VA - One Hit Wonders, 1980 To 1989 (A Butterboy Compilation) (10 x CDs)

ONE HIT WONDERS

VA - One Hit Wonders, 1980 To 1989 (A Butterboy Compilation) (10 x CDs)

A “One Hit Wonder” is a term typically used in the music industry to describe an artist who gains widespread recognition and success with a single work, but finds it challenging to duplicate that success with their following creations. This phrase is often applied to singers or bands who have one song that achieves immense popularity, but are unable to produce another hit of the same level. Despite their fleeting time in the limelight, these one-hit wonders frequently leave a lasting legacy, and their songs continue to be acknowledged and appreciated by listeners. It’s crucial to understand that being a one-hit wonder does not necessarily indicate an artist’s overall talent or potential, but rather it reflects the capricious nature of audience preferences and the music industry.

The 1980s, a decade of musical vibrancy and diversity, was particularly marked by the phenomenon of one-hit wonders. These artists, who soared to fame with a single chart-topping hit before fading into obscurity, became a defining feature of the era. The allure and popularity of one-hit wonders are intriguing and can be traced back to several key factors.

The 1980s heralded significant technological advancements in the music industry, most notably the rise of music television, with MTV at the forefront. This revolutionized the consumption of music, allowing artists to reach a global audience. A catchy tune, paired with a visually captivating music video, could rapidly become a sensation. This often resulted in a surge of popularity, culminating in a single hit song. However, the challenge lay in replicating this success, a hurdle many artists could not overcome.

The music scene of the 1980s was characterized by its rich diversity, spanning genres from pop and rock to hip-hop and electronic music. This eclectic mix created a constant demand for novelty, a void often filled by one-hit wonders. They introduced a unique sound or style that momentarily captured the public’s attention, even if their fame was fleeting.

The structure of the music industry during this period also played a significant role in the emergence of one-hit wonders. Record companies, more willing to gamble on unknown artists, hoped to strike gold with a hit single. This led to an influx of new artists and songs, some of whom became one-hit wonders.

The cultural context of the 1980s, a decade of change and experimentation, was mirrored in its music. One-hit wonders encapsulated the zeitgeist of the era, resonating with listeners and leaving a lasting impression.

The popularity of one-hit wonders in the 1980s can be attributed to a confluence of factors: technological advancements, the diversity of the music scene, the structure of the music industry, and the cultural context of the decade. Despite their ephemeral success, these artists have etched an indelible mark on the annals of music history, and their songs continue to be savored by listeners today.

This series of 10 sets of One Hit Wonders, one set for each year from 1980 to 1989 may offer some surprises and some head scratching moments. For these One Hit Wonders I have referenced the Tunecaster Music Encyclopedia and Chart Archive to identify songs which are the most popular by an artist.

https://tunecaster.com/one-hit-wonder.html

These One Hit Wonders are included if the artist had exactly one song that made the pop or rock top 20. No artist can be considered a One Hit Wonder who made the top 20 twice. 

This strict definition may create some strange results where superstar side projects with temporary or transient names, may be technical One Hit Wonders. Some songs count for the year when they first hit their peaks and occasionally a track counts as a one hit wonder under the rule that number one songs count for the next year if they remain at number one across years, Talking In Your Sleep by The Romantics is such an example for 1984. Enjoy!

