View Full Version : One-Hit-Wonders
Back in the "good old 80´s" there were a lot of artists who had one big hit and then more or less dissapeared. Some of my favourite songs from these socalled "One-hit-wonders" include:
Come on Eileen-Dexy´s Midnight Runners
Dolce Vita-Ryan Paris
I like Chopin-Gazebo
Some people/Imagination-Belouis Some
Neverending story-Limahl
19-Paul Hardcastle
A good heart/You little thief-Feargal Sharkey
Living in a box-Living in a box
I beg your pardon-Kon Kan
Love changes everything-Climie Fisher
Somebody´s watching me-Rockwell
Tarzan boy-Baltimora
Words-F.R. David (the long version is so good)
Vamos a la playa-Righeira
I just died in your arms tonight-Cutting Crew
Tainted love-Soft Cell
Feels like heaven-Fiction Factory
Fade to grey-Visage
Living on video/Message on the radio-Trans X
Dance hall days-Wang Chung
Hey little girl-Icehouse
I.O.U.-Freeez
Okay a couple of them had more than one hit, but they have all more or less dissapeared. I´m sure that you don´t all agree with me when I call these artists one-hit-wonders, but for me they dissapeared after a big hit (or maybe 2) and I haven´t heard about them since. But maybe this can start a good discussion or you can tell me if any of these artists still make music and if they are any good now?
Vamous A La Playa!! I remember that..Now there's a song I haven't heard in years..you must be in Europe or where..Does anyone remember Industry with State of the Nation???They were a one-hit-wonder that I thought in me opinion should have gone places, I wonder what happened to them..I guess that's why they are one-hit-WONDERS huh..You end up wondering..
Cruising in cocktails...
Trent
Adiville
09 Jan 2001, 16:27
Fade to grey - great song !
you know what sucks ?!?
when VH1 does a "one hit wonders" day they put AV there... <img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>
AV made at least 3 hits !!!
@ville - forever and ever.
Edited by - alpha-x on 09 Jan 2001 16:28:30
You know..Speaking of Righeira..I also remember No Tango Dinero LoL! Man I miss the 80'S!! I want them back now!! Just not the ignorance I had back then HeH!
Cruising in cocktails,
Trent
Oh State of the nation!!That song is great.
I listen to it all the time.
Gazebo-I like chopin...I can start crying when I hear that song, it´s so beutiful.
*I´m your best friend-the dream*
You´re right Roland, Righeira also had a hit with "No tengo dinero", but nowhere as big as "Vamos ..".
And Avil, "I like Chopin" is very special!
Have you heard the long version which is included on the album "Gazebo". It´s so beautiful. The piano and synth just goes on and on, so you can just dream away . . . .
Poul...No, I haven´t heard the long version...I will check that...Thanx man.
*I´m your best friend-the dream*
stardustdawn
10 Jan 2001, 20:14
I remember a song and no one else seems to remember it. I am wondering if it is the TRans X song you mentioned. It says something about "she sent the message coming through loud and clear she sent the message, the message was you" or something like that. I was pretty young so I may be remembering it incorrectly. Anybody know who this was?
<img src=icon_smile_question.gif border=0 align=middle>
The future exists, first in Imagination, then in Will, then in Reality.
Stardustdawn, it´s not "Message on the radio", but there´s something familar about it. Maybe it will come to me later?
I have that song !!!
message on the radio - is the correct name (as far as I know), they had another hit that I don´t remember right now, but that I also have on CD somewhere.
visit us at:
http://www.alphaville.org
Yes Willy, the title of the Trans X song is "Message on the radio" (their other hit was "Living on video"), but the line from a song that Stardustdawn mentioned does not sound like anything from "Message on the radio".
Jeremy Jung
11 Jan 2001, 08:53
"Le state sta finendo" from Righeira was a massive hit here in Korea long time ago.
Also there's one more "One hit wonder"
When in Rome - "The promise" - where are these guys? come back!
