40 Biggest One-Hit Wonders

Simply because an artist will get labeled a one-hit surprise, that doesn’t imply their impression on music is so simply forgotten. Many timeless and basic songs have been written and recorded by artists who loved just one mainstream hit.

Within the beneath record of 40 Greatest One-Hit Wonders, we contemplate a music’s industrial success in addition to the way it’s endured. The ‘80s are well-represented. The last decade appeared to breed a great amount of one-hit wonders, a lot of whom rode the rising new wave style. 9 of our High 10 one-hit wonders come from that decade, however the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘90s nonetheless landed songs elsewhere on the record.

40. Chopping Crew, “I Simply Died in Your Arms Tonight”
This chart-topping 1986 hit wasn’t impressed by a near-death expertise however a sexual one. Chopping Crew singer Nick Van Eede got here up with the music’s refrain after a one-night tryst with a former girlfriend. “We obtained again collectively for one evening after a 12 months aside, and I assume there have been some fireworks however on a regular basis tinged with a sense of, ‘Ought to I actually be doing this?”” the singer later recalled. The facility ballad struck a chord with music followers and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Scorching 100. As a debut single, Chopping Crew couldn’t have requested for an even bigger introduction to the world, however with success got here stress. Cracks started to floor when none of their follow-up singles met industrial expectations. A battle with administration stored the band’s sophomore album from popping out till 1989. It bombed, and by 1993 the group had disbanded.

39. Toni Basil, “Mickey”
The music as infectious as a pep rally – a lot in order that its music video was cheerleader-themed – “Mickey” burrowed its manner into listeners’ ears in January 1982. The monitor had initially been launched by the British band Racey, however that model used the identify “Kitty” as an alternative of “Mickey” and did not embrace the music’s catchy “You’re so nice, you blow my thoughts” chant. Singer Toni Basil, who began her profession as a choreographer after being a, sure, cheerleader in her youth, introduced “Mickey” to life. The music hit No. 1 within the U.S. and was licensed platinum, however Basil by no means got here near that success with any of her different songs.

38. The Knack, “My Sharona”
Ought to the Knack be thought of a two-hit surprise? An argument might be made. In spite of everything, their single “Good Ladies Don’t” reached No. 11 on the Billboard chart, that means they qualify for this record by the slimmest of margins. Nonetheless, ask the common music fan to sing a line from “Good Ladies Don’t” and so they’ll doubtless stare again with a clean face. Ask them for an element from “My Sharona” and also you’ll doubtless get a rousing, “My, my, my, I, yi, woo!” The 1979 single was an immediate basic, Capitol Information’ quickest single to be licensed gold for the reason that Beatles’ “I Wish to Maintain Your Hand.” The Knack’s frontman, Doug Fieger, wrote “My Sharona” after falling for a lady named Sharona, who appeared on the only’s cowl. Whereas their relationship didn’t final, the 2 reportedly remained shut mates up till Fieger died in 2010.

37. After the Hearth, “Der Kommissar”
Austrian singer Falco deserves an honorable point out. His 1985 hit “Rock Me Amadeus” didn’t get sufficient votes from our writers to crack our High 40, however he has an element in “Der Kommissar”: He launched the unique model of the hit music. His single, launched in 1981, was sung in German and obtained just a bit consideration within the U.S. A 12 months later the U.Okay. band After the Hearth lined the music in English, scoring the solely hit of their profession. Success arrived too late for the band. After the Hearth, which had been collectively since 1982, was crumbling as “Der Kommissar” was climbing the charts. The group had already damaged up by the point the music peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Scorching 100.

36. Gary Numan, “Automobiles”
Gary Numan had loved success with the brand new wave group Tubeway Military, which scored a U.Okay. hit with their 1979 single “Are ‘Mates’ Electrical?” That very same 12 months, Numan broke out as a solo act, scoring a worldwide hit together with his debut single, “Automobiles.” The music, impressed by a bout of highway rage, discovered Numan embracing a poppier method to songwriting. “This was the primary time I had written a music with the intention of, ‘Perhaps it might be a success single,’” the singer admitted. “Automobiles” hit No. 9 within the U.S. and No. 1 within the U.Okay. Whereas Numan has loved a revered profession ever since, he’s by no means once more had a success single.