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Track lists

CD01 1980

01 Tom Johnston - Savannah Nights 4:04

02 Flying Lizards - Money (That's What I Want) 2:32

03 Dann Rogers - Looks Like Love Again 2:41

04 Steve Forbert - Romeo's Tune 3:31

05 The Boomtown Rats - Don't Like Mondays 3:45

06 Festival - Don't Cry For Me Argentina 5:04

07 Felix Cavaliere - Only A Lonely Heart Sees 3:54

08 Billy Preston, Syreeta Wright - With You I'm Born Again 3:39

09 Utopia - Set Me Free 3:09

10 Korona - Let Me Be 3:10

11 Charlie Dore - Pilot Of The Airwaves 3:45

12 Gary Numan - Cars 3:55

13 James Last - The Seduction (Love Theme) 3:32

14 Lipps Inc. - Funkytown 4:00

15 Bruce Cockburn - Wondering Where The Lions Are 3:44

16 Rocky Burnette - Tired Of Toein' The Line 3:33

17 Mickey Gilley - Stand By Me 3:36

18 Ali Thomson - Take A Little Rhythm 3:18

19 Fred Knoblock - Why Not Me 3:47

20 Benny Mardones - Into The Night 4:32

21 Lenore O'malley - First Be A Woman 6:12

22 Johnny Lee - Lookin' For Love 3:33

23 Larry Graham - One In A Million You 4:09

24 Larsen-Feiten Band - Who'll Be The Fool Tonight 4:10

25 Amy Holland - How Do I Survive 4:00

26 Crazy Joe Ft.The Variable Speed Band - Eugene 4:09

27 Doolittle Band - Who Were You Thinking Of 2:45

28 Devo - Whip It 2:39

29 Jimmy Hall - I'm Happy That Love Has Found 4:01

30 Stacy Lattisaw - Let Me Be Your Angel 4:03

31 Vapours - Turning Japanese 3:45

32 Korgis - Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime 4:12

CD02 1981

01 Tierra - Together 4:24

02 Convertion - Let's Do It 6:38

03 Phil Seymour - Precious To Me 2:51

04 Grover Washington Jr. - Just The Two Of Us 7:16

05 Terri Gibbs - Somebody's Knockin' 3:01

06 John O'banion - Love You Like I Never Loved Before 3:22

07 Kenny Rogers With Dottie West - What Are We Doin' In Love 3:04

08 Stars On 45 - Medley Stars On 45 (The Original Version) 4:46

09 Joe Dolce Music Theatre - Shaddap You Face 3:13

10 Lee Ritenour - Is It You 4:22

11 Danny Joe Brown Band - Edge Of Sundown 6:30

12 Joey Scarbury - Believe It Or Not Theme from 'Greatest American Hero') 3:15

13 Stanley Clarke And George Duke - Sweat Baby 3:47

14 Rosanne Cash - Seven Year Ache 3:16

15 Jim Steinman - Rock And Roll Dreams Come Through 6:29

16 Frankie Smith - Double Dutch Bus 5:19

17 Union - Mainstreet Usa 4:16

18 John Schneider - It's Now Or Never 3:27

19 Robbie Patton - Don't Give It Up 3:49

20 Eric Hine - Not Fade Away 3:10

21 Tarney Spencer Band - No Time To Lose 4:38

22 Afternoon Delights - General Hospi-Tale 4:02

23 Diesel - Sausalito Summernight 5:06

24 Chris Christian With Cheryl Ladd - I Want You, I Need You 3:40

25 Chilliwack - My Girl (Gone Gone Gone) 4:15

26 Greg Lake - Let Me Love You Once 4:21

27 Bonnie Hayes & The Wild Combo - Shelly’s Boyfriend 3:34

28 Blotto - I Wanna Be A Lifeguard 4:12

CD03 1982

01 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - Hooked On Classics Parts 1 & 2 5:05

