was, by far, their greatest hit.
Lipps Inc., “Funkytown”
“Funkytown” by Lipps Inc. is one of the most infectious sounds you’ll probably ever hear. The song was written and produced by Steven Greenberg and released by Casablanca Records in 1980, and it appears on the group’s 1979 debut studio album, “Mouth to Mouth.” It was obvious it was going to be a hit out of the gate, as “Funkytown” charted across the world upon its release. Won’t you take me to a funkytown?
Modern English, “I Melt With You”
When British new wave band Modern English released “I Melt With You,” it was a big moment for the movement of bringing popular British sounds to the States. The song was the second single from their 1982 album, “After the Snow,” and became the group’s biggest hit, especially in the United States. When the song first came out, it actually got a “lukewarm” response, as Guitar Player notes, but that didn’t matter, because it eventually really took off and became Modern English’s defining song. The music video is legendary, too, with the group performing the song in a dark room with Robbie Grey sporting a black shirt and hat. Modern English are still making music and release a new album, “1 2 3 4,” in early 2024, including the single, “Not Fake.”
Soft Cell, “Tainted Love”
Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love” dropped in 1981, and the song took off in a big way. The song was actually composed by Ed Cobb, formerly the Four Preps, and first recorded by Gloria Jones in 1964. But, the synth-pop duo made it a huge hit when they covered it in the ’80s. A lot of people don’t even know it’s a cover. Soft Cell had some other hits, but none of them were as massive as “Tainted Love.”
The B-52s, “Love Shack”
Now, the B-52s might not really be a one-hit wonder band, but there’s no denying that “Love Shack” was by far their biggest and greatest hit. “Love Shack” also make the B-52s a household name. It’s a super fun, dance-able number with a very retro vibe. “Love Shack” is the signature song for the band. When it arrived in 1989 on their “Cosmic Thing” album, it also marked the band’s first bit of new music since the death of their founding guitarist, Ricky Wilson.
Tommy Tutone, “867-5309 / Jenny”
The 1981 hit Tommy Tutone’s “867-5309 / Jenny” is so legendary that to this day, people trying calling this number. Of course, you need an area code to properly dial it, but it’s still funny to see people loving these digits. The song has plenty of loving comments on the Album of the Year website, with one fan saying, “The lyrics are strange but goofy, and I still love this song ever since I was 12.” Tommy Tutone had other hits, but none of them came lose to “867-5309 / Jenny.”
Check out Audio Ink Radio’s tally of the best alternative rock one-hit wonders of the 1990s. Also, while grunge is usually associated with the 1990s, find Audio Ink Radio’s collection of the greatest grunge songs of the 1980s.
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