New World Man by Rush
Editors note: Here is Jim Barton’s take on “New World Man” by Rush. You can also read Michael Waterman’s thoughts on the one song that made Rush a one-hit wonder. Featuring three of the most amazing musicians ever to walk the planet, Rush have been a fixture on the album chart and concert stage for more than 35 years, selling millions and millions of albums and tickets. Their specialty is highly intellectual lyrics set to … Read entire article »
Goin’ Down – Greg Guidry
If you confuse “Goin’ Down” by Greg Guidry for The Little River Band, don’t be embarrassed. Just go with it. You could also mistake “Goin’ Down” for something from Ambrosia, Climax Blues Band, Player, the Doobie Brothers or “Steal Away” by two-hit wonder Robbie Dupree. Big harmonies. Smooth, soulful voice. Indistinct vocals. And by indistinct I mean you encounter the problem mentioned above that makes it virtually impossible to determine who is actually singing the song. That’s not … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1980s
Hooked on Classics – Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Disco fever had long ago reached its ignominious end when “Hooked on Classics” reached #10 on the Billboard Top 40 back in 1982. This discofied little ditty (and it sounds more like a ditty than a tribute to some of the greatest classical musical themes ever produced) takes symphonic pieces from artists as diverse as Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, Copeland, Vivaldi and Gershwin and overlays them in a medley with an incessant disco beat in the … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1980s
Come on Eileen Lyrics – Dexy’s Midnight Runners
Click to learn how Come on Eileen became a one-hit wonder Come on Eileen lyrics Poor old Johnny Ray sounded sad upon the radio He moved a million hearts in mono Our mothers cried, And sang along who’d blame them? You’ve grown, so grown Now I must say more than ever (Come on Eileen) Toora Loora Toora Loo-Rye Aye And we can sing just like our fathers Come on Eileen, I swear (well he means) At this moment, you mean everything You in that dress, my thoughts … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1980s
Hooked on Swing – Larry Elgart and His Manhattan Swing Orchestra
Sometimes one-hit wonders are such brilliant songs, they deserve to rocket to the top of the charts and live a long, fruitful life forever on the charts. Other songs, not so much. In fact, some you listen to nearly 20 years after they charted on the Billboard Top 40 and you wonder aloud “What were people thinking or drinking to push this into the Top 40?” The 1980s were an era of excess (cocaine, big hair, … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1980s
Come on Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runners
This is a one-hit wonder so tremendous, so momentous, we’ve put off writing about it for weeks. But today is the day to remember “Come on Eileen” by Dexy’s Midnight Runners. While some bands we follow at Top One-Hit Wonders.com have long years of chart and popular success, the Dexy’s Midnight Runners story is the more common story: here today and gone tomorrow. That story holds true for Right Said Fred with “I’m … Read entire article »
Mickey Lyrics – Toni Basil
Click here to read how Mickey became a one-hit wonder Mickey Lyrics (Repeat X3) Oh Mickey, you’re so fine You’re so fine you blow my mind Hey Mickey, hey Mickey Hey Mickey You’ve been around all night And that’s a little long. You think you’ve got the right But I think you’ve got it wrong. Why can’t we say goodnight? So you can take me home Mickey. Cuz when you say you will It always means you won’t. You’re givin’ me the chills Baby please baby don’t Ev’ry night you still Leave me … Read entire article »
Mickey – Toni Basil
Some songs simply scream out: “I’m a one-hit wonder.” “Mickey” by Toni Basil is one of those songs. I remember the first time I heard “Mickey” back in the 1980s. I was pretty sure it was sung by the University of Southern California’s cheer-leading team. USC’s marching band backed up Fleetwood Mac on “Tusk” in 1979. So it made perfect sense that the cheerleaders wanted to get into the game and “Mickey” was the perfect … Read entire article »