02 Sneaker - More Than Just The Two Of Us 4:21

03 Henry Paul Band - Keeping Our Love Alive 3:48

04 Eddie Schwartz - All Our Tomorrows 5:14

05 Buckner & Garcia - Pac-Man Fever 3:49

06 Secret Weapon - Must Be The Music 3:18

07 Bob & Doug Mckenzie With Geddy Lee - Take Off 4:47

08 Le Roux - Nobody Said It Was Easy (Lookin' For The Lights) 4:06

09 Vangelis - Chariots Of Fire (Titles) 3:31

10 Tom Club - Genius Of Love 5:35

11 Gamma - Right The First Time 4:00

12 Duke Jupiter - I'll Drink To You 4:33

13 Greg Guidry - Goin' Down 3:45

14 Charlene - I've Never Been To Me 4:01

15 Plimsouls - A Million Miles Away 3:34

16 Tommy Tutone - 867-5309 (Jenny) 3:45

17 Waitresses - I Know What Boys Like 3:14

18 Aldo Nova - Fantasy 5:01

19 Karla Bonoff - Personally 3:36

20 Monroes - What Do All The People Know 3:29

21 Bow Wow Wow - I Want Candy 2:45

22 One Way - Cutie Pie 5:24

23 Soft Cell - Tainted Love 2:42

24 Haircut 100 - Love Plus One 3:33

25 Leslie Pearl - If The Love Fits Wear It 3:38

26 Q-Feel - Dancing In Heaven (Orbital Be-Bop) 3:08

27 Marshall Crenshaw - Someday, Someway 2:47

28 Tane Cain - Holdin' On 3:11

29 Rush - New World Man 3:48

30 Steel Breeze - You Don´t Want Me Anymore 3:27

31 Sylvia - Nobody 3:22

32 Toni Basil - Mickey 4:14

33 Donald Fagen - I.G.Y (What A Beautiful World) 6:03

CD04 1983

01 Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush - Strange Dreams 7:00

