Nostalgic 80s One-Hit Wonders: 9 Pop Hits Revisited

With a fun blend of Celtic folk fiddles and pop, “Come On Eileen” became a smash hit for the British band Dexys Midnight Runners. Released in 1982 in the UK and making it to the U.S. in early 1983, the song made it to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (week ending April 23, 1983). Everyone couldn’t get enough of its exciting tempo changes and the unforgettable chorus “Too-ra loo-ra too-ra loo-rye-aye.” 

Chart Performance: In the U.S., “Come On Eileen” stands as Dexys Midnight Runners’ only major hit, reaching #1 on the Hot 100. (Notably, the band had other hits in the UK – including a prior #1 but unfortunately the states only embraced Eileen.) In fact, VH1 later dubbed “Come On Eileen” the #1 one-hit wonder of the 1980s, noting that while Dexys had more success abroad, they’re known for this one catchy tune in the U.S.

Cultural Context: With its denim overalls, iconic fiddle, and shout-along chorus, the song became an undeniable staple of 80s pop culture. The music video featured the band in their scruffy, overall-based look and had a street performance vibe that most loved. Lyrically, frontman Kevin Rowland sings about youthful romance and rebellion, addressing “Eileen” (an idealized girl-next-door who represents our youth). 

Fun fact: Despite speculation, Rowland confirmed “Eileen” wasn’t a real person at all, but rather a symbol of escape from his strict upbringing.

After the Hit – Where Are They Now? Dexys Midnight Runners never replicated their U.S. success. They soon disbanded in the 1980s, and frontman Kevin Rowland explored a (sometimes rocky) solo path. However, Rowland eventually resurrected Dexys (now just called Dexys) for new albums and tours in the 2000s and 2010s. They remain cult favorites in the UK. In recent years, the band has continued to perform and even release new music, capitalizing on nostalgia for their signature sound. But in the American imagination, Dexys will always be the one-hit wonder band playing that classic 80s fiddle tune about the elusive Eileen. 

Released in 1985, “Take On Me” by Norwegian band a-ha is an instantly recognizable 1980s pop song with its soaring synth riff and unforgettable pencil-sketch animated music video. This upbeat track climbed all the way to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1985, largely thanks to heavy rotation of its groundbreaking video on MTV. The innovative video, which blended live-action with sketch animation won six MTV Video Music Awards and remains one of the most iconic of the era.

Performance: “Take On Me” took a few releases to catch on, but once it hit MTV and radio, it skyrocketed. It hit number one on the Hot 100 on October 19, 1985 and even set a record at the 1986 MTV VMAs, where it won a record eight awards (an accomplishment that still hadn’t been beaten!). It's also important to note, that while in the U.S. we think of a-ha just having one big hit, in their home country of Norway and across Europe, they went on to have several chart topping hits throughout the 80s. 

Cultural Context: The song’s success rode the second British (or in this case, Norwegian) invasion wave of synth-pop. The fantastical video, featuring lead singer Morten Harket entering a comic-book world to rescue a girl, captivated viewers and demonstrated MTV’s power in making a song a hit. With its ultra high falsetto chorus and sing-along “take on me” hook, the track became a quintessential 80s anthem. 

Fun fact: “Take On Me” actually existed in earlier, failed versions before a-ha reworked it into the smash we know and love. 

Where Are They Now? In the U.S., a-ha never replicated this chart-topping success and is often remembered as a one-hit wonder (their only other U.S. Top 40 entry was “The Sun Always Shines on TV,” which is largely forgotten now a days). However, the band continued to thrive elsewhere and remains active internationally. They staged a reunion and released new music in the 2010s, but they’ll forever be remembered in America for that one magical hit. 

Oh Mickey, you’re so fine – you’re so fine you still blow our minds! Toni Basil’s “Mickey” is a high-energy cheerleader chant set to new-wave pop, and it became one of the early 80s’ most memorable one hit wonders. Despite releasing in the U.S. February, the song didn't climb to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1982, fueled by its infectious “Oh Mickey, you’re so fine” hook and a upbeat music video that helped define the 80s cheerleader style.