YeaH!!! That one too...WoW!! I forgot all about that till now mate..HeH! See what happens when you dig in that box of the past..You come up with all kinds of great goodies that have been stored there..over 15 years *Dies* NO I refuse to say I am old...I Am FOREVER YOUNG!! I am an Alphavillian YEAH YEAH!!!!!!!!! *Did I just ramble?* Sorry!!!!!
Cruising in cocktails,
Trent
Cruising in cocktails...
Trent
Trent, hey calm down...<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
*I´m your best friend-the dream*
Stardustdawn, could it be this:
"I got the message and the message was clear
I really really really wish you were here"
Taken from "I got the message" by Men without Hats.
stardustdawn
11 Jan 2001, 23:05
hmm no i dont think it was men w.o hats..i remember a line about a waterfront too, but thanks for your help!
The future exists, first in Imagination, then in Will, then in Reality.
stardustdawn
11 Jan 2001, 23:08
i heard a song on the 80's station today that i'd forgotten about...
something like:
"moses on the mountain above the golden calf
gonna get the 10 commandments
yeah he's gonna break them in half!"
i think this song would just get laughed off the airwaves today. the things we could do in the 80s!:)
The future exists, first in Imagination, then in Will, then in Reality.
Anyone remember Charlie Sexton?? Wonder what the hell happened to him?
Cruising in cocktails...
Trent
Have never even heard about charlie whatever...
*I´m your best friend-the dream*
Adiville
14 Jan 2001, 20:51
There was this band in the 80's...
what was their name...<img src=icon_smile_question.gif border=0 align=middle>
ummmm.....
3 good looking guys....
they had a huge hit in 1984....
oh yeah - ALPHAVILLE !!!!!!!!
<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
@ville - forever and ever.
HEY!! They aren't one hit wonders!! They hit me everyday!!! With the greatness of their music...what can I say, Alphaville RULES!!!!!
Cruising in cocktails...
Trent
Stardustdawn, the songline you mentioned about the 1o commandments is from one of my favourite bands "The Hooters". It´s taken from "All you Zombies" which is a very cool song!!
Don´t even mention Alphaville in this topic...=)
*I´m your best friend-the dream*
How about The Sugarcubes?? Björk before she was Björk..."Eat the Music"
Cruising in cocktails...
Trent
Adiville
16 Jan 2001, 00:44
AV hit me every day...
I LOVE IT, Trent <img src=icon_smile_8ball.gif border=0 align=middle> <img src=icon_smile_8ball.gif border=0 align=middle> <img src=icon_smile_8ball.gif border=0 align=middle>
@ville - forever and ever.
stardustdawn
16 Jan 2001, 00:53
wow that was the Hooters? I had no idea! Thanks!
The future exists, first in Imagination, then in Will, then in Reality.
If you ever watched "The Lost Boys" You know Charlie Sexton, he sang the theme title, "Cry Little Sister" he also in the mid 80's or so sang "Beat So Lonely" and "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" He looks alot like Matt Dillon to me only taller..He's not synthpop though, I listen to alot of different kinds of music
Cruising in cocktails...
Trent
To add on to what I just put, if you're wondering about how or who he might be compared to I would say he's got a bit of Bruce Springsteens beat and David Bowies voice sound, that's just me opinion though..I could be way off base here, but I like him
Cruising in cocktails...
Trent
I made a slight booboo...Charlie Sexton didn't do "Cry Little Sister" That was "Sisters of Mercy" Charlie did do The song "In Deep" on Beverly Hills Cop II" though..Don't ask me what was wrong where I messed that up so bad, Ask Krapplund about cruising in cocktails HeHeHe
Cruising in cocktails...
Trent
Adiville
26 Jan 2001, 03:12
Remember "I wont let the sun go down on me"/ Nick Kershaw /1983 <img src=icon_smile_question.gif border=0 align=middle>
Such a cute song :)
@ville - forever and ever.
