Get ready to take a nostalgic trip down memory lane with the most unforgettable one-hit wonders of the 1980s! We're diving deep into the tracks that defined a decade, celebrating the artists who gave us those catchy tunes we can't help but sing along to, even decades later!
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00:00It's everybody's chance to shine the brightest, it's everybody's chance
00:05Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for artists and bands that are
00:10primarily remembered for a single song. They may have hit the Billboard Hot 100 again during their
00:14careers, but their legacies are primarily tethered to one major hit.
00:19Black velvet and that little boy's smile
00:25Number 30. Sheriff, When I'm With You
00:27I never needed love like I need you
00:34It wasn't unheard of for power ballads like When I'm With You by Sheriff to see chart success back
00:38in the 80s. It was, however, unique for such a song to resonate without a music video on MTV.
00:43This meant that Sheriff essentially did it the old-fashioned way,
00:46by writing good songs that rose up the charts via radio airplay and word of mouth.
00:50I get chills when I'm with you
00:55When I'm With You may sound somewhat formulaic by modern standards,
00:58almost like a parody of those hyper-sincere soundtrack cuts of the decade. Sheriff found
01:03an audience, though, and When I'm With You deserves to be mentioned in the same breath
01:06as other 80s power ballads. This is thanks primarily to that insane ending high note, of course.
01:21Number 29. Mars, Pump Up The Volume
01:41The origin of this experimental electronic hit was actually a collaboration between two different
01:46British artists, Colourbox and A.R. Kane. It almost didn't happen as well, since Pump Up The
01:51Volume actually came into being at the insistence of both groups' record label 4AD. The end results
02:04proved to be successful, however, with Pump Up The Volume serving to legitimize an embryonic
02:08house music scene into a major cultural player. This Mars track also pumped up the attention paid
02:13to its sample sources, including Cold Cut and Eric B. and Rakim, essentially being a win-win
02:19for everybody involved. Number 28. Eddie Grant, Electric Avenue
02:36Some music genres meld better with commercially viable pop hooks than others.
02:39It wasn't a foregone conclusion that reggae could cross over into the mainstream MTV generation in
02:45quite the same way as Bob Marley did back in the day. Yet, Eddie Grant silenced all doubters in
02:491983 with his infectious style of funk-infused pop reggae.
03:00Electric Avenue would go on to become a musical calling card for Grant. It's honestly sort of
03:04surprising that some of his other album cuts and single efforts didn't resonate in the same manner
03:08as Electric Avenue. But hey, nobody's ever gonna deny that this song is a banger, right?
03:20Number 27. Benny Mardonis, Into The Night
03:29This hit from Cleveland-born singer Benny Mardonis peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100,
03:35but gained infamy for its lyrical content. The topic of age disparity in romance tended
03:40to overshadow the immense vocal power in Into The Night.
03:50However, a 2022 interview with the Professor of Rock on YouTube revealed how the late Mardonis
03:56was actually inspired by a real neighborhood family he met during the songwriting process.
04:00To me, it was just about this little girl losing her dad. And when radio got a letter sent out by
04:08the record company explaining the story, they started playing it. And of course,
04:13it went through the roof and became a huge monster hit. The tune remains a resonating
04:18soft rock banger, although the song's initial controversy perhaps contributed to Mardonis
04:23being unable to replicate its success. Number 26. Mary Jane Girls, In My House
04:31Musical luminaries such as Prince and Rick James also composed and produced
04:39efforts for other artists in their creative orbit. The latter in particular assisted his
04:44studio singers, including writing the hit In My House for the Mary Jane Girls.
04:48The song was hugely controversial at the time, having entered the cultural zeitgeist during
04:52a period when the perceived degradation of morality was blamed by some on pop music.
05:01In My House was singled out by Tipper Gore and the infamous Parents Music Resource Center as
05:09being overtly sexual and harmful to children. Today, however, it's probably just better to
05:14remember the tune as a catchy, highly synthesized ode to 80s decadence.