Chart Performance: “Mickey” held the top spot for one week and even hit #2 in the UK . It was Toni Basil’s only Top 40 hit on the Billboard chart, the textbook definition of a one-hit wonder. (VH1 later ranked it #6 on the “100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the ’80s.") The song was also popular in other countries, reaching #1 in Canada and Australia as well, proving that its catchy appeal was universal.

Cultural Context: Toni Basil wasn’t a teenage pop star but a 38-year-old choreographer and dancer when “Mickey” hit, which makes the song’s cheerleading theme all the more charming. In the DIY music video, Basil actually dressed in her real high school cheerleader uniform and choreographed the entire routine. The video, features Basil and a squad of real cheerleaders from a California high school. It became an MTV staple with it's pom-poms, high kicks, and all. 

Fun Fact: “Mickey” was originally written as “Kitty” for another band but Basil later changed the name. A long-standing rumor claimed the name change was because Basil had a crush on Monkees drummer Micky Dolenz. She has denied this several times, saying it’s just a fun pop song. 

Where Is She Now? Toni Basil never scored another hit song, but she hardly faded away. As a multitalented performer, she returned to her first love: choreography. Through the decades, Basil choreographed for artists like David Bowie and Tina Turner. Incredibly, Basil has stayed active well into her later years, choreographing a Quentin Tarantino film scene in 2019 at age 75! She’ll forever be celebrated for “Mickey,” but her career as a choreographer and dancer has been anything but one-note.

With its strong synth and moody vocals, “Tainted Love” became an unexpected hit in 1982 for British duo Soft Cell. Originally a 1964 soul B-side by Gloria Jones, Soft Cell’s new wave version struck a chord in the states during the height of the new wave boom. The song peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1982 , but its real power was its longevity. It stayed on the Hot 100 for 43 weeks, longer than any single had charted up to that point.

Chart Performance: While #8 might not sound like a "chart-topper," the impact of “Tainted Love” was huge. It rode the Second British Invasion wave across the Atlantic, fueled by this era’s obsession with synth-pop. Soft Cell’s version not only dominated U.S. dance clubs (it hit #4 on the Billboard dance chart in a remix with “Where Did Our Love Go”) but also set a Billboard record for most weeks on the Hot 100 (43 weeks straight) at the time. Decades 20 later, VH1 ranked “Tainted Love” among the Top 5 one-hit wonders of the 80s, solidifying Soft Cell’s U.S. one-hit status (they did however have other hits in the UK).

Cultural Context: “Tainted Love” perfectly captures the early 80s synth-driven sound. The dramatic vocals over an electronic beat turned this into a dark anthem of sorts. Its moody, lovelorn lyrics (“Once I ran to you, now I run from you…”) resonated with the generation.

Fun Fact: Many American listeners didn’t know it was a cover of a ’60s soul song. Another notable aspect was its extended 12-inch version, which cleverly segued into a cover of the Supremes’ “Where Did Our Love Go,” making it a two-for-one cover medley. The track also set trends in pop culture; for example, that memorable bum-bum synth riff has been sampled in modern hits (Rihanna’s 2006 song “SOS” heavily borrows from it).

Where Are They Now? While Soft Cell never scored another big hit in the U.S., they remained booked and busy. The duo (Marc Almond and David Ball) continued to release music through the 80s, and Almond had a successful solo career in Europe. The band initially split in 1984. However, Soft Cell’s cult status grew, and they reunited in the early 2000s for new music and concerts. In recent years, they even released a new album (in 2022) and have performed reunion shows. But for U.S. fans, Soft Cell will always bring to mind that one synth-pop gem that dominated the airwaves in 1982.

A protest song about stray balloons accidentally triggering doomsday somehow became a pop hit. That’s the magic of “99 Luftballons” by Nena. Sung in German by the West German band Nena (named after its lead singer), the song tapped into Cold War anxieties with an irresistibly catchy melody. It became a worldwide hit in 1983-84 and a rare example of a foreign-language song conquering the U.S. charts. In America, the original German version peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1984, right behind Van Halen’s “Jump.”

Chart Performance: “99 Luftballons” was a massive hit internationally, reaching #1 in several countries and in the U.S. it reached #2 on the Hot 100. Interestingly, American audiences embraced the German language version; an English version titled “99 Red Balloons” was also recorded but never ended up charting. The German original became Nena’s only U.S. hit, firmly placing her in one-hit wonder territory here. It was certified Gold in the U.S. and is often cited as one of the biggest non-English songs ever on American radio. 

Cultural Context: The song’s story reflects real 1980s Cold War fears: 99 balloons float into the sky, trigger military radars, and spark a catastrophic war by mistake. This grim theme hid behind a bouncy, new wave tune that people cheerfully sang along to, perhaps not realizing they were humming about war. The inspiration came when Nena’s guitarist, Carlo Karges, saw balloons released at a Rolling Stones concert and wondered what might happen if they drifted over the Berlin Wall. Lyrically, “99 Luftballons” paints a satirical scenario of how something as simple as balloons could lead to devastating consequences. 

Fun Fact: The phrase “99 Luftballons” literally means “99 air balloons” – the English version turned them “red” for poetic effect. The band Nena wasn’t a one-hit wonder at home, with other hits in Germany but this was their only hit in the U.S.. It also holds a special pop culture distinction: it’s one of the few German-language songs to ever hit the upper ranks of the U.S. charts. The music video featured Nena dancing amid a military training ground with explosions in the background, highlighting the song’s anti-war message amid the pop fun.

Where Are They Now? Nena (the singer) continued to have a thriving career in Germany. After the one-off global success of “99 Luftballons,” she released more music in German and scored hits in Europe throughout the 80s and beyond. In 2002, Nena enjoyed a big comeback in German-speaking countries by rerecording her 80s hits. She has sold millions of records worldwide, making her one of Germany’s most successful pop singers. In recent years, Nena remains active - touring, recording, and even appearing as a coach on The Voice of Germany. To American 80s fans, Nena might be that girl who sang about balloons and war in a language they didn’t understand but in Germany, she’s a certified pop icon with a career that’s anything but a one-hit wonder. 

S-A-F-E-T-Y…If you could spell in the early 80s, chances are you spelled S-A-F-E-T-Y along with this song! “The Safety Dance” by Canadian band Men Without Hats is a fun new-wave classic that had everyone dancing (safely or not) in 1983. With its infectious synth riff and nonsense-y chorus (“Everybody look at your hands!”), the track became a major hit, reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September of 1983. Not bad for a song that was actually a protest against uptight bouncers in clubs.

Chart Performance: In the U.S., “The Safety Dance” became a bigger hit than it was in Canada, where the band was from. It spent four weeks at #3 on the Hot 100 in September–October 1983 , and it also hit #1 on Billboard’s Dance Chart. Surprisingly, in Canada it peaked at #11, meaning the band ironically had their greatest chart success abroad. Although Men Without Hats did have another modest U.S. hit in 1987 (“Pop Goes the World” crept into the Top 20), it’s “Safety Dance” that everyone remembers, making them essentially a one-hit wonder in the wider pop culture view.

Cultural Context & Trivia: What exactly is a “safety dance”? Lead singer Ivan Doroschuk explained it’s about pogoing, a form of erratic dancing popular in new-wave clubs. He wrote the song after being thrown out of a club for pogo dancing. The song is a cheeky protest for the freedom to dance how you want. Many listeners misinterpreted it as a generic call for safe practices, but in reality it’s about wanting to dance the way you want to. The music video amplified the song’s fun and quirky appeal, being set in a medieval village, complete with peasants, a maypole, and the lead singer happily prancing around in a medieval costume. This Renaissance faire aesthetic made the video a memorable MTV hit. Few can forget the sight of Men Without Hats dancing through the village street. The song’s catchy spelling-out of “S-A-F-E-T-Y” and the refrain “We can dance if we want to” have made it a lasting pop culture reference, often used in movies and TV whenever a quirky 80s dance moment is needed.

