Our Top 80s One Hit Wonders…

Music fans everywhere!

Now with sooo many classics even being much loved today coming from the 80s, surly many of us can also agree, there is no decade that could possibly have produced as many one-hit wonders as the 80s. I mean, so many huuuuge hits that we all know and love, but can you name another song by a number of them? We sure struggled!

Back in the day there seemed to be so many classic songs that came about and took the charts by storm because they were just good songs, not because of who released them. Perhaps a slightly refreshing view of music or perhaps a great shame as we only got to see a flash in the pan from a lot of them.

Anywho! Fancy some good ol' fashioned music nostalgia? Take a peep at Our Top 80s One Hit Wonders!.

Dexy’s Midnight Runners “Come on Eileen”

Okay okay so right off the bat, perhaps these might be more considered at two hit wonder. Reaching both number 1 spots with their songs "Come on Eileen" (the best-selling single in the UK  in 1982) AND "Geno", these guys first formed way back in in 1978 in Birmingham. Finding their own sound seen as British New Wave pop/soul, they band released a series of albums, the third of which was not greatly received. After landing one last UK Top 20 chart success with "Because of You" in 1986, the band broke up that same year however later reformed in 2003 and are still working under the name Dexys with their last work being 'One Day I'm Going Soar' which came out in 2012.

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A-Ha “Take On Me”

A Norwegian band formed in Oslo in 1982, A-ha rose to fame during the mid-1980s after being discovered by musician and producer John Ratcliff. A-ha achieved their biggest success with their debut album, Hunting High and Low, in 1985 which also earned them a Grammy Award nomination as Best New Artist. Although they did see huge success will following albums and work, many still see this as they best song and it's generally what they're known for. Perhaps an unfair title but it's all a lot of people can remember now.

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Ryan Paris "Dolce Vita"

Italian musician Ryan Paris hit the scene and made it into the big time with his uber 80s classic 'Dolce Vita' which made it to the number 5 spot of the UK Singles charts. This hit did however reach number one in Belgium, Spain and Netherlands. Sadly he did not see the same level of success with his later releases through the mid-1980s and 1990s.

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Toni Basil “Mickey”

Born Antonia Christina Basilotta, American singer (stage name Toni Basil) who truck it big with 'Mickey' also saw her talents spread through to being an actress, filmmaker, film director, choreographer, and dancer. Busy! Better known for her hit single which reached the US, Oz and Canadian number one spot, number 2 in the UK, she went on to star in and create many films as well as picking up a few awards and nominations for her choreography including an Emmy Award in 2007 for her choreography in the commercial "MC Hammer: My Braves".

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Martha and the Muffins "Echo Beach"

Canadian new wave band Martha and the Muffins first formed back in 1977 in Toronto. Now known internationally as 'M + M', they're still rocking with their last album being 'Delicate' released in 2010, and subsequently 'Martha Johnson: Solo One' which came out last year from singer Martha. In 2003, Q magazine listed Echo Beach among the 1001 best songs ever. Cool huh!

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The Vapors “Turning Japanese”

New wave and power pop band from England first formed in 1979 and fan up until 1982. Their biggest hit and the one that EVERYONE surely knows 'Turning Japanese' reached the No. 3 spot back in 1980 in the UK Singles Chart. Ever wanted to know what it means? Songwriter David Fenton explained: "Turning Japanese is all the clichés about angst and youth and turning into something you didn't expect to." Well now you know!

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Rockwell “Somebody’s Watching Me"

Real name Kennedy William Gordy is son of Motown record label founder and CEO Berry Gordy of which he went on to form a deal without father's knowledge. Why Rockwell? Well! The people at Motown thought he 'rocked well' soooo....simple but cool huh.  In 1984, Rockwell released his biggest hit single, "Somebody's Watching Me", featuring childhood friend Michael Jackson on guest vocals. Legend! We loooove this song!

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Baltimora - Tarzan Boy

Italian new wave outfit active in the mid to late 1980s, Baltimora hit it big with their 1985 hit 'Tarzan Boy' which reached the No. 2 spot in the UK charts but also No. 1 in Belgium, France, Netherlands, and Spain. Still and impressive No. 6 in the US!

In 1987, after the release of Survivor in Love, with no label support of a follow up album and due to its poor success, Bassi decided it was time to move onto other projects, and Baltimora disbanded.

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So there you have them TruffleShuffle fans! Bringing any memories back?

Can you name any more that you think should have made the list? Shout them out below in the comments bar and we'll add some in as they come.

Feeling inspired? Take a peep at our huuuuge range of music t-shirts featuring all the classic names form the time. Enjoy!

Thanks everyone!

xoxo