05:19Number 25. Jack Wagner, All I Need
05:29It's a story as old as time. Actors wanting to rock and musicians wanting to act. Jack Wagner
05:35earned some chart traction with this hit from his debut studio album. But the success of All I Need
05:39may not have been a surprise to those who were familiar with Wagner's character, Frisco Jones,
05:44on General Hospital, where he showcased his musical talent.
05:46"'Cause it seems so hard to believe that you're all I need."
05:54All I Need boasts a strong chorus and economical set of arrangements. The soap opera star was
05:59afforded some high-quality help during recording sessions from songwriting legend Glenn Ballard.
06:05Number 24. John Parr, St. Elmo's Fire, Men in Motion
06:09The acronym AOR has been said to translate to everything from adult-oriented rock to
06:15album-oriented rock. But one thing's for sure, you know it when you hear it.
06:35You also know John Parr's voice when you hear it, since the man has delivered the goods on
06:40a number of film soundtracks. It feels sort of unfair to label Parr as a one-hit wonder as a
06:45result. But the British artist is admittedly most known for his theme to the 1985 film St. Elmo's
06:57Fire. The song is catchy as sin, with copious hooks to go along with Parr's powerful vocals.
07:02What can we say? We never get tired of this one.
07:11Number 23. Midnight Oil, Beds Are Burning
07:21Midnight Oil was an Australian band that didn't feel political statements and commercial chart
07:26success needed to be mutually exclusive. Their fiery, passionate lyrics and a desire to have
07:31creative voices heard resonated with pop fans back in the late 80s with Beds Are Burning.
07:40This song about demanding rights for Aboriginal Australians also just happened to have a chorus
07:45for the ages, one that was instantly recognizable. The song's arrangements also benefit from its
07:50simple chord structure and anthemic tone. It is a near-perfect symbiosis of commercial success
07:55and artistic integrity.
08:05Number 22. Scandal, The Warrior
08:14The New York City band Scandal may have notched four other hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart,
08:19but none of them managed to crack the top 40. The Warrior, however, was a different story.
08:24It peaked at the number seven position. This success feels justified because the song
08:28absolutely rocks with pure pop rock brilliance.
08:39The Warrior is anchored by Patti Smith's incredible vocals and personal style.
08:43Her voice displays both range and power. Meanwhile, that main riff is simple but
08:48super catchy and memorable. Scandal may have never shot to the top of the charts again
08:52after The Warrior, but we'll never forget that million-dollar chorus.
09:00Number 21. Rockwell, Somebody's Watching Me
09:11We would love to say with confidence that Somebody's Watching Me by Rockwell would
09:15have been a hit without that million-dollar Michael Jackson chorus.
09:18It just doesn't seem plausible, however, given the comparative chart success of Rockwell's
09:22other singles, Obscene Phone Caller and Peeping Tom.
09:33One hit song is certainly better than no hit song, of course, and Somebody's Watching Me
09:38remains a Halloween playlist staple to this day. Yet its longevity is likely more due to
09:43its macabre musical arrangements and MJ than Rockwell's Boris Karloff impressions on lead
09:47vocals. That said, Somebody's Watching Me remains a defining tune of the music video era,
09:53and one that we still love to pieces not just on Halloween, but every day.
09:58Number 20. Animotion, Obsession
10:00Animotion was a unique group. Their ultra-80-sounding synth-pop was tailor-made for
10:06the decade, and it's true that some of their other singles did chart on the Billboard Top 100.
10:10["Obsession"]
10:16However, it's largely argued that Obsession is Animotion's number one calling card.
10:22The song straddles a line between a clubby dance sound and colder,
10:25more experimental synth sounds found during this early part of the decade.
10:29["Obsession"]
10:33It's this artificiality that works in Animotion's favor, however,
10:36since the song is actually a cover. The slightly more rock feeling of the Holly
10:41Knight and Michael Day bar original is replaced by Animotion's detached and computerized approach.
10:47It's weird, it's wonderful, and it works.
10:49["Obsession"]
10:53Number 19. Matthew Wilder, Break My Stride
10:57You may only know Matthew Wilder from his smash hit Break My Stride,
11:00but that's only part of the man's story.