02 Moving Pictures - What About Me 3:37

03 Trio - Da Da Da (I Don't Love You, You Don't Love Me, Aha Aha Aha) 3:19

04 Heaven 17 - Let Me Go 4:15

05 Frida - I Know There's Something Going On 5:29

06 Dexys Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen 4:44

07 Oxo - Whirly Girl 3:00

08 Wall Of Voodoo - Mexican Radio 4:11

09 After The Fire - Der Kommissar 4:07

10 Robert Ellis Orrall With Carlene Carter - I Couldn't Say No 3:47

11 Thomas Dolby - She Blinded Me With Science 3:41

12 Ultravox - Reap The Wild Wind 3:49

13 Jim Capaldi - That's Love 3:37

14 Kajagoogoo - Too Shy 3:44

15 Joan Armstrong - Drop The Pilot 3:34

16 Martin Briley - The Salt In My Tears 3:30

17 Red Rockers - China 4:00

18 Miquel Brown - So Many Men So Little Time 4:46

19 Madness - Our House 3:22

20 Haysi Fantayzee - Shiny Shiny 3:43

21 Taco - Puttin' On The Ritz 3:23

22 Frank Stallone - Far From Over 3:17

23 Joboxers - Just Got Lucky 3:41

24 Big Country - In A Big Country 3:51

25 Peter Schilling - Major Tom (Coming Home) 4:08

CD05 1984

01 Romantics - Talking In Your Sleep 3:57

02 Jump 'n The Saddle - The Curly Shuffle 2:54

03 Shannon - Let The Music Play 3:29

04 Nena - 99 Luftballons 3:53

05 Accept - Balls To The Wall 5:41

06 Re-Flex - The Politics Of Dancing 3:57

07 Christine Mcvie - Got A Hold On Me 3:50

08 Tracey Ullman - They Don't Know 3:00

09 Tony Carey - A Fine, Fine Day 4:25

10 Laid Back - White Horse 5:47

11 Dominatrix - The Dominatrix Sleeps Tonight 3:33

12 Icicle Works - Whisper To A Scream (Birds Fly) 3:48

13 Style Council - My Ever Changing Moods 3:39

14 Icon - On Your Feet 3:23

15 Julie Brown - The Homecoming Queen's Got A Gun 4:41

16 Van Stephenson - Modern Day Delilah 4:12

17 Ollie & Jerry - Breakin'... There's No Stopping Us 3:42

18 Face To Face - 10-9-8 3:54

19 Billy Squier - Rock Me Tonite 4:55

20 Scandal Featuring Patty Smyth - The Warrior 3:59

21 Romeo Void - A Girl In Trouble (Is A Temporary Thing) 4:14

22 Dennis Deyoung - Desert Moon 6:24

23 Tommy Shaw - Girls With Guns 3:10

24 Grace Knight (Eurogliders) - Heaven (Must Be There) 3:43

25 Kip Addotta - Wet Dream 5:08

26 Rebbie Jackson - Centipede 3:09

27 Elmo & Patsy - Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer 3:31

28 Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas 3:51

CD06 1985

01 Jack Wagner - All I Need 3:30

02 Giuffria - Call To The Heart 4:37

03 Philip Bailey & Phil Collins - Easy Lover 5:03

04 Midnight Star - Operator 7:15

05 Ashford & Simpson - Solid 5:07

06 Nolan Thomas - Yo' Little Brother 5:18

07 Teena Marie - Lovergirl 4:21

08 Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Relax 3:56

09 U.S.A. For Africa - We Are The World 7:07

10 Firm - Radioactive 2:48

11 Alison Moyet - Invisible 4:01

12 Kim Mitchell - Go For Soda 3:27

13 Katrina And The Waves - Walking On Sunshine 2:49

14 Harold Faltemeyer - Axel F. 2:58

15 Mary Jane Girls - In My House 3:59

16 Limahl - Never Ending Story 3:28

17 Vitamin Z - Burning Flame 3:49

18 Paul Hardcastle - 19 3:32

19 Billy Crystal - You Look Marvelous 3:58

20 Godley & Creme - Cry 3:56

21 A-Ha - Take On Me 3:49

22 Jan Hammer - Miami Vice Theme 2:27

23 Marillion - Kayleigh 3:38

24 David Foster - Love Theme From St  Elmo's Fire 3:30

25 Scritti Politti - Perfect Way 4:06

26 Arcadia - Election Day 4:30

27 Starpoint - Object Of My Desire 5:05

28 Oingo Boingo - Dead Man's Party 6:18

CD07 1986

01 Baltimora - Tarzan Boy 3:46

02 Alisha - Baby Talk 6:39

03 Chicago Bears Shufflin' Crew - The Super Bowl Shuffle 5:38

04 Opus - Live Is Life 4:07

05 Sly Fox - Let's Go All The Way 3:25

06 Falco - Rock Me Amadeus 3:14

07 Charlie Sexton - Beat's So Lonely 5:18

08 Force M.D.'s - Tender Love 3:54

09 John Taylor - I Do What I Do (Theme For 9 1?2 Weeks) 3:42

10 Boys Don't Cry - I Wanna Be A Cowboy 3:41

11 Fabulous Thunderbirds - Tuff Enuff 3:20

12 Gtr - When The Heart Rules The Mind 4:27

13 Blow Monkeys - Digging Your Scene 4:14

14 Andy Taylor - Take It Easy 4:22

15 Gavin Christopher - One Step Closer To You 5:04

16 Timex Social Club - Rumors 7:37

17 Device - Hanging On A Heart Attack 4:01

18 Regina - Baby Love 6:28

19 Double - The Captain Of Her Heart 4:00

20 Doctor And The Medics - Spirit In The Sky 3:28

21 Carl Anderson Feat. Gloria Loring - Friends & Lovers 3:33

22 Nice & Wild - Diamond Girl 4:32

23 Triumph - Somebody's Out There 4:03

