3 One-Hit Wonders From the 1980s With Instantly Recognizable One-Name Titles

When it comes to songwriters and performers, some are known with just one name. There’s Cher, Madonna, Dylan, Hendrix—you get the picture. But what about songs that have just one name? Well, there are some tracks that only go by a single word. And some of those are supremely memorable—you can hear the song rush into your psyche as soon as you hear its name.

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Here below, we wanted to dive into three such examples. A trio of tracks that go by a single word but that are especially memorable. Not only that, but they’re songs that rocketed up the charts and were by artists who never achieved that feat again. Indeed, these are three one-hit wonders from the 1980s that have instantly recognizable one-name titles.

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

“Mickey” by Toni Basil from Word of Mouth (1982)

As soon as you hear the name “Mickey,” you can hear the drums kick in and singer Toni Basil start to sing about Mickey. He’s so fine, he’s so fine, he’s so fine! He blows her mind! It’s one of those songs that will stick in your head all day if you let it. Put it on for maybe one-and-a-half-times and just watch it make residence in your mind. Indeed, sings Basil on the one-named track, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100,

Hey Mickey
You’ve been around all night and that’s a little long
You think you’ve got the right, but I think you’ve got it wrong
Why can’t you say goodnight? So you can take me home Mickey?

‘Cause when you say you will, it always means you won’t
You’re givin’ me the chills, baby, please, baby don’t
Every night you still leave me alone Mickey

“Relax” by Frankie Goes to Hollywood from Welcome to the Pleasuredome (1983)

You can just hear the booming chorus as soon as you say, “RELAX!” Suddenly, you’re telling yourself, “Don’t do it!” But do what? That’s not totally clear in this 1983 song from the group Frankie Goes to Hollywood. It doesn’t matter—this song is about feel, vibe, and style. As soon as you hear it, you’re transported to a time in the 1980s when life was an action movie and everything was about being bigger and better. On this song, the group sings,

Relax, don’t do it
When you want to go to it
Relax, don’t do it
When you want to come
Relax, don’t do it
When you want to suck it, chew it
Relax, don’t do it
When you want to come
When you want to come

Relax, don’t do it
When you want to go to it
Relax, don’t do it
When you want to come
Relax don’t do it
When you want to suck it, chew it
Relax, don’t do it
When you want to come
Come

“Funkytown” by Lipps Inc. from Mouth to Mouth (1980)

You might not want to put this music video on if you’re at work—it’s a little NSFW! But that free-spirit energy aside, this song washes over you as soon as you hear the title. Instantly, you have a ticket in your hand and you’re set for a journey to some town known for being funky. What a life! What a course of events! People may not know the name Lipps Inc. as readily as some did in the past, but Funkytown? Yes and yes. And on the track, the group sings,

Won’t you take me to
Funkytown?
Won’t you take me to
Funkytown?
Won’t you take me to
Funkytown?
Won’t you take me to
Funkytown?

Gotta make a move to a town that’s right for me
Town to keep me movin’
Keep me groovin’ with some energy

Well, I talk about it, talk about it
Talk about it, talk about it
Talk about, talk about
Talk about movin’

Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images