11:02["Break My Stride"]
11:08This New York native has actually been responsible for producing hits for a ton
11:12of projects and artists too, including no doubt Christina Aguilera and Kelly Clarkson,
11:17as well as the Disney film Mulan, for which Wilder co-composed the music.
11:22Break My Stride, a quirky tune taken from Wilder's 1983 debut album,
11:27is a reggae-influenced pop tune with a vocal inflection from the singer that
11:31undeniably sells the tune's charisma.
11:33["Break My Stride"]
11:37This is breezy, feel-good music that's upbeat and impossible to resist.
11:41It's hard to believe this is Wilder's only solo brush with mainstream chart success.
11:46["Break My Stride"]
11:52Number 18. Kajagoogoo, Too Shy
11:55Too Shy was a monster hit for the British new wave group Kajagoogoo back in 1983.
12:00["Too Shy"]
12:04The band did manage to follow up with other success in the UK,
12:07but for many fans across the pond,
12:09it's Too Shy that cements the group in a collective time capsule memory.
12:13This could be thanks to the band's arresting appearance that made
12:16frontman Limahl and crew easy on the eyes.
12:18["Too Shy"]
12:23However, the song itself also boasts an immensely memorable chorus,
12:27as well as subtly catchy slap bass work from Nick Beggs.
12:31Limahl would find chart success as a solo artist with the theme from the never-ending story,
12:35but unfortunately, Kajagoogoo would never reach the chart heights of Too Shy ever again.
12:40["Too Shy"]
12:45Number 17. Murray Head, One Night in Bangkok
12:48There seems to be a laundry list of actors who've tried their hands at the pop music game.
12:53Some of them have had more success than others.
12:56["One Night in Bangkok"]
13:00Murray Head's thespian career took a detour into the music business,
13:03thanks to his performance on the rock opera soundtrack for 1973's Jesus Christ Superstar.
13:09However, his solo career is likely better known for yet another Broadway hit,
13:14One Night in Bangkok.
13:15["One Night in Bangkok"]
13:19From the musical Chess, this is a track that certainly feels like a show tune.
13:24Head, for his part, talks through the tune more than he sings,
13:27but his cadence is nothing short of catchy.
13:30Meanwhile, the chorus is an earworm of the highest order,
13:34accompanied by some of the most 80s-sounding synthesizers this side of a Radio Shack.
13:39["One Night in Bangkok"]
13:43Number 16. Dexys' Midnight Runners, Come On Eileen
13:47It's not unusual for a pop act to strike gold more than once in their native land.
13:52["Come On Eileen"]
13:56Geno served as a second number one hit for Dexys' Midnight Runners in the UK,
14:00but it's Come On Eileen that remains the group's calling card in other parts of the world.
14:05This is due in part to the song's iconic video,
14:08which arrived during the early years of MTV.
14:11["Come On Eileen"]
14:15The visual of the group clad in matching overalls would go on to become
14:20associated with their conceptual legacy.
14:22Meanwhile, the song's folk-influenced melodies and dramatic build during the finale
14:27make Come On Eileen feel so vibrant even today.
14:30We challenge anyone not to kick up their heels and break out dancing to this one.
14:34["Come On Eileen"]
14:39Number 15. Aldo Nova, Fantasy
14:42The glam metal explosion that would occur in a post-Bon Jovi and Quiet Riot world
14:47was still a hairspray can or two away when Aldo Nova released Fantasy in 1982.
14:52["Fantasy"]
14:56As a result, it doesn't feel unfair to give this Canadian axe man
15:00at least a little credit for being ahead of the curve.
15:03Fantasy is a hard rocker through and through,
15:05anchored by a sturdy main riff and some catchy keyboard accompaniment.
15:09["Fantasy"]
15:14Meanwhile, the video is all-pomp and ridiculously laser-obsessed.
15:19Nova's skills as a guitarist, however, are no joke.
15:23His leads on Fantasy ensure that rock fans still remember this solo hit from back in the day,
15:29no matter how far away it gets.
