The Top 100 One-Hit Wonders of the ’80s

Here are the top 100 one-hit wonders of the ’80s based on Billboard’s Top 40 chart peak. We’ve excluded people who had one solo hit but a lot of hits with a band (Bill Medley, Philip Bailey, Ric Ocasek, etc.), but otherwise, we just used the rule that if they had just one Top 40 hit, they were a one-hit wonder.

A couple of interesting notes: “Funkytown” is shared by two different one-hit wonders (albeit with different spellings); and there’s an interesting juxtaposition of two songs named after the bands near the end of the list. I also find the juxtaposition of Buckner & Garcia and The Grateful Dead amusing. M and The Buggles should probably be given ‘honorable mention’ as well.

1. Lipps, Inc.: “Funkytown” (#1 for 4 weeks in 1980)
2. USA for Africa: “We Are The World” (#1 for 4 weeks in 1985)
3. Patti Austin: “Baby, Come To Me” (with James Ingram – #1 for 2 weeks in 1983)
4. Bobby McFerrin: “Don’t Worry Be Happy” (#1 for 2 weeks in 1988)
5. Toni Basil: “Mickey” (#1 for 1 week in 1982)
6. Gregory Abbott: “Shake You Down” (#1 for 1 week in 1987)
7. Vangelis: “Chariots Of Fire – Titles” (#1 for 1 week in 1982)
8. Dexy’s Midnight Runners: “Come On Eileen” (#1 for 1 week in 1983)
9. Jan Hammer: “Miami Vice Theme” (#1 for 1 week in 1985)
10. Sheriff: “When I’m With You” (#1 for 1 week in 1989)

11. Grover Washington, Jr.: “Just The Two Of Us” (featuring Bill Withers – #2 for 3 weeks in 1981)
12. Joey Scarbury: “Theme From ‘Greatest American Hero’ (Believe It Or Not)” (#2 for 2 weeks in 1981)
13. Jack Wagner: “All I Need” (#2 for 2 weeks in 1984)
14. Gloria Loring & Carl Anderson: “Friends And Lovers” (#2 for 2 weeks in 1986)
15. Nena: “99 Luftballons” (#2 for 1 week in 1984)
16. Georgia Satellites: “Keep Your Hands To Yourself” (#2 for 1 week in 1987)
17. Harold Faltermeyer: “Axel F” (#3 in 1985)
18. Love And Rockets: “So Alive” (#3 in 1989)
19. Roger: “I Want To Be Your Man” (#3 in 1988)
20. Patrick Swayze: “She’s Like The Wind” (featuring Wendy Fraser – #3 in 1988)

21. The S.O.S. Band: “Take Your Time (Do It Right) Part I” (#3 in 1980)
22. Charlene: “I’ve Never Been To Me” (#3 in 1982)
23. Taco: “Puttin’ On The Ritz” (#4 in 1983)
24. T’Pau: “Heart And Soul” (#4 in 1987)
25. The System: “Don’t Disturb This Groove” (#4 in 1987)
26. Thomas Dolby: “She Blinded Me With Science” (#5 in 1983)
27. After The Fire: “Der Kommissar” (#5 in 1983)
28. Kajagoogoo: “Too Shy” (#5 in 1983)
29. Dazz Band: “Let It Whip” (#5 in 1982)
30. Deon Estus: “Heaven Help Me” (with George Michael – #5 in 1989)

31. Jeff Healy Band: “Angel Eyes” (#5 in 1989)
32. Johnny Lee: “Lookin’ For Love” (#5 in 1980)
33. Levert: “Casanova” (#5 in 1987)
34. Bruce Willis: “Respect Yourself” (#5 in 1987)
35. Pseudo Echo: “Funky Town” (#6 in 1987)*
36. Sly Fox: “Let’s Go All The Way” (#7 in 1986)
37. Mary Jane Girls: “In My House” (#7 in 1985)
38. Breakfast Club: “Right On Track” (#7 in 1987)
39. Scandal Featuring Patty Smyth: “The Warrior” (#7 in 1984)
40. Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians: “What I Am” (#7 in 1989)

41. Soft Cell: “Tainted Love” (#8 in 1982)
42. Shannon: “Let The Music Play” (#8 in 1984)
43. Timex Social Club: “Rumors” (#8 in 1986)
44. Tracey Ullman: “They Don’t Know” (#8 in 1984)
45. Rocky Burnette: “Tired Of Toein’ The Line” (#8 in 1980)
46. Boys Club: “I Remember Holding You” (#8 in 1989)
47. Bertie Higgins: “Key Largo” (#8 in 1982)
48. Delbert McClinton: “Giving It Up For Your Love” (#8 in 1981)
49. Gary Numan: “Cars” (#9 in 1980)
50. Buckner & Garcia: “Pac-Man Fever” (#9 in 1982)