35. Mungo Jerry, “Within the Summertime”
Whenever you assume “sound of summer time” you don’t normally assume “jug band.” However that is precisely the model of music Mungo Jerry used of their 1970 hit. Reportedly written by singer Ray Dorset in simply 10 minutes, the breezy monitor completely captures that point of 12 months when “the climate is excessive.” It reached No. 3 on the Billboard Scorching 100 chart, the one Mungo Jerry music to earn mainstream consideration within the States.

34. Kajagoogoo, “Too Shy”
English new wave group Kajagoogoo had been collectively for roughly 5 years – below the identify Artwork Nouveau at first – earlier than signing their first file deal in 1982. They struck gold with their debut single, “Too Shy,” which was produced by Duran Duran’s Nick Rhodes. The band’s label had pushed in opposition to the monitor, claiming it was too darkish. “They needed to launch what they thought of to be a brighter, poppier monitor,” bassist Nick Beggs later recalled. Kajagoogoo regarded poised for a vibrant profession when, in 1983, “Too Shy” went High 5 in 12 international locations, together with the U.S. Whereas follow-up singles “Ooh to Be Aah” and “Dangle on Now” did effectively within the U.Okay., neither registered within the U.S. The band broke up on the finish of 1985, however “Too Shy” has remained a time capsule of the period, included in every little thing from the soundtrack to The Marriage ceremony Singer to the online game Grand Theft Auto: Vice Metropolis Tales.

33. Peter Schilling, “Main Tom”
This is a uncommon prevalence the place an artist created a sequel to another person’s music. Singer Peter Schilling based mostly “Main Tom” on a personality first created by David Bowie for the 1969 single “Area Oddity.” Schilling’s music stored up the interplanetary theme, with its refrain: “Earth beneath us / Drifting, falling / Floating weightless / Calling, calling dwelling.” Launched in 1983, “Main Tom” reached No. 14 on the Billboard Scorching 100, the one music of Schilling’s profession to chart within the U.S.

32. The Loopy World of Arthur Brown, “Hearth”
With a demonic spoken phrase opening during which frontman Arthur Brown declared himself the “god of Hellfire,” “Hearth” hardly appeared like the kind of music that will discover mainstream success. However the psychedelic rock monitor managed to ignite one thing in followers. The 1968 single hit No. 1 within the U.Okay. and No. 2 within the U.S., making it the Loopy World of Arthur Brown’s most profitable single. The group broke up in 1970 however returned in 2000, with materials arriving sporadically ever since.

31. Georgia Satellites, “Maintain Your Palms to Your self”
They might be a one-hit surprise, however Georgia Satellites certain made an impression with their solely mainstream single. When “Maintain Your Palms to Your self” reached No. 2 on the Billboard Scorching 100 in 1987 – held out of the highest spot by Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” – the heavy-hitting music proved that southern rock may nonetheless thrive, whereas additionally inspiring heavier guitars in nation songs. “Anyone made the remark that it was the music that saved rock ‘n’ roll and ruined nation music on the identical time,” singer Dan Baird as soon as admitted to Rolling Stone. “It meant it introduced rock ‘n’ roll again to its roots for a couple of minutes, but it surely turned the nook on nation being afraid of dumb loud guitars.”

30. Stunning Blue, “Venus”
Dutch rock group Stunning Blue had a number of hits of their homeland within the late ‘60s, but it surely was 1969’s “Venus” that introduced worldwide consideration. The music, with its strummy guitar and groovy organ, climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Scorching 100. Regardless that the band by no means got here near such heights once more, “Venus” bought greater than 5 million copies all over the world and continues to be standard, showing in every little thing from The Queen’s Gambit to a long-running promoting marketing campaign for Gillette, whose ladies’s line of razors is known as Venus.