15:31["Fantasy"]
15:36Number 14. The Church, Under The Milky Way
15:40Because of their change-up in genre and style,
15:42The Church are a bit of a special case.
15:44["Under The Milky Way"]
15:48A respected Australian rock act with a worldwide following,
15:51this is a band with numerous charted songs.
15:54With that said, Under The Milky Way from their fifth studio album
15:58was released at a time when fans had already latched on
16:01to the group's gothic and moody dream pop sound.
16:03["Under The Milky Way"]
16:08The song proved to have mainstream commercial legs all the same,
16:11earning The Church a top 40 US hit.
16:14It's easy to see why too,
16:15as Under The Milky Way rolls over the listener
16:18with a smooth stargazing melody and a soft enveloping atmosphere.
16:22["Under The Milky Way"]
16:26Number 13. Eddie Murphy, Party All The Time
16:30Okay, so obviously Eddie Murphy isn't a one-hit wonder
16:33in any other famed aspect of his life.
16:35However, is there any song from Murphy's musical career
16:38that's as well known as this jam from 1985?
16:41["Party All The Time"]
16:47Party All The Time is the sort of vanity project
16:50that one can only get off the ground
16:51when they achieve this level of fame.
16:54Hot on the heels of Beverly Hills Cop
16:56and his comedy special Delirious,
16:57Murphy was in the perfect position to release Party All The Time.
17:00["Party All The Time"]
17:07Still, the song is better than it has any right to be,
17:10thanks largely to the production duties of Rick James.
17:13The grandiose orchestrations hide Murphy's limitations as a singer
17:17and help lift Party All The Time to cult classic status.
17:20["Party All The Time"]
17:27Number 12. Patrick Swayze, She's Like The Wind
17:30Chalk this next hit up as another song from an actor
17:33who had no right being this freaking good.
17:35["She's Like The Wind"]
17:41Patrick Swayze proved that he was a treasure trove of creative riches
17:44when he released this soundtrack cut from Dirty Dancing.
17:47The actor actually co-wrote the song too,
17:49intending it for release alongside a different 80s film.
17:53Today, however, She's Like The Wind is nearly impossible
17:56to separate from Dirty Dancing.
17:58And why would you?
17:59["She's Like The Wind"]
18:04The image of Swayze's earnest emotional vocals,
18:07that saxophone, the booming 80s production,
18:11it's just fantastic all around.
18:12Plus, Wendy Fraser assists Swayze near the end with her own great vocals.
18:17We can't help but miss Patrick Swayze just a little bit more
18:20every time we hear this beautiful ballad.
18:23["She's Like The Wind"]
18:30Number 11. Robert Tepper, No Easy Way Out
18:33Has there ever been a soundtrack cut better suited for a kick-ass emotional montage?
18:38Well, maybe, but Robert Tepper does his best with this contribution
18:41to the 1985 Rocky IV soundtrack and succeeds in a huge way.
18:46["We're Not Indestructible"]
18:52No Easy Way Out is an absolute banger.
18:55A surging pop-rock tune that's anchored by persistent synth stabs,
18:59urgent bass playing, and Tepper's own dramatic delivery.
19:02Seriously, the man goes for broke right from the jump,
19:04issuing subtlety for raw emotion and pure honesty.
19:08["We're Not Indestructible"]
19:14Just check out Tepper's solo dance moves for the accompanying video
19:17and try not to be inspired.
19:19This is pure, unadulterated 80s awesomeness,
19:22undiluted to a perfect excessive essence.
19:26["We're Not Indestructible"]
19:30Number 10. Don Johnson, Heartbeat
19:33It isn't uncommon at all for actors to try their hands at creating music.
19:37While Don Johnson was co-leading the show Miami Vice,
19:40he released his debut single, Heartbeat.
19:42["We're Not Indestructible"]
19:50The song's expensive music video features slick visuals
19:53that mimic the style and substance excess of Johnson's hit show.
19:57And it helps that the chorus of Heartbeat is instantly memorable and sounds epic.
