The 1980s were a great time for dance music, electronic tunes, and jam-worthy songs that hit the airwaves and became instant hits. However, many of those “instant” hits from the 1980s were one-hit wonders, and the musicians that produced them never got as big of a chart-topper in the years since. Let’s look at just five of the best one-hit wonders from the 1980s!
1. “Rhythm Of The Night” by DeBarge
This dance-pop and R&B tune was released in 1985 and became a breakthrough song for famed songwriter Diane Warren. It’s such a fun song and happened to be DeBarge’s biggest hit as a group. “Rhythm Of The Night” peaked at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
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2. “Electric Avenue” by Eddy Grant
It’s a little funky, a little reggae, a little new wave. “Electric Avenue” by Eddy Grant had all the elements that listeners wanted in 1983, and it became the musician’s biggest career hit. The music video for the song was a massive hit in the United States as well. It peaked at no. 2 on the Hot 100. “Electric Avenue” was written about the 1981 Brixton riot in London.
3. “Funkytown” by Lipps Inc.
Disco wasn’t totally dead in 1980. Out of all of the one-hit wonders of the 1980s on this list, this is one of the most memorable songs that even the youngins probably know. “Funkytown” has an addictive beat and even more addicting lyrics, so it makes sense why it reached no. 1 on the Hot 100, as well as a ton of other global charts that year.
4. “It’s Raining Men” by The Weather Girls
This fun romp from 1982 was a huge hit when it was released, and it certainly makes sense why. It’s an energetic, iconic post-disco song that almost wasn’t released by The Weather Girls. Quite a few famous divas, like Donna Summer and Barbra Streisand, turned the song down before it went to the musical duo. We’re glad it did; nobody could have done this song quite like The Weather Girls. “It’s Raining Men” was nominated for a Grammy and peaked at no. 46 on the Hot 100 and no. 1 on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart.
5. “La Bamba” by Los Lobos
“La Bamba” is a very old Mexican folk song that has been covered and reimagined quite a few times through the years. It was first made into a Top 40 hit by Ritchie Valens in the 1950s. However, Los Lobos’ 1987 Chicano rock version was a massive hit in the 1980s. That version peaked at no. 1 on the Hot 100, as well as quite a few US, UK, and Latin American charts.
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