I wouldn´t exactly call Nik Kershaw a "One-hit-wonder". Just listen to "The Riddle" or "Wouldn´t it be good". Also big hits!!
There´s also a subject about NK here in the "Other Artists" forum.
Listen to
"Soft Cell - Torch"
..hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me!
...as Bernd say, the inspiration of FY.
Very good song, spectacular trumpets :)
M. Härdin
Adiville
12 Feb 2001, 01:06
SWEET HARMONY - THE BELOVED !
Great music !!! cool video clip <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
"Lets come together, right now, oh yeah, in sweet harmony!" <img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>
Noooo!!!
The beloved havenīt just one hit!!
They had another one...donīt remember itīs name though...
-Iīm your best friend-the dream-
melloman
13 Feb 2001, 20:41
Charlie Sexton was the singer in the band the Archangels. They put it together with the rhythm section from Stevie Ray's band Double Trouble after Stevie Ray's Helo crash. Great band. It's a shame they only made one album. Charlie Sexton made a couple of albums, and some songs have wound up on a few soundtracks as well.
S.M.I2.L.E! It makes people wonder what you're up to.
melloman
13 Feb 2001, 20:47
The Vapors-Turning Japanese!
That was a favorite in high school (senior year)
S.M.I2.L.E! It makes people wonder what you're up to.
Turning Japanese I think Iīm turning Japanese, I really think so . . .
Remember that one. I liked it very much back then, but when I listen to it now, itīs a little "thin". I have the 7" single from 1980 myself.
simpledumbpilot
15 May 2001, 04:49
Reguarding 'The Beloved',the other hits were 'The Sun Rising' and 'Hello' both on the fantastic'Happiness' lp.
Reguarding 'Trans-X',i used to have a copy of that lp but dont know what happened to it,does anyone have a copy they can record for me,theres some AV on video on offer in exchange.
wonder2000
01 Nov 2001, 09:15
One-hit-wonders...it might then be The Cars and song "Drive"...Absolutely great song, but only one I like to them...And their only smash hit.
-Julian Moon-
"I like Chopin" "I just died in your arms tonight" "Tainted love"...I love those songs...! and Cars "Drive" is very beautiful too...and Nik Kershaw sure wasn't a "one-hit-wonder"...
...you can call Frank's later band Lonely Boys a "one-hit-wonder" band too, īkinda... the difference is just that their single wasn't even a hit... only released in Switzerland and Germany (boohoo<img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>)...
A lot of babbling about Frank, I know... but I just simply can't help it...you know
"the 80's child"
wonder2000
01 Nov 2001, 15:04
"I just died in your arms tonight" from Cutting Crew...*one-hit-wonder*
-Julian Moon-
Mrs.Picard
02 Nov 2001, 10:40
I really LOVE this song. It is one of the greatest songs of the 80's....
Yep...definately!
"the 80's child"
I`m not shure but Bob Dylan has a Charlie Sexton in his live band, and as I remember he was a GREAT guitar player, so is the CS in BD`s band.
melloman
13 Nov 2001, 21:32
Men Without Hats: Safety dance...
That was a flash in the pan
S.M.I2.L.E! It makes people wonder what you're up to.
Safety dance...hehehe...remember the long discussion we had about this song?????*LOL*
~/~/~Crystal vibrations~/~/~
I just remember!! :)
Disireless - Voyage, Voyage
(a great french song)
...and a easy listening hit:
Sugar - Like a Rollercoaster
russharvey
01 Feb 2002, 01:23
People! There is a difference between a one-hit wonder and just liking one hit from a band! You also need to take into consideration singles in different countries. A HUGE hit in US might not have been so big in Europe, etc. Some of you are listing bands as one-hit wonders and these bands had numerous hits! Arrgghhhh!!!
Cars, The Beloved and Men Without Hats each had more than one hit!!
ok, I am through venting now.....
***This life is expensive, but at least it comes with a free trip around the sun!***
I agree with you Russ!