20:02["We're Not Indestructible"]
20:09Although the production is super processed and ultra 80s,
20:12that isn't a bad thing for the song.
20:14Johnson's performative emoting and the video's dramatic narrative
20:18showed he was dedicated to making music.
20:20Unfortunately, Johnson's follow-up song,
20:23Heartache Away, didn't achieve the same level of success.
20:26["We're Not Indestructible"]
20:35Number 9. Taco, Puttin' On The Ritz
20:38Although one-hit wonders don't have to be cheeky or weird,
20:41they can really stand out when they are.
20:42["Puttin' On The Ritz"]
20:50This was definitely the case with Taco's cover of the Irving Berlin song,
20:53Puttin' On The Ritz.
20:54It became his only top five hit in the U.S. back in 1982,
20:59shot to the top of charts in Germany,
21:01and even reached the number one slot in Finland.
21:04["Puttin' On The Ritz"]
21:08Puttin' On The Ritz is quirky and absolutely soaked in processed 80s synthesizers.
21:13While Taco puts in a performance that may not be traditionally good,
21:17it is definitely memorable.
21:19But it's still a one-off song that feels as distinctly 80s as Hairspray and Shoulder Pads.
21:25["Puttin' On The Ritz"]
21:30Number 8. Stacy Q, Two Of Hearts
21:33Stacy Q is a California-born singer,
21:36who's been able to find success in the worlds of movies and music.
21:39["Two Of Hearts"]
21:45Her synth-pop band, SSQ, earned cult status with the material
21:49penned for classic horror film, The Return Of The Living Dead.
21:52But the biggest hit of Stacy's solo career had to be 1986's Two Of Hearts.
21:58["Two Of Hearts"]
22:04The song is infectious right from the jump.
22:07It boasts an energetic backbeat, electric synth, and Stacy's warm and appealing vocals.
22:13The singer proved that she could come across as both sinister and sweet.
22:17["Two Of Hearts"]
22:24None of her other tracks quite captured the magic of Two Of Hearts.
22:28However, it will always serve as the perfect b-side
22:32for Stacy Q's darker work in the horror realm.
22:35["Two Of Hearts"]
22:42Number 7. Shannon, Let The Music Play
22:44R&B singer Shannon may have earned a couple of number one hits
22:48on the US dance charts over the course of her career.
22:50But Let The Music Play remains her biggest achievement on the Billboard Hot 100.
22:54["Let The Music Play"]
22:59It's easy to see why.
23:01This smooth jam benefits greatly from Shannon's personable and melodic vocals.
23:06She manages to create a great chorus with the song,
23:09while the instrumentation also does exactly what it's supposed to do,
23:13get bodies on the floor.
23:14["Let The Music Play"]
23:19Let The Music Play is a great throwback to an R&B era that's old school but never dated.
23:24In fact, consider this one timeless.
23:27["Let The Music Play"]
23:34Number 6. Tommy Two-Tone, 8-6-7-5-3-0-9, Jenny
23:38Throughout the 1970s and 80s,
23:40the power pop sub-genre was absolutely everywhere
23:43thanks to trailblazers like Cheap Trick and Blondie.
23:46["Let The Music Play"]
23:53The group, known as Tommy Two-Tone, took full advantage of the trend
23:56to achieve modest chart success with Angels Say No.
24:00However, the song with which the band will always be associated is 8-6-7-5-3-0-9, Jenny.
24:06["Let The Music Play"]
24:13The track absolutely rocks thanks to a killer opening guitar melody,
24:18awesome guitar solo, and instantly memorable lyrics.
24:21["Let The Music Play"]
24:28It's basically songwriting 101 for anyone searching to write a hit pop tune.
24:32The only people that were unhappy with this Tommy Two-Tone classic
24:36are people who actually had this phone number.
24:38["Let The Music Play"]
24:45Number 5. Quarter Flash, Harden My Heart
24:48Some songs just have a timeless quality to them
24:50due to a mixture of nostalgia and vitality that keeps them in the public consciousness.
24:54["Harden My Heart"]
25:01Harden My Heart is definitely one of those tracks.
