# 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:** 16\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![The\_Punkyova](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@The\_Punkyova](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Punkyova)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/101 "2009-11-23T01:58:50Z")
What about Wild Wild West? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/102 "2009-11-23T03:11:38Z")
> [@dwc1970](#): > > I nominate **It’s My Life** by Talk Talk. As a young metalhead, a lot of 80’s pop songs didn’t appeal to me, but I allowed for a few exceptions such as this one. Also add **Lunatic Fringe** by Red Rider to the list. I’d also include hits by the Fixx, but they had more than one significant hit. Well, so did Red Rider. ‘White Hot’ did pretty well (can’t say why), and I still sort of like ‘Cowboys in Hong Kong’. Tom Cochrane went on to a pretty successful solo career being mellow and doing this sort of Newfie Rock. I would’ve thought Talk Talk a one-hit wonder too, but I’d have chosen [‘Life’s What You Make It’](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvMoRVrqx_I) as the wonder; I don’t know if it’s the best, but it’s always stuck with me and I’d never heard of the single you mentioned, or anything else they’ve done. I call shenanigans on labelling Gary Numan a one-hit wonder. He didn’t record ‘Cars’ and disappear, he’s pretty prolific. A quick look shows I Assassin produced three top 20 singles (none of them being [‘The 1930’s Rust’](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqG3XwRCUN8), which is a shame), and he’s working today. He was a going concern before The Pleasure Principle was released as well. Gary Numan’s a weird dude. Like David Bowie without the charisma. ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/103 "2009-11-23T03:13:15Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > _Take On Me_ by a-ha. Greatest 80s song, not just greatest one-hit wonder. (got the #3 spot on VH1’s list. Not only the best song, but the best music video too. ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/104 "2009-11-23T05:08:41Z")
Ooh what about [The Fanatic by Felony](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax1ErjLIloo)? Finally remembered that song after years of searching! ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/105 "2009-11-23T09:04:31Z")
> [@kenner116](#): > > Falco had “Der Kommissar”, so “Amadeus” shouldn’t be on there. Also, the follow-up single “Vienna Calling” made the top 20. I was waaaaay into “Rock Me, Amadeus.” ETA : I see I was beaten to the punch. Also, my vote is for “Tainted Love.” Joe ---
**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 23, 2009, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/106 "2009-11-23T14:42:13Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I thought of another one, [Major Tom (Coming Home)](http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x237g1_peter-schilling-major-tom_music), by Peter Schilling. > > Don’t tell me, **Dung Beetle** , let me guess… Oh yes! Great song! As far as The Outfield’s Your Love, they also had hits with All the Love in the World and (I think) Say It Isn’t So. They’re all on the same album and the other songs all have the same sort of sound, so if anyone liked one of their hits, they would probably enjoy Play Deep. (I know, people don’t purchase whole albums these days, right?) Thought of another: I Can’t Wait by Nu Shooz. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/107 "2009-11-23T15:35:46Z")
At the risk of thread-pooping, I would have to contribute that the UK was such a massive influence in America that an act that had success in the UK can’t really be considered a one-hit wonder. OHW suggests that the band either released one album, and is relegated to performing on “Remember the Eighties” tours… in the 80s. I’m a passionate a-ha fan, and not only have they released like 9 albums, they are a worldwide phenomenon, particularly in Europe and South America. They played to the largest crowd for a concert ever in Buenos Aires - well over 220,000 people - outselling other acts such as George Michael. Almost a quarter of a million people! And they were the only act on the bill. a-ha announced that they were breaking up this year and are going on a farewell tour - and they might even come to the US! What’s interesting is that I think one could argue that they chose to ignore America, especially after their resurgence in the early 2000s. Anyway, carry on, and sorry. I just feel it’s unfair for bands that have made an incredible contribution to music (and money) and call them OHW. Tommy Tutone, sure. Thomas Dolby, Falco, a-ha, Big Country… not so much. All of the latter acts could put on a three hour show of hits. College radio and imports were a huge part of the 80s scene, so American bands that didn’t bother the Hot 100 (Hüsker Dü, The Replacements, etc.) would also not qualify. IMHO, of course. Still, great list of songs. Pogo away! ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/108 "2009-11-23T18:03:14Z")