29. The Vapors, “Turning Japanese”
Throughout the brand new wave increase of the late ’70s and early ‘80s, it appeared like one other new wave act was arriving from the U.Okay. every week. Amongst them was the Vapors, a quartet from Surrey that launched their debut album, New Clear Days, in 1980. The lead single, “Turning Japanese,” was constructed on a Japanese-sounding motif, however the catchy music’s narrative was typically misinterpreted. “It was supposed purely as a love music,” singer Dave Fenton later defined. “The protagonist is sitting in his bed room, which has turn out to be like a jail cell, pining over {a photograph} of his ex-girlfriend.” “Turning Japanese” grew to become the Vapors’ solely hit, and by 1982 the band was over. “When individuals ask if the music’s turn out to be an albatross, I say no,” Fenton admitted. “I’m happy it occurred to us. I’d relatively be a one-hit surprise than a no-hit surprise.”

28. Wild Cherry, “Play That Funky Music”
Wild Cherry started life as a tough rock cowl band within the Pittsburgh space. Because the ‘70s rolled on, the group discovered it tougher to e-book gigs, as disco and dance tunes had overtaken rock in recognition. “One evening, I obtained the band within the dressing room and I instructed them, ‘We have got to play extra of this disco stuff,’” singer Rob Parissi recalled. “They went nuts: ‘We do not wish to be a disco band.’” At one in all Wild Cherry’s reveals, a Black viewers member requested, “Are you white boys going to play some funky music?” An concept was spawned. “Play That Funky Music” grew to become a No. 1 single in 1976, reaching multiplatinum gross sales and incomes Wild Cherry a pair of Grammy nominations. After failing to observe up “Play That Funky Music” with one other hit, they broke up in 1979.

27. The Ides of March, “Automobile”
It’s arduous to disclaim the gravitational pull of “Automobile” when these horns kick in. The 1970 single was a breakout hit for the Ides of March, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Scorching 100. After years of touring round their native Illinois, “Automobile” elevated the Ides of March to nationwide touring act. The band shared the stage with such luminaries as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Led Zeppelin, however they have been by no means capable of rating one other hit. Even after ditching the brass part and attempting to maneuver in a brand new stylistic course, nothing appeared to click on. The Ides of March broke up in 1973, however the band’s singer and co-founder, Jim Peterik, had a extra profitable second act when he based Survivor in 1978 and scored a number of large hits within the ‘80s.

26. The Proclaimers, “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)”
With their pasty, clean-cut and spectacled look, twin brothers Charlie and Craig Reid hardly regarded the a part of chart-topping rock stars. Nonetheless, the Irish duo had a songwriting present, together with a knack for pop hooks. In 1988 their group the Proclaimers launched the album Sunshine on Leith, that includes “I am Gonna Be (500 Miles).” The music hit first within the U.Okay., the place it reached No. 11. 5 years later it caught on within the U.S. due to its inclusion within the romantic comedy Benny & Joon. Rereleased as a single, “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Scorching 100.

25. The Contours, “Do You Love Me”
“Do You Love Me” was written by Motown Information founder Berry Gordy Jr., who had supposed to provide it to the Temptations to file. However the Temptations weren’t within the studio when Gordy went there, so he supplied it to a different Motown vocal group, the Contours. The group cemented its place in music historical past with “Do You Love Me.” The music stays a favourite at weddings, birthdays and bar mitzvahs.

24. Iron Butterfly, “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vidda”
It’s messy, there are errors within the recording and it is phrases are obscure – it was speculated to be “Within the Backyard of Eden.” However there’s one thing gloriously indulgent about “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.” Operating greater than 17 minutes, the music is an extended and winding psychedelic journey, full with drums, guitar and hovering organ elements. Regardless that Iron Butterfly would by no means rating one other hit following this 1968 single, “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” stays a cultural tentpole, showing in all places from The Simpsons to a well-liked pattern in rap songs.

