Seven One Hit Wonders Of The 80s

Hello Monday!

You remember what Monday means, right?  It means we are all about to be graced with Herc's presence. 

Today he is gonna talk about the 80s which, as we all know, is the best decade EVER! 

So many awesome things hailed from there, the most important is ME!

Go Herc!!!

7 One Hit Wonders of the 80s
[part of ongoing series 7 Song Playlists]

Herc has a problem with certain terms: “chick flick”, “military intelligence” and “one hit wonder” are among his biggest peeves. By definition, a one hit wonder should be an artist’s one and only hit. This calls into question the definition of a hit - do we measure sales or airplay or both? Do we rely on the charts and, if we do, which chart? So many questions, so little time and space. Here are seven songs that show up whenever one hit wonder lists are compiled. Herc likes these songs and hopes you do as well.

ONE HIT WONDERS

“Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go” - Soft Cell [1981]

As originally released, “Tainted Love” was the radio single, a remake of a classic Northern Soul track. For the dance clubs, “Tainted Love” was coupled with the Supremes signature song, to form a seamless, damn near ten minute medley. Upon initial hearings, it’s hard to fathom that all that music is made by just one man and a couple of synths. Today, you can recreate the song on your iPad with Garage Band/

“Take On Me” - a-ha [1985]

The video for this song was groundbreaking for it’s time and has been lovingly recreated and parodied on Family Guy. The boys in a-ha recently performed a worldwide farewell tour celebrating more than a quarter century together and almost two dozen hits outside of America’s borders.

“Come On Eileen” - Dexy’s Midnight Runners [1982]

This one stands out from a lot of its contemporaries because of it’s gypsy, folksy instrumentation and pubbish sing-a-long vocals as opposed to smooth, polished vocals backed by synth drums, keytars and other electronic noisemakers. The sheer joy of the escalating vocal makes this a beloved standard in the Hercmobile. Also seek out the cool cover version - with female lead vocals - by Save Ferris.

“The Safety Dance” - Men Without Hats [1982]

Back in the day, this was Herc’s jam. He’d dance and sing across the floor while sweeping or mopping at his very first job. It’s where he met the future Mrs. Herc who wore the brown polyester uniform like no other. Most recently featured in an episode of Glee from earlier this year in which the wheelchair bound Artie gets up offa that thing and dances his butt off. But before you bow down and worship the music as miracle, you should know ***SPOILER ALERT*** that it was a daydream. Equally catchy is the band’s 1987 release “Pop Goes The World”.= which sounds like it is played on a toy piano.

“Turning Japanese” -The Vapors [1980]

Did you know that this song is about self-pleasure? Yup. Featuring an Oriental musical motif and an otherwise fast-rocking backing track, “Turning Japanese” is the tale of a man’s obsession with pictures of his lovely lady. He misses her so much that he learns to “love” himself. Repeatedly. Catchy, no?

“Mickey” - Toni Basil [1982]

Cheerleader rock returned to the charts some 20 years after Beach Boy Brian Wilson invented it with his classic “Be True To Your School”. But “Mickey” was different. The song’s lyrics had nothing to do with school spirit but the stop start beat and music video made it abundantly clear that cheerleaders were AWESOME. Singer Toni Basil was a choreographer first and foremost and after here brief singing career she went back to it but not before recording “Mickey” en Espanol.

“Funkytown” - Lipps, Inc. [1980]

This was Disco’s last breath if you will. Another two person outfit making all that joyful noise, this one was available as shortened yet still catchy radio single or a full length disco dancer featuring wonderfully manipulated voices decades before Auto-Tune. In 1986, Psuedo Echo covered ”Funkytown” in a guitar heavy, New Wave rocking sheen and scored their only U.S. hit thus making “Funkytown” that rarest of all birds, a one hit wonder for two artists.


ONE HIT WONDERS


Did Herc forget anything?  Is that the greatest 7 song playlist ever?  I vote YES.