But you can say that Men Without Hats had ONE REALLY BIG HIT in Safety Dance and a handful of other hits. I guess the same can be said about The Beloved, but Iīm not so sure about The Cars. Was "Drive" their biggest hit? How about "You might think", "Hello again" and "Tonight she comes"?
http://www.virtue.nu/wii/Poul_E.gif
wonder2000
02 Feb 2002, 08:04
Iīve bought The Cars "Greatest hits" album some months ago & I was very disapointed, I was hoping more synth songs like "Drive". That was suprise to me that The Cars was rockband. But one thing is sure, "Drive" is definately their biggest hit, great synths & everything. But I had to admit that I also like "You might think"
"It`s me - Julian"
Wonder, do you know for sure that Drive was the Cars song that sold most records? This is what Iīm wondering about, not if itīs your favourite Cars song. For me a hit is a song that has sold a lot of records and not a song that I really like. If it was then almost every Alphaville-song was a hit.....and they only had a couple of big ones...
http://www.virtue.nu/wii/Poul_E.gif
wonder2000
02 Feb 2002, 08:51
I donīt have no idea how much that song sold but I suppose that it was their biggest selling megahit too...actually I donīt know, this is interesting because one of my friend said to me that there were another big hit from The Cars, but she didnīt remember that name.
"It`s me - Julian"
Well....Wonder. Iīm trying to find out right now if Drive actually was their biggest hit. But itīs not easy though. Itīs very hard to find anything about The Cars on the net....
But I think their biggest hits were "Drive", "You might think", "Heartbeat City", "Hello again" and "You are the girl".
And Wonder, to get the best songs from The Cars I guess itīs better to buy the album "Heartbeat City" than any Greatest Hits album. Thereīs a lot of synth on that album. The only other Cars song thatīs really good and not included on that album is "You are the girl" from "Door to door". But perhaps thereīs more songs from Heartbeat City on the new 2CD Greatest Hits album by The Cars which is released in the coming week (I think itīs February 5th).
But Iīll get back to you on which is their biggest hit. I think it was "Heartbeat City", but weīll see......
http://www.virtue.nu/wii/Poul_E.gif
I guess Drive was their biggest hit. The only thing Iīve been able to find is that Drive had the highest chart position in USA at number 3.
http://www.virtue.nu/wii/Poul_E.gif
wonder2000
02 Feb 2002, 11:44
Alright Poul, now Iīm looking for that album "Heartbeat City" and I know where I can buy it. I think I should listen this "Greatest hits" album again. Maybe thereīs still another good songs on it and youīre right, itīs very hard to find anything about them, only cars and car shops etc..<img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle> But I will give you my comments when "Heartbeat City" is in my hands.
"It`s me - Julian"
russharvey
02 Feb 2002, 14:52
Here is a run down for the Cars Hits:
1978
Just what I needed #27
My best friends girlfriend #35
Good Times Roll, #41
1979
Album Candy'O #3
Let's Go (Top 10)
1981
Album Shake it Up went Platinum
Shake it up (Top 10)
1984
You Might Think (Top 10)
Album Heartbeat City #3 Triple Platinum
Magic #12
Drive #3
Hello Again #20
1985
Tonight She Comes
I'm Not the One
1987
You Are the Girl #17
Of course, this does not take into consideration any solo albums or work done by Ric Ocasik to produce other bands such as Suicide and Romeo Void. Nor does it take into consideration any of the really good songs that were never singles!
Sadly, in Feb 88 one of the members (Orr - the guy who sang on Drive) died of Pancreatic Cancer.
These guys are a great band, very fun to listen to and they did have many more hits than just one.
Probably their best album to sample would be Heartbeat City but their greatest hits album is also very good!!!!
***This life is expensive, but at least it comes with a free trip around the sun!***
Edited by - russharvey on 02 Feb 2002 16:52:39
Thank you Russ (the Statistician)<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Wasnīt "Heartbeat City" released as a single? By the way...I have the "Tonight she comes" 7" with "Drive" as b-side.
http://www.virtue.nu/wii/Poul_E.gif
russharvey
02 Feb 2002, 19:23
Well, I may have missed something...
