3 One-Hit Wonders From the 1980s That Would Still Hit the Charts Today

The 1980s produced a lot of stellar music. However, not every song from that era that was successful in the 80s would necessarily be successful had it been released in the 2020s instead. Still, a few one-hit wonders from back in the day really could have been charting hits if they were released four decades later. Let’s take a look at just a handful of one-hit wonders that I personally believe would have charted, had they been released in the 2020s instead of the 1980s.

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“Whip It” by Devo

People nowadays are worried about being “cringe” and weird. I can’t help but think that “Whip It” by Devo would be a refreshing balm for the soul in an otherwise socially stressful weird. Devo were unapologetically weird, as many new wave acts were. And “Whip It” is such a banger, I can’t imagine that it would do poorly in the 2020s. Maybe it would just need a slightly more modernized edge.

Despite becoming such a legendary band in hindsight, Devo didn’t find an enormous amount of success back in the 1980s. “Whip It” peaked at No. 14 in the United States. The band would never score a Top 40 hit again on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“Don’t Stop The Music” by Yarbrough & Peoples

This R&B boogie treat was released in 1980 by Yarbrough & Peoples. Honestly, I feel like there’s a boogie revival on the rise at the moment. And if I’m correct, “Don’t Stop The Music” would have absolutely delighted modern-day listeners, had it been released in this decade.

Before coming to an end as a duo in 1986, Yarbrough & Peoples had a bit of chart success in the US and UK. “Don’t Stop The Music”, sadly, was their only Top 20 hit on the Hot 100 chart. It’s not all gloom, though. After ending their duo career, Cavin Yarbrough and Alisa Peoples married the following year and started their own music production company together.

“Sweetheart” by Franke And The Knockouts

The golden age of soft rock has long since passed, but I still can’t help but think that “Sweetheart” by Franke And The Knockouts would have done well, had it been released in the 2020s instead of 1981. This song is a classic delight. With just a bit of modernization, it would have blasted through the charts in this era.

I’m going to assume this group were only one-hit wonders because they broke up way too soon. Before calling it quits in 1986, this group enjoyed quite a bit of chart success with their singles. The No. 10 hit “Sweetheart”, however, was their only Top 20 hit on the Hot 100 and Cash Box charts.

Photo via ‘Freedom of Choice’ Album Cover (1980)