# What are your favority 80's one hit wonder songs? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 1, 2004, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favority-80s-one-hit-wonder-songs/267032 "2004-10-01T15:26:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![vd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b19c9b/32.png) [@vd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vd)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favority-80s-one-hit-wonder-songs/267032/41 "2004-10-01T19:58:45Z")
Oh, a big time favorite… **Peter Schilling** -“Major Tom (I’m Coming Home)” ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favority-80s-one-hit-wonder-songs/267032/42 "2004-10-01T20:05:01Z")
Dum. Dum dum dum. Dum dum dum. Dum dum duuuuuuum ---
**Author:** ![vd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b19c9b/32.png) [@vd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vd)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favority-80s-one-hit-wonder-songs/267032/43 "2004-10-01T20:07:46Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Dum. > > Dum dum dum. > > Dum dum dum. > > Dum dum duuuuuuum It’s the _eye of the tiger_, it’s the thrill of the fight… ---
**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:** [October 1, 2004, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favority-80s-one-hit-wonder-songs/267032/44 "2004-10-01T20:14:25Z")
> [@Peter Morris](#): > > I’m not sure of the date’s of these, not sure if they’re late seventies or early eighties. > > **J. Geils Band** - _Centerfold_ These guys were several-hit wonders – “Must’ve Got Lost”, “Love Stinks”, “Angel in Blue”, “Freeze Frame”, among others, hit the American Billboard Top 40. ---
**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:** [October 1, 2004, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favority-80s-one-hit-wonder-songs/267032/45 "2004-10-01T20:19:24Z")
> [@vd](#): > > It’s the _eye of the tiger_, it’s the thrill of the fight… Survivor had four other Top-10 songs after “Eye of the Tiger”, and a few other minor hits – they wouldn’t qualify as OHWs either. ---
**Author:** ![vd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b19c9b/32.png) [@vd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vd)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favority-80s-one-hit-wonder-songs/267032/46 "2004-10-01T20:26:46Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > Survivor had four other Top-10 songs after “Eye of the Tiger”, and a few other minor hits – they wouldn’t qualify as OHWs either. I was just singing along with **Alessan** anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favority-80s-one-hit-wonder-songs/267032/47 "2004-10-01T20:31:35Z")
I would take Love is the Slug by Fuzzbox. Okay, it wasn’t a hit. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favority-80s-one-hit-wonder-songs/267032/48 "2004-10-01T20:44:12Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > Survivor had four other Top-10 songs after “Eye of the Tiger”, and a few other minor hits – they wouldn’t qualify as OHWs either. Seriously? Wow - I had no idea. Well, I guess there must have been quite a lot of stuff that never reached my little corner of the world. ---
**Author:** ![Rodd\_Hill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3ab097/32.png) [@Rodd\_Hill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodd_Hill)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favority-80s-one-hit-wonder-songs/267032/49 "2004-10-01T20:51:09Z")
“All Lined Up” by Shriekback; “Yellow Pills” by 20/20; “Never Say Never,” by Romeo Void; and ooh! “Make a Circuit With Me,” the Polecats… and I’m not sure if this charted in the USA at all, but “What Presence?!” by Orange Juice is one hell of a song. (I know Edwin charted a couple of years ago with “A Girl Like You”–another great pop tune, IMHO). I’m not sure if Gary Numan’s “Cars” came out in '79 or '80…but another great tune. Love the Waitresses’ “I Know What Boys Like,” but their Xmas song probably charted too… How about “Vaporized” by X-15? Never could find the single or the album, and it seems to have vanished forever… Guilty pleasure: Stacy Q, “Two of Hearts.” Don’t tell anyone, please. ---
**Author:** ![Rodd\_Hill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3ab097/32.png) [@Rodd\_Hill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodd_Hill)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favority-80s-one-hit-wonder-songs/267032/50 "2004-10-01T21:00:23Z")
Heh. [http://pnwbands.com/x15.html](http://pnwbands.com/x15.html) PNW Dopers will no doubt recall local faves like The Heats and the Young Fresh Fellows…boy, I miss KYYX. Came in loud & clear here, too. ---