Julian - On the use of synth.... most of the songs have synth somewhere in them even though they do use a lot of guitar. Drive has more synth than others, but songs like Why Can't I have You? the emphasis is on the synth, not the guitar.
***This life is expensive, but at least it comes with a free trip around the sun!***
Well... What about TONI BASIL - MICKEY
http://starfox.simplenet.com/ToniBasilMickey-caps-SF-thumb.jpghttp://starfox.simplenet.com/ToniBasil-cov-best.jpg
Visit
Fantastic and funny song from 1982!
<img src=icon_smile_8ball.gif border=0 align=middle>
Toni Basil Homepage (http://starfox.simplenet.com/mickey.html)
How about "The The"??? Anyone remember then..."This Is Your Day" I loved that song...Great 80's
http://www.alphaville.org/images/scotland.gif
"When I close my eyes, I see my soul...When I open them, I see yours"...
Trent
Cassiel
02 Mar 2002, 22:17
defintely for me a one-hit-wonder was Fritz Brause with "Shilly Shally" or Matt Bianco. Who else remember this jazzing bands?
Yeah..I have a few Matt Bianco vinyls...and some of Basia...the girl that sang with Matt Bianco...He was cool!! =)
http://www.alphaville.org/images/scotland.gif
"When I close my eyes, I see my soul...When I open them, I see yours"...
Trent
Cassiel
03 Mar 2002, 09:57
when I was chatting with Poul yesterday another band came into my mind: Men at Work.
They were also famous with only one or two songs and no one was interested later, when the singer made his solo career.
Whol still like him, look for Colin James Hey (or Hay).
Bernd
"get up, get up, get up, get out of your lazy bed...before I count to three - I drag you up..."
..I'd say that, not my fave-band, but kinda cool anyways =)
"the Child of the Night"
russharvey
14 Mar 2002, 00:46
heard Baltimora's Tarzan Boy on the radio the other day....... seems like they were more famous for the Listerine commercial than they were for being a band!!
***This life is expensive, but at least it comes with a free trip around the sun!***
Martika - Toy Soldiers
a great slowdance from 1988 <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
step by step... heart to heart... left right left...
russharvey
17 Apr 2002, 23:30
The Vapors - Turning Japanese
The Buggles - Video Killed the Radio Star
Both one hit wonders, yes?
***This life is expensive, but at least it comes with a free trip around the sun!***
simpledumbpilot
19 Apr 2002, 06:13
This is probably my favourite subject in the forum,i dont contribute to it much but its interesting to see how groups fared in other countries.For example Alphaville have always been one hit wonders here in England as they never had another hit in the Top 40 after Big In Japan (i think Forever Young got to around number 75 tho) but theres been quite a few in other countries and also theres mention of other bands who have had a few hits here in England but been one hit wonders around the rest of the world.An interesting one for the topic is 'Sparks' ,theyve been one-hit-wonders in 5 different countries with 5 completely different songs,its weird how these things work out,very interesting indeed.
Edited by - simpledumbpilot on 19 Apr 2002 06:16:37
the greatest one hit wonder ever:
Alphaville
due to some people with "Forever Young", due to others with "Big In Japan"
http://alien-land.narod.ru/alien-land/newsign.gif
I can see you through...
Does anyone remember a guy called Phillip Jap, who sang Save us , or am I losing it bad
seriously now:
Glenn Medeiros - Nothing's gonna change my love for you...
http://alien-land.narod.ru/alien-land/newsign.gif
I can see you through...
Adiville
11 Aug 2002, 00:14
Cute song <img src=icon_smile_blackeye.gif border=0 align=middle>
<h6>
---------------Alpha-X---------------
http://www.geocities.com/adiville</h6>
yeah... *listening to it right at the moment*
http://alien-land.narod.ru/alien-land/newsign.gif
I can see you through...