23. Buckner & Garcia, “Pac-Man Fever”
Historical past is crammed with novelty hits however few loved extra of a cultural impression than Buckner & Garcia’s “Pac-Man Fever.” The 1981 single was recorded in response to the standard online game, which grew to become a phenomenon throughout the globe in 1980. Jerry Buckner and Gary Garcia have been jingle writers from Akron and witnessed the joy surrounding Pac-Man firsthand. “Pac-Man” fever reached No. 9 on the Billboard Scorching 100 and impressed the duo to file a complete album of video game-inspired songs, together with “Do the Donkey Kong,” “Ode to Centipede” and “Froggy’s Lament.” Lightning didn’t strike twice, and “Pac-Man Fever” remained their solely hit.

22. Males With out Hats, “The Security Dance”
“The Security Dance” was written by Males With out Hats singer Ivan Doroschuk after he’d been thrown out of a membership for “pogoing,” the bouncing new wave dance not at all times accepted by involved employees. “I used to be form of mad that they wouldn’t let me dance if I needed to, so I took issues in my very own palms and wrote an anthem for it,” he later recalled. Doroschuk by no means anticipated “The Security Dance” to turn out to be a success, however one thing in regards to the music clicked with audiences. “I feel individuals can relate to the empowering form of message of ‘The Security Dance’: ‘You may dance if you wish to,’” Doroschuk defined in a later interview. “And when the music first got here out, it was the start of rap, and it was one of many solely songs that had a spoken factor to it.”

21. The Church, “Underneath the Milky Manner”
“Underneath the Milky Manner” proved to be each a blessing and a curse for the Australian band the Church. The 1988 single grew to become the group’s largest worldwide hit, introducing them to a bigger viewers and taking them on excursions all over the world. However there have been loads of drawbacks. “The fellows within the band all hated one another, and so they all hated me,” singer Steve Kilbey defined in 2018. “As an alternative of being grateful that I would written this music which had dragged them into the highlight they have been type of envious and depressing about it as effectively.” Regardless that the Church has loved a profession spanning greater than 4 a long time, “Underneath the Milky Manner” stays its solely U.S. hit.

20. Carl Douglas, “Kung Fu Preventing”
Carl Douglas was born in Jamaica and raised in England. Neither nation, it ought to be famous, is thought for its contributions to martial arts. Nonetheless, that didn’t cease Douglas from tapping into the recognition of Kung Fu films within the ‘70s together with his music “Kung Fu Preventing.” The monitor was recorded in simply 10 minutes and was meant to be the B-side of a single. “I went excessive on the ‘huhs’ and the ‘hahs’ and the chopping sounds,” producer Biddu recalled. “It was a B-side; who was going to pay attention?” Because it turned out, plenty of individuals. “Kung Fu Preventing” topped charts throughout the globe in 1974, promoting greater than 11 million copies worldwide. Douglas tried to capitalize on the monitor’s recognition by recording the same music, “Dance the Kung Fu,” but it surely didn’t obtain the identical pleasure. He by no means scored one other hit, however “Kung Fu Preventing” has remained omnipresent, used in TV reveals and films akin to Dancing With the Stars, Scrubs, Beverly Hills Ninja, Rush Hour and Kung Fu Panda.

19. Lifeless or Alive, “You Spin Me Spherical (Like a Document)”
Liverpool group Lifeless or Alive had already made some noise within the U.Okay.’s dance scene after they launched their 1984 single “You Spin Me Spherical (Like a Document).” The monitor catapulted them onto the world’s stage, going High 10 in 15 international locations, together with a No. 11 peak within the States. Though it could be their solely hit, the catchy music would later be lined by quite a lot of artists, together with Jessica Simpson and nu metallic band Dope. Rapper Flo Rida additionally interpolated the music’s refrain for his 2009 hit single with Kesha, “Proper Spherical.”