25:04This awesomely moody and memorable hit song comes from the organ-based group Quarter Flash.
25:09["Quarter Flash"]
25:16Rindy Ross is front and center of the song's success.
25:20Her plaintive, melancholic vocals and excellent saxophone playing
25:23work perfectly with the emotive guitar and insistent bass-driven groove.
25:27["Quarter Flash"]
25:34Near the song's finale, the tune becomes so urgent and powerful that we just cannot get enough.
25:40Harden My Heart was unquestionably this band's biggest smash.
25:44It's a shame more people don't remember Quarter Flash's impressive effort.
25:47["Quarter Flash"]
25:54Number 4. Baltimore, Tarzan Boy
25:57If you're looking for a truly unique musical rabbit hole to explore,
26:02may we suggest the wild world of Otello Disco?
26:05["Otello Disco"]
26:12This synth-obsessed subgenre provided countless single hits
26:15and strange music videos for fans to uncover.
26:18One of the most popular one-hit wonder tracks came courtesy of Baltimore with their hit Tarzan Boy.
26:23["Tarzan Boy"]
26:30The music video is a fever dream of hazy visuals and excessive makeup,
26:35but don't let those elements distract you from the fun vocals and strong composition of the song.
26:39Oh, and did we mention there's a version of Tarzan's yell within the track?
26:43["Tarzan Boy"]
26:50There's an oomph to the arrangements that mixes just the right amount of repetition
26:54with melodies that burrow their way into your brain and just live there rent-free forever.
26:59["Tarzan Boy"]
27:06Number 3. Alana Miles, Black Velvet
27:09Since this song was released in 1989,
27:12it may sound a little bit less, well, capital E 80s.
27:16But that's not a bad thing.
27:18["Black Velvet"]
27:23Black Velvet from Alana Miles is the sort of slinky and sensual blues number
27:27that wouldn't sound out of place on a movie soundtrack.
27:29While Miles enjoyed success in her home country of Canada,
27:32Black Velvet serves as her singular calling card elsewhere in the world.
27:36["Black Velvet"]
27:41This isn't taking away anything from Miles as a performer or Black Velvet as a song.
27:47It stands out from the late period hair metal and pop that was dominating the charts back in 89.
27:51["Black Velvet"]
27:58Number 2. Martika, Toy Soldiers
28:021989 was a good year for pop music.
28:05Part of the reason why comes down to Martika's Toy Soldiers.
28:08["Toy Soldiers"]
28:12In 1989, she released this fragile and melancholic melody to the masses.
28:17Despite its darker tone, it was a number one hit in America that year.
28:21["Toy Soldiers"]
28:28There's a strength and sadness to the tune.
28:30The guitar melodies are impeccably produced,
28:33the drums are soaked in reverb,
28:35and Martika's vocals tug at the heartstrings in the best possible way.
28:39["Toy Soldiers"]
28:46We are not ashamed to say that Toy Soldiers still makes us shed a tear to this day.
28:51Then again, that's the power of music, right?
28:54Even if you call Martika a one-hit wonder,
28:57you cannot deny that she created a classic with this tune.
29:00["Toy Soldiers"]
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29:24Number 1. Cutting Crew, I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight
29:28Admittedly, Cutting Crew hit the top 10 with both I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight
29:32and their follow-up, I've Been In Love Before.
29:34However, the former song has endured far more than the latter
29:38as the band's most famous song, and with good reason too.
29:40["I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight"]
29:47I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight is a dramatic new wave hit that feels larger than life.
29:53The guitars are punchy, the synthesizers are perfect, and the lyrics are iconic.
29:58["I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight"]
30:05Frontman Nick Van Eade radiates both power and sensitivity
30:08as the brooding crooner at the lead of the track.
30:11We can't stop replaying this song on repeat and singing it at karaoke every chance we get.
30:17Our love for Cutting Crew's biggest hit will never die.
30:20["I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight"]
30:27Feel like shouting out any one-hit wonders you feel deserved more chart success?
30:31Let us know in the comments.
30:32["I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight"]
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