24 Far Corporation - Stairway To Heaven 4:00

25 Oran 'juice' Jones - The Rain 5:09

26 Stabilizers - One Simple Thing 4:11

27 Timbuk 3 - The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades 3:22

28 David + David - Welcome To The Boomtown 5:30

29 Jason And The Scorchers - Golden Ball And Chain 3:59

30 Gregory Abbott - Shake You Down 4:06

CD08 1987

01 Benjamin Orr - Stay The Night 4:22

02 Ron And The D.C. Crew - Ronnies Rapp 3:56

03 Georgia Satellites - Keep Your Hands To Yourself 3:28

04 Bruce Willis - Respect Yourself 3:46

05 World Party - Sip Of Fools (Save Me From Tomorrow) 4:31

06 Hipsway - The Honeythief 3:10

07 Paul Lekakis - Boom Boom Boom (Let's Go Back To My Room) 3:55

08 Psychedelic Furs - Heartbreak Beat 5:11

09 Company B - Fascinated 3:49

10 Chris De Burgh - The Lady In Red 4:15

11 Breakfast Club - Right On Track 4:18

12 Partland Brothers - Soul City 3:52

13 System - Don't Disturb This Groove 5:18

14 Pseudo Echo - Funkytown 4:55

15 T'pau - Heart And Soul 4:16

16 Jon Astley - Jane's Getting Serious 4:24

17 Living In A Box - Living In A Box 3:04

18 Danny Wilson - Mary's Prayer 3:49

19 Grateful Dead - Touch Of Grey 4:33

20 Jellybean Feat. Elisa Fiorillo - Who Found Who 3:44

21 Newcity Rockers - Rev It Up 3:47

22 Noel - Silent Morning 4:19

23 Swing Out Sister - Breakout 3:45

24 Timothy B. Schmit - Boys Night Out 4:36

25 Squeeze - Hourglass 3:19

26 Kane Gang - Motortown 4:49

27 Rainmakers - Snakedance 4:03

CD09 1988

01 Buster Poindexter And His Banshees Of Blue - Hot Hot Hot 4:09

02 M A R R S - Pump Up The Volume 4:03

03 - She's Like The Wind 2 3:52

05 Balaam & The Angel - I Love The Things You Do To Me 4:07

06 Deacon Blue - Dignity 4:01

07 Kings Of The Sun - Serpentine 3:45

08 Yngwie J. Malmsteen - Heaven Tonight 4:07

09 Two Times - Strange But True 4:02

10 Bardeux - When We Kiss 4:52

11 Brenda Russel & Joe Esposito - Piano In The Dark 5:19

12 J.J. Fad - Supersonic 3:52

13 Church - Under The Milky Way 4:58

14 John Kilzer - Red Blue Jeans 3:09

15 Brenda K. Starr - I Still Believe 3:52

16 Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers - Tomorrow People 3:25

17 Hurricane - I'm On To You 3:56

18 Michael Anderson - Sound Alarm 5:31

19 Midnight Oil - Beds Are Burning 4:16

20 Al B. Sure - Nite And Day 3:58

21 Climie Fisher - Love Changes (Everything) 4:28

22 Johnny Kemp - Just Got Paid 3:29

23 Rhythm Corps - Common Ground 4:05

24 Contours - Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance) (Mono) 2:55

25 Bobby Mcferrin - Don't Worry Be Happy 4:49

26 Bunburys - Fight (No Matter How Long) 4:34

27 Giant Steps - (The World Don't Need) Another Lover 4:14

28 Circus Of Power - Motor 3:20

29 Feelies - Away 5:27

30 When In Rome - The Promise 3:40

31 Scarlett And Black - You Don't Know 3:39

CD10 1989

01 Boys Club - I Remember Holding You 4:53

02 Pursuit Of Happiness - I'm An Adult Now 4:28

03 Sheriff - When I'm With You 3:56

04 Midge Ure - Dear God 5:00

05 Siren - All Is Forgiven 3:59

06 Kon Kan - I Beg Your Pardon 3:59

06 Kon Kan - I Beg Your Pardon 3:59

07 Tanita Tikaram - Twist In My Sobriety 4:50

08 Cruel Story Of Youth - You're What You Want To Be 4:09

09 Big Bam Boo - Shooting Form My Heart 5:20

10 Deon Estus With George Michael - Heaven Help Me 4:41

11 Easterhouse - Come Out Fighting 4:22

12 Safire - Thinking Of You 4:50

13 Belle Stars - Iko Iko 2:59

14 Michael Damian - Rock On 3:22

15 Jimmy Harnen - Where Are You Now 4:28

16 Waterfront - Cry 3:54

17 King Swamp - Is This Love 4:00

18 Benny Mardones - Into The Night 3:46

19 Real Life - Send Me An Angel '89 3:50

20 Great White - Once Bitten Twice Shy 5:25

21 Henry Lee Summer - Hey Baby 3:49

22 Indigo Girls - Closer To Fine 4:02

23 Indio - Hard Sun 4:42

24 Jody Watley, Eric B. & Rakim - Friends 4:31

25 Grayson Hugh - Talk It Over 4:15

26 Tora Tora - Walkin' Shoes 4:04

27 Stage Dolls - Love Cries 4:19

28 D.A.D - Sleeping My Day Away 4:24

29 Camper Van Beethoven - Pictures Of Matchstick Men 4:09

30 Young Mc - Bust A Move 4:25

31 Del Fuegos - Move With Me Sister 3:24

32 Kevin Paige - Dont Shut Me Out 3:51

33 Lil' Louis - French Kiss 4:52

34 Sybil - Don't Make Me Over 4:03

35 Kix - Don't Close Your Eyes 4:14

36 Marcia Griffiths - Electric Boogie 4:02

37 Jive Bunny And The Mastermixers - Swing The Mood 4:47

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