3 One-Hit Wonders From Foreign Bands That Ruled the 1980s

While a great deal of pop music comes from the United States, not all of it is born in America. That is very clear when we look at the charts of decades like the 1980s. And not only did they include big-name, well-known artists—there were lesser-known groups who happened to be one-hit wonders.

Here below, we wanted to examine three examples. A trio of tracks from one-hit wonders that were foreign born. Three songs that rose up the charts from groups who didn’t have any other big hits. Indeed, these are three one-hit wonders from foreign bands that ruled the 1980s.

[RELATED: 3 Energetic One-Hit Wonders That Are Perfect To Dance Along To]

“Come On Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners and the Emerald Express from Too-Rye-Ay (1982)

This song from the Birmingham, England-born group Dexys Midnight Runners and the Emerald Express includes lyrics from an Irish folk song. At its heart, the track, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, is about freedom, about running from the status quo and eschewing the religious control at the time in the United Kingdom. Singing with passion, lead vocalist Kevin Rowland belts lyrics about love and getting the societal shackles off your soul, offering,

Come on Eileen
These people round here
Wear beaten down eyes
Sunk in smoke dried faces
Resigned to what their fate is
But not us (no never), no not us (no never)
We are far too young and clever
Remember
Toora loora toora loo rye aye
Eileen I’ll hum this tune forever
Eileen I’ll hum this tune forever

“99 Luftballons” by Nena from Nena (1983)

This song from the German-born band Nena hit No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Later, an English version of the song also hit the charts. But the most popular rendition is the German-language offering. At its heart, the song, which was inspired by balloons let go at a Rolling Stones concert, is about the idea of balloons floating over the Berlin Wall from West to East Germany. Complete with a catchy synth riff, the song has subsisted in culture today as a reminder that we are closer than we think, even in divided times. And on the tune, Gabriele “Nena” Kerner sings,

Hast du etwas Zeit für mich?
Dann singe ich ein Lied für dich
Von 99 Luftballons
Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont
Denkst du vielleicht grad an mich?
Dann singe ich ein Lied für dich
Von 99 Luftballons
Und, dass sowas von sowas kommt

“Tainted Love” by Soft Cell from Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret (1981)

Originally recorded by Gloria Jones in 1964, this tune was later revived by the British-born band Soft Cell, giving it a 1980s synth-pop feel. That 1981 rendition is one of the catchiest songs ever created with a searing chorus and memorable percussive instrumentation. Indeed, on the song, lead vocalist Marc Almond sings,

Sometimes I feel I’ve got to
Run away I’ve got to
Get away
From the pain you drive into the heart of me
The love we share
Seems to go nowhere
And I’ve lost my light
For I toss and turn, I can’t sleep at night

Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns