That song that’s stuck in your head? There’s a small chance that it might be an ’80s one-hit wonder. The music scene of the 1980s was as loud and colorful as the artists who orchestrated these catchy tunes. From bar mitzvahs to weddings, these unforgettable hits have a lasting appeal and aren’t going anywhere.
‘Somebody’s Watching Me’ – Rockwell
With Halloween just around the corner, Rockwell’s one-hit wonder “Somebody’s Watching Me” is the perfect tune to begin this countdown. According to American Songwriter, the catchy tune was written by Kennedy Gordy (stage name Rockwell), the son of Motown founder Berry Gordy. At 18, he presented his song to his father, who was less than impressed. Still, Rockwell was determined to make it a hit, and with some extra help from musical legend Michael Jackson and his brother, Jermaine Jackson, who could be heard in the background during the chorus, it made it to the top of the music charts.
The outlet reported that the song, released in 1984, “spent 20 weeks on Billboard’s Hot 100 singles chart, peaking at No. 2 and selling 500,000 copies.” Rockwell’s song remains a staple in music today, with its popularity peaking each Halloween season.
‘Tainted Love’ – Soft Cell
Released in 1981 by the British duo Soft Cell, “Tainted Love” quickly became a dancefloor sensation. However, as American Songwriter notes, Soft Cell weren’t the original creators, as the song was actually a reimagining of Gloria Jones’ 1964 track.
Yet, Soft Cell’s electronic twist arrived at the perfect moment, turning the song into an iconic hit that’s still pretty awesome today.
‘The Promise’ – When In Rome
“The Promise,” released in the late ’80s by British band When in Rome, became the group’s biggest hit in the U.S., climbing to No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and cementing their place in pop music history, according to American Songwriter.
The song became widely popular in 2004 when it was featured in the comedy “Napoleon Dynamite.” Additionally, the tune has been heavily used by TikTok users, sparking a new interest in the 80s hit, and has become a popular choice in weddings. Unfortunately, When in Rome disbanded after just one album, which features the hit song.
‘Take On Me’ – a-ha
“Take on Me” is one of the most widely recognized one-hit wonders of the 1980s. Released by Norwegian band, a-ha, American Songwriter notes that the catchy tune “spent 27 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at No. 1.,” and also took home six MTV Video Music Awards.
Surprisingly, when the song was first released, it flopped, prompting the band to go back to the drawing board, where it tanked a second time. When a second video was created for the song, keyboardist Magne Furuholmen believed that’s what led to its eventual success.
“I have no doubt that the video made the song a hit. The song has a super catchy riff, but it is a song that you have to hear a few times. And I don’t think it would’ve been given the time of day without the enormous impact of the video,” he shared with Rolling Stone.
‘It’s Raining Men’ – The Weather Girls
The Weather Girls’ most famous song is undoubtedly the 1982 hit, “It’s Raining Men.” The song was initially written for Donna Summer, but she was not a fan of the lyrics.
“She thought it was blasphemous. She called Paul and said, ‘I hate the song. Oh, we’ve lost you.’ And then she sent him a Bible the next day,” Paul Shaffer, one of the writers of the song, told Vanity Fair.
The song would eventually land in the hands of The Weather Girls, two women named Martha Wash and Izora Armstead, who had originally gone by the stage name Two Tons ‘O Fun. The song soared to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard dance charts in the U.S., and continues to be a fun song to sing today.
