One-hit wonders are like amorous affairs – intense, however alas, all-too-brief. Right here’s Traditional Pop’s rundown of the best one-shots ever to earworm their method into the charts and the general public’s consciousness, just for their makers to abruptly disappear in a puff of dry ice…
One-hit wonders; on the time, a horrible factor to be, because it suggests an artist or band doesn’t have the backing or the power to showcase a couple of single good file.
However later, it turns into a badge of honour, because the fascination with certainly one of chart music’s favorite statistical quirks means the protagonists in query – and their songs – are remembered for longer, and extra fondly, than any modern who might have been mildly luckier on the time and had two, and even three, High 40 hits.
The Nineteen Eighties had greater than 200 one-hit wonders – ie, acts who made the UK’s High 40 as soon as solely of their careers.
Leaving out any whose members prominently scored successes with different 80s bands (so no Color Subject, Nick Straker Band or Hipsway right here), we’ve picked our decisions, with some problem, as there are no less than 40 extra that we might have chosen on one other day. Anyway, we look ahead to beginning loads of arguments…
Our countdown on the very best one-hit wonders of the 80s…
40. Orange Juice
Rip It Up
A really robust begin to our record of one-hit wonders. Revered Glaswegian post-punks, initially a part of the early Postcard steady, who issued a quartet of much-loved LPs from which the one single to make the High 40 was the title monitor to the second. Edwyn Collins’ comical warble, alongside a cartoonish synth backing monitor (the primary hit to make use of of a Roland TB-303) and fewer reliance on guitars, made for a particular and eccentric file that made No.8 in 1983.
39. Recent 4 (Kids Of The Ghetto) that includes Lizz. E
Wishing On A Star
No.39 in our record of one-hit wonders, this Bristol downtempo mixing gang’s cowl of Rose Royce’s traditional blended a fab respite beat with endearingly inattentive vocals from the mysterious Lizz.E. Initially a neighborhood floorfiller, it was picked up by radio and have become probably the most unintended High 10 hits of the last decade, on the finish of 1989. An album was pulped on account of file firm disputes they usually returned to Bristol’s membership scene.
38. Timbuk 3
The Future’s So Shiny, I Gotta Put on Shades
Written after Barbara MacDonald’s throwaway remark to husband Pat about their busy schedule, this oft-misinterpreted hit of the 80s made No.21 in 1987. Listeners imbued optimism for all times to the title of what was a melodic and memorable file, with fetching harmonica solos; the truth is, the tune’s nuclear scientist was underneath orders to start the holocaust feared on the peak of the Chilly Warfare.
37. The Passions
I’m In Love With A German Movie Star
A shimmering, minimalist slab of post-punk, written by singer Barbara Gogan a few roadie who supplemented his earnings by showing as an additional in German flicks. The erotic confidence of Gogan’s vocal, describing her yearning for the titular character, contrasted sharply with the delicate guitar work of Clive Timperley, and it was revered by the press and championed on radio. It obtained to No.25 in 1981.
36. Black Slate
Amigo
This multi-national London reggae six-piece, backers to stars like Ken Boothe within the 70s, issued a Rastafarian rallying name that made the High 10 in 1980, aided by a melodic refrain that was each genteel and flag-waving. They’d been making their very own music between excursions, however their breakthrough got here after Ensign, the label behind Eddy Grant, took an curiosity in selling the brand new single. One follow-up tune, Increase Increase, simply missed the High 50.
35. Males With out Hats
The Security Dance
A gleeful, anti-establishment and solely part-serious slice of Canadian synth-pop which was a worldwide smash in 1983. The classically skilled vocal of Ivan Doroschuk by some means managed to mix good baritone with disinterested monologue, and it was immediately magnificent. It obtained to No.6 and, impressed because it was by Doroschuk’s ban from a membership for pogo-dancing, earned further marks for ending the second verse with: “I can act like an imbecile.”
34. Bourgeois Tagg
I Don’t Thoughts At All
A easy little bit of Beatlesque guitar pop that would have fallen by the wayside, till MTV noticed the intelligent mirror- impact video and playlisted it. It solely simply made the High 40 in 1988, however by now, sound had eclipsed imaginative and prescient, with a lot reward for the sharp, tight string association and a honest vocal.
33. Re-Flex
The Politics Of Dancing
Vibrant, cosmic synth-pop likening the widening affect of bold politicians to the irresistible beats in a membership. The tune showcases vocalist John Baxter’s admirable vary and, after a reissue and a quick drop from No.41, the tune peaked at No.28 within the early a part of 1984.