Nothingīs gonna change my love for you, you outta know by now how much I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!
The first song I danced to!
<center> ~/~/~Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, live today~/~/~
a l p h a v i l l e</center>
yeah! Das! Great!
[anarchist]
Data/20021115130_telepathicsmall.jpg
This band is a true "one hit wonder"...
as far I know they made one 7" single "We Are Telepathique" 1983
I really love this forgotten synthsong.
Download it... and ENJOY!
You won't be dissapointed
Telepathic - We Are Telepatique (http://www.farg-golvhuset.se/av/telepathic.zip) 3:59 from the rare 7" [headphones]
Krapplund
15 Nov 2002, 18:27
I like the song....not bad at all.
Great Hardin for sharing this song....
Al Corley - Cold Dresses
EXCELLENT!!!
(willy... you gonna love it)
Marc Almond from Soft Cell is still going strong, I was going to a concert last year with hin here in Ireland, but they had to cancel.
Fad Gadget and Nik Kershaw... Fad Gadget did a lot after "collapsing", but the singer died last year, last swedish performance was in Gothenburg and SAMA. Nik is still releasing CD, but nothing like "The riddle" etc. Limahal is now performing 80īs songs at concerts, toheter with som more "fallen stars" around UK mainly (I think)
russharvey
09 Feb 2003, 16:19
Just found an old 45 record in my collection of a band that I am pretty sure was a one hit wonder....... Cock Robin with the song When Your Heart is Weak. Decent tune, but I think its the only one they ever released?
Oh no, I have 2 albums with Cock Robin - I believe their biggest hit was "Just around the corner" - but "when you heart is weak" is definately the best song.
Data/200329215251_panther.gif
Panther (REX) - Goodbye My Love 12"
1986
This record stands among the most significant Euro Disco records of the 80's. To mention several remarkable things about it - the lyrics, the music and the performance. A top HIT!
Never seen that cover or name before...
Me neither Willy....Iīll check it out....
Data/200321012056_katygray.gif
Katy Gray - Hold Me Tight
1984 Man Records
Wonderful soft synthesized melodies togheter with a smooth female voice. If you ask me; A fantastic song!
http://home.t-online.de/home/320076030701-0003/data18.jpg http://home.t-online.de/home/320076030701-0003/data8.jpg
DATA - Living Inside Me
1983
Synthesized melodies togheter with a smooth female & male voice. This records are rare and the music is... Wonderful!
russharvey
10 Feb 2003, 04:57
hehe!! Thanks Willy! I stand corrected!
quote:Originally posted by wii
Oh no, I have 2 albums with Cock Robin - I believe their biggest hit was "Just around the corner" - but "when you heart is weak" is definately the best song.
Krapplund
13 Mar 2005, 15:29
Yesterday the showed the Big In Japan video on the tv channel VH1 under the topic "One Hit Wonder - Top 10"....I didnīt saw it but my friends told me....
But Alphaville on the "One Hit Wonder" ????
I fought that Alphaville have made at least 3 world hits....or iīm wrong?????
Adiville
13 Mar 2005, 23:00
We've discussed this 100000000000 times before........
for some reason, VH1 decided that AV are a one hit wonder........
but they are only VH1 and we are so many fans [wink]
They dont stand a chance [laugh]
maybe for VH1 world is only what's being shown on VH1 [laugh]
underpressure
14 Mar 2005, 18:46
Very. very interesting topic you're having here..
I think that The Cars are great, my first CD ever was Heartbeat City, and it's great, being Hello Again my favourite among the rest.
Now I'll contribute with some one hit that I really love:
Murray Head: One night in Bangkok
Wax: Right between the eyes (they actually had another one, Building a bridge to your heart..)
Trio: Da, da, da (somebody out there remmember this one?)
Fancy: Bolero
BVSMP (or something like that..): I need you (sha la la la laaaaa..)
My favorite One-Hit wonder is:
Al Corley - Square Rooms
Awesome song, specially the 12" is fantastic !
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