I’m not sure either one of my choices would count as true one-hit wonders. There’s “Voices Carry” by Til Tuesday. Aimee Mann, however, had a pretty fruitful career in her own right after the group broke up. There’s also “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell. True, Rockwell hasn’t had a hit since, but the song did feature Michael Jackson on the chorus. Looking at this thread reminds of what a great era the 80s was for novelty songs - She Blinded me with Science, Rock me Amadeus, One Night in Bangkok. ---
**Author:** ![TommyTutone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@TommyTutone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TommyTutone)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/109 "2009-11-23T18:09:29Z")
I would be hard pressed to come up with one. If only my user name could point me into the right direction. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/110 "2009-11-23T18:53:38Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > I’m not sure either one of my choices would count as true one-hit wonders. > There’s “Voices Carry” by Til Tuesday. Aimee Mann, however, had a pretty fruitful career in her own right after the group broke up. I came into this thread to mention **Voices Carry** by 'Til Tuesday. Beaten by less than an hour, even though this thread has been going for three days! ---
**Author:** ![dzeiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@dzeiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzeiger)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/111 "2009-11-23T21:59:07Z")
Well, their Wikipedia entry disputed their One-Hit Wonder status a bit, but I’ll still nominate Animotion’s “Obsession.” ---
**Author:** ![Martha\_Medea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/43a26b/32.png) [@Martha\_Medea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martha_Medea)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2009, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/112 "2009-11-24T00:06:12Z")
The 1980s one-hit-wonder songs I liked best have already been mentioned, but here are a couple more: **Mexican Radio** by **Wall of Voodoo** and **Life in a Northern Town** by **Dream Academy**. ---
**Author:** ![kidneyfailure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9f8e36/32.png) [@kidneyfailure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidneyfailure)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2009, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/113 "2009-11-24T04:18:58Z")
> [@kenner116](#): > > **a-ha is far from a one hit wonder** They had “The Living Daylights,” too great song. I’m gonna say Nena “99 Red Balloons,” Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away,” or (maybe) “Valerie Loves Me” by Material Issue (although it’s up for debate if that one counts as a “hit” or not). ---
**Author:** ![kidneyfailure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9f8e36/32.png) [@kidneyfailure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidneyfailure)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2009, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/114 "2009-11-24T04:27:22Z")
Also, I don’t think Rob Base and DJ Easy Rock ever had another notable song after “It Takes Two” ---
**Author:** ![kidneyfailure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9f8e36/32.png) [@kidneyfailure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidneyfailure)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2009, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/115 "2009-11-24T04:43:28Z")
Also! How could I forget Crowded House’s Don’t Dream, It’s Over? Simply Red, too! And Chris DeBurgh! ---
**Author:** ![MannyL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MannyL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MannyL)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319/116 "2009-11-30T12:32:40Z")
> [@kidneyfailure](#): > > Also, > > I don’t think Rob Base and DJ Easy Rock ever had another notable song after “It Takes Two” What about Joy & Pain from [Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Base_and_DJ_E-Z_Rock) An album, also called It Takes Two, was quickly put together and it produced a significant follow-up hit, “Joy and Pain,” which sampled a song of the same name by Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, as well as “Put The Music Where Your Mouth Is” by The Olympic Runners. It also hit the Top 10 on the dance chart and climbed to #58 on the Hot 100. “Get On the Dance Floor,” a track released to clubs in between the two singles, hit #1 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in 1989. Boosted by those singles the It Takes Two album went platinum. However, vicious rumors started to circulate that Rob Base had legal problems for using samples from Maze’s Frankie Beverly for the hit “Joy and Pain”, and he had his own personal problems. DJ E-Z Rock also was forced to leave the group due to his own personal issues, so Rob Base was left to be a solo artist. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-one-hit-wonder-song-of-the-80s/518319.md?page=5)