32. Blue Zoo
Cry Boy Cry
No.32 on our record of one-hit wonders. Led by the semi-operatic Andy General, this ecstatic pop-rock monitor stormed into the High 20 in 1982, incomes a coveted opening spot on High Of The Pops, with the charismatic lead singer displaying off a outstanding bright-orange bouffant ’do. They break up in 1985, however toured not too long ago.
31. Bobby McFerrin
Don’t Fear, Be Glad
Years of locking himself away to good as many distinctive voices as potential paid off handsomely for the New York jazz singer in 1988, when his joyful, semi-improvised nursery rhyme for adults appeared on the Cocktail soundtrack and went to No.1 within the US, selecting up three Grammy Awards in 1989. It reached No.2 within the UK, behind Whitney’s One Second In Time. An a cappella anthem for appreciating life, the “late/litigate” rhyme borders on genius.
30. The Look
I Am The Beat
Distinctive for its lack of run-out groove, a shrewd gimmick that allowed the phrase “beat” to be chanted endlessly till somebody eliminated the stylus, it made No.6 in 1981. It daftly extolled the life-enhancing virtues of music to pensioners, martians and zombies. Fronted by Jonny Whetstone Feeding Time reached No. 50 and their third single Tonight failed chart.
29. Yarbrough & Peoples
Don’t Cease The Music
Cavin Yarbrough and Alisa Peoples met as kids at piano classes and went on to type a cool electro-soul act, launching the Complete Expertise label, and immediately scoring their solely hit. A US Billboard R&B chart topper in 1981, its programmed rhythmical goodness defied the US disco backlash and made No.7 within the UK in 1981.
28. Breathe
Palms To Heaven
On the hunky, heart-throb finish of sophisti-pop had been this gifted, well-scrubbed younger Hampshire triumvirate who discovered themselves within the High 5 on either side of the Atlantic with a sensual lite-jazz ballad which gave gravelly voiced David Glasper room to croon and rasp the verses earlier than firing up a giant, emotional, wibbly refrain. They dodged the home increase to get to No.4 in 1988, however that was their greatest success.
27. Fern Kinney
Collectively We Are Lovely
Struggling American backing singer Kinney, again after time away with household, recorded this monitor initially as a B-side but it surely was then flipped by DJs who discovered it extra melodic and relatable. The general public agreed, taking it to No.1 in 1980. Kinney’s cute, child-like vocal by some means managed to make the tune each sultry and harmless, and when follow-ups had little impression, her diary grew to become filled with session bookings.
26. Sly Fox
Let’s Go All The Method
This was a ballsy, unambiguous crossover anthem, with rock-centric lyrical sentiments over booming programmed rhythms and a refrain demanding to be turned as much as 10. Whereas there’s social commentary on US politics of the 80s, the sexual metaphors type the premise of the tune’s attraction, and with that muscular backing it was made to flood the radio dial, serving to the American funk duo to No.3 within the UK in 1986. Comply with-ups did not chart.
25. Cock Robin
The Promise You Made
Californian foursome Cock Robin had success with this nice tune, oddly unadventurous due to the delicate buzzing intro and quaint, unaccented vocals from the 2 singers. They had been seemingly not allowed to stray from their hiding locations till proper on the finish, when Peter Kingsbery spat the title out one final time in a determined rage. Nothing else charted within the UK after it peaked at No.28 in 1986, however they had been big on the continent.
24. Fiction Manufacturing unit
(Feels Like) Heaven
Probably the greatest pop songs of 1984, due to an immediately recognisable digital intro and an excellent, diversified vocal from Kevin Patterson, who smouldered within the lyrics earlier than hitting semi-falsetto heights in a marvellous refrain. The six-piece from Perth flew into the High 10 however struggled afterwards. Gollow-up single Ghost of Love solely reached No.64 and mother or father studio album Throw the Warped Wheel Out didn’t chart.
23. Ashford & Simpson
Strong
This sugarsweet husband-and-wife duo had been collectively for 20 years by the point this anthem for robust union appeared on the finish of 1984, attending to No.3. Their true vocation was in writing for others – Diana Ross has a lot to thank them for – however the business warmed to this second of success.
22. Division S
Is Vic There?
An anthem with one of many earliest answering-machine results in pop music, its melodic drive and intriguing title obtained it to No.22 in 1981. Their first three releases had been on three completely different labels and their much- anticipated debut album wasn’t launched till 2002, 20 years after the group disintegrated.
21. Furnishings
Good Thoughts
Digital New Wavers on Stiff Information, with an understated tune that simply missed the High 20 in 1986, made virtually fully by the darkish, resonant vocal of Jim Irvin. It subverted conventional songcraft by giving the bells and whistles to the verses earlier than a withdrawn, barely spooky refrain. The “disgrace on you” chorus from Irvin in direction of the tip is great and the monitor was universally praised, however Stiff’s subsequent implosion ruined their prospects.