51. Grateful Dead: “Touch Of Grey” (#9 in 1987)
52. Oran “Juice” Jones: “The Rain” (#9 in 1986)
53. Ollie & Jerry: “Breakin’…There’s No Stopping Us” (#9 in 1984)
54. Jane Weidlin: “Rush Hour” (#9 in 1988)
55. Frankie Goes To Hollywood: “Relax” (#10 in 1985)
56. The Fabulous Thunderbirds: “Tuff Enuff” (#10 in 1986)
57. Musical Youth: “Pass The Dutchie” (#10 in 1983)
58. Frank Stallone: “Far From Over” (#10 in 1983)
59. The Deele: “Two Occasions” (#10 in 1988)
60. Force M.D.’s: “Tender Love” (#10 in 1986)

61. Jimmy Harnen W/Synch: “Where Are You Now?” (#10 in 1989)
62. Regina: “Baby Love” (#10 in 1986)
63. Waterfront: “Cry” (#10 in 1989)
64. Louis Clark Conducting The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: “Hooked On Classics” (#10 in 1982)
65. Benny Mardones: “Into The Night” (#11 in 1980; #20 in 1989)
66. Scritti Politti: “Perfect Way” (#11 in 1985)
67. When In Rome: “The Promise” (#11 in 1988)
68. Steve Forbert: “Romeo’s Tune” (#11 in 1980)
69. Kix: “Don’t Close Your Eyes” (#11 in 1989)
70. Boys Don’t Cry: “I Wanna Be A Cowboy” (#12 in 1986)

71. The Nylons: “Kiss Him Goodbye” (#12 in 1987)
72. Sa-Fire: “Thinking Of You” (#12 in 1989)
73. M/A/R/R/S: “Pump Up The Volume” (#13 in 1988)
74. Baltimora: “Tarzan Boy” (#13 in 1986)
75. Frida: “I Know There’s Something Going On” (#13 in 1983)
76. Band Aid: “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” (#13 in 1986)
77. Charlie Dore: “Pilot Of The Airwaves” (#13 in 1980)
78. Giant Steps: “Another Lover” (#13 in 1988)
79. Terri Gibbs: “Somebody’s Knockin’” (#13 in 1981)
80. Devo: “Whip It” (#14 in 1980)

81. Peter Schilling: “Major Tom (Coming Home)” (#14 in 1983)
82. The Belle Stars: “Iko Iko” (#14 in 1989)
83. The Blow Monkeys: “Digging Your Scene” (#14 in 1986)
84. GTR: “When The Heart Rules The Mind” (#14 in 1986)
85. John Schneider: “It’s Now Or Never” (#14 in 1981)
86. Dottie West: “What Are We Doin’ In Love” (with Kenny Rogers – #14 in 1981)
87. Kon Kan: “I Beg Your Pardon” (#15 in 1989)
88. David Foster: “Love Theme From St. Elmo’s Fire” (#15 in 1985)
89. Paul Hardcastle: “19” (#15 in 1985)
90. Jump ’N The Saddle: “The Curly Shuffle” (#15 in 1984)

91. Sylvia: “Nobody” (#15 in 1982)
92. Lee Ritenour: “Is It You” (#15 in 1981)
93. Ali Thomson: “Take A Little Rhythm” (#15 in 1980)
94. Giuffria: “Call To The Heart” (#15 in 1985)
95. Double: “The Captain Of Her Heart” (#16 in 1986)
96. Godley and Creme: “Cry” (#16 in 1985)
97. Bob & Doug McKenzie: “Take Off” (#16 in 1982)
98. Big Country: “In A Big Country” (#17 in 1983)
99. Living In A Box: “Living In A Box” (#17 in 1987)
100. Limahl: “Never Ending Story” (#17 in 1985)
101. Greg Guidry: “Goin’ Down” (#17 in 1982)
102. Charlier Sexton: “Beat’s So Lonely” (#17 in 1986)
103. Midnight Oil: “Beds Are Burning” (#17 in 1988)

(103 are listed instead of 100 because the final 6 are tied at #98. Those and other ties are broken arbitrarily for ease of reading.)