18. The Penguins, “Earth Angel”

The one factor higher than having a success music is having one in your first attempt. “Earth Angel” – penned by Curtis Williams, Jesse Belvin and Gaynel Hodge – was launched by the Penguins in 1954 as their debut single and have become an infinite hit. “Earth Angel” was a demo; vocal group the Penguins had recorded the music within the storage of a cousin to the music’s producer, Dootsie Williams. No overdubs have been wanted. “Earth Angel” was the Penguin’s solely hit, but it surely bought tens of millions of copies and has been known as one of many cornerstone songs of doo-wop.

17. Lipps Inc, “Funkytown”
Anybody complaining about trendy music stars being “fabricated” or “business vegetation” ought to have a look again in historical past. Document producer Steve Greenberg fashioned Lipps Inc. in 1979 as a car for former magnificence queen Cynthia Johnson, who was seeking to transition into music. Greenberg loaded a bunch with session musicians after which wrote a music to interrupt them. “Funkytown” grew to become a large worldwide hit. Lipps Inc. was by no means capable of replicate the success, and Johnson ultimately loved a profession second act in gospel music.

16. Steam, “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye”
Studio musicians Gary DeCarlo, Dale Frashuer and Paul Leka had labored collectively on numerous tasks for a number of years. In 1969, DeCarlo was recording songs with Leka producing after they determined to revisit an previous concept. “I began writing whereas I used to be sitting on the piano going ‘Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na.’ … Every thing was ‘na na’ when you did not have a lyric,” Leka recalled. The outcome was “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye,” which they deliberate to use as a B-side to DeCarlo’s subsequent single, however the file label cherished it a lot they needed to make it the favored monitor. As a result of contractual obligations, the only was launched below the band identify Steam, regardless that there wasn’t an actual group on the time. “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Scorching 100 and has endured as a timeless kiss-off.

15. Chumbawamba, “Tubthumping”
There is not something inherently attention-grabbing about Chumbawamba’s “Tubthumping.” The music repeats the identical lyrical phrase – “I get knocked down, however I rise up once more / You’re by no means gonna hold me down” – a whopping 29 instances. The one different lyrics typically cowl a listing of drinks – whiskey drink, vodka drink, lager drink, cider drink – and the act of “pissing the evening away.” However the music was a large worldwide hit in 1997. It made the High 10 in 17 completely different international locations, together with a peak of No. 6 within the U.S. Critics raved in regards to the music, whereas its video was plastered throughout MTV. However Chumbawamba was a political rock collective whose music sounded little like their one hit. Mainstream success wasn’t their objective, so “Tubthumping” was their solely music to chart within the States.

14. Ram Jam, “Black Betty”
That riff, that thumping beat, that “Bam-ba-lam” – there’s no escaping the infectious pleasure of Ram Jam’s “Black Betty.” The music started life as a Twentieth-century African-American work music. Precisely what “Black Betty” is a nickname for has been debated, although the commonest principle is a bottle of whiskey. Blues and folks legend Lead Stomach recorded a well-liked a cappella model in 1939. Greater than 35 years later, New York rock band Ram Jam obtained their palms on it, turning “Black Betty” into a tough rocking hit. Ram Jam wasn’t capable of hold the momentum rolling, as band turmoil shortly introduced the group to an finish. They broke up in 1978, roughly a 12 months after “Black Betty” was launched.

13. Blind Melon, “No Rain”
Blind Melon was on high of the musical mountain in 1993 when their single “No Rain” grew to become a large hit. The music’s recognition, additional enhanced by its beloved “Bee Woman” music video, helped push Blind Melon’s self-titled debut album to multiplatinum gross sales. With performances opening for the Rolling Stones and a set at Woodstock ‘94, Blind Melon have been having fun with the fruits of their success. However their sophomore album, Soup, bought poorly, and simply months after its launch, frontman Shannon Hoon died of a cocaine overdose on the age of 28. His loss of life introduced Blind Melon to an in depth.

