How Do I Survive – Amy Holland
Sometimes with pop songs, all it takes to get your chance on the pop music charts is a good connection. Amy Holland had one fantastic connection in her soon-to-be husband, Michael McDonald, who produced Holland’s debut album Amy Holland in 1980. Yes, that’s the same Michael McDonald who was an early member of Steely Dan, whose founding member, Donald Fagen, notched his own one-hit wonder with “I.G.Y. (What a Beautiful World).” McDonald was also the … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1980s
I Believe in You – Don Williams
Big Don Williams is a class act. He’s still out there strumming his guitar after five decades in the music business. In fact, he’s probably playing a small venue in middle-America tonight. With 17 number one hits on the country charts, he was deservedly inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010. But today isn’t about Don’s country hits. It’s about the one time in his career that he crossed over from the … Read entire article »
Take a Little Rhythm – Ali Thomson
This song is a great example of why I write about one-hit wonders and the charms of these long-forgotten gems. I haven’t heard “Take a Little Rhythm” since about 1981. It’s a great example of a song that lights up the airwaves for a few weeks or even months. But five years later people vaguely remember it. Twenty-plus years later and it’s merely a musical footnote. That’s a shame, because “Take a Little Rhythm” has … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1980s
Pilot of the Airwaves Lyrics – Charlie Dore
Click to read how Pilot of the Airwaves became a one-hit wonder Pilot of the Airwaves lyrics Pilot of the airwaves Here is my request You don’t have to play it But I hope you’ll do your best I’ve been listening to your show on the radio And you seem like a friend to me Or a record of your choice I don’t mind I’d be happy just to hear your voice Saying this is for the girl Who didn’t sign her name Yes, she needs a dedication … Read entire article »
Cars Lyrics – Gary Numan
Click to read how “Cars” became a one-hit wonder Cars Lyrics Here in my car I feel safest of all I can lock all my doors It’s the only way to live In cars Here in my car I can only receive I can listen to you It keeps me stable for days In cars Here in my car Where the image breaks down Will you visit me please? If I open my door In cars Here in my car I know I’ve started to think About leaving tonight Although nothing seems right In cars Listen to … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1980s
Devo – Whip It Lyrics
Click to read how “Whip It” became a one-hit wonder Devo Whip It lyrics crack that whip give the past the slip step on a crack break your momma’s back when a problem comes along you must whip it before the cream sits out too long you must whip it when something’s going wrong you must whip it now whip it into shape shape it up get straight go forward move ahead try to detect it it’s not too late to whip it whip it good when a good time turns around you must whip it you will never … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1980s
Devo – Whip It
Very little can be said about “Whip It” that hasn’t already been said. So we’ll keep it brief and simple. Yes, “Whip It” is Devo’s only brush with Top 40 fame. Yes, the song reached #14 on the Billboard Hot 100. Yes, the song might be about S&M. Yes, the song might also be about making a milkshake. Yes, the song was very controversial when it was first released in 1980. Yes, “Whip It” is widely and deservedly considered on the … Read entire article »
Into the Night – Benny Mardones
Most one-hit wonders hit the charts once. That’s why they’re called one-hit wonders. Benny Mardones is one of the few artists to be a one-hit wonder twice – for the same song. In fact, only 10 songs have ever achieved that feat (we call it a legendary feat around here). That song is “Into the Night” from 1980, which hit #11 that year and crept back into the Billboard Top 20 in 1989. Nine years … Read entire article »