20. It Bites
Calling All The Heroes
With an intro to make you soar out of your pores and skin and probably the most sophisticated pathways from verse to refrain ever, this funky, musically bold and sophisticated Cumbrian prog-pop tune that hit No.6 in 1986 ought to have been the beginning of larger and higher issues for Francis Dunnery and co, however the follow-ups didn’t catch on. Incorporates certainly one of pop’s greatest gaps of silence ever, catching out many a DJ on the time.
19. Kim Carnes
Bette Davis Eyes
Initially an unremarkable honky-tonk tune, it got here to life when rearranged with an irresistible, laid-back synth intro that complemented Carnes’ raspy vocal impeccably. It obtained to No.10 right here with nothing to observe, however because the biggest-seller of the 12 months within the States, it earned Carnes a Grammy and a thanks from the titular Hollywood legend for introducing her to youth tradition. In return, Carnes despatched her Gold and Platinum discs.
18. Martha And The Muffins
Echo Seaside
One other monitor made by a particular, immediately lovable intro, these Canadian New-Wavers rhymed ‘work’ with ‘clerk’ in a method beforehand unheard by British ears whereas packing collectively a pleasant, sunny lyric with an amazing hook, ecstatic sax solo and singalong outro. Made No.10 in the summertime of 1980 and the dearth of follow-up success was soothed by the various acts that both lined or sampled it.
17. Classix Nouveaux
Is It A Dream
Early 80s synth-pop was a haven of the briefly well-known, although Sal Solo as lead singer made this lot memorable, even after this catchy little bit of growly electronica reached No.11 in 1982 after which vanished once more. Sal was a one-hit marvel twice; solo Solo made the High 20 once more with San Damiano (Coronary heart And Soul) in 1985.
16. Matthew Wilder
Break My Stride
This moustachioed US pop singer with an adolescent voice wrote and sang the most effective choruses of the entire Nineteen Eighties on a tune selling escapism and self-sufficiency. It’s actually only a nice, unfussy, unprecious pop file, and its No.4 peak in 1984 proves it. He couldn’t observe it up, however went on to supply No Doubt’s 90s breakthrough album, Tragic Kingdom.
15. Rosie Vela
Magic Smile
This music graduate turned mannequin returned to her past love in her 30s to file only one album, from which only one unforgettable, vibrant hit was sired. Vela’s suggestive tones over a cool pop backing freestyled from deep to flighty, as she gasped a seductive lyric full of private code phrases that overtly added actual filth. Vela shelved the follow-up LP to enter performing.
14. Owen Paul
My Favorite Waste Of Time
A Glaswegian who almost selected soccer over music, singer Owen McGee reached No.3 with a canopy of a singalong Marshall Crenshaw monitor. Attained heart-throb standing for a couple of months, however the follow-up singles didn’t work (and nor did the Pebble Mill audio system). Again performing now and completely satisfied to ship up his heyday.
13. Sheila E.
The Belle Of St Mark
From the double invoice of church and sleigh bells right into a rhythmical intro befitting of pal, author and producer Prince, this story of an androgynous, enigmatic hero combines candy, virtually clingy verse vocals from Sheila Escovedo, which then go into carefree roar mode inside one of many funkiest ecstatic choruses Prince ever wrote. It broke into the UK High 20 in 1985, however over within the US, Sheila was already a star.
12. The Icicle Works
Love Is A Great Color
Led by the pitch-perfect Ian McNabb, the crowning glory of this at instances excellent however troubled different trio from Merseyside was a guitar-heavy monitor with a snaking melody and a beseeching lyric that nearly handed for archetypal energy pop. The tune made No.15 in 1984; stacks of singles preceded and adopted it into the decrease reaches of the charts, however they remained esoteric and will have been appreciated way more.
11. Large Sound Authority
This Home (Is The place Your Love Stands)
The road “paid her up in your soiled intercourse” raised the bar considerably in a brass-dominated, bouncy, feisty little bit of singalong pop that briefly made stars of Tony Burke and black-gloved Sandie Shaw-lookalike Julie Hadwen, who sang the game-changing phrases. After opening High Of The Pops with it, they reached No.21 in 1985 however regardless of loads of promo, extra singles and an album failed, they usually break up in 1986.
10. Will Powers
Kissing With Confidence
Qualifying on account of visitor singer Carly Simon going uncredited, this little bit of satirical pop patter from photographer Lynn Goldsmith used the newest vocal expertise to change genders and ape an insincere, flippant self-help sage exploiting individuals’s insecurities, eradicating all of the attract from the act of kissing in doing so. Simon sang a hilarious, unhappy lyric in enjoying the reluctant-kisser-turned-willing-stooge, and it made the High 20 in 1983.