**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:** [October 1, 2004, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favority-80s-one-hit-wonder-songs/267032/51 "2004-10-01T21:02:35Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Seriously? > > Wow - I had no idea. Well, I guess there must have been quite a lot of stuff that never reached my little corner of the world. Their biggest hit album was [Vital Signs](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000I014/qid=1096664196/sr=ka-1/ref=pd_ka_1/002-8569908-6706407). There are listening samples at that link – “I Can’t Hold Back”, “High On You”, and “The Search Is Over” were the big American hits off this album. Survivor changed lead singers (from David Bickler to Jimi Jamison) after the _Eye of the Tiger_ album … maybe you’ve heard these later songs, but couldn’t place the band? ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favority-80s-one-hit-wonder-songs/267032/52 "2004-10-01T21:10:01Z")
**A Million Miles Away"** by **The Plimsouls** ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favority-80s-one-hit-wonder-songs/267032/53 "2004-10-01T21:13:15Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > **Jane’s Getting Serious** by Simon Townshend (Pete’s Brother) Nitpicking again. Wasn’t it John Astley who sang that one? ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favority-80s-one-hit-wonder-songs/267032/54 "2004-10-01T21:16:25Z")
Lot’s of my favorite 80’s tunes are from 80’s movies and tv: Iko Iko - Belle Stars (From Rainman) Axel F - Harold Faltermeyer (From Beverly Hills Cop) I Can’t Break Away - Big Pig (From Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure) Miami Vice Theme - Jan Hammer Pump up the Volume - M/A/R/R/S (From My Stepmother is an Alien) Love Missle F1-11 - Sigue Sigue Sputnik (From Ferris Bueller’s Day Off) I also love I Beg Your Pardon - Kon Kan Peekaboo - Siouxse and the Banshees ---
**Author:** ![JohnBckWLD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favority-80s-one-hit-wonder-songs/267032/55 "2004-10-01T21:29:45Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > **…Jane’s Getting Serious** by Simon Townshend (Pete’s Brother) Another US-1HW, Jon Astley (Everybody Loves The Pilot-Except The Crew) did a song with the same title back in 87 - an AOR turnable hit. > [@Exapno Mapcase](#): > > …BTW, virtually every song mentioned in this thread is available in the _Living in Oblivion, The 80s Greatest Hits_ series. An absolute must for any car journey. Agreed. If you wanna go a little deeper, ‘Richard Blade’s Flashback Favorites’ goes a little deeper…as does Rhino’s 15 disc set ‘Just Can’t Get Enough’ > [@sqweels](#): > > Ooh, also “This Beat Goes On/Switchin’ to Glide” by **The Kings**. Bingo. IMHO, the Creme de la creme. Probably more tuntable hits than billboard charters, but as runners up, I’d nominate[ul][_]The Pursuit Of Happiness (1988) I’m An Adult Now[_]Omar & The Howlers (1987) Hard Times In The Land Of Plenty[_]Rocky Burnette (1980) Tired Of Toein’ The Line[_]Frozen Ghost (1987) Should I See[_]Phantom Rocker & Slick (1985) Men Without Shame[_]Godley & Creme (1985) Cry[_]Red (1981) Lunatic Fringe[_]Box Of Frogs (1984) Back Where I Started[_]Aldo Nova (1982) Fantasy[_]Treat Her Right (1988) I Think She Likes Me[_]GTR (1986) When The Heart Rules The Mind[_]Dream Academy (1985) Life In A Northern Town[_]Jerry Harrison (1988) Rev It Up[_]Tommy Shaw Girls With Guns[/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favority-80s-one-hit-wonder-songs/267032/56 "2004-10-01T22:14:26Z")
\*Funkytown[i/], Lipps Inc. _Come On Eileen_, Dexy’s Midnight Runners _Walking on Sunshine_, Katrina and the Waves _Everybody Everybody_, Black Box ---
**Author:** ![Rodd\_Hill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3ab097/32.png) [@Rodd\_Hill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodd_Hill)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favority-80s-one-hit-wonder-songs/267032/57 "2004-10-01T22:17:03Z")
And “Charlton Heston Put His Vest On,” by Stump. (“Thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal Shalt not commit adultery Boils the size of fifty pee Lights! Camel! Action!”) Captain Sensible (ex of the Damned): “Happy Talk.” Altered Images – “Happy Birthday” (featuring Claire Grogan, of "Gregory’s Girl,’ and the original Kochanski on “Red Dwarf.”) Trio – “Da Da Da.” Blancmange – “Living on the Ceiling” Steven “Tin-Tin” Duffy – “Kiss Me.” Housemartins – “Happy Hour” Aztec Camera – “Oblivious” ---
**Author:** ![Complex\_Conjugate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3bc359/32.png) [@Complex\_Conjugate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Complex_Conjugate)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favority-80s-one-hit-wonder-songs/267032/58 "2004-10-01T22:22:52Z")
Hardly any of these bands mentioned are strictly speaking one-hit wonders! Infact some of the bands were the most duarbale bands of the period. Thouh I’m going for Happy Birthday- Altered Images (it wasn’t theri only top 40 in the UK at least). I would say Rodd Hill knew his eighties music, but Captain-bloody- Sensible! ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favority-80s-one-hit-wonder-songs/267032/59 "2004-10-01T22:26:06Z")
“Waiting for a Star to Fall” - Boy Meets Girl ---
**Author:** ![Rodd\_Hill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3ab097/32.png) [@Rodd\_Hill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodd_Hill)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favority-80s-one-hit-wonder-songs/267032/60 "2004-10-01T22:29:27Z")
I blush to say that I still have my 7-inch single of “Happy Birthday.” On purple vinyl. And Captain Sensible’s hit, though just on plain black vinyl. This is what comes of working in an alternative/import music store in the 80s… Don’t get me started about my Alexi Sayle “Hullo John, Got A New Motor” die-cut picture disc! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favority-80s-one-hit-wonder-songs/267032.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favority-80s-one-hit-wonder-songs/267032.md?page=4)