List of 1980s one-hit wonders in the United States
In the music industry, the term one-hit wonder is used to describe an artist primarily known for a sole hit single. While no singular established criterion exists to classify an artist as a one-hit wonder, the frequently-cited technical description of a one-hit wonder in the United States defines a hit single as one which hits the top 40 of the national singles chart, the Billboard Hot 100.[1] Accordingly, Billboard journalist Wayne Jancik defines a United States one-hit wonder as "an act that has won a position on Billboard's national, pop, Top 40 just once."[2] Using this definition, artists are therefore classified as one-hit wonders based solely on Billboard Hot 100 chart performance—other factors such as success in other territories, additional hits on other Billboard genre-specific charts, membership in more prominent bands or musical groups, critical acclaim, and influence are not considered.[1]
One-hit wonders
Contents |
---|
← 1970s • 1980 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 • 1986 • 1987 • 1988 • 1989 • 1990s → |
1980
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/MrGaryNuman.jpg/190px-MrGaryNuman.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Larry_Graham.jpg/190px-Larry_Graham.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1f/DEVO%2C_Boston_6-27-08_crop.jpg/190px-DEVO%2C_Boston_6-27-08_crop.jpg)
1981
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e8/PhilSeymour82.jpg/190px-PhilSeymour82.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Emmylouharrissf2005.jpg/190px-Emmylouharrissf2005.jpg)
Artist | Single | Peak | Peak date | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Susan Anton | "Killin' Time" | 28 | February 7 | [37] |
Delbert McClinton | "Giving It Up for Your Love" | 8 | February 21 | [38] |
Tierra | "Together" | 18 | February 21 | [39] |
Phil Seymour | "Precious to Me" | 22 | March 28 | [40] |
Yarbrough and Peoples | "Don't Stop the Music" | 19 | April 11 | [41] |
Terri Gibbs | "Somebody's Knockin'" | 13 | April 25 | [42] |
Emmylou Harris | "Mister Sandman" | 37 | April 25 | [43] |
Grover Washington, Jr. | "Just the Two of Us" | 2 | May 2 | [44] |
John O'Banion | "Love You Like I Never Loved Before" | 24 | May 16 | [45] |
T.G. Sheppard | "I Loved 'Em Every One" | 37 | May 16 | [46] |
Get Wet | "Just So Lonely" | 39 | May 30 | [47] |
Jesse Winchester | "Say What" | 32 | June 13 | [48] |
Dottie West | "What Are We Doin' in Love" | 14 | June 27 | [31] |
Lee Ritenour | "Is It You" | 15 | June 27 | [49] |
Carole Bayer Sager | "Stronger Than Before" | 30 | July 11 | [50] |
Rosanne Cash | "Seven Year Ache" | 22 | July 18 | [51] |
Stanley Clarke and George Duke | "Sweet Baby" | 19 | August 1 | [52] |
Joey Scarbury | "Theme from The Greatest American Hero (Believe It or Not)" | 2 | August 15 | [53] |
John Schneider | "It's Now or Never" | 14 | August 15 | [53] |
Frankie Smith | "Double Dutch Bus" | 30 | August 15 | [54] |
Jim Steinman | "Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through" | 32 | August 15 | [55] |
Robbie Patton | "Don't Give It Up" | 26 | August 22 | [56] |
Rachel Sweet | "Everlasting Love" | 32 | August 22 | [57] |
Point Blank | "Nicole" | 39 | September 5 | [58] |
Silver Condor | "You Could Take My Heart Away" | 32 | September 19 | [59] |
Balance | "Breaking Away" | 22 | September 26 | [60] |
The Afternoon Delights | "General Hospi-Tale" | 33 | October 3 | [61] |
Larry Carlton | "The Theme from Hill Street Blues" | 10 | November 14 | [62] |
Diesel | "Sausalito Summernight" | 25 | November 21 | [63] |
Chris Christian | "I Want You, I Need You" | 37 | November 21 | [64] |
1982
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/VangelisElGrecopremiereDE2.jpg/190px-VangelisElGrecopremiereDE2.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c6/Haircut_100_Live.jpg/190px-Haircut_100_Live.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Patrice_Rushen_2010.jpg/190px-Patrice_Rushen_2010.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Marshallcrenshaw.jpg/190px-Marshallcrenshaw.jpg)
1983
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/77/Dexys2012.jpg/190px-Dexys2012.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/Kajagoogoo_in_Germany_Bochum_2008.jpg/190px-Kajagoogoo_in_Germany_Bochum_2008.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b3/Thomas_Dolby_2006.jpg/190px-Thomas_Dolby_2006.jpg)
1984
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/Tracey_Ullman_1990.jpg/190px-Tracey_Ullman_1990.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/Twisted_Sister.jpg/190px-Twisted_Sister.jpg)
1985
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/Jack_Wagner_2009.jpg/190px-Jack_Wagner_2009.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Frankie_Goes_to_Hollywood_in_London_cropped.jpg/190px-Frankie_Goes_to_Hollywood_in_London_cropped.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/50/Jan_Hammer_2_-_1977.jpg/190px-Jan_Hammer_2_-_1977.jpg)
1986
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/FabulousThunderbirdsFeb06.jpg/180px-FabulousThunderbirdsFeb06.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3d/Robert_Howard.jpg/180px-Robert_Howard.jpg)
1987
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4f/T%27Pau_2010.jpg/190px-T%27Pau_2010.jpg)
1988
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/Oils_Alive_Again_by_rakka_of_oz.jpg/190px-Oils_Alive_Again_by_rakka_of_oz.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0e/BobbyMcFerrinBrampton.jpg/190px-BobbyMcFerrinBrampton.jpg)
1989
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/Edie_Brickell.jpg/190px-Edie_Brickell.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0b/Love_And_Rockets_Lollapalooza08.jpg/190px-Love_And_Rockets_Lollapalooza08.jpg)
Artist | Single | Peak | Peak date | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Boys Club | "I Remember Holding You" | 8 | January 14 | [158] |
Sheriff | "When I'm with You" | 1 | February 4 | [46] |
Edie Brickell & New Bohemians | "What I Am" | 7 | March 4 | [106] |
Robin Zander | "Surrender to Me" | 6 | March 11 | [211] |
Kon Kan | "I Beg Your Pardon" | 15 | March 11 | [212] |
Deon Estus | "Heaven Help Me" | 5 | April 29 | [198] |
Sa-Fire | "Thinking of You" | 12 | May 6 | [50] |
The Belle Stars | "Iko Iko" | 14 | May 13 | [213] |
One 2 Many | "Downtown" | 37 | May 20 | [214] |
Jimmy Harnen with Synch | "Where Are You Now?" | 10 | June 10 | [92] |
Roachford | "Cuddly Toy (Feel for Me)" | 25 | June 10 | [206] |
Waterfront | "Cry" | 10 | June 17 | [44] |
Love and Rockets | "So Alive" | 3 | August 5 | [215] |
Eric B. & Rakim | "Friends" | 9 | August 26 | [189] |
The Jeff Healey Band | "Angel Eyes" | 5 | September 2 | [211] |
Grayson Hugh | "Talk It Over" | 19 | September 9 | [216] |
Sharon Bryant | "Let Go" | 34 | October 14 | [96] |
Sybil | "Don't Make Me Over" | 20 | December 2 | [217] |
Kix | "Don't Close Your Eyes" | 11 | December 16 | [218] |
Notes
Bibliography
- Jancik, Wayne (1998). The Billboard Book of One-Hit Wonders. Billboard Books. ISBN 0-8230-7622-9.
{{cite book}}
: Invalid|ref=harv
(help) - Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits (8th ed.). Billboard Books. ISBN 0-8230-7499-4.
{{cite book}}
: Invalid|ref=harv
(help)
References
- ^ a b Wells, Charlie (May 23, 2012). "Which of Today's Pop Newcomers Will End Up One-Hit Wonders?". The Atlantic. Atlantic Media. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
- ^ Jancik 1998, p. 4.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 189.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 612.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 233.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 174.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 504.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 652.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 518.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 190.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 358.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 372.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 489.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 463.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 134.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 591.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 560.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 155.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 464.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 115.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 94.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 256.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 587.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 631.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 396.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 362.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 262.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 288.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 357.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 175.
- ^ a b c Whitburn 2004, p. 674.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 457.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 159.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 657.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 680.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 353.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 351.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 410.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 634.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 563.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 692.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 255.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 275.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 670.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 465.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 567.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 253.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 684.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 531.
