# Best one-hit wonder song of the 80's? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 20, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319 "2009-11-20T19:24:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2009, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/21 "2009-11-20T20:19:20Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > [One Night in Bangkok](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9mwELXPGbA) Oh yes, great song! ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2009, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/22 "2009-11-20T20:25:19Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > \*\*Take On Me \*\*is my #2. Not only a great song, but one of the coolest videos ever… (when MTV actually \*showed \*music videos). Man, I’m showing my age. Bah, In my day the videos only had a string of numbers ranging between one and zero scolling across the screen. I’ll have to also note that I really liked the sound/style of Come on Eileen. Did any other song since ever capture that particular kind of sound/style ? ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2009, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/23 "2009-11-20T20:25:25Z")
We have the makings of a great playlist here…TRM (lover of all things Eighties) ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2009, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/24 "2009-11-20T20:25:26Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > Oh yes, great song! May not be an official one-hit wonder, though. I think Murray Head may have also charted with a single from _Jesus Christ, Superstar_. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2009, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/25 "2009-11-20T20:26:55Z")
How about Murray Head doing a cover version of _Come On Eilleen_? Or is that going \*too \*far? ---
**Author:** ![kevlaw](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kevlaw/32/2281_2.png) [@kevlaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kevlaw)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2009, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/26 "2009-11-20T20:28:28Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > **Come on, Eileen** , by Dexy’s Midnight Runners. > > A one-hit wonder, for sure. By my count, Dexy’s had [two number ones and six singles in the top 20](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dexys_Midnight_Runners#Singles). Hardly one-hit wonders. Next you’ll be telling me that The Beatles’ debut was on the Ed Sullivan Show and World War II started in 1941. If you think Dexy’s had only one hit, you are really missing out. Checkout Geno and Let’s Get This Straight at the very least. Pet peeve of mine. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2009, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/27 "2009-11-20T20:29:11Z")
Sunglasses at Night? Safety Dance? May I complete the Canadian hat-trick with “Fantasy,” by Aldo Nova? ---
**Author:** ![Surly\_Chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Surly\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surly_Chick)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2009, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/28 "2009-11-20T20:29:24Z")
I vote for _Walking on Sunshine_ by Katrina and the Waves. I can’t help but sing along with that one. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2009, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/29 "2009-11-20T20:35:12Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > _I Melt With You_ by Modern English gets my vote. Mine too. _I Melt With You_ was so Totally Eighties. ---
**Author:** ![ArrMatey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrmatey/32/3522_2.png) [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2009, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/30 "2009-11-20T20:35:54Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > I remember having an argument over the results of some similar poll with my ex-husband. We couldn’t come to any agreement, and I had to go somewhere, so as I walked out, he called after me, “As soon as you close that door, I’m going to BLAST Come On Eileen!” The unfortunate verb choice and word order of that sentence absolutely slew me, and I was rendered incapable of going anywhere for a while… Diet Dr. Pepper all over the keyboard. Thanks for making my afternoon! (And I bet your ex really must have a thing for Eileen…) 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Mixolydian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@Mixolydian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mixolydian)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2009, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/31 "2009-11-20T20:37:15Z")
Technically two songs, but [The Kings - The Beat Goes On/Switching to Glide](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTjG8E1utyA) [The Records - Starry Eyes](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTUWmXoxEsg) [Moon Martin - Rolene](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlS1qoGdH_8) (1979, but close enough…) Youtube blocked from work, so no guarantee on the links… ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2009, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/32 "2009-11-20T20:51:58Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > I’ll have to also note that I really liked the sound/style of Come on Eileen. Did any other song since ever capture that particular kind of sound/style ? I don’t think so. That was one of the things about it that made it distinctive, the fact that it seemingly invented a particular sound out of thin air, for that song only. There are a few other one-hit wonders that are in this category (not that they sound alike, that they sound unlike any other songs.) _Along Comes Mary_ by The Association is one example that I can think of. _The Night Chicago Died_ is another. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2009, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/33 "2009-11-20T20:54:38Z")
Homer: Lisa, did you see the Grammys? Lisa: You beat Dexy’s Midnight Runners. Homer: Well, you haven’t heard the last of them. ---
**Author:** ![Headrush042](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Headrush042](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Headrush042)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2009, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/34 "2009-11-20T20:55:46Z")
I think I’d be torn between _Take on Me_ by Aha and _Don’t You Forget About Me_ by Simple Minds, even though I think their single _Alive and Kicking_ may have had moderate success as well, disqualifying them. Dead or Alive’s _You Spin Me Round (like a record)_ and Flock of Seagulls’s _I Ran_ would get honorable mentions from me. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2009, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/35 "2009-11-20T21:00:39Z")
> [@Mixolydian](#): > > Technically two songs, but [The Kings - The Beat Goes On/Switching to Glide](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTjG8E1utyA) > > [The Records - Starry Eyes](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTUWmXoxEsg) > > [Moon Martin - Rolene](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlS1qoGdH_8) (1979, but close enough…) > > Youtube blocked from work, so no guarantee on the links… Love that song by the Kings. But a lot of people I know have never even heard of it. Musically, I’d suggest that the 80s started on August 1, 1981. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2009, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/36 "2009-11-20T21:05:04Z")
> [@kevlaw](#): > > By my count, Dexy’s had [two number ones and six singles in the top 20](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dexys_Midnight_Runners#Singles). Hardly one-hit wonders. Next you’ll be telling me that The Beatles’ debut was on the Ed Sullivan Show and World War II started in 1941. > > If you think Dexy’s had only one hit, you are really missing out. Checkout Geno and Let’s Get This Straight at the very least. > > Pet peeve of mine. Sorry. You have to caveat that, though, by indicating what nation’s singles chart you’re using. DMR had one **U.S.** Billboard Top 40 single. ---
**Author:** ![tacoloco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tacoloco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tacoloco)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2009, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/37 "2009-11-20T21:10:03Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > [One Night in Bangkok](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9mwELXPGbA) I get my kicks above the waistline, Sunshine. 99 Luftballoons - Nena True - Spandau Ballet ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2009, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/38 "2009-11-20T21:11:15Z")
I think the **kevlaw** clause also applies to A-Ha. They had other songs, such as the dramatic “The Sun Always Shines on TV”, which was an even bigger hit in the UK than “Take On Me”. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2009, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/39 "2009-11-20T21:19:42Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > There are a few other one-hit wonders that are in this category (not that they sound alike, that they sound unlike any other songs.) _Along Comes Mary_ by The Association is one example that I can think of. Nitpick: far from a one-hit wonder; that wasn’t even the Association’s biggest hit. “Cherish,” “Windy,” and “Never My Love” were _huge_. Anyway, I vote for “She Blinded Me with Science.” ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2009, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/40 "2009-11-20T21:27:30Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > Anyway, I vote for “She Blinded Me with Science.” Oh yes, great song! 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319.md?page=3)