12. Massive Nation, “In a Massive Nation”
The ‘80s have been all about being large: large hair, large automobiles and large songs. The Scottish band Massive Nation scored a large hit in 1983 with “In a Massive Nation,” a hovering music about harnessing hope and optimism. With guitar elements engineered to sound like bagpipes, the monitor sounded in contrast to the rest on the radio. It reached No. 3 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart and No. 17 on the Scorching 100, and its video earned heavy rotation on MTV. It marked a profession highwater mark for Massive Nation, who by no means once more got here near such industrial success.

11. Autograph, “Flip Up the Radio”
Autograph obtained a head begin after they have been chosen by drummer Keni Richards’ good friend David Lee Roth to open 48 reveals on Van Halen’s 1984 tour earlier than releasing an album and even signing a file contract. The eye scored them a deal, and “Flip Up the Radio,” the primary single from their debut album Signal In Please, cracked the High 30. The music’s profile was additional boosted by appearances in Miami Vice and a number of films. However even after releasing two extra albums within the ’80s, the band by no means broke by means of to the following stage.

10. Norman Greenbaum, “Spirit within the Sky”
After bouncing round bands, Norman Greenbaum grew to become a solo artist within the late ‘60s. He penned “Spirit within the Sky” as a folks music, however producer Erik Jacobsen helped construct it right into a psychedelic rocker, a music immediately recognizable from its first notes. “I am just a few Jewish musician who actually dug gospel music,” Greenbaum defined to Rolling Stone. “I made a decision there was a bigger Jesus gospel market on the market than a Jehovah one.” In 1970, “Spirit within the Sky” hit No. 1 within the U.Okay. and No. 3 within the U.S. Sixteen years later, British glam rock band Physician and the Medics topped the U.Okay. chart with a canopy. It occurred once more in 2003 when Gareth Gates reached No. 1 within the U.Okay. together with his rendition. As such, the monitor has the distinct honor of getting been No. 1 within the U.Okay. three completely different instances by three completely different artists.

9. Eddy Grant, “Electrical Avenue”
After 20 years of success within the U.Okay., each together with his band the Equals and as a solo act, Eddy Grant lastly invaded the U.S. in 1983, due to “Electrical Avenue.” The monitor’s material, race riots within the Brixton space of London, was doubtless misplaced on American listeners, however its reggae rhythm and catchy refrain linked all the identical. The single reached No. 2 on the Billboard Scorching 100 and was licensed platinum. Regardless that Grant has remained a well-liked presence in music, one other hit has eluded him.

8. Tommy Tutone, “867-5309/Jenny”
Not solely was there by no means an actual Jenny, there was by no means even a Tommy Tutone. The band scored their solely hit in 1981 with “867-5309/Jenny,” which peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Scorching 100. The music is a couple of lady’s cellphone quantity written on the lavatory wall, a narrative the group initially claimed was true. However in 2004 co-writer Alex Name set the file straight. “Regardless of all of the mythology on the contrary, I truly simply got here up with the ‘Jenny’ and the phone quantity and the music and all that simply sitting in my yard. There was no Jenny,” he defined. “Tommy Tutone’s been utilizing the story for years that there was a Jenny and he or she ran a recording studio and so forth. It makes a greater story, but it surely’s not true.”

7. Trendy English, “I Soften With You”

When Trendy English wrote “I Soften With You” within the early ’80s, England was in a fairly bleak place economically: A deep recession was happening as the federal government tried to cope with inflation. Everybody felt the results. “There was no cash. There’d be no energy — you would be at dwelling with candles,” Trendy English singer Robbie Gray later defined. It was the perfect time for a profitable hit music, which Trendy English landed with “I Soften With You” in 1982. Satirically, the music was greater within the U.S., reaching No. 78 on the Scorching 100. Trendy English by no means had one other hit.