Where Are They Now? Men Without Hats rode their 15 minutes of fame and continued to make music through the 80s. By the early 90s, the band went on hiatus. But you can’t keep a good 80s band down - lead singer Ivan Doroschuk revived Men Without Hats in the 2000s for 80s nostalgia tours. In the 2010s, they even released new music including reworking “The Safety Dance” into a folk ballad in 2021! 

The one phone number we will never forget helped cement this song as an instant classic. “867-5309/Jenny” by American band Tommy Tutone released in late 1981, and eventually peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May 1982. The concept of the song is so simple but so catchy - the singer sees Jenny’s name and number on a bathroom wall and invites listeners to “call Jenny” for a good time. Little did Tommy Tutone know they would spark a fad of millions actually dialing that number, looking for Jenny!

Chart Performance: “867-5309/Jenny” hit #4 on the Hot 100 and even reached #1 on Billboard’s Rock Top Tracks chart. It stayed on the pop chart for a solid 27 weeks. Importantly, Tommy Tutone never scored another major hit, their only other Hot 100 entry barely cracked the Top 40 (“Angel Say No” hit #38 in 1980). Thus, Jenny cemented their one-hit wonder status. The song was so popular that for years people who had that number complained of endless prank phone calls. This phenomenon even led some businesses snagging 867-5309 as their number for publicity.

Cultural Context: The early 80s were a time when scribbling things on a bathroom wall was commonplace and this song immortalized that bit of culture. The identity of Jenny sparked debate: was she real? While the band has given conflicting answers over the years, co-writer Alex Call later admitted there was no actual Jenny, he simply made up a name and number that fit the melody. That hasn’t stopped listeners from crafting their own Jenny fantasies. This song's biggest cultural impact of course is making 867-5309 the most famous phone number. Even today, mention those seven digits to anyone who knows 80s music, and they’ll likely burst into the song. It’s been referenced endlessly throughout the years, a true sign of an 80s classic. Additionally, the song is often praised as a perfect example of ’80s power pop: punchy, upbeat, and a little bold.

Where Are They Now? The band Tommy Tutone never found another hit like “Jenny.” By the mid-80s, the band faded from the charts and eventually disbanded. Tommy Heath, the lead singer, stepped back from music and became a computer programmer. Tommy Tutone is a classic example of an 80s one-hit wonder that will always be remembered for three minutes of pop music perfection.

In 1986, an Austrian singer rapping about Mozart in German became the unlikeliest chart-topper on American radio. Falco’s “Rock Me Amadeus” is the only German language song ever to hit #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, which it did in March 1986. With its strong beats and catchy chorus, “Rock Me Amadeus” was an absolute ear worm.

Chart Performance: “Rock Me Amadeus” hit #1 in over a dozen countries. In the U.S., it hit No. 1 on March 29, 1986 and stayed there for 3 weeks . This made Falco the only artist in history to score a #1 hit with a German song in America. He followed up with a minor hit (“Vienna Calling”), but essentially Falco is a one-hit wonder in the U.S. context, with “Rock Me Amadeus." The song’s global success was unique but proved that a catchy tune can overcome language barriers.

Cultural Context: “Rock Me Amadeus” took advantage of the Mozart obsession of the time. The song’s lyrics pay tribute to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, mentioning his accomplishments and wild life, all to a driving synth-pop beat. The music video doubled down on the theme, featuring Falco in 18th-century Mozart attire while partying with both people from the 1700s and the 1980s - the perfect visual to match the song’s blend of classical and modern. 

Fun Fact: An English remix added spoken English narration about Mozart’s life timeline, which likely helped U.S. audiences get the gist. With its chorus that burrows into your brain and its offbeat concept, the track is certainly one of the 80s’ boldest one-hit wonders.

Where Are They Now? Falco enjoyed continued success in Europe (particularly in German speaking countries) with songs like “Jeanny,” but “Rock Me Amadeus” was his singular U.S. hit. Tragically, Falco’s story has a sad ending: he died in 1998 at the age of 40 in a car accident. His legacy lives on, proving that one-hit wonder status can still cement you a permanent spot in pop culture history.