3 One-Hit Wonders by Solo Artists You Forgot You Loved

Wouldn’t it be fun if there were musician trading cards? In the 1980s, people loved trading sports cards. Why not have them for music? And if there were such a thing, can you imagine what the 1980s series of cards would look like? What an eclectic group of stars. What a wild group of hit-makers that would be.

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But it’s those very artists whom we wanted to examine here. We wanted to highlight three one-hit wonders from the 1980s, three artists who created songs that raced up the charts thanks to their own individual solo performances. Indeed, these are three 80s one-hit wonders by solo artists you forgot you loved.

“Seven Year Ache” by Roseanne Cash from ‘Seven Year Ache’ (1981)

Released on the 1981 album of the same name, this song from Roseanne Cash, daughter of country star Johnny Cash, hit No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100. As far as the lyrics are concerned, the singer is addressing a down-and-out fellow. She doesn’t know exactly what his problem is, and so she says for him to tell her he’s struggling with the seven-year ache, that thing that comes between couples after a certain period of time together. Love is hard, relationships are hard, and this song knows it well.

“Valley Girl” by Frank Zappa from ‘Ship Arriving Too Late To Save A Drowning Witch’ (1982)

This song from rocker Frank Zappa hit No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100. The virtuosic Zappa has been a part of hundreds, if not thousands, of songs. But for whatever reason, this is the sole one that hit the Top 40. Fun fact for your next trivia session! As far as the song itself, it features a stereotypical California valley girl talking nonsense as a chorus of singers seems to poke fun at her underneath the music. It’s a joke track with an edge. What else would you expect from someone like Zappa?

“Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)” by Enya from ‘Watermark’ (1988)

There was a period of time in the late 80s and early 90s when the Irish-born Enya was one of the most popular artists on the planet. And her song “Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)” is evidence of that as the soothing tune hit No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song that makes your soul feel just a little bit lighter also inspires you to sing along. Suddenly, you’re on a ship headed somewhere—the heavens, maybe. Enya is transportive, and on this song is especially so.

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