6. Dexys Midnight Runners, “Come On Eileen”
In 1982, English band Dexys Midnight Runners delivered one of many ‘80s most memorable songs. With a particular Celtic fiddle, “Come On Eileen” did not sound like another music on the time. A part of its attraction was its simplicity. Anybody at any age may sing alongside, particularly the monitor’s climatic “Too-ra-loo-ra Too-ra-loo-rye-ay” part. “Come On Eileen” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Scorching 100 in 1983, the solely U.S. hit for Dexys Midnight Runners.

5. Nena, “99 Luftballons”
It takes guts, expertise and a little bit of luck to show nuclear battle right into a timeless music. Gabriele Susanne Kerner – higher identified by her stage identify Nena – had all of that in 1983. “99 Luftballons” was initially launched in Nena’s native German. The language barrier didn’t cease it from climbing the charts all around the world, together with a peak of No. 2 in the U.S., the place an English model known as “99 Crimson Balloons” was launched. Nena by no means scored one other hit and had damaged up by the top of the ‘80s, however Kerner continued having success in Germany for years as a solo act.

4. Comfortable Cell, “Tainted Love”
British soul singer Gloria Jones initially launched “Tainted Love” in 1965. The music wasn’t a success and was largely forgotten till Comfortable Cell obtained their palms on it. By including a male perspective, together with a sinister vocal supply, the synth-pop duo turned their icy monitor right into a worldwide hit. Their model of “Tainted Love” grew to become a chart-topper in 1981, reaching No. 1 in 17 international locations and peaking at No. 8 within the U.S. Its 43 weeks on the Billboard Scorching 100 set a then-record for the longest consecutive keep on the chart. It was the band’s solely hit within the U.S., however they remained standard within the U.Okay.

3. Frankie Goes to Hollywood, “Chill out”
Many years after its 1983 launch, youngsters of their teenagers and 20s are nonetheless shopping for T-shirts that learn “Frankie Say Chill out.” “Chill out” was fairly controversial when it was launched due to its overtly sexual material (“Chill out, don’t do it / Whenever you wish to come”). The monitor was banned by the BBC, which unintentionally gave the Liverpool-based Frankie Goes to Hollywood extra consideration than they ever imagined. “Chill out” hit No. 1 within the U.Okay. and No. 10 within the U.S. Whereas Frankie Goes to Hollywood had a number of extra hits in Europe, they by no means once more clicked with American listeners.

2. A-ha, “Take On Me”

Oddly sufficient, when a-ha launched “Take On Me” as a single within the U.Okay. in 1984, it flopped, reaching solely No. 137. (For what it is value, it did make it to No. 3 within the band’s dwelling nation of Norway.) They tried releasing the music two extra instances in 1985, and at last, it took off, making it to No. 2 and No. 1 on the U.Okay. and U.S. charts, respectively. This was helped by an revolutionary, animated pencil-sketch video that was performed typically on MTV and gained a number of awards. Fairly spectacular for a music that band members Pal Waaktaar and Magne Furuholmen first began fleshing out as youngsters.

1. The Buggles, “Video Killed the Radio Star”
English new wave group the Buggles was lively for less than 5 years, from 1977 to 1982. Made up of singer and bassist Trevor Horn and keyboardist Geoff Downes, the duo experimented with quickly altering studio know-how. They launched their synth-heavy debut album The Age of Plastic in 1980, which included the only “Video Killed the Radio Star.” Whereas the music grew to become a success all around the world, the U.S. was gradual to catch on. The monitor peaked at No. 40 after which began to fade. Then MTV premiered in August 1981, and “Video Killed the Radio Star” was the primary video to air on the fledgling community. It grew to become a symbolic change of the guards for the best way audiences consumed music. Each members of the Buggles have gone on to different profitable endeavors (as producers and members of Sure and Asia), however “Video Killed the Radio Star” stays a pivotal snapshot in historical past.