9. Double
The Captain Of Her Coronary heart
In 1985, this Swiss duo introduced some beautiful, easy-listening balladry with distinguished piano and immaculate saxophone break that had type and sophistication written proper by means of it. The touching lyric a few lady who provides up on seeing her lacking lover once more is thoughtfully delivered by Kurt Maloo, and it was a welcome shock to see it rise to No.8 in 1986. Comply with-ups had minimal impact they usually break up after their second album.
8. The Rainmakers
Let My Folks Go-Go
With a ferocious refrain based mostly loosely on an African-American non secular tune, this humorous, semi-satirical file made the High 20 in 1987 for a conscientious American roots-rock band made distinctive by the flamboyant, provocative vocals of frontman Bob Walkenhorst. The monitor took key figures from the Bible and modernised their phrases, concluding with Jesus asking: “Why is all people all the time selecting on me?”
7. Nena
99 Pink Balloons
An English model was non-negotiable to our record-buying public in 1984 (dispiriting, because the German-language unique did very nicely within the US), however this stays a real traditional: earnest, stunning vocals, a chilling intro and outro on a spooky synthesised hum and probably the most relatable anti-nuclear messages in a 12 months jammed with them. A simple No.1, however the jingoistic tabloids wouldn’t put on it, and the follow-up barely registered.
6. Boy Meets Woman
Ready For A Star To Fall
A completely joyful file, written by the duo answerable for a few of Whitney Houston’s greatest hits. It follows the recipe for upbeat youthful slush – huge saxophone lead, doting face-to-face vocal, monumental refrain and charmingly impressionable lyric, with the beautiful line: “Who says I ought to let a wild one go free?”. Inclusion on the Three Males And A Little Woman soundtrack helped Boy Meets Woman into the High 10 in 1989.
5. Flash And The Pan
Ready For A Practice
Veteran Aussies with an amazing poetic chant on what to do, suppose and say when your prepare hasn’t but arrived. Drug metaphors are rife, by way of evocative pictures of previous brown footwear and stew ‘n’ beans, however using the synthesiser – steam-engine beat, icy melody line, staccato chords – elevates every thing else on this file. Its rise to No.7 in 1983 took everybody, together with the band, unexpectedly.
4. The Adventures
Damaged Land
With its strident piano-led intro and imploring refrain, this mighty tune in regards to the impact of the Troubles on The Adventures’ homeland was the Belfast act’s long-awaited breakthrough, reaching No.20 in 1988. A proficient and considerate band that by no means obtained the breaks they deserved, they appeared within the decrease reaches of the chart for eight years – seven others peaked outdoors the High 40. They break up in 1993. Probably the greatest one-hit wonders ever.
3. Alphaville
Large In Japan
Barnstorming synth-pop anthem from a German band who had phenomenal success on the European mainland, however solely this darkish confessional on heroin dependancy, with spectacular imagery and lyrical dexterity, made an impression within the UK when it reached the High 10 in 1984. Customary pop recipes bubble away, by way of stripped again verses and larger rhythms within the good refrain: this was really one group we allowed to get away.
2. Susan Fassbender
Twilight Cafe
With a well-known chord sequence, a pounding, dominant bassline, a handful of well-placed synth arpeggios and an introspective lyric fantasising in regards to the titular nightspot as a super place to neglect the world’s issues and discover aid, this was an incredible file, rendered extra so by the unlikely wanting pop star making it, an extremely gifted younger Yorkshirewoman in secretarial glasses. It obtained to No.21 in 1981.
1. The Lotus Eaters
The First Image Of You
No.1 on our record of one-hit wonders… It has all the time helped the reason for this tune’s supporters that it’s perpetually completely satisfied, utilizing pictures of artwork and nature in a optimistic, heartening method. Such is the boldness proven within the tune from the off: three-quarters of the lengthy opening verse are gone earlier than the primary ecstatic flourish of drums kicks in, prepared for one of many decade’s most rousing and definitive choruses.
Strains akin to: “Flood the world deep in daylight, break into the peaceable wild” are superbly poetic, and the payoff (“See the flowers scream their pleasure”) is each poignant and cute. The Liverpudlian band, led by Peter Coyle, took the monitor to No.15 in the summertime of 1983.
A favorite pop tune of the form of supposedly cool ‘muso’ varieties who declare such music is artificial and frivolous, it stays a radio staple, a frequent addition to 80s compilation albums and irrefutably, unquestionably, the very best.
Take pleasure in this text on one-hit wonders? Try our High 40 80s pop artists