If you formed a band in the 1980s, there was a chance you’d one day become famous. Sure, you may not become a household name for decades, you may not accrue 10 platinum records. But you could be famous for at least a little while. And here below, we wanted to highlight three occasions from back in the day when that concept proved to be true. Indeed, these are three one-hit wonder bands that formed in the 1980s with melodies that still echo decades later.
Bow Wow Wow
Candy fiends, this is your anthem! Indeed, if you’ve ever found yourself with a hankering for something sweet and you’ve sung the words out loud, “I WANT CANDY!“, then you have the British-born band Bow Wow Wow to thank. The group, which formed in 1980, turned a stomach growl into a Billboard Hot 100-charting song. To this day, the remarkable tune remains catchy. It’s like a piece of confection you just can’t get out of your teeth (or music-loving brain). Turn it on and prepare to sing it over and over again.
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Katrina And The Waves
This British-born one-hit wonder got things started in Cambridge, England in 1981. Ever since then, it’s been a breeze—almost like they’ve been walking on sunshine! Okay, okay, forgive the pun. But when you write and record a song like “Walking On Sunshine”, you are going to be associated with it. That’s what happens when you bring something so lovely and catchy to the world. Even now, as soon as you see the title, you can’t help but sing it to yourself. It’s that fun!
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
There must have been something in the water in the UK around 1980, because that’s where and when this group got going, too. Frankie Goes To Hollywood, which formed in 1980 in Liverpool, England, gave the world the synth-driven, sexualized song “Relax”, and life has never been the same since. While it may have raised a number of eyebrows in the moment, the track is beloved by audiences today. It’s one you’ll hear in dive bars and on classic rock radio stations alike. That’s talent!
Photo by BC Kagan/Getty Images
More The List
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Beatle John Lennon (1940 – 1980) and his Japanese girlfriend Yoko Ono with Beatle Paul McCartney (right), at the premiere of the new Beatles film 'Yellow Submarine' at the London Pavilion, 18th July 1968. John and Paul hold apples, the symbol of their newly formed company, Apple Corps. Thousands of Beatle fans brought traffic to a standstill in Piccadilly Circus as they waited to see the group arrive at the premiere. (Photo by Larry Ellis/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) -
Carly Simon (MANDATORY CREDIT Michael Uhll/Redferns) Carly Simon performing at Billy Joel's 'Back to the Ranch' music festival at the Deep Hollow Ranch in Montauk, New York on August 9, 1991. The concert was a benefit for the Nature Conservancy. (Photo by Michael Uhll/Redferns) -
UNITED KINGDOM – MARCH 29: DOMINION THEATRE Photo of Dolly PARTON (Photo by Pete Still/Redferns) -
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images -
Group shot of English rock and roll band The Rolling Stones posed in 1968. Clockwise from top left: Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman, Brian Jones (1942-1969), Mick jagger and Keith Richards. (Photo by Mark Hayward Archive/Redferns) -
(MANDATORY CREDIT Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images) Elton John performs on stage at Shibuya-Kokaido, Tokyo, Japan, 10th May 1971. (Photo by Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images) -
George Harrison of The Beatles pop group pictured at the Apple Headquarters in London, 2nd January 1969. (Photo by Steel/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)
