In a Big Country – Big Country
“In a Big Country” by Big Country is an iconic 1980s one-hit wonder and a lasting example of a distinctive sound transcending playlists, preferences or tastes. That sounds awfully pretentious, so how about I dispense with all that crap and simply claim what “In a Big Country” really is: a great song. Name me another pop song that features guitars that sound like Scottish bag pipes. Name me another song that mixes a drum introduction that teases you … Read entire article »
She Blinded Me with Science – Thomas Dolby
“She Blinded Me with Science” by Thomas Dolby is one of the greatest synthpop one-hit wonders of all time. I’ll proudly place it in the same leagues as “Cars” by Gary Numan from 1979. Or “Pop Muzik” by M from 1979. Or “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles from 1979. Or “Whip It” by Devo from 1980. Or “Tainted Love” by Soft Cell from 1982. Or “Too Shy” by Kajagoogoo from 1983. Or “Relax” by Frankie Goes to … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1980s
Too Shy – Kajagoogoo
In my opinion, the era of 1982-1984 is one of the most important time periods in the history of popular music. You can read my opinions in more detail in One-Hit Wonders of 1983. But suffice it to say, it was a year for really, really big records and really, really big breakthroughs. Let’s talk about the breakthrough acts and one-hit wonders who charted in the Billboard Top 10 in 1983 alone. “She Blinded Me With … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1980s
Baby, Come to Me – Patti Austin and James Ingram
TV shows can transform tunes from good song to hit song. All it takes is a little timing, a little luck and that unplanned groundswell of support that pushes a song from a failed single or album track to Billboard number one song. In the one-hit wonder world, this phenomenon has occurred many times. Don’t believe me? How about these examples: “Welcome Back” by John Sebastian (The Theme from Welcome Back, Kotter) “Believe it or Not” by Joey … Read entire article »
Just Got Lucky Lyrics – JoBoxers
Click to read how Just Got Lucky Lyrics by JoBoxers became a one-hit wonder Just Got Lucky Lyrics by JoBoxers Your technique it leaves me weak My heart knows it’s the beat I seek And I found it just got lucky – yes I found it just got lucky. I never worry that your love is fake I’m free and easy and I’m feeling jake ’cause I found it just got lucky Oh boy I found it just got lucky ’cause I newver felt this way before Like a dog always beggin’ … Read entire article »
Just Got Lucky – JoBoxers
Some peppy ’80s goodness for you today. Courtesy of the Brits, of course. “Just Got Lucky” is the second single from British/American band, JoBoxers. Their first single, “Boxerbeat,” hit #3 on the British charts but did nothing in the United States. The follow-up single, “Just Got Lucky,” sold 250,000 copies in the U.K. But what matters to us is that it hit #36 on the Billboard Top 40 in 1983. That turned JoBoxers into British … Read entire article »
Far From Over – Frank Stallone
They say in business “It’s not what you know, but who you know.” Frank Stallone has to be very happy he was a wombmate with big brother, Sylvester Stallone. That’s because he entered the pop cultural world when he wrote and performed the hit single “Far From Over” from the 1983 film, Staying Alive. Yes, Staying Alive is the follow-up film to Saturday Night Fever. Yes it starred John Travolta. Yes, it’s really, really boring and unmemorable. … Read entire article »
Whirly Girl Lyrics – OXO
Whirly Girl lyrics Click to hear how Whirly Girl became a one-hit wonder Let me tell you ’bout the girl I know She’s been to Paris France And she can dance Like a spinning top She’s got no stop She picks you up and then She lets you drop Listen Ooo Let me tell you ’bout the girl I know ‘Cause she’s really hip And she can go go go Like a straight shooter she’s got her downs Won’t hesitate to put you on the ground She’s been with the Rolling … Read entire article »