- ^ a b c Whitburn 2004, p. 550.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 111.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 130.
- ^ a b c d e f Whitburn 2004, p. 556.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 581.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 601.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 483.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 583.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 496.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 571.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 44.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 20.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 498.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 179.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 125.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 584.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 545.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 579.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 508.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 92.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 415.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 285.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 365.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 335.
- ^ a b c d Whitburn 2004, p. 620.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 268.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 656.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 116.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 462.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 121.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 515.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 547.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 166.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 585.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 204.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 215.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 74.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 270.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 485.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 152.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 696.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 98.
- ^ a b c Whitburn 2004, p. 619.
- ^ a b c Whitburn 2004, p. 217.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 48.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 440.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 37.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 443.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 655.
- ^ a b c Whitburn 2004, p. 16.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 176.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 477.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 186.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 472.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 102.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 336.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 84.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 118.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 595.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 324.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 62.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 23.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 565.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 450.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 524.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 650.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 356.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 610.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 299.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 382.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 468.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 555.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 647.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 473.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 539.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 276.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 566.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 311.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 664.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 45.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 43.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 257.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 424.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 297.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 241.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 38.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 77.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 225.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 219.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 441.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 403.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 371.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 480.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 274.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 135.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 505.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 258.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 235.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 95.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 597.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 34.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 558.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 131.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 627.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 470.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 580.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 196.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 291.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 78.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 433.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 69.
- ^ a b c d Whitburn 2004, p. 635.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 126.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 191.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 380.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 332.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 109.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 163.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 401.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 108.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 168.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 379.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 681.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 141.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 287.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 322.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 150.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 689.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 24.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 509.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 82.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 142.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 482.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 641.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 375.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 96.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 161.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 264.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 475.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 671.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 418.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 337.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 398.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 616.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 222.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 523.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 611.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 169.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 210.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 46.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 323.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 397.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 677.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 132.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 378.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 412.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 532.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 254.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 451.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 590.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 530.
- ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 280.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 352.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 56.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 469.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 381.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